Waterfowling Parka/Jacket

I have the rivers west jacket. It is not my favorite for duck hunting. I do not need a quite jacket as for as water proof the jacket is ok for that but the outside fleece gets wet and the water stays wet around the sleeves.
I also have the columbia 4 in 1 jacket and coat.
I like the jacket a lot better.
The way I use my 4/1, on cold windy days I wear the liner then put on my waders then the shell on the outside. When pick up bird in deep water I take off the shell.
On cold to warmer days I only wear the shell when driving the duck boat to the spot.
On warmer days say 40deg I my only wear the shell.
As for the parker find that with the waders on I do not need the extra length.
 
I have a Remington 4 in 1, it rides in the bottom of my pack most the time, but when I get really cold I'm glad it's available. I hate the hood though. It's got velcro on wide flaps, that may go well with a person with a standard length neck, on a no-neck like me it keeps riding up my face, or slaps me in the wind if it's not fastened. I get claustrophobic with it on.
I usually wear a fleece hoody that zippers in front, over silk long johns, and a thin gortex parka over that, and the hunting vest over that. It doesn't get very cold here in Astoria temp wise, wet and windy is the norm. The hoody is Grudens, the long johns and parka and vest are Cabellas. It all breathes, which is important if you're fat and overheat fast hauling stuff out to the field, or rowing a boat. If I'm warm, and it's raining, the hoody joins the 4 in 1 in the pack, ditto the vest if it's before or after shooting hours and I setting up or picking up. If it's really blowing I'll usually throw the 4 in 1 liner over the gortex coat to cut the wind, I only where the 4 in 1 liner if it's really cold.
I'd recommend anything made by Grudens. I've been wearing the fleece hoody every day in the winter for about 3 years, both work and play, wet or dry. It's starting to get a little thin, but I'll probably get another winter or two out of it before I replace it. I also have some Grudens rain overalls in commercial fisherman orange, that are very tough and comfortable, I wear them clamming, and in the boat crabbing. I don't worry about them tearing.
 
Hi Bill -

Man this site is the greatest way to get info. After reading many of these posts I may investigate some of the new technology but for what it's worth I want to relate what happened to me with a columbia 4 in 1.

After more that 12 years my 4 in 1 was no longer waterproof, nor were the bib overalls that I also use. When I called columbia I told them that I had done the usual wask and drying etc. but could not get the gortex to work any more. They asked me to return both pieces and then sent me a new 4 in 1 and new bibs - NO CHARGE.

Now my only problem is that I can't figure out how to use the quick loader sleeves on the front of the parka...........anyone know how these work ???
My 12 GA shells seem too big.

sarge
 
Sarge,

Take the 20ga inserts out! I had a good laugh at my Dad trying to figure it out.

I hope that's the solution for you.

Gene
 
The quick loader are designed for 12 & 20 gauge shells.
You need to remove the 20 gauge shell inserts my 20 gauge was yellow plastic.
Push them up from the bottom to the top and put away for 20gauge use.
Now just drop the shell into the quick loader brass up.
One note do not use the quick loader if you are shooting from a layout style shooting.
 
there is not a company out there that can keep up with drake waterfowl, i live in minnesota and it is the only gear that will hold up from early goose, hot days, with the 3in1 plus 2 coat.
all the way threw duck season into late goose, also check out there new waders, i have a pair and thay are the only waders that has lasted me all year with no problems
 
Thanks Bill ( and Gene ) - they work much better without the yellow inserts ! I do find them to be pretty stiff though and not all that quick - maybe they stretch a little with use.

As you say - I don't imagine these would be smart when using my 12 ' BBSB.

Looking forward to gunning tomorrow up here but the ice will make dekes a challenge.

thanks again -

sarge
 
I've got 3 coats for ducks hunting (oldest to newest):
Cabelas 4:1. Its about 10 years old and still works fine. With liner coat & shell, it pretty damn warm. I like it & its versatile. Havent worn but once inthe last two years since we've only had one really cold morning inthe last two years. Which also explains why we have had so few ducks in thelast two years as well.
Cabelas wading jacket. Shortert of course & not quite as warm as the 4:1. Easier to move around in & doesnt get wet around the bottom when wading.
If I could only have one jacket, this would be it.
Carhartt Lightweight camo jacket. My sister works for Carhartt and gave me this one a few years back. Great lightweight jacket, I have worn it more than any other in the last two years. But they dont make them in camo anymore.

I had heard that there are some 4:1 wading-length jackets out there. If you do a lot of wading, that would be the ticket.
 
Bill,

I'm partial to 4-in-1 wading jackets. I do alot of wading, so I need the shorter length. I appreciate the versatility of the zip-out liner, and I'm not inclined to buy multiple jackets for the season -- certainly not along the lines of the EST, MST, or LST idea. Opening week I just use the shell and simple layering. By the end of October, I zip in the liner and adjust my base layers as needed.

I've had two 4-in-1 jackets. The first was a Columbia Wigeon. Now I use a Cabela's Brush Buster. I would still be using the Wigeon if the wife had not put me on a diet. Last year I bought the Brush Buster in a smaller size.

I bought the Wigeon on sale from Wing Supply. It was a left-over that had been in stock for years. The subsequent versions are much different. I used it for two seasons and never got cold or wet. There were no features that left me scratching my head and saying, "WTF?" Throw in Columbia's customer service and you've got a winner.

I bought the Brush Buster from Cabela's Bargain Cave for really short money. As ridiculous as it sounds, it was on sale because it had an "outdated" camo pattern -- Advantage Wetlands. It is very warm and bone-dry. My only complaint is that there are no drains in the pockets (WTF?). So, if I wade a little deep or if I don't fold the pocket flaps over in a rain the pockets will fill with water. Once filled, they are difficult to empty and my shells get soaked.

I would buy both again -- on sale. The price on the new Wigeon is ludicrous.

As to the Gore-Tex debate, I would not wear anything in the marsh that isn't breathable. The brand of material isn't important. I don't see a difference between Omni-Tech and Gore-Tex. But, to stay warm, you've got to stay dry -- from both perspiration and precipitation. Wool may be the exception to this.

Unless you're a guide, you'll see many years of service from the breathables.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I bought the 4-1 Drake this year. It is way to bulky for me. Nice coat but, it is not what I am looking for. I am considering buying the McCallister waterfowling coat. Does anyone here wear any McCallister?
 
Bill, I have had a few different parkas and felt that 90% of the time they were way too much coat not to mention they are very, very expensive. My latest purchase just a few years ago was the LL Bean Field Jacket. I only wear this when it gets very cold, like temps in the teens. It only cost about $150 and should last forever..............Kevin
 
It seems that Cabelas has no stock on most of the popular 4 in 1 Parkas, in my size (XL) and pattern (Max4) I'd like to get the Brush Buster but the price to get it across the border is highway robbery. $75.00 US just for taxes and duty. Now all of a sudden the Brush Buster on sale for $229 ends up costing me $330 US to get it in to Canada. Guess I'll wait a while and see if cabelas gets more of the Drifowl or Allseason parkas in. I was hoping to have it before spring so I could wear it early season fishing in my boat. The wind can be pretty cold on 15 April on the Miramichi.

Bill G.
 
I don't know if it would work for you but I have one in Mossy Oak Shadowgrass XXL that is to small for me, it just seems to run small i'd sell for $100, I bought it and never wore it in the field. I don't know what it cost to ship but if you are interested let me know
 
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