Premium Without the $1,000 Price Tag? Duck Camp Zip Waders Review

Wader prices are way out of hand. After wearing holes in my old neoprene and breathable waders, I went on the hunt for a new pair. I’d experienced the comfort of breathable waders and knew that’s what I wanted my next pair to be, until I saw the price. 

$1,000+ for waders that I plan to abuse by busting ice, braving frigid temperatures, and sitting in beaver-staub-infested areas just seemed unreasonable. So, when I saw that the Duck Camp Zip Waders were $850, I was intrigued. 

I received the Duck Camp Zip Waders at the beginning of the Oklahoma duck season and immediately began hunting in them at private ponds and my local public reservoir. While this winter has been unseasonably warm for the most part, the temperatures have dipped well below freezing during several hunts.

Throughout this duck season, I’ve questioned how Duck Camp can sell its Zip Waders at a lower price compared to many other high-quality duck hunting waders on the market. As my first full season in these waders comes to a close, I can finally answer that question honestly. 

In short: The Duck Camp Zip Waders have kept me dry, warm, and protected from the elements this season. I’m not only impressed by the price but also by the quality and durability of these waders. However, I’ve found the fit a little awkward, and I’m not a fan of some of the features, like the buckles and MOLLE attachment points. 

Duck Camp Zip Waders Review

I received a Duck Camp button-up shirt several years ago as a gift, and have loved it. So this wasn’t my first experience with Duck Camp products, but I knew very little about Duck Camp waders. I’ve also never owned a pair of zip waders, so naturally, I had my reservations. Would the zipper leak? Could it handle how hard I hunted? Would it actually make putting the waders on easier? 

First Impressions

When I pulled the Moss/Raven waders out of the box, I was thrilled to see that the straps did not stretch. I’ve owned too many pairs of waders that the shoulder strap elastic has worn out, making them almost unwearable. The buckles were unlike any I’d seen before, and they’re plastic, so I wasn’t convinced of their functionality. Was this an area Duck Camp was skimping on to lower the cost?

Duck camp didn’t skimp on the zipper; it’s heavy-duty, and the large handle ensures a good grip when zipping and unzipping. I love the pass-through pocket and top-zipper pocket, but I didn’t see how a MOLLE attachment would be beneficial for my hunts (maybe when I use the waders for fishing). 

Overall, I initially liked my new waders. They were definitely better than stumbling around in neoprene waders. That is, if they fit well and were comfortable. 

Fit & Comfort

I unzipped, folded them over, and stepped inside the boot. So far, so good, then I pulled them up. Now, to be fair, I’m pretty short at 5’6”, so I went with a medium body size and regular length. I could easily have gotten away with a medium short. The legs bunch up while I’m wearing them, which tends to pull my sweats up too. However, after a little shimmying, I can make everything very comfortable. 

The longer legs also mean that I’m not overstretching the fabric while wearing them. Waders that are a tad oversized are much more comfortable than waders that are too small. The boots are exactly what I expect from 1,000g Thinsulate boots: a tad heavy, but they keep my feet warm and dry. 

Warmth & Breathability

Oklahoma won’t make up its mind this winter on whether it wants to be warm or cold. We had several weeks of freezing temperatures, and then a couple of weeks of temperatures in the upper 70s. I hunted throughout both extremes and am happy to report that, with proper layering, I did not get cold or sweat too much. 

I stayed plenty warm while hunting on a morning when the water kept freezing to the decoys. Sure, I was lying under a layout blanket but exposed to the cold ground for hours, and I hardly noticed it.

On another hunt, I walked about half a mile to the spot on a warm morning. While I didn’t sweat at the beginning of the hunt, I did on our walk back, but it was nothing like sweating in my neoprene waders. I won’t hesitate to wear these waders during early teal season next September. 

Durability

I’m rough on my waders. I toss them in the back of the truck (sometimes slamming them into the tailgate), busting ice in them, and leaving them outside to dry when I probably should bring them inside. So far, the seams are holding up well, including the zipper, and I have yet to puncture them. 

I do question how long the buckles will last, because they are plastic, and I always seem to break plastic buckles. However, they lasted this season and still look in great shape for next season (and hopefully a few more). 

What I Love About the Duck Camp Zip Waders

The first thing about these breathable waders that grabbed my attention was the price. Most breathable waders I come across today cost at least $150 more, and the others don’t offer the same features or quality.

The Duck Camp Zip Waders are by far the easiest waders to take on and off that I’ve ever owned, thanks to the front zipper. I appreciate that these waders were designed with a pass-through front pocket, because I love resting my hands there while waiting for the next group of birds. 

So far, the quality and durability have exceeded my expectations. This pair of waders has held up to the warm and cold weather Oklahoma loves to throw at us throughout the season. I look forward to many more (cold or warm) hunts in these waders. 

Even though I’m still not a fan of the buckles, I do love how easily and quickly the shoulder straps can adjust to get the perfect fit. So it’s not a tedious process when I need to tighten the straps because I have to take off my coat on a warm day. 

Where I See Room for Improvement

As much as I like these waders, I would have loved to be involved in their design. Maybe I’m the odd man out, but I’m not a fan of the MOLLE attachment. I’ve tried keeping shells there, and they just fall out, so I put them back in the zipper pocket. I’ve clipped my decoy carabiner to it, but there are many other places to keep it that are more convenient. It does look cool, but that’s the only use I’ve found for it, and my mom says I look cool already, so is it really necessary? 

It’s probably because I’m short, but the sizing is a bit awkward or confusing at the least. Everything about the medium size fits me well, even while wearing a few layers.

However, the legs are very long. When I place the boots on the ground and pull the waders up next to me, the crotch of the waders goes up to my belly button. For you long-legged people, this is awesome; for us short-legged people, it’s a minor inconvenience. In hindsight, I should have gotten the Short waders, but I thought I was pretty regular. 

The last feature I’d like to change is the strange buckles. They function pretty well, but in the dark, they’re not the easiest to get buckled. I’m also just waiting for the moment I break one, since they’re plastic. 

Final Thoughts: Duck Camp Zip Waders Review

The Duck Camp Zip Waders are my favorite pair of waders that I’ve ever owned, despite having some drawbacks. With a few minor improvements, these waders could easily be the best on the market, because they’re already near the top.

If you’re not okay with spending more than $1,000 on waders, like me, then you should seriously consider these waders. They’re tough, breathable, comfortable, and as reasonably priced as I’ve seen. 

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