Duck hunting is one of the most enjoyable outdoor experiences that there is, rivaling ice fishing and deer hunting. What separates duck hunting from whitetails is the conditions that the hunter is exposed to. Wet and cold conditions are what turn some people away from duck hunting, but as long as you come prepared with a quality duck hunting jacket, the elements won’t have a chance to put a hamper on your fun.
Choosing The Best Duck Hunting Jackets
When most of us think about duck hunting, we picture cold and snowy conditions topped off with some wind. This isn’t always the case, but it always pays to be prepared. The best duck hunting jackets need to be warm, waterproof, windproof, comfortable, and they need to allow for mobility when shooting. Just about every waterfowl hunting jacket on the market can boast one or two of these, but we went ahead to find you the best of the best. Let’s take a look at the top duck hunting jackets and why they made this list.
Best Overall: WindRider Hayward
Specs
- Adjustable Cuffs
- Armpit vents for extra comfort
- Fleece Collar
- Full-Flotation
- Heavy-Duty YKK Zippers
- Inner Softshell: 100% polyester shell, polar fleece lining, 120g 3M insulation
- Lifetime Warranty
- Multiple Pockets
- Outer Shell: 320D polyester with DWR, TPU backer, 140g foam insulation
- Removable Hood
- Removable Insulation
- Zippered Armpit Vents
Pros
- 3 in 1 System, offers a lot of versatility
- Lifetime Warranty
- Extremely customizable for comfort
- It floats!
- Plenty of pockets for calls and shells
- Quality materials for maximum durability
- Very inexpensive compared to the competition
- Warm enough for cold conditions
- WindRider offers matching bibs with the same features
Cons
- Could be more flexible
- Only 1 Camo Pattern
- Need to purchase the bibs to fully reap flotation benefits
Summary
A common problem that cold-weather outerwear faces is striking a balance between warmth and mobility. It is easy to make a jacket that is warm if you don’t have to worry about moving around at all. The kicker with duck hunting is that you need to be able to quickly raise your gun so that you can shoot accurately for a clean kill every time. The WindRider Hayward breaks the mold in this respect while bringing a whole bunch of extra features to the table.
WindRider is out of Minnesota, so you know they are seasoned veterans when it comes to combating the cold. What separates the Hayward from most other duck hunting jackets is the removable insulated liner. It consists of two quality jackets all rolled up into one affordable package.
The outer shell has a 10k waterproof rating and an 8k breathability rating, which is key because a jacket isn’t going to be very effective at keeping you warm if you are drenched in sweat all day long. The lightweight inner softshell is perfect for those warmer days when the weather chooses to be a little more cooperative.
As far as extra features go, the Hayward is king. You can easily adjust the cuffs, hood, and zippered armpit vents to maximize your comfort even further. It is also stacked with hand-warming, chest, and inner pockets so you can always stay comfortable while easily accessing your shells and calls. The Hayward also has a built-in safety feature that most duck hunting gear doesn’t offer. It is also a favorite among ice fisherman, so it also floats! This can literally be a lifesaver if you leave the dog at home and need to retrieve your kill from a frozen pond. This may not be an overly common occurrence for some duck hunters, but it is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to safety.
All in all, the toughest part about selecting a “best of” jacket for duck hunting is the fact that weather conditions are always changing. The WindRider Hayward makes this process much easier because it is an all-in-one solution. It just doesn’t get any better than two premium jackets that are loaded with extra features in the same package.
Best Mobility: Sitka Hudson
Specs
- Adjustable Cuffs
- Adjustable Hood
- Gore Optifade Camouflage
- Gore-Tex Stretch Technology
- Gore-Tex Waterproof Shell
- Multiple Pockets
- PrimaLoft Insulation
- Weight: 47.3 oz.
Pros
- Extra pockets for shells and calls
- Handwarming pockets
- Very flexible
- Warm for how thin it is
Cons
- Expensive
- Need extra base layers to stay warm on colder days
Summary
When the temperatures are subzero and the dew point is high, the Sitka Hudson is a jacket that you are going to want in your arsenal. Sitka has been a brand that is synonymous with hunting for some time now, and the Hudson is a prime example of why. Your breath may hang in the air, and the wind may sting your eyes, but your core will be nice and toasty.
