Walk-in Hunting for Ducks: the wader decision

For those of us that walk-in for ducks, waders can be a pick-your-poison decision. Choose warm and rugged neoprene, and risk overheating on the long hikes. Choose breathables, and risk punctures and tears along the way. Is there a one-wader solution for the active waterfowler?

In my experience, I’ve found that while the trifecta of warm+breathable+rugged may exist, it comes with a steep price tag—and that’s fine. I believe that anyone who applies the magic of materials science to solve this particular puzzle can charge whatever price they please. I also believe in sticking to a budget—some purchases are simply out of the question for me.

The next-best thing I learned was this: a one-wader solution to the entire season may not be realistic. In fact, it may be completely impractical.

Here in eastern Washington, for example, the October opener might feel crisp, but it’s downright balmy when compared to the frigid bitterness of late-season January. The stark differences in water and air temperatures at the bookends of the season clearly demand different approaches to staying comfortable.

If I reject the tyranny of the one-wader option and instead give myself permission to consider two pairs—breathables for early season and heavy neoprenes for late season—that seems more reasonable. For my walk-in hunts, this means taking a little more care to avoid rose thickets and barbed wire when I’m in breathables, and not trekking for the far-out water when I’m in neoprene. It’s a balance, which also seems reasonable.

Are you an advocate of the two-wader solution, or have you found a silver-bullet pair that works for everything you do?

All the Best to You,
Jordan