I am with Hank. When it comes to looks I certainly do not look at buying a jacket that way. My main concern is function!! Will it take a beating when I brush against some thing sharp. How well does it bead water if dunked. In a torrential downpour will it bead water or absorb water as it wears. The same for bibs. Have worn about every brand in 30+ years for hunting except Sitka. Have hunted with nothing but Filson shelter cloth waterfowl jacket aka coton waxed, the last 15 seasons and filson double tin bibs. I usually wear any where from breathable, 3mm neoprene, 5mm neoprene waders or hip boots underneath every hunt depending on condition. If you want to keep sharp objects from puncturing your waders get the bibs one size oversize to handle waders at you correct inseam length I brush clean with a water hose after hunts if muddy enough. The end of season my wife hates when I use the shower at the end of each season for both jackets and pants to brush clean then allow to hang dry. I do pack these folded in a large Tupperware tote at the end of hunting season. Otherwise they are in the back of my truck under the topper all of hunting season. I do rewax ever season during the middle of summer my bibs and let them hang several days to absorb the wax. I rewax about every 2nd to 3rd season my jacket. Once you wax it will literally bead water even when dunked. I did rewax my bibs due to muddy conditions and heavy rain this season for first time. Something important to consider if you go this route is your layers. Over 10 seasons I accumulated nothing but wool thermal base layers (not all filson brand) from light to heavy, wool sweaters (both windshear and cabelas standard shooters) and a filson wool vest. I have moved to Texas and only now wear this gear mid to late season in rice stubble and bay salt marshes. But in using the cotton waxed fabrics i have hunted most of my time through Manitoba wheat and corn stubble, Michigan bogs in the central part of state, north west Indiana corn fields and rocky rivers, West Ky/TN river bottoms, and central Arkansas flooded green timber. I can say I have never torn my bibs and jacket. I am very hard on my gear. Maybe a button popped off which can easily sewn back on. BAR None there is no other fabric on the market except kevlar that will stand up to harsh abuse and conditions such as a cotton waxed fabric. Only downside I see is the "Virgin years" of wearing one when everbody around you is wondering who in the heck brought a tent. It is an acquired taste to get used to if you have never used cotton wax fabric. Once you do you will not ever look for another waterfowling jacket or bibs. Your grandkids may use it.
Regards,
Kristan
