We Tested SITKA’s Women’s Hudson Jacket, Traverse Hoody, DeltaZip Waders & More at Our Oklahoma Proving Grounds
Waterfowl season isn’t exactly known for its pleasant weather—stiff winds, icy temps, and consistent precipitation challenge those pursuing ducks and geese in the winter. Staying comfortable in extreme conditions is even more difficult for female duck hunters; camo companies make it tough for women to find high-quality waterfowl hunting gear. Between harsh weather and poorly performing waterfowl hunting equipment, it can be tricky for women to stay warm and dry during duck season.
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Enter SITKA Gear. The company’s GORE-Tex clothing and effective camouflage patterns are game-changing women’s duck and goose hunting gear. Legitimately water- and windproof layering systems combined with athletic fits tailored for women’s bodies, SITKA blows their competitors out of the water.
I tested SITKA’s women’s waterfowl hunting line in beautiful northeastern Oklahoma’s cold, wet conditions this past December. Here’s the shortlist of the best women’s waterfowling pieces SITKA offers.
SITKA Gear’s Women’s Waterfowl Hunting Gear
Here’s a breakdown of our favorite women’s waterfowling layers from SITKA Gear.
Women’s Hudson Jacket – $569
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SITKA’s women’s Hudson Jacket is arguably the best piece of late-season women’s waterfowling gear on the market. Every feature has been tailored specifically with cold weather duck and goose hunting in mind.
The wrist cuffs act as gaskets and seal out water during decoy setup. The pockets collapse and expand and are built to fit a box of shot shells perfectly inside. Both chest pockets are outfitted to fit duck calls and even come with a lanyard that attaches to the jacket’s exterior. The Hudson is lined with PrimaLoft insulation, keeping you incredibly warm even when sitting still. Plus, its four-way stretch fabric is waterproof, windproof, and breathable.
Women’s Hudson Jacket in Optifade Waterfowl Marsh – $569
Women’s Traverse Hoody – $199
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If wind and light precipitation are in the forecast, SITKA’s Traverse Hoody is the perfect blend of coziness and functionality. This fleece-lined, water-repellent, and windproof hoody will keep you warm and dry. Its Optifade Waterfowl Marsh camo pattern is ideal for concealing your outline whether you’re blind or jump-shooting ducks. The fact that this hoody is constructed of recycled materials is just icing on the cake.
Women’s Traverse Hoody in Optifade Waterfowl Marsh – $199
Women‘s Core Merino 330 Hoody – $249
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Every hunter needs a functional, go-to mid-layer. SITKA’S Core Merino Hoody checks this box and then some. The blended wool and synthetic fabric is fantastic at removing moisture while minimizing smells. It has a built-in face covering, thumb holes, a zippered chest pocket, and a large center pocket. Plus, it’s available in three camo patterns (including Optifade Waterfowl Marsh), so it can be born on its own in the field, too.
Women’s Core Merino 330 Hoody in Optifade Waterfowl Marsh – $249
Women’s Heavyweight Bottom – $99
![sitka Women's Heavyweight Bottom](https://cdn.hookandbarrel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Sitka_Womens_Heavyweight_Bottom-1024x683.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Every serious waterfowler knows wearing a comfy and warm set of pants under your waders is the way to go. SITKA’s heavyweight bottoms are the ultimate cozy underlayer to slip on underneath a set of waders.
These bottoms are fleece-lined, stretchy, and breathable, which helps keep you warm and dry during long periods of inactivity in the blind. Minimal seams reduce any chance of chafing, and the Permanent Polygiene technology keeps these leggings from holding any funky smells.
Women’s Heavyweight Bottom in Optifade Waterfowl Marsh – $99
Women’s Hudson GTX Glove – $139
![sitka womens hudson gtx gloves](https://cdn.hookandbarrel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Sitka_Womens_Hudson_GTX_Gloves-1024x683.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Getting your hands wet while setting up and putting away decoys is inevitable. In frigid conditions, wet hands can be a legitimate concern. Why not keep them warm and dry with Hudson GTX gloves?
These gloves run a little small, but they are waterproof and feature a flexible fabric that’s comfortable to wear all morning. PrimaLoft insulation is built into the gloves’ design, which helps your fingers hold their heat when handling a freezing-cold firearm. Plus, leather accents are sewn onto the palms, thumbs, pointer fingers, and middle fingers, so you can easily operate your phone’s camera to snag pics and grip wet birds without any slippage.
Delta Zip Wader – $999
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Unfortunately, SITKA doesn’t offer women-specific waders quite yet. However, its Delta Zip Wader has a relatively unisex fit and features boot sizes as small as a men’s size eight. Because the quality of these uninsulated hunting waders is unparalleled, I highly recommend them to women who don’t mind a looser fit.
Delta Zip Wader – $999
Final Thoughts
SITKA’s Delta waders are seriously worth every penny. The GORE-Tex fabric is comfortable, breathable, and waterproof. The YKK Aquaseal Zipper does its job incredibly well; it’s easy to slip these waders on and off while keeping out pond water and rain while they’re in use, thanks to this center zipper. Plus, they collapse and fit perfectly in SITKA’S wader storage bag, so mud doesn’t end up all over your home and vehicle.
For more information, please visit sitkagear.com.
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