Gearing Up: Stand-Up Gear
These products were put to the test during the 2023–24 season and stood up well to the rigorous challenges of waterfowling
July 03, 2024 •
2
min read
John Hoffman, DU
1. Hoo-Rag Mossy Oak Bottomland Neck Gaiter
A neck gaiter is one of the items I never hunt without. Hoo-Rag offers a lightweight, breathable version that is constructed of 100 percent moisture-wicking polyester fabric. The Original is 19 1/2 inches long by 9 1/2 inches wide and is offered in classic Mossy Oak Bottomland. hoorag.com
2. ChÊne Gear Over and Under Jacket
When the temperatures plummet, I am always looking for clothing that will keep me warm without sacrificing mobility. This jacket met my expectations. Designed to be worn inside your waders, this jacket features a polyester upper bonded to a 200-gram PolarFleece lining and a polyester lower bonded to a 400-gram Sherpa fleece lining. This combination allows for greater warmth, breathability, wind resistance, and range of motion both inside and outside your waders. chenegear.com
3. Duluth Pack Upland Game Vest
This wax canvas vest is constructed of rugged 15-ounce cotton duck canvas and features adjustable cotton-webbing shoulder straps and two expandable pockets to carry boxes of shells. Between the large pockets and game pouch on the back, I was able to carry everything I needed on every hunt. duluthpack.com
4. Montana Knife Company Blackfoot Fixed Blade 2.0
This knife is a well-balanced and durable option for everything from skinning to deboning to cutting decoy line from an outboard propeller. The blade is constructed of cryogenically treated 52100 ball bearing steel, which keeps the weight down to 3.6 ounces and makes for easy sharpening. The sheath clips straight to a vest, wader belt, or bag. montanaknifecompany.com
5. Streamlight ProTac 2.0
This lithium-ion rechargeable flashlight kicks out an impressive 2,000 lumens, which is powerful enough to light up any trail or duck hole. It features high, medium, and low settings as well as a handy strobe feature to let everyone know you’re already in that public-land spot. This flashlight comes with a USB-C charging cord, removable pocket clip, and holster. streamlight.com
6. Hevi-Metal Xtreme 12- and 20-gauge
Hevi-Metal, which is Hevi-Shot’s original duplex load, is back as Hevi-Metal Xtreme. These hard-hitting loads contain a mix of 30 percent Hevi-Shot tungsten pellets and 70 percent steel pellets, and now they are paired with Federal’s FliteControl Flex wad, which tightens and improves patterns. hevishot.com
7. TurtleBox Gen 2 Speaker in Mossy Oak Bottomland
Picking up decoys became jam sessions more often than not with Turtlebox’s Bluetooth speaker. Designed for rugged conditions, this waterproof, dust-proof, heavy-duty speaker produces crystal-clear, distortion-free sound that can be cranked up to 120 decibels. It can be paired with another Turtlebox speaker to play music in stereo. turtleboxaudio.com
Courtesy of Chris Jennings, DU
8. Drake Waterfowl MST Youth Eqwader Full-Zip Jacket
I took a trip to Mack’s Prairie Wings last season to find youth hunting gear for my daughter. She was fired up about the youth hunt and needed the appropriate attire to keep her warm and dry. This jacket from Drake Waterfowl is waterproof and windproof, and it features 100 percent polyester synthetic double down insulation. High-quality youth gear is difficult to find, but Drake offers a wide selection that is worth a look. drakewaterfowl.com
