A major perk is the gasket sealing cuffs that keep water out while placing decoys in case your gloves fail or you have to reach farther than anticipated. It was plenty breathable while I was in motion, but sealed against wind and ice. Special GORE-TEX stretch material is incorporated into panels behind the shoulders for a quick and agile shotgun mount. The Hudson is a hard-core shell that’s adept at keeping out the elements while allowing a full range of motion. Bellowed shell pockets and zippered tuck-away pockets.GORE OPTIFADE concealment waterfowl marsh camo.Sitka’s Hudson is a reliable outer layer with creative solutions to some of the challenges associated with hunting in the worst weather. There are a lot of jackets that will work just fine for everyday duck hunts, but these are the true standouts. We made our final picks based on wind and waterproofness, warmth, comfort and fit, price, and overall design. I also surveyed other Outdoor Life editors who have field tested top jackets. Through those experiences, I got to see which duck hunting jackets perform, and which ones fail. I’ve hunted ducks all over the continent with a variety of diehard waterfowlers who all use slightly different gear. How We Picked the Best Duck Hunting Jackets The author and his duck dog after a frigid hunt. Best Old School: Avery Heritage Waterfowl Sweater.Best Puffy: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2.Best for Field Hunting: Carhartt Insulated Active Jac.Best for Mid Season: Drake ¼ Zip Refuge Eqwader Jacket.

Best for Cold Weather: Browning 3-in-1 Parka.The following jackets will get the job done no matter where or when you hunt. And, most importantly, you need to be able to mount your gun swiftly. You also need to be able to move freely to set decoys and blinds without a bulky jacket slowing you down. You need to stay warm and dry for hours on end if you want to shoot a limit on the best migration days. Having the best duck hunting jacket for the conditions is key. While the terrain and subspecies are all different, the one thing duck hunters in all four flyways have in common is that the more brutal the weather, the better the hunting. Duck hunters chase birds in humid swamps of the south, frigid prairies of the north and everywhere in between.

Drake pullover jacket