re: Drake Waterfowl

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I still wear late 90's Columbia quad parka and bibs.

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That was really good stuff, I had one of those that a guides dog tore up. Wish I still had it.

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It was replaced with the aforementioned Drake 3-1 which was mostly junk.
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Duck Camp makes some good stuff...

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I wish Duck Camp/Sitka/First Lite and others would make some stuff without a hood...or at least a detachable.

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The old Columbia 4-in-1s were the best duck hunting coats ever made. My dad and grandfather both got one for Christmas (for each other, actually) like 30 years ago in the original Mossy Oak Treestand camo pattern. My dad still has and wears his. My grandfather has been dead for 20 years but we still have his as well.

I discovered First Lite a few years ago and absolutely love their stuff. I do more duck than deer hunting, but you can't beat their combination of warmth, lightweight/packability, and quality. I usually like to spend more money on quality base layers than outer layers, but I bought an Uncompahgre early last year and it's the best jacket I've ever owned. I don't do any brush busting, but could see where others could be leery of risking tearing the material.

Never been much of a fan of Banded. Agree that their quality is questionable. All of my buddies who forked over several hundreds of dollars for their Banded waders regretted it within a year. Same for Drake.

Cabelas and MPW have some great private label stuff that I've worn for years.

I haven't seen much of Browning's Dirty Bird stuff but I'm a big Browning fan. Will have to check it out.

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Drake on sale.

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Keep that shite away from pop. We just got back into duck hunting. You are already going to break him over the live scope shite

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Drake - never failed me

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If Drake has never failed you, you’ve never worn it in the rain. It’s fine, but you’ll get your arse soaked in heavy dew.

Banded is trash. Their waders leak in the crotch out of the box.

I like the Game Hide gear I have been using for years...
picked it up years ago at Bowie's tent sale for a great price...
keeps me dry but I hit it every couple of years with some waterproofing...

made for tents...


edit to say the money I save on Sitka gear will be used to upgrade the electronics on my boat...

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Sitka

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Kuiu or Firstlite for half the price

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I showed off my Banded Gear real nice. Waders too.

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poor bastard is never going to be able to retire.

It seems like Drake can’t make a zipper handle that can work.

For the record I can’t find a decent pair of breathable waders that don’t leak. I “run” some LaCrosse Neoprene that are 7-8 years old but are like peeling paint off your body. Any of you baws run breathable waders that don’t leak? I can’t abide $1200 Sitka’s.