What's Your Opinion: Waterfowl Gear

[silverdalesauer]

As the season of waterfowling comes to a close soon, there's a lot of gear on sale. I've been given the thumbs up from my wife to purchase some gear for the next year. I've never paid much attention to high quality gear for myself as I've spent most of my money providing my kids the gear they needed to stay warm, dry, and capable to hunt well. I think by doing so, I've given them a better chance at staying passionate about the sport - and thus, they will be hunters for life.

But now... I get a chance to get some new gear! 

So, I'm on a hunt  for the following:

  - breathable waders with warm boots  (1000 to 1600 Thinsulate)
  - a mid weight jacket that works well in the rain (looking for something that I don't need to add a rain coat to the mix)
 
I've been looking at Drake, Rogers, Banded, etc. but have heard some varying opinions.

I'd love to get more feedback.

What have you found works well for these two conditions: (Western WA rain/wind) and (Eastern WA cold)?

[wadu1]

Rivers West gear, a WA Company 

[Mfowl]

I will be buying some Roger's breathable waist waders this off season. I had been eyeing all the brands but I am gonna go Roger's. Keep an eye out for deals on Sitka gear coming up. You can find up to 40% off if you're patient and search a lot. I use a Dakota shell, its not waterproof but its great on the Eastside where I hunt most. I just layer accordingly underneath.

[fowl smacker]

I'll start off with the jacket.  After literally trying every jacket manufacturer on the market (Columbia, Drake, Winchester, Rivers West, Cabelas, Banded), I finally bought a Sitka Delta wading jacket.  BY FAR the best hunting jacket I've ever wore for being in the rain.  Every other jacket I tried, I'd eventually get wet.  Not with the Sitka.  I just wish I'd saved and purchased it earlier, I'd be money ahead. 

As far as waders, if it is going to be REALLY cold I'll throw on my Hodgman duramag 1600 gram boot waders.  If I'm going to be walking a lot or it's above freezing I wear my Cabelas breathables that I've had for 5 years.  They have been great, however I don't think they're made quite the same anymore.  Maybe someone with a newer model waders will chime in.

[Special T]

I bought some Frog togg breathable waders and love them, so much so I bought them for my kid.  I paid 23p at sportco, suposidly frog togg makes the private label Rodgers.  I have a columbia sportswear jacket widgon I think. Mother in law had a golden ticket, friends and family promo.  Hard to beat. Love the combo. Breathable are awesomenif you have to walk very far. If you boat hunt only neoprene may be better except when you have to pee.

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[Pnwrider]

I’ve got a Columbia wading jacket that I really like. Don’t think they make it anymore though. As far as waders, I usually buy the best pair I can at cabelas, knowing I will be replacing them every 2-4 years. It’s easy enough to layer under them depending on the weather.

[full choke]

Personal opinions-
I would not buy anything Banded. Solely because the head dude is a doosh... just can't get past that. I will not patronize his gear.
I would stay away from Drake jackets. I have heard waaaay too much about them being poorly made. I briefly had a pair of their LST waders. They were actually pretty cool. Heavy duty, but had an extremely weird cut. The legs were super short and the torso was super long. Couldn't walk in them. It was too bad cause I think they were really well made otherwise.

I tend to buy the cheapest stocking foot breathable waders I can find these days. Sierra Trading Post usually has some good deals- under $100, sometimes $50. I usually get a season or two out of waders. I could spend big bucks on them- but inevitably I will tangle up with barbwire, a beaver gnawed branch, or some Russian Olive stickers and put a hole in them. $75 I can stomach, any more kind of hurts.

I hunt the eastside, and try to avoid wearing coats at all costs. I layer accordingly. If I do need a coat for warmth I put on my Sitka Dakota Hoody. That is the absolute best peice of waterfowling gear ever!
I used to have a Sitka Delta wading coat but I sold it. I don't need integrated lanyards, magnetic shell pockets, etc. I use a Sitka Cloudburst as a rain shell. It is lighter and cheaper than the Delta and more versatile.

