Do you want to improve your hunting experience? A hunting jacket is no doubt an essential protective gear in the hunting world. As we all know, hunting weather conditions are harsh. This makes it dangerous and hard to tread. Therefore, you need maximum protection from heavy rains, snow, and bone-chilling winds. High-quality hunting jackets should protect you from all these harsh conditions and help you stay invisible to your prey. It also provides warmth and comfort during wet conditions.
Therefore, you need to find a suitable jacket to meet your needs. Do you know what makes a hunting jacket perfect? In choosing the best hunting jackets, you need to consider some factors following factors. Insulation, weatherproof, comfort, flexibility, camouflage, and specialized features. Now that you know what to look for, here is a review of 5 best duck hunting jackets for you. Let’s get to it, shall we?
5 Best Waterproof Duck Hunting Jackets
Wildfowler Outfitter Performance Camo Hunting Insulated Parka
This heavy-duty insulated duck hunting jacket is 100% waterproof. With its taped seams and button-down storm flaps, it keeps water from seeping inside. As a matter of fact, every detail in the jacket is meant to keep elements out and keep you dry. Furthermore, the polar fleece lining protects your body from the cold by providing you warmth. The outer cover is compost of soft tricot, which keeps the wind out. The material is also quiet when in motion. This means that it does not make noise, which can scare away ducks in the woods. The tricot material and the inner lining makes the jacket highly breathable and comfortable.
The jacket guarantees you warmth in all kinds of weather. Even though it is big and bulky, it is flexible and easy to move around in. The high cut storm collar offers you extra protection from the harsh weather, whether it is snow, rain, or winds. Its elastic draw cord design prevents wind from getting inside. It also helps you to blend with your surroundings by providing camouflage. The other designs like Velcro cuffs, pouch pockets with side hand warmer adds it advantages, which make the jacket usable in other areas.
Pros
- Its thickness provides the warmth needed during cold weather.
- The jacket is waterproof to keep all elements out.
- The tricot shell is quiet and flexible.
- It also provides camouflage.
- The jacket has velcro cuffs and high cut collar design.
- The 3-layer system design provides warmth.
- It is affordable
Cons
- You may feel fatigued because of its thickness and size.
- The Velcro pockets make it difficult to use thick gloves.
- The jacket is not totally waterproof against heavy rains.
- It does not come with many pockets, hence limited storage.
Drake Men’s LST Eqwader 3 In 1 Waterproof Wader Coat
Are you looking for a hunting jacket that you can wear in various ways? Well, you are in luck. You can wear this brilliant jacket in 3 different ways. As a liner jacket with a shell, a vest, or a liner jacket. This design makes it adjustable to fit any weather condition. Wear the liner jacket for less or more dry conditions. The vest for warm weather and liner jacket with a shell to get insulation and extra protection.
The construction material is 100% wind and waterproof. Furthermore, the jacket is abrasion resistant and impressively breathable. The material protects you from all elements. It is built for comfort with its designs. You could adjust the removable hood and stand up collar to block the rain. The variety of pockets presents a practical and organized way of storage. Furthermore, it has hand-warmer pockets and spring open-shell pouches. Generally, the jacket is well equipped for duck hunting in all weather conditions.
Pros
· Its material Refuge HS with HyperShield 2.0 Technology, is breathable, waterproof, and windproof.
· The jacket has pockets for stashing essential tools.
· The adjustable hood and standup collar blocks rain from different angles.
· It has a practical removable hood.
· The jacket comes with deep handwarmer pockets.
· It has magnetic pockets on the liner and shell.
· It features the swing shot action back that allows a wide range of motion and pretty easy layering.
Cons
· It is an expensive option.
· The camo patterns are all wetland oriented.
SITKA Men’s Celsius Insulated Hunting Jacket
The jacket is meant to provide warmth and comfort. This makes it suitable for warm weather. However, it cannot shield you from rain or wind. It is advisable to use it as an inner garment with another gear that is water-resistant and can withstand rough weather conditions. Both the inner and outer layer material is soft to touch. Furthermore, you can creep stealthily towards your prey, thanks to its super quiet nature.
For maximum protection from the harsh hunting conditions, pair the Celsius jacket with the Celsius shacket. You will appreciate this superb combination. More so, the coat conceals you when you are hunting due to its camouflage patterns. It also features zipped pockets to provide warmth and store small essentials. The pass-through safety harness design allows you to wear it closer to your body. Also, the design facilitates layering without removing the harness.
