Waterfowl seasons begin in September for teal in some states and geese in others. With certain intermissions in seasons, the seasons conclude at the end of January for all but Snow Goose which extends through the spring. Because these seasons span the better part of the year, the clothing hunters need to stay effective and comfortable in the field needs to be dynamic and resilient, just like the hunter wearing those clothes.
I’ve hunted waterfowl for thirty years and have to say that the gear we have now is better than anything I grew up with, and not by a little. Plenty of folks talk about how good gear can keep you in the field longer, and while that’s true, another truth is that the confidence that my waterfowl clothing is going to keep me comfortable gets me out of the house hours before sunrise when the weather is frightening.
I’ve spent this season in Kryptek’s new waterfowl line and what I’ve found is that I can hunt from 60 degrees and sunny down to temps so cold that the water has frozen while my decoys sat in it. Here’s how I use this clothing system.
Kryptek Bibs
Whether it’s hot or cold I’m wearing the bibs every time. These bibs have some insulation on the top but none on the legs. For cold days you’ll want to add insulated pants under the bibs. Most bibs I’ve worn have shoulder straps that slide off my shoulders under my jacket, restrict my arm movement, and put me in a foul mood. That hasn’t been a problem with these. There are reinforcements in the seat and knees as well as a pocket to add knee pads.
Rather than a friction lock on the shoulder straps, these are adjusted with a ladder-loop system on the buckles. The added benefit is that you can attach your calls to the bottom of those loops and keep the calls between the bib and your chest so the reed doesn’t freeze and make you sound like a sick blue heron when you are trying to hail a mallard.
Base Layer Shirt
The next piece I’m bringing every time is the base layer shirt. This is a synthetic that’s going to wick sweat away when you are hauling decoy bags and brushing blinds so you stay dry once you stop moving and the temp drops another five degrees right before the sun comes up. They have a couple of different options for keeping your neck warm starting with a thin neck gaiter for the mild mornings and graduating to a more serious neck gaiter with heavy fleece that is like wearing a sauna around your neck. The thinner of these two is also nice for covering your face with good camo if you aren’t going to be calling.
Kryptek Hats and Hoodies
Moving on up, Kryptek are offering a ball cap as well as a beanie which also has that same luxurious heavy fleece. The only time I cussed this beanie was while hunting from a layout blind because it kept sliding off my head while I was craning around to see birds that were circling behind. The only likely way to solve this would be a chin strap– I’d rather have a hat that fell off than look like that much of a Fudd.
The MVP of this entire lineup is the micro fleece hoodie, called the Tartaros. The names of most of Kryptek’s gear come from Greek mythology. Tartaros is the name of the basement of hell where the gods sent the Titans. This hoodie, simply put, is the most comfortable hoodie I’ve ever worn in my life. I wear it pretty much every day whether I am kicking stress at home, working on the ranch, or punching holes in the sky from my duck blind. It’s incredible and so comfortable. Put this on when temps are going to get below 50.
Insulated Layers
For temps below 40, I’m adding the vest which is insulated with heavy fleece. If there’s a chance of precipitation or wind I’m also adding the jacket shell at this time which has been 100% waterproof, has decent breathability, and plenty of range of motion.
As we descend below freezing, I’m adding an insulated jacket under the shell, and at this stage, I can handle wind, snow, and rain down to 0 degrees. They offer both soft shell/fleece and down jackets for this insulation layer. From 40-0 degrees I have to think about keeping my hands warm also. Kryptek does have gloves in this same camo pattern, but they take away a good deal of dexterity, are a little big for fitting inside the trigger guard and only go up to size XL which is one size smaller than my hands. You’ll have to talk to someone else to ask about them.
However, they also made a hand warmer that straps around your waist. The power play is to heat your breakfast burrito before you leave the house, wrap it in some foil, and put it inside the hand warmer. When you are done placing decoys and are ready to settle into your blind with a thermos of coffee and wait for shooting light, your hand warmer and your burrito will be warm. I don’t like the way my calls sound when I wear gloves, and I shoot better without them, so having a warm place to shove my mitts like this hand warmer is clutch. I’m giving this product the silver medal.
Kryptek Keeps You Warm
For these nasty cold mornings, having a base layer, hoodie, insulated vest, insulated jacket, shell, insulated pants, neck gaiter, beanie, bibs, and gloves will keep you out there in conditions only a duck can love. For warmer and drier conditions, simply layer with Kryptek down until you are comfortable and then hammer down on the birds.
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