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Feb 5th, 2020
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 Clothing/gear question.
#8790877
01/30/23 12:18 AM
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 27
bbarron80
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 27 |
Need a good, quality, but affordable waterfowl clothing/gear brand. What are your top three? Can’t afford Sitka at this time. Will be hunting primary out of a kayak so staying dry would be a plus. Like Drake but see a lot of bad reviews about their quality.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8790978
01/30/23 01:54 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 638
Sinkey
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 638 |
I wear Sitka. But started wearing Chene this year and like it too.
On what you said about affordability. Drake makes great stuff too and you can always find great stuff and buys on their sale section of their site.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8791239
01/30/23 02:35 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 57,858
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 57,858 |
Need a good, quality, but affordable waterfowl clothing/gear brand. What are your top three? Can’t afford Sitka at this time. Will be hunting primary out of a kayak so staying dry would be a plus. Like Drake but see a lot of bad reviews about their quality. Columbia. the wader wigeon jacket and liner would be your best bet Buy me
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8791301
01/30/23 03:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133
stevehong
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133 |
Need a good, quality, but affordable waterfowl clothing/gear brand. What are your top three? Can’t afford Sitka at this time. Will be hunting primary out of a kayak so staying dry would be a plus. Like Drake but see a lot of bad reviews about their quality. In the world of waterfowl gear, its a "buy once, cry once" theory for me. You could go to Academy and get Magellan gear stuff, but then you're back to the store, getting a new piece of gear because the cheap $100 jacket didn't keep you warm, or the seams broke, or you got wet because the gear isn't "that good". I was in the same situation as yourself, and just turned into a Sitka addict over the past few years, and their stuff works. Check out some retailers right now, right at the off season, you can get some great deals of gear from all the manufactures.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8791305
01/30/23 03:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 731
DUKFVR
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 731 |
Watch for sales & get the best you can. Cheap stuff usually only last a little time before it fails. I have had trouble with drake & banded gear stuff. I use Kuiu mostly as it works for me & last. Expensive yes,but I buy it once. Sitka is good too. Heard alot of good about Chene. Never tried it either.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8791516
01/30/23 08:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133
stevehong
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133 |
check out this site: https://www.camofire.com/index.php/I have gotten everything from Drake, LaCrosse, Sitka, Banded, and a bunch of other good brands for good deals - only thing that i hate is that it takes forever to get some stuff delivered.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8791520
01/30/23 08:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,010
BradyBuck
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,010 |
Chene, Kuiu, Pnuma, Sitka are all top tier stuff…
Maybe Drake is In between the top and bottom tier.
Magellan, Game Winner work well enough most of the time and much cheaper
I have a mix of Drake and Sitka gear. I wouldn’t say I absolutely need my Sitka stuff but it is absolutely better quality all around. Warmer, better made, more comfortable
Last edited by BradyBuck; 01/30/23 08:27 PM.
HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded
GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8791559
01/30/23 09:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,836
BarneyWho
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,836 |
The Rogers branded gear is decent stuff, and they run sales on it all the time. ROGERSROGERS CLOTHING
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: stevehong]
#8791638
01/30/23 11:14 PM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 943
2flyfish4
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 943 |
Need a good, quality, but affordable waterfowl clothing/gear brand. What are your top three? Can’t afford Sitka at this time. Will be hunting primary out of a kayak so staying dry would be a plus. Like Drake but see a lot of bad reviews about their quality. In the world of waterfowl gear, its a "buy once, cry once" theory for me. You could go to Academy and get Magellan gear stuff, but then you're back to the store, getting a new piece of gear because the cheap $100 jacket didn't keep you warm, or the seams broke, or you got wet because the gear isn't "that good". I was in the same situation as yourself, and just turned into a Sitka addict over the past few years, and their stuff works. Check out some retailers right now, right at the off season, you can get some great deals of gear from all the manufactures. Its kinda crazy how much $ I have in watwrfowl apparel. When I was flying up to Massachusetts last week I was thinking if the airlines lost my luggage I'd be out $2,500 just in base layers, waders and jacket.
Instagram - 2flyfish4
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8791671
01/31/23 12:00 AM
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 221
flashman252
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 221 |
Drake waterfowl....