[EWUeagles]

My buddy bought some frog toggs breathable waders and he has liked them so far this year. He also owns a pair of Drake Breathable. He gets about 3 years out of breathables.

If you hunt the west side a lot I would look at sitka. I hear you can't beat their gear in the rain. I don't own any but plan on buying some base layers since they are a little thinner and super warm. I hunt super cold weather and wear a Merino Base Layer, Cabelas MTP Mid layer and then if it gets really cold I put on a Browning Jacket I got for 100 bucks. I have hunted in -11 and don't get cold. Now since we are seeing more and more rain on the east side than we used to I need to start looking at better waterproof layer.

Don't buy banded stuff they are a bunch of D-bags.

[Stein]

I usually layer with either a sweatshirt or puffy coat and then my lightweight raincoat over if necessary.  I have a three in one coat I pull out if it's really cold, but the sweatshirt or puffy gets me through 90% of the season.  I thought about getting some Sitka stuff, but can't really justify two sets of hunting gear since my big game stuff works fine and the ducks don't seem to care.

[linxx77]

For the jacket, I would go Hudson from Sitka.

It’s a warm mid-level  rainproof that works great for me till about 30 degrees. I bought one size up so I can wear my Sitka gradient hoodie underneath during the super cold times.

Not sure if applicable, but Like Stein, I try to get one cammo pattern for as many species I can. So all of my Sitka is in The Marsh pattern. I hunt deer in E. WA wheat fields and that pattern is awesome for those hunts as well. 


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[Odell]

having been around the block with just about every brand I would avoid any waterfowl specific line like Branded or Drake. They have the right ideas but lack execution and quality. Sitka is top of the line with a great warranty.

If I'm hunting in the cold I want to layer with a puffy from a ski co for insulation and then have an outer shell from a proven company. That said I do have a drake vest I like to throw over it all for the big pockets and old school waterfowl camo

[vandeman17]

At the recommendation of a buddy, I ended up buying these and am happy. Early season I just run a pair of lightweight long underwear underneath and late season I use fleece wader sweatpants underneath and am comfortable. Two things I really like about these are the overall fit and how much easier it is to hike in them.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/83092?page=mens-beans-waterfowler-pro-waders-with-superseam-technology-boot-foot

[HaydenHunter]

It'll set you back some serious coin unless you catch sales, but I say Sitka.  I have a duck oven mid layering jacket and I cover it with a Delta Wading Jacket for warmer temps (down to 20 with no wind) or my Hudson jacket for colder temps with high winds.  Love these pieces.  Sitka's warranty policy is great, too.  A couple of years in, my Duck Oven zipper broke.  They sent me a brand new jacket as a replacement and paid shipping both ways.

I'm about to turn 65 and I figure I will have this Sitka gear for the rest of my hunting days.

[EWUeagles]

It'll set you back some serious coin unless you catch sales, but I say Sitka.  I have a duck oven mid layering jacket and I cover it with a Delta Wading Jacket for warmer temps (down to 20 with no wind) or my Hudson jacket for colder temps with high winds.  Love these pieces.  Sitka's warranty policy is great, too.  A couple of years in, my Duck Oven zipper broke.  They sent me a brand new jacket as a replacement and paid shipping both ways.

I'm about to turn 65 and I figure I will have this Sitka gear for the rest of my hunting days.

The only complaint I ever hear about Sitka is their zippers sucks and I do hear it a lot. The same people that make the complaint though keep buying Sitka haha.

[HaydenHunter]

The only complaint I ever hear about Sitka is their zippers sucks and I do hear it a lot. The same people that make the complaint though keep buying Sitka haha.

Hey, if they are going to repair or replace the garment free for life on defects, yes I will keep buying Sitka.

[Odell]

It'll set you back some serious coin unless you catch sales, but I say Sitka.  I have a duck oven mid layering jacket and I cover it with a Delta Wading Jacket for warmer temps (down to 20 with no wind) or my Hudson jacket for colder temps with high winds.  Love these pieces.  Sitka's warranty policy is great, too.  A couple of years in, my Duck Oven zipper broke.  They sent me a brand new jacket as a replacement and paid shipping both ways.

