Tested True: Muddy TRX Softshell Jacket & TRX Softshell Pant

For 2024, Muddy is entering the hunt apparel arena. After reviewing the TRX Softshell Jacket and TRX Softshell Pant, all signs point to the winning outer-layer system.

by Jace Bauserman

A good friend and hunting mentor once said, “Jace, you got to have a system.”

Guess what?

He was right. No matter what I’m hunting, whether elk deep in the backcountry or whitetail in the back forty, I have a system for everything.

If you were to look in my ALPS Elite Frame +3800 backpack on an elk hunt, you’d find the pack and everything in it in perfect working order. My kill kit is always in the same spot, loaded with the same gear (two knives, a dozen blades, zip ties, pen, rubber gloves, sharpener, etc.). My MSR WindBurner Personal Stove System is in a waterproof bag tucked between my two-person tent and sleeping bag. I’ve discovered the better your “system” for all things hunting, the more enjoyable the hunt. Everything must have a place and purpose, and when you develop systems you can depend on, your in-the-field confidence grows.

Clothing is no different. If I’m hunting late-season waterfowl, I have a system. I wear the same base layers, mid layers, and outer layers. I use the same gloves, boots, and beanie. Last season, I upgraded to a pair of heated socks and a heated mid-layer vest.

Over the years, I’ve had excellent luck with Muddy’s Pro-Cam 18, Morph Cellular Camera, The Outfitter, and Boss XL lock-on treestands. I’ve found Muddy’s products durable, reliable, and functional. Their treestands are incredibly comfortable and hit an exceptional price point.

I was excited when boxes of new Muddy-branded apparel came off the UPS truck.

The Camo

I detest it when I’m asked to review a clothing line, and the manufacturer sends a pair of gloves. Yikes! It’s not better when a mid-layer jacket arrives without pants or a base layer. Muddy, however, sent a system, which I greatly appreciated.

After a week of mid-October whitetail hunting, I want to focus on two items that impressed me: the TRX Softshell Jacket and the TRX Softshell Pant.

Muddy partnered with camo kingpin VEIL and cooked up a Muddy Outdoors exclusive, Canyon Hybrid. While camo options of Veil Canyon Grey and Mossy Oak Bottomland are available, I will note that the pattern proved ideal on the ground and in the tree.

Though the pattern is built for the canyon lands, deserts, and rugged terrain typical of the West, I quickly discovered that the range of earthy tones—tans, browns, and muted greens—helped me disappear into a turning-gold cottonwood. The ultimate test: I stood in my treestand and drew back on a flock of fall turkeys for kicks. I had no intention to shoot, but I’ve had turkeys pick me off in a treestand more times than I can count. This flock didn’t make a single alarm putt when I stood, drew, let down, and returned to a seated position.

The pattern design sports jagged lines and shapes engineered to break up the human outline. The shadows and cracks in the pattern seem to pull it into the terrain and help the hunter disappear. I was impressed.

A Softshell Design

I’m a fan of softshell clothing designs. They are comfortable, quiet, and generally warm. Unlike noisy hard-shell garments, softshell clothing is typically flexible and breathable. Using a softshell outer, manufacturers can create athletic-fitting clothing that moves well with the hunter and isn’t too restrictive.

Enter the TRX Softshell Jacket. Muddy put their whitetail thinking cap on before putting this 100 percent windproof and water-resistant jacket to market. I applaud the integrated harness port, allowing easy treestand harness attachment. I wear a bino harness, which often conflicts with my treestand harness unless I wear a garment like the TRX. A pair of zippered side vents ensure airflow to help regulate body temperature. I wore this jacket with a single Muddy Base Layer Top and was plenty toasty on a pair of 36-degree mornings. Naturally, October in Colorado means crazy temperature swings, and while 75-degree stand hunting is never comfortable, I appreciated the jacket’s full zip down front and vented side pockets.

Pocket placement is ideal. I appreciated that Muddy didn’t stick a pocket on every open space of the outer tricot. Pockets should be purposeful. I like the pair of side-zip pockets and dual chest pockets.

The jacket’s athletic fit is noticeable. It moves well with the hunter, and the snug-fitting stretch cuff gussets keep the forearm area tight, preventing bulk and eliminating the need for a forearm bow guard sleeve.

TRX Softshell Jacket Pros

• Warm
• Breathable
• Purposeful pockets
• Integrated treestand harness port
• Form-fit forearms

TRX Softshell Jacket Cons

• A tad stiff in some areas
• Some noise but not too much

Softshell Continued …

The TRX Softshell Pant is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite hunt garments. Muddy’s integration of reinforced seat and knees is a win. I’m hell on gear, and I appreciate that I can wear these pants to hang stands, hit my knees against rough tree bark, and not blow holes in them. And while I’m a treestand hunter, I do lots of whitetail hunting from the ground. My derriere is in constant contact with brush, rocks, etc. Though the reinforced knees and the rear fabric aren’t as quiet as the tricot outer, noise creation is minor.

Another winning feature, and I don’t see Muddy advertising it, is the rubberized grip sewn into the inside of the waistband. When layering, I hate it when garments come untucked. This leads to poor comfort and unwanted bulk. This band is comfortable, unrestrictive, and keeps base garments in place.

Like the TRX Softshell Jacket, the pants are 100 percent windproof and water-resistant. They showcase four zippered pockets—front cargo and back—and two unzippered side pockets. The knee area is articulated for increased movement. I’ve had pants, especially in a treestand, that dug in behind my knees so hard that my feet fell asleep. These pants are ultra-comfortable, and the half-zip leg openings promote easy to put on/off, even without removing your boots.  

Another feature of the pants that I love is that you can pull the lower leg portion over your rubber boots or tuck it inside. I tend to pull my boots over my pants unless it’s snowing or raining, and like the Softshell Jacket, these pants don’t create unnecessary bulk. You’ll also notice the integrated reinforced knife pocket, a nice added feature of the pants.

TRX SoftShell Pant Pros

• Articulated knees
• Reinforced knees and rear
• Zippered cargo pockets
• Ultra-durable
• Rubberized sewn-in waistband
• Zippered legs

TRX Softshell Pants Cons

• Reinforced knees and rear fabric create extra noise

In The Field

With temperatures in an unfriendly-for-deer-movement pattern, I’ve only worn my TRX garments with Muddy’s Base Layer Crew Top and Base Layer Bottom. I have the full lineup of heated Nucleus gear, and I can’t wait to use it when the Mercury dips. Check back in early December for a full field test on these items.

Aside from the comfort, warmth, breathability, and durability of the jacket and pants, I conducted a rain event field test, and both passed with flying colors. While Muddy doesn’t brand the pants and jacket as waterproof, their water-resistant nature is second to none.

After six October sits and more to come, this jacket/pant combo will serve as my whitetail system outer layer for the foreseeable future.