Look at cutemdown website. You can find DEALS there on new stuff but older models.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8791822
01/31/23 03:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,349
BDB
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,349 |
Need a good, quality, but affordable waterfowl clothing/gear brand. What are your top three? Can’t afford Sitka at this time. Will be hunting primary out of a kayak so staying dry would be a plus. Like Drake but see a lot of bad reviews about their quality. Your waders have you covered from the tits down. I wear sweats if it's 37 or warmer and add thermal unders if colder. If it's really cold thermals, some wader pants that are insulated over that. Just layer your tops. Again quality base layer, then another thin long sleeve shirt, followed by a medium pullover (mines drake) and jacket over that if its really cold. Some days it's a long sleeve Columbia shirt with the pullover. I have the Sitka for my elk hunts....I have NEVER needed the expensive stuff for waterfowl. Duck hunting in Tx is/can be a Walmart/Academy thing. A pair of uninsulated and insulated waders are the key....then add what's needed top and bottoms. A quality base layer and quality socks....buy once cry once on those, but those are not that expensive. I've went on a Wyoming goose hunt the past 2 years. All my buddies are in Sitka head to toe. The guides are all in Carhart pants or bibs and jackets , that brown workman like material. Just goes to show you the mental thinking between waterfowlers and practicality. Beanies, neck gaiters, gloves and hand warmers....those are key imo also.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: flashman252]
#8791829
01/31/23 03:17 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 57,858
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 57,858 |
Drake waterfowl....
Look at cutemdown website. You can find DEALS there on new stuff but older models. use to most their stuff wasnt fully seam sealed just shoulders etc. they have been sold and bought a few times so no idea anymore.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: Sinkey]
#8792005
01/31/23 01:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,353
topwater13
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,353 |
I wear Sitka. But started wearing Chene this year and like it too.
On what you said about affordability. Drake makes great stuff too and you can always find great stuff and buys on their sale section of their site. Sink, are you wearing the chene waders? I am intrigued by the company and design, but at $1100 I wouldn't mind some first hand reviews.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: BDB]
#8792008
01/31/23 01:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 377
js4242
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 377 |
Need a good, quality, but affordable waterfowl clothing/gear brand. What are your top three? Can’t afford Sitka at this time. Will be hunting primary out of a kayak so staying dry would be a plus. Like Drake but see a lot of bad reviews about their quality. Your waders have you covered from the tits down. I wear sweats if it's 37 or warmer and add thermal unders if colder. If it's really cold thermals, some wader pants that are insulated over that. Just layer your tops. Again quality base layer, then another thin long sleeve shirt, followed by a medium pullover (mines drake) and jacket over that if its really cold. Some days it's a long sleeve Columbia shirt with the pullover. I have the Sitka for my elk hunts....I have NEVER needed the expensive stuff for waterfowl. Duck hunting in Tx is/can be a Walmart/Academy thing. A pair of uninsulated and insulated waders are the key....then add what's needed top and bottoms. A quality base layer and quality socks....buy once cry once on those, but those are not that expensive. I've went on a Wyoming goose hunt the past 2 years. All my buddies are in Sitka head to toe. The guides are all in Carhart pants or bibs and jackets , that brown workman like material. Just goes to show you the mental thinking between waterfowlers and practicality. Beanies, neck gaiters, gloves and hand warmers....those are key imo also. I agree with most of BDB's response. The only thing I do a bit different is a waterproof shell for the outer layer top. My partner knows two speeds in his boat - WOT and off. It can get wet crossing a bay on the coast. Other than that, its greens, browns and blacks under the camo shell. If you have a good hide, solids are perfectly fine. Don't need camo. Take off or add as needed. Socks are key and a quality beanie. I've never paddled in, so I can't comment on the gloves, but I wear cheap ski gloves for the rides and dead times.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8792037
01/31/23 02:26 PM
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 881
goosebuster
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 881 |
Get the best jacket you can afford, and then go Academy brand underneath. You don't want to be wet and or cold. I have the Sitka wading jacket, and its 100% my go to in the rain and wind. I wear fleece under it when I need warmth.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#8792044
01/31/23 02:36 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 57,858
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 57,858 |
Need a good, quality, but affordable waterfowl clothing/gear brand. What are your top three? Can’t afford Sitka at this time. Will be hunting primary out of a kayak so staying dry would be a plus. Like Drake but see a lot of bad reviews about their quality. Columbia. the wader wigeon jacket and liner would be your best bet Buy me@174.92 this is about employee pricing. 100% water proof and seemed sealed. I used mine from winter hunting and wade fishing coast, to Chesapeake bay, and north to Canadian border. you can layer what ever you want under it, the additional liner is to warm for for majority of TX season though
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: topwater13]
#8792127
01/31/23 04:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 638
Sinkey
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 638 |
I wear Sitka. But started wearing Chene this year and like it too.