Pros
· The fleece material is quiet, which allows you to creep towards your prey.
· The combination of the shacket and Celsius jacket is the best in the hunting world.
· Its soft material provides warmth and comfort.
· It has various camouflage patterns for concealment.
· The jacket comes in various sizes and has zipped pockets.
· It further has efficient insulation.
· It is versatile in that it can be used under different weather conditions.
Cons
· It is not rainproof or windproof.
· The jacket is pricey.
· With its few pockets, storage is limited.
SITKA Gear Duck Oven Jacket
The Sitka gear is incredible when it comes to hunting gear. The jacket provides warmth in cold weather without being bulky. With its PrimaLoft Silver insulation feature, the jacket traps heat inside and blocks wind. The inner lining further prevents overheating and sweating by wicking off the moisture. Its arms and sleeves are also super flexible. More so, it features wind stopper technology that protects hunters from gushing winds. You can tuck in the bottom of the jacket into waders thanks to its stretchy gradient fabric. This will offer you more comfort and mobility.
Apart from the handwarmer pockets, it also has two additional upper hand pockets and zipped chest pocket to keep the small essentials like gloves. Furthermore, its camo patterns help you to blend in with the environment when hunting. Besides, the material is lightweight and soft; thus, making the jacket durable and versatile. Since the jacket is not fully waterproof, it is advisable to not use it as an outer layer in wet conditions.
Pros
· It comes with lots of storage.
· Its lightweight makes it comfortable to use.
· The gradient fabric enables tucking in waders without restrictions.
· With its Windstopper technology, it protects from bone-chilling winds.
· It has hand warming pockets.
· The jacket is available in various sizes.
· Furthermore, it is versatile in its uses.
Cons
· It is an expensive option.
· It doesn’t come with a hood.
· The camo selection is limited.
Sitka Gear Delta Wading Jacket
It is hands down one of the best choices in the market. Its ability to endure extreme conditions of hunting is impressive. The GORE-TEX pro shell makes it durable and 100% waterproof. The material is also breathable and resists abrasion. Therefore, you can go on with your business without worrying about getting wet or hurt in the process. Its Velcro gasket cuffs seal out sweat and water. The cuffs further allow you to handle water without water getting up your sleeves. Its stand up collar and 3- way adjustable hood reinforces locking out any wetness.
The jacket takes your comfort into consideration. The integrated pit zips provide ventilation to release out the heat. When it comes to practicality, the coat goes above and beyond with its features. From the magnetic hideaway, pockets to lay flat shell pockets for easy use. Choose the camo patterns carefully to match your hunting grounds.
Pros
· It is lightweight and durable.
· The material is highly breathable, windproof, and waterproof.
· The PRIMALOFT technology makes it provide warmth in wet conditions.
· It features polygiene odor control that removes smells and kills bacteria.
· The jacket is easy to maintain and clean.
· Its material wicks away moisture from your skin.
Cons
· The cuffs are Velcro instead of neoprene.
· Has limited camo selection.
· It is expensive.
Benefits of Using Waterproof Duck Hunting Jackets.
A duck hunting jacket is an essential gear for any hunter. The hunting activity exposes you to different harsh conditions that might be harmful to your health and reduce your productivity. Therefore, to choose the perfect jacket for your needs, you need to understand the benefits that it provides. It is no doubt a necessity in the hunting world
Snowproof
The hunting season may come with heavy rains or snow. The wet conditions make the hunting experience difficult and dangerous. Therefore, an insulated and fully water-resistant jacket seals out water completely, thereby keeping you warm. This further protects you from health problems.
Weatherproof
The hunting jacket has unique features that protect you from changing weather conditions. It prevents elements from penetrating thereby, shielding your body from all aspects like strong winds, snow, and rainstorms.
Lightweight
Even though some jackets are bulky, some are made from the lightweight material, which gives you flexibility. You can move freely when hunting without feeling restricted. It offers protection without being a nuisance. Furthermore, its lightweight makes it easy to use and wear for long hours without feeling fatigued.
Camouflage
Since you need cover when stalking your prey, the jacket has different camouflage patterns to help you blend in with your hunting grounds. Due to the variety of camo patterns, you can choose a specific design to fit your surroundings.