It is made of an elastic Gore-Tex material that allows for plenty of mobility when shooting and ample protection from wind and moisture. The Hudson allows for more mobility than some of our other top picks, but this leaves it lacking in the insulation department. Gore-Tex is great for keeping you dry from the elements, but this flexible insulation isn’t the greatest for warmth. This is an example of where the manufacturer decided to sacrifice comfort for warmth. You will need to wear extra layers underneath once the temperature drops into the single digits.
What we really like about the Hudson are the ergonomic design and extra features. The patented “gasket” cuffs completely seal off your arms from any outside moisture which is especially handy if you aren’t sporting top-of-the-line gloves. It also has two chest pockets for warming up your hands, two bellowed pockets for holding boxes of shells, and two pockets designed to hold calls. Some people prefer to have their hand-warming pockets closer to the waist for comfort, but overall this is a solid design with enough storage for most hunters.
The Sitka Hudson wasn’t our absolute favorite pick, but it was a close call. The features and mobility that this jacket offers get an A+, but it lacks enough insulation to keep you warm on especially cold days. Remembering to wear a base layer is easy enough, but it can take away from the overall comfort of this jacket.
Best Budget: Drake Guardian Flex Double Down Eqwader
Specs
- 100% polyester on upper chest and arms
- 100% polyester synthetic down on stomach and back
- 2 call and whistle pockets
- 2 chest pockets
- 400-gram fleece down
- Added elbow and forearm protection
- Adjustable cuffs
- Full-length zipper
Pros
- Affordable
- Great breathability
- Machine washable
- Quality construction for durability
- Very warm
Cons
- Could use more pockets
- Lacking overall extra features
- Lacks a DWR
Summary
There is a reason that this jacket is one of the best sellers from Drake Waterfowl, it provides all of the necessities that a duck hunting jacket should at an affordable price.
In the past, down jackets have been notorious for being too hot or easily tearing, but not with the Guardian Flex. Drake chose to use a synthetic down that is protected by a polyester layer which adds breathability and strength.
The cuffs are adjustable, which is key because different temperatures will call for different gloves, and we don’t ever want any moisture getting in from the outside. It comes equipped with four total pockets, two for calls and two on the chest. This may suffice for some hunters, but we wish it had some extras for shells and a phone.
To sum up this jacket, it covers all the bases that a top duck hunting jacket should when it comes to warmth and comfort. That said, the pockets and extra features don’t go above and beyond as some of our other selections do. If you want a simple garment that can stand up to everyday wear and tear without paying for all the extra bells and whistles, this is the jacket for you.
Honorable Mention: Sitka Delta
Specs
- 3 layers of Gore-Tex fabric
- 80D nylon shell
- DWR finish
- Adjustable hood and cuffs
- Variety of pockets
- 32.6 oz.
Pros
- Very warm
- Breathable enough when hunting on early season days
- Great pocket design and layout
Cons
- Can get sweaty on warmer days
- Pricey
- Can be slightly constrictive when wearing base layers
Summary
It’s probably no surprise that Sitka shows up twice on this list. The Delta has been around for a few years, and it is still a favorite among duck hunters everywhere. It was made with versatility in mind, and this is exactly what it delivers.
The three layers of Gore-Tex Pro fabric and 80D nylon combine the durability, breathability, and protection that Sitka is famous for. It surpasses most of the competition in wind and water protection, but it may not be the most breathable jacket if you are wearing waders underneath.
What we really liked about this jacket is the number of pockets and the ergonomic design and layout. On the front are two cargo pockets for boxes of shells and a chest pocket for warming up your trigger finger. Inside is a removable pocket that is waterproof and has a touch-sensitive face that allows you to use your phone without exposing it to the elements. In a perfect world, we could always leave our work and other responsibilities at home while duck hunting, but this isn’t always realistic.
Overall, Sitka did it again when designing another durable hunting jacket. We wish it offered more breathability and range of motion, but it provides enough warmth and extra features to make our list of best duck hunting jackets.
Final Thoughts
No one can correctly predict the weather conditions 100% of the time, so it is paramount to use gear that is versatile when enjoying the outdoors. Having a jacket that can roll with the punches is the difference between a great day of duck hunting and a miserable one in cold, wet conditions. Out of the jackets we tested, the WindRider Hayward is our absolute favorite pick, but you can’t go wrong with any of the other options on this list. We hope you found this list enlightening enough, so that you can make the best choice when purchasing your next jacket for duck season.