On what you said about affordability. Drake makes great stuff too and you can always find great stuff and buys on their sale section of their site. Sink, are you wearing the chene waders? I am intrigued by the company and design, but at $1100 I wouldn't mind some first hand reviews. No. Only because I bought Sitkas 3 seasons ago. And they are still going strong and have lifetime warranty. My buddy has the Chene waders. I’ve noticed they are very similar to the Sitkas. In design. He is only on his first season. So can’t give much feedback on durability. He loves them though.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8792322
01/31/23 07:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 586
TOMCAT21
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 586 |
Sitka has a very good military discount if you qualify.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: Sinkey]
#8793057
02/01/23 04:30 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,353
topwater13
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,353 |
I wear Sitka. But started wearing Chene this year and like it too.
On what you said about affordability. Drake makes great stuff too and you can always find great stuff and buys on their sale section of their site. Sink, are you wearing the chene waders? I am intrigued by the company and design, but at $1100 I wouldn't mind some first hand reviews. No. Only because I bought Sitkas 3 seasons ago. And they are still going strong and have lifetime warranty. My buddy has the Chene waders. I’ve noticed they are very similar to the Sitkas. In design. He is only on his first season. So can’t give much feedback on durability. He loves them though. Thanks. I may have to give them a shot. I am down to my last set of cabela's supermags.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: topwater13]
#8793522
02/01/23 11:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 14
louisianaman
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 14 |
I've been wearing the Chene waders the past two seasons. My brother wears the sitka waders so I have experience with both. The durability is great I put them through thorns this season on accident trying to get to a downed bird. Not an issue, no leaks. I had a minor leak last season and got them back in great shape within a week. The customer service is excellent. I've put them through hell and they've been amazing.
If I'm being honest I went with them because of the fit. I'm a younger slim guy so sitkas were a little baggy on me. Chene fit me great. Loose enough for mobility but no extra fabric hanging around. I wouldn't say they are any better than sitka, but sitka is certainly not any better than chene. They are of equal quality and you can't go wrong.
If I could make one recommendation to everyone... buy the chene wader pants. Thank me later. I don't care what kind of waders you have just buy the pants. They are super warm and comfortable. I have never been cold in them.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8793532
02/02/23 12:04 AM
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 14
louisianaman
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 14 |
As for affordability, I still roll with my drake shell jacket on cold days. I just layer it up real good and take layers off if necessary. A lot of days I may just be wearing a breathable material hoodie, nothing too heavy since most days its not all that cold
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: BDB]
#8793697
02/02/23 05:39 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,552
DocHorton
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,552 |
Need a good, quality, but affordable waterfowl clothing/gear brand. What are your top three? Can’t afford Sitka at this time. Will be hunting primary out of a kayak so staying dry would be a plus. Like Drake but see a lot of bad reviews about their quality. Your waders have you covered from the tits down. I wear sweats if it's 37 or warmer and add thermal unders if colder. If it's really cold thermals, some wader pants that are insulated over that. Just layer your tops. Again quality base layer, then another thin long sleeve shirt, followed by a medium pullover (mines drake) and jacket over that if its really cold. Some days it's a long sleeve Columbia shirt with the pullover. I have the Sitka for my elk hunts....I have NEVER needed the expensive stuff for waterfowl. Duck hunting in Tx is/can be a Walmart/Academy thing. A pair of uninsulated and insulated waders are the key....then add what's needed top and bottoms. A quality base layer and quality socks....buy once cry once on those, but those are not that expensive. Beanies, neck gaiters, gloves and hand warmers....those are key imo also. Agree. It's overkill to spend $400 on a jacket when most of the hunting is 40* and up in Texas, IMO. Most of the time I don't even wear a jacket. It's just pants under my waders and a thermal top with a camo shirt and a camo pullover. I have Drake and UA. Last weekend it was 28* when I was throwing out dekes and didn't even have a jacket on and was almost sweating. The one BoBo posted will work just fine.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8794629
02/03/23 05:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 153
CTX Mav
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 153 |
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8794636
02/03/23 05:17 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 297
Teamjefe
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 297 |
You can get a Sitka Duck Oven jacket for $200 right now. I just ordered a Sitka Wading Jacket for $260.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8794656
02/03/23 05:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 638
Sinkey
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 638 |
The duck oven is about the warmest lightweight jacket Ive ever put on. $200 is a good buy on that.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: Teamjefe]
#8794662
02/03/23 05:49 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133
stevehong
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133 |
You can get a Sitka Duck Oven jacket for $200 right now. I just ordered a Sitka Wading Jacket for $260. the duck oven is probably my favorite piece of outer wear for waterfowl, but i wish it came with a hood
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8795591
02/05/23 02:30 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 273
claypool
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 273 |
Just my .02 but either go all in with Chene or Sitka, Chene is better to me, of just go economical and roll with academy brand. Cabela’s might be better but who knows after BPS bought em. Once you buy the high end stuff like Chene, you will quickly notice the difference between it a academy or Drake
For the record, Drake gear sucks
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: claypool]
#8796582
02/06/23 08:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133
stevehong
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133 |
if you're looking for some decent gear, academy is having a huge after season sale on Drake stuff.
