Stuff That Works: Sitka Hudson Bibs and Jacket, Stay Warm, Dry, Comfortable While Hunting
- Ken Perrotte
- Sep 17
- 4 min read
Waterfowlers across North America are gearing up for the 2025-2026 seasons and one of the largely proven pieces of “conventional wisdom” is that cold, sloppy weather conditions often result in fantastic shooting opportunities. Last year, I got to experience a mid-October hunt in North Dakota, near Devil’s Lake. I’ve been on a few hunts where we set up in fields, usually not far from roost waters. These have included pit blinds in Virginia and Louisiana, and mobile setups in Saskatchewan.
Pit blinds can be chilly, as the cold air sinks into the blind. That’s why many pit blinds have portable heaters at the ready. When you’re hunting at ground level, though, and the north wind is gusting and the sky spitting nearly frozen precipitation, you quickly learn that your clothing is your only line of defense. If anything from your boots to your headgear is subpar, you soon realize it.
We had one hunt in a traditional blind along a "prairie pothole," but the first two mornings of our North Dakota hunt saw us tucking into cover, cattails and corn, along the edge of fields. The first day was a bit “bluebirdy.” Daybreak was frigid, but with sunny skies and light winds, the temps steadily rose. We got our birds, but it took until noon. Day two saw the weather conditions flip, with howling winds, overcast skies and hours of broken patches of cold drizzle and rain.
Despite the conditions, I was never uncomfortable or cold, thanks to the Sitka Hudson bibs and jacket I was wearing, along with a windproof neck gaiter and facemask. Sitka began producing these bibs and jackets a few years ago, but they were new to me.
The first thing I do when trying any new garments that I’ll be using in cold, wet weather scenarios is check out the fit and flex. This includes waders and bibs – assessing activities like getting in and traveling in a boat or other vehicle, kneeling, sitting on buckets, mud chairs or stools. I get out my shotgun to see if the clothing interferes with my bringing the gun to shoulder and swinging on birds. Then I check out how the seams are closed. I’ve found out, the hard way, that some clothing that is supposed to be waterproof does a poor job of keeping you dry in soaking conditions. This is usually due to inadequate taping or sealing along the garment’s seams. Finally, I look at layering options – how well can I wear appropriate undergarments with this outerwear. How easily can I put on and take off boots, for example.
As I tried on the Sitka Hudson bibs and jacket, I was exceptionally pleased to see that these cold weather duds afforded excellent flexibility with a perfect fit. The construction is robust. Out in the field, I found the zippers working well and I appreciated the reinforced seat and knees as I sat and knelt in North Dakota’s black soil, incredibly fine stuff that sticks to you like paint when it’s wet.
Now, this Sitka gear is expensive. You can find sales but they’re not a regular occurence. The MSRP on both the bibs and jacket is $600 each. There are brands, like Chêne Gear, Drake Waterfowl and others that also offer high-quality, technical hunting apparel, with varying prices depending on the particular garment and the level of technology built into it. Sitka also offers jackets and bibs with price points more aligned with competing brands. One thing is certain, top-quality hunting clothing is expensive. In a time when premium waders can cost you more than $1,000, the bar is set high for gear that’s comfortable and reliable. It comes down to how much of a premium you put on those attributes, knowing that clothing failure in many hunting scenarios – especially waterfowling – is a game-ending proposition. The nice thing about these products, though, is they’ll work across many situations. I’ve worn them deer hunting and duck hunting.
Let’s Look at Construction
The Sitka Hudson bibs and jackets combine advanced materials and smart design. Both use GORE-TEX for waterproofing, with a 3-layer GORE-TEX stretch technology that lets you move freely and comfortably, which is essential for long days in the field and getting around.
Additionally, the bibs feature body-mapped interior brushed flannel with lofted fleece. It’s low bulk and breathable. The jacket has body-mapped PrimaLoft® insulation, regarded for its ability to deliver warmth without bulk. The bibs are supported with comfortable suspenders – no buckles to adjust. The bibs are also designed for rough wear, with reinforced, abrasion-resistant overlays, and removable interior knee pads, something appreciated when kneeling or crawling. The jacket has an adjustable, sculpted hood that fits nicely over any hats. The cuffs on the jacket sleeves have water-sealing gaskets, adjustable to fit your wrist and designed to prevent water from getting inside, even when your arm is submerged. I’ve worn some waterfowl hunting jackets that have bellows pockets that refuse to stay closed, collected debris and rainwater and generally get in the way. The Sitka bellowed shell pockets can hold an entire box of shells, but they lay flat when empty. The jacket and bibs also have additional pockets, including two zippered pockets designed to hold your duck and goose calls.
Getting back to comfort and maneuverability, the bibs and jacket combined weigh a little less than 6 pounds (in size large). They come in three patterns: GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment Waterfowl Marsh, which is designed for layout and blind hunting in the marsh, standing crops, and cut stubble fields; GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment Waterfowl Timber, designed for wear in darker environments such as flooded timber; and Dirt, a flat, solid light, tan-brown color.
Sitka Hudson Bibs and Jacket - Ready for Round 2
I’m really looking forward to getting afield with these Sitka Hudson bibs and jacket during this upcoming season.
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