Versatility
The jackets come with specialized features that provide maximum protection from harsh weather conditions. This makes them suitable for other functions and sports activities such as hiking and skiing. This makes it a wise investment because there is no need to buy extra protective clothing for your favorite sports.
Storage
With its many pockets, the jacket allows you easy organization. The pockets are practical in the hunting experience. They will enable you to carry the essential hunting tools. You can also carry your phone, which may come in handy in case of an emergency.
Comfort
The hunting jackets are, for sure, made to give you maximum comfort during the hunting experience. Its soft inner lining and ability to wick off moisture improves comfort. Furthermore, the breathable material removes excess heat from the body while keeping you warm. The abrasion-resistant material makes the jacket withstand the harsh hunting conditions. With its durability, you will have excellent hunting experience in seasons to come.
Productivity
Are the harsh weather conditions affecting your productivity? With the rough hunting grounds and weather conditions, you are always worried about your harming yourself. As a result, it affects your hunting skills. However, high-quality hunting jackets gives you maximum protection and comfort in the hunting conditions. With your protection intact, you can focus on the hunting task at hand. It will please you how much your productivity improves.
Quiet material
The jackets are made of materials that do not produce noise. This allows you to creep when stalking your prey. The wonder material also provides you with more flexibility during an active hunt. Without any physical restrictions, your level of performance will definitely increase.
Care and Maintenance of Duck Hunting Jacket
A hunting jacket is made to offer breathability and weather protection. It naturally collects dirt, which could reduce its effectiveness on performance and breathability. Therefore, to ensure the competence of the jacket, you should provide routine care and maintenance.
Washing
Wash your garment under standard settings. Use warm water and a hunting specific detergent or liquid detergent to remove any dirt and stains. Be sure to rinse twice to remove any kind of residual. If it is a GORE-TEX garment, avoid washing it with other dirty clothing. Do not use powder soap, bleach, or fabric softeners because they might affect the jacket’s performance.
Drying
After rinsing, line dry your garment. Open-air is good for the jacket. In case you are using a dryer, use a normal cycle with medium heat. Add 20 minutes of tumble drying to reactivate the DWR (durable water repellant) treatment. If you cannot tumble dry, iron the clothing on a gentle setting, no steam. Place a towel between the jacket and the iron. When the garment begins to wet easily, it is time to restore the DWR.
Restoration.
For restoration purposes, apply water repellant treatment such as wash-in product or pump spray to the outer fabric of the jacket. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Using a spray is more efficient and easy. Shake off the excess water, close the pockets, and hang in an open space. Always ensure to check your garment for damages before and after use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which is the best hunting jacket?
A: There are several options for good jackets in the market. A good coat should be able to protect you from wetness and wind. It should also be flexible and provide camouflage.
Q2: How does a jacket become waterproof?
A: Waterproof jacket is made with a material that repels water. This prevents water from seeping in. The coat also has taped seals that stop water from leaking in through the stitches. Furthermore, the material can wick off moisture from the body hence preventing dampness.
Q3: Which one do I go for, water-resistant, or waterproof?
A: Definitely waterproof. It prevents water from getting to your body and keeps you warm, most importantly, dry. Water-resistant, on the other hand, can only protect you for a short period but not during heavy rains.
Q4: What is DWR (durable water repellency)?
This is the garment treatment that makes water bead up then roll off the garment instead of getting absorbed. It allows the breathability of the fabric and improves the overall performance of the clothing. Even though it is not permanent, you can reactivate and restore it.
Q5: When do I wash my hunting jacket?
A: This will depend on how frequently you use it. For heavy activity, wash every 10-12 days, or when you get home. However, for light activities, wash it every 20-30 days. It is better to use your judgment. Wash it when it is feeling sweaty or damp. Cleaning your jacket improves your comfort and increases the life of your clothing.
Final Thoughts
Duck hunters spend more time in harsh weather conditions than any other type of hunters. It is, therefore, crucial that you secure the best hunting jacket for a better hunting experience. Remember that your protection and comfort comes first. It is good to make a well-informed choice. Therefore, we trust that the hunting jackets on our list will be of excellent service in your next hunting season. Pick a hunting jacket that is suitable for your needs. Pick wisely, happy hunting.
