If you do not want to read through the entire article, you can check out the Mossy Oak Sherpa 2.0, the best duck hunting jacket I came across. It is affordable, will keep you warm during cold weather, and has several pockets you can use to carry some of your stuff.
Waterfowl season is around the corner, which means you might want to stock up on your gear, which might include some hunting jackets. I have done some extensive research (added some of my own experience) and found 5 of the best-suited jackets for hunting ducks.
I have looked at many features that include waterproofing, the type of camo used, comfort, and the list goes on. It is also vital that you know and understand what to look for in a duck hunting jacket.
I will show you exactly what to look for in the section below. The guide below is not that long, but you can check out the Mossy Oak Sherpa 2.0 if you want to head over to the product section.
What You Should Look For In A Duck Hunting Jacket
Duck hunting or waterfowl hunting is a popular hobby with one thing in common: the type of area you will hunt. Most waterfowl hunting will take place near dams and very wet areas. It is in your best interest to choose a jacket which is very well adapted to these types of areas.
It is also important to note that almost any jacket can be suited for duck hunting IF it has these two features. Do not let anyone try to sell you on a costly jacket made explicitly for waterfowl hunting. The two features include waterproofing and the type of camo used.
The Jackets Should Have Some Waterproof Capabilities
Your clothes need to be protected from moisture if you decide to spend a lot of time close to wet areas such as dams, lakes, and swamps. As a warning, there will most likely be splashing involved, which will land water on your upper body.
The waterfowl will also most likely be wet, which can also make you wet. Most of the jackets in this article will be either made from a hydrophobic material or have a waterproof coating to keep the moisture outside.
If you want the best in waterproofing, you need to head over to the Frogg Toggs Men’s Pro Action jacket, which is the best in that department. It is also very inexpensive.
About Duck Hunting Waders
Duck hunting waders are very good at insulating your lower body while moving inside the shallow water. Most duck hunting methods require you to go into the water to find some cover or to go and fetch the game.
If you do not already have a wader, I would recommend reading this article on the best duck hunting waders.
You Need To Choose The Right Camo Pattern
There are many camo patterns available on the market today. Each pattern is suitable for a specific animal in a particular area. There is no one size fits all approach. I have done some research on which camo type is best for duck or waterfowl hunting and came across two examples that might do the job in concealment.
They include the following:
- Mossy Oak Bottomland
- Realtree Max5
Mossy Oak Bottomland is best suited for mash areas and swamps where you can hide between trees that grow out of the shallow water. This pattern can also be referred to as flooded timber. This camo pattern makes it easy to break your outline if you are standing between the waterfowl and a large tree.
Another useful camo pattern for duck hunting is the Realtree Max5. This pattern is the most common type used for hunting waterfowl. It resembles cattails, reeds, cane, and grasses, which usually grow around very wet areas.
These jackets should also keep you warm and must be comfortable enough to wear.
#1 Mossy Oak Sherpa 2.0 (Best All-Around)
When it comes to duck hunting, this jacket was one of my favorite options. It is not that expensive, which makes it affordable for almost anyone. This jacket is particularly good at keeping you warm during cold weather, which is what jackets are supposed to do.
It does have some waterproofing qualities which will prevent light rain from making you wet. In all honesty, I must admit that it does not have the best waterproofing capabilities. This jacket will possibly not keep you dry during heavier rainfalls.
This jacket is made from micro-fleece material, which does an excellent job of keeping you warm. It also gives the jacket a soft texture, which will provide you with that desired cozy feeling. The material also makes the jacket extra quiet when you are moving.
It uses a zipper that runs down in the middle for secure closure. It has two chest pockets and two zipper pockets on each side. At the end of the sleeves, you will notice that there are inner cuffs with a thumb hole. This handy feature prevents the sleeves from moving away from your hands up to your arm.
It comes in 3 camo types: Mossy Oak Bottomland, breakup country, and the original treestand. In the scenario of hunting ducks, I would recommend the Mossy Oak Bottomland camo type.
#2 Frogg Toggs Men’s Pro Action (Budget-Friendly)
Frogg Toggs is very well known for their rain jackets and inexpensive apparel. So, if you are on a tight budget and keeping dry is essential, I recommend the Men’s Pro Action jacket from Frogg Toggs.
They used the material called polyester to manufacture this jacket. Polyester is very durable and is an excellent hydrophobic material. This feature creates a waterproof barrier, which makes it almost impossible to get wet. This jacket would be ideal for use during heavy rain.
