By Pete Correale
If there is one piece of gear that you don’t want to cheap out on, it’s waders, and I have learned this the hard way. Considering how much of a gear nerd I am, you would think that I would know better, but hey, at 41 years old I am still learning how to read and write and just learned how babies are made, so sometimes I don’t always make the most educated decisions.
For any of you that have not graced yourself with a high-end pair of waders for hunting waterfowl, then you are used to those bulky, leaky, bad-fitting neoprene models that typically cost less than $200. Well, don’t feel so bad, because I was one of those guys. Even though there is really no excuse for using shitty gear, in my defense, we just don’t use waders a lot up in my neck of the woods when hunting puddle ducks. We are almost always in dry blinds hunting over ag, so it makes more sense to invest in a pair of warm bibs.
Where I learned my lesson was on a trip last winter hunting public land out of Venice, La. It was some of the most pornographic waterfowl shooting I’ve ever experienced, but it came with long, hard days deep in the bayous, waist deep in muddy water. On top of that, we had a record setting cold front come through. Louisiana actually saw more snow than it had in over 100 years.
Hard Lessons
Our last day hunting Venice, we froze our asses off, sitting in muddy bayou water all day, but it was worth it. We laid them down! From there, we went up north of the lake and hunted the Cyprus swamps for woodies. I’ll probably never again in my life experience a blizzard in the middle of Louisiana flooded timber! As epic as our trip was, there was one thing that would have made it a whole lot better — a good pair of waders. Those neoprene Amazon specials I had just wouldn’t stay dry, even with no leaks. Too many days hunting in a row, the neoprene eventually gets permeated with moisture, and considering they have no breathability properties, it takes forever to dry them out, and I went through great lengths to try and do so.
Add on the fact that they are heavy as shit and the design of the boots are totally archaic, I came to realize how much they sucked. So, after last season, I told myself it was time for something better and knew it would be worth every penny. The solution was actually a simple one, with no need to go down an internet rabbit hole to research every available pair on the market. I knew if I wanted the best, I just needed to see what Kuiu had to offer; so I jumped on their website and took a look at their two options. It was an easy decision for me on what pair to go with, the most expensive; I figured I ought to punish myself for rockin’ those neoprene jalopies during the previous season.
Kuiu Pro HD Flex Zip Wader
A week later, my loyal UPS delivery man dropped off a pair of insulated Pro HD Flex Zip Waders. Upon sliding these suckers out of the box, I was immediately aware of the extreme difference in quality from any other wader I had seen. Lightweight, durable, breathable material with a colorway in the Kuiu signature Valo camo. Zippers, straps and pockets exactly where you need them. Modern, ergonomic and comfortable boots. And a fit and cut that actually makes sense, even for a slender fellow like me.
But the true test was in the field, and I could not have been happier after a long day in waist-deep water sprayin’ Bismuth at some green heads. Miraculously, I stayed dry and warm the entire time. The comfort of these things is unmatched. And once back in the comfort of my man cave, I didn’t have to go through some arduous rigmarole trying to get these things to dry out.
Like I said, I should have known better from the beginning, and now you should too. So even if it means missing this month’s mortgage payment, do yourself the favor and shell out the extra greenbacks for a pair of these Kuius. You won’t regret it!
Price: $999
Pros: Warm, dry, breathable, comfortable; great sizing without the classic overly bulky fit, even for smaller guys and gals; boots that actually fit right and are of modern design; Kuiu’s Valo camo works perfect for waterfowl hunting; easy to pack and travel with, whether traveling by vehicle or plane.
Cons: Pricey, probably pricier than any other waders out there; did I mention they are pricey? They are in such high demand, stock can be limited; leave them hanging around a mud room unattended and they might get snatched by a shady outlaw gunner.