I'm about to turn 65 and I figure I will have this Sitka gear for the rest of my hunting days.

The only complaint I ever hear about Sitka is their zippers sucks and I do hear it a lot. The same people that make the complaint though keep buying Sitka haha.

You think Sitka zippers are bad, just try Drake. At the end of the day, everything can break. Having a company who will stick by their product is worth a lot. Waterfowling is hard on gear

[OltHunter]

Sitka Hudson Jacket for me, mainly cause they have tall sizes in it.  But fits great, love the stretchy panels, keep you dry and keeps the chill off enough and if it's super cold, I run a puffy underneath. Also like the built in call lanyard.  But for everything Sitka, don't pay full price!

I go the Lacrosse Aero Elite waders on clearance.  Their sizing was a train wreck they discontinued them.  Got them for $250.  Outside of sizing, they have done well for me and will do well for people up to 600 pounds!

Sitka doesn't make them up to my size, would have liked to check those out, plus US made!

Banded have heard very mixed reviews.

Breathables are nice if you have to walk a lot, but it sounds like you can't beat the durability and dependability of neoprene.

[HaydenHunter]

Breathables are nice if you have to walk a lot, but it sounds like you can't beat the durability and dependability of neoprene.

My main hunting partner has been making fun of me for years for wearing neoprenes.  I have pairs of 3.5 and 5 mm.  He has always worn breathables with proper layering underneath.  I finally bought a pair of Herters breathables on closeout from Cabelas last year for $89.  I have worn them most of the year and have only worn my 3.5 neoprenes a couple of times.  Breathables are THE BOMB!

[h2ofowlr]

I waterfowl a lot and have tried most brands on the market except banded gear.  Won't support Chad and crew, personal reasons.  After purchasing, dealing with leaks over the years and clothes not fitting right or to big and bulky, I went the sitka way.  Been great clothing and I was sold on the big game as I have used it for about 12 years now and the waterfowl gear for 4 years.  I have had great luck with it.  Zippers have been an issue for some, main culprit is due to them getting caked with mud or other crud.  They get gummed up and stuck and one pulls on them harder and pops them apart.  Warranty has been great.  I had a hood pulling apart on my Sitka Hudson jacket.  They are sent to Seattle for repairs.  I had my jacket back in a week and they tossed in a new hat for my troubles.
If you only ducks hunt a few weeks a year, it may not be worth it for you.  I am chasing waterfowl from Sept. 1st until March, so I wanted good gear.  I have all the base layers, jackets, pants, bibs, hats, etc.  It's all I use anymore and most of the guys that hunt like I do, use the same gear as well.  Their is a reason it is so popular.  It keeps you warm and dry. 

[silverdalesauer]

Well, I'm definitely seeing a common thread here and it's that Sitka has figured out how to make gear that fits, lasts, and is fixable on their warranties. I grew up in Maine and really loved LL Bean gear, but since moving to Washington 20 years ago, LL Bean's customer service has changed and so has their options for hunters. I think they still make some quality gear, but there's not a lot of options out there.

I'll be doing some looking around for some deals.

Waders are one of those things where I need to go try them on as I'm a stout, tall guy.

Thanks for your input folks!

[Guzman]

There is a lot of good stuff out there.

However Sitka is literally another level. I am not trying to sell you. I am telling you from a guy who guided for years and tried multiple systems. When sitka came out I dropped $2k on a good system. Honestly it isn’t even close. I have never. And I say never got wet. It moves well, quiet and requires less clothing. It is expensive.

[ridgefire]

Spend your money on Sitka and you will not regret it. These Delta wading jacket is head and shoulders above any other jacket I have ever had. I have some Sitka stuff that I bought the first year they made it in ASAT and I still wear it to this day. It's probably pushing 15 years old now. My next Sitka purchase will be the waders.