This product also has a built-in hoodie, which will keep your head dry and warm. You can also tuck it inside the jacket when not in use. Clothing made from polyester only has one drawback, which includes the following:
It is not a very good insulator. The best way to use this jacket is along with additional layers underneath it. There are several options, such as base-layers, which will compensate for this minor issue. It makes use of a front zipper along with a snap-down storm flap. This flap prevents any water from entering the jacket through the front zipper.
This jacket comes in a wide variety of camo patterns. The only two options which I will recommend for duck hunting are the Realtree Max5 and Bottomland camo.
#3 Banded Chesapeake (Highest Quality)
If you have the budget to get a more premium duck hunting jacket, you need to look at the Banded Chesapeake. It has some excellent waterproofing capabilities that will keep you dry around wet areas.
This jacket uses a so-called SHEDS technology, which stands for Super Hydrophobic Evaporative Development System. The seams of this jacket are also super tight, which will also prevent water from entering the jacket.
Please watch this video below for a more visual representation:
The cuffs at the end of the sleeves are also adjustable and stretchable, which will give you a better fit and make it more comfortable to wear. This jacket also has several pockets which might come useful.
You will have access to two chest pockets and a kangaroo style pocket to keep your hands warm. The chest pocket on the right-hand side uses magnets for closure. This feature allows for less sound when trying to open the pocket. The chest pocket on the left-hand side uses a zipper.
The kangaroo pocket is open with a soft and warm internal fleece lining, but it also has a hidden zipper compartment. It has different camo styles, which makes it optional for different hunting locations. The camo styles include the following: Blades, Max5, Bottomland, and more. This jacket is comfortable and will easily keep you warm during the colder winter months.
#4 EST Heat-Escape Full Zip 2.0 (Best For Overheating)
Sometimes you will find yourself in a situation where you start to sweat inside your jacket caused by overheating. The problem is that sometimes it is too cold outside to take the jacket off. There is no better way to get the flu by frequently switching between hot and cold temperatures.
The EST Heat-Escape jacket from Drake Waterfowl is the most suitable jacket when you find yourself in the situation mentioned above. This jacket makes use of small vents under the arms, allowing for some heat to escape your body and cooling you down.
This jacket also has several features that make it more suitable for duck hunting, including waterproof capabilities and several pockets. The material makes use of several technologies, making it almost 100% waterproof, one of the prerequisites for duck hunting.
The seams are also tapes on the inside, which prevents any moisture from leaking in. Another essential aspect that you need to consider is the adjustable neoprene cuffs, which will help avoid any water from leaking into your sleeves. This jacket also comes with a roll-up hood, which is very useful when it starts to rain.
It also has several pockets which can be useful. The two chest pockets include the Magnattach pocket and also a zippered pocket. You will also have access to two pockets on each side in which to put your hands.
#5 Nomad Harvester
If you like to hunt in comfort and warmth, you might want to look at the Nomad Harvester. This jacket has a very soft and warm interior made from a high pile sherpa fleece fabric. If you have ever slept with one of those blankets, you will know just how soft and smooth it feels.
Just as the inner layer is soft and warm, the outer layer will protect you from the elements. The outer layer is made from Polyester, which is a naturally hydrophobic material. The outer layer also has a water repellent coating, which will make it more waterproof.
This jacket is also very quiet when you are moving. Some jackets will make a swish noise when you move one of your arms or when the material rubs against each other. You do not want to wear anything which will scare away the waterfowl.
It is not very well known for waterfowl to detect your scent, but if you decide to hunt deer or any other animal that can detect a scent, this jacket has got you covered. This jacket has silver and zeolites embedded in the material, which gives it antimicrobial properties.
This jacket has several camo patterns to choose from, but if you want to hunt waterfowl, I recommend the Mossy Oak Bottomland camo pattern.
Other Considerations
If you want more options to keep you warm, you can look at hunting bibs and also other types of hunting jackets. There are many different options available that are not too specific to duck hunting jackets.
Now It Is Up To You
If you still do not know what to look for when buying a duck hunting jacket, I got you covered. I talked about two essential features any duck hunting apparel should have. They include the right camo pattern, and the jacket should also be waterproof.
If you could not make up your mind, then I would recommend the Mossy Oak Sherpa 2.0 because it was the best one overall. This jacket will keep you warm during the early hours of the day, which is also the best time for hunting waterfowl.
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