picked up an extra pair of waders for $175 yesterday online.
It's always good to have an extra set of things, especially if you're unsure about quality - but then again, buy once cry once.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8798427
02/09/23 02:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 120
OTL91
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 120 |
Simms has some stuff on sale right now. Freestone wading boots are marked down to 130 from 180. Freestone waders were marked down to 229 from 299. They do an additional 10 percent off for veterans and first responders.
The freestone wading boots I currently have have lasted 3 seasons and probably have another season or two left in them (40-60 hunts a season)... and I do a lot of walk in hunting.
I have never splurged on the waders but I wanted to see if they would last an entire season. I am typically going through two pairs of frogg toggs breathable waders a season due to seam leaks at the knees from rubbing together while walking. Will be interested to see if the seam design on the Simms lasts longer.
Last edited by OTL91; 02/09/23 02:52 PM.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8799277
02/10/23 07:08 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133
stevehong
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133 |
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8803445
02/17/23 08:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 106
steventtu
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 106 |
I hunt mainly First Lite stuff, and I like it a lot. Not necessarily cheap, but a little less pricey than Sitka. They're coming out with a new timber pattern, too, that looks really good. I've heard some complaints about their first waterfowl pattern being a bit too yellow, which I get.
Also, have you heard of Camo Retro? As the name implies, they sell old hunting gear and you can get some pretty great deals on used stuff.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: bbarron80]
#8803446
02/17/23 08:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 106
steventtu
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 106 |
Waders are the toughest thing to find, in my opinion. I can't decide if it's worth spending $$$ only to destroy them in a few seasons anyway, or go cheaper and more "disposable." I have a pair of decent Cabela's waders, but they're already starting to show plenty of wear after two seasons.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: Sinkey]
#8804020
02/18/23 08:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 34,403
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 34,403 |
Are those neoprene? I have always wore cabala's, for years. They have given me a lot of free waders, or discount them. That and all the points I get on my cabela's CC, and cabela's gift cards I get, seems like I never actually spend my own money at cabela's. I like my 5mm neoprene, 1) it is warm and compfy, laying on the ground is padded and soft, 2) you will float in them.
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: Guy]
#8804055
02/18/23 09:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,145
KWood_TSU
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,145 |
Are those neoprene? I have always wore cabala's, for years. They have given me a lot of free waders, or discount them. That and all the points I get on my cabela's CC, and cabela's gift cards I get, seems like I never actually spend my own money at cabela's. I like my 5mm neoprene, 1) it is warm and compfy, laying on the ground is padded and soft, 2) you will float in them. Sitka is breathable and non insulated, which is great actually. Can wear them from teal to late duck season.
Amat Victoria Curam - Victory Loves Preparation
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Re: Clothing/gear question.
[Re: KWood_TSU]
#8804275
02/19/23 03:41 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 34,403
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 34,403 |
Are those neoprene? I have always wore cabala's, for years. They have given me a lot of free waders, or discount them. That and all the points I get on my cabela's CC, and cabela's gift cards I get, seems like I never actually spend my own money at cabela's. I like my 5mm neoprene, 1) it is warm and compfy, laying on the ground is padded and soft, 2) you will float in them. Sitka is breathable and non insulated, which is great actually. Can wear them from teal to late duck season. I have cabela's breathable as well, but give me 5mm neoprene on cold mornings in a boat hunting public (warm and you will float).
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