Chêne Gear, maker of premium waterfowl waders and technical hunting apparel, will purchase a federal duck stamp, which raises money for crucial habitat conservation projects, for every pair of waders it sells in 2022. Chêne is launching the conservation initiative while also introducing a collection of performance apparel designed specifically for waterfowl hunting.
The federal duck stamp is one the most successful bird habitat conservation programs ever created, with 98 percent of the $25 fee being used to acquire and protect wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Each pair of Chêne waders sold in 2022 will be delivered with a duck stamp, which is part of Chêne’s commitment to customer service and ensuring waterfowl remain abundant for future generations.
“Quality habitat is the foundation to a strong waterfowl population, and the duck stamp program has a stellar record of protecting the wetlands that are vital to not just ducks and geese, but countless other species of wildlife,” says Jeff Jones, Chêne’s chief product officer. “We want thanks our customers, as well as support this program’s important work, by giving a portion of every wader sold back to the birds we’ve built our lives around pursuing. We encourage customers to pay it forward by purchasing an additional stamp for a new hunter, youth hunter, or even a friend or relative who doesn’t hunt but appreciates wildlife and wild places.”
After releasing its flagship wader in 2021 that delivered game-changing performance, durability and comfort, Chêne is expanding its unrivaled quality and customer support to new categories with a complete system of technical waterfowl hunting apparel. The new apparel was designed and thoroughly field-tested by Chêne’s founders, all diehard waterfowlers aiming to set a new standard for waterfowl gear. Each product is engineered with premium materials and construction methods and is protected by Sciessent’s Agion® anti-microbial technology.
“We started Chêne to finally create the gear we always wished we owned, but was never available on the market, during a lifetime of hunting ducks in demanding, and sometimes miserable, conditions,” Jones says. “After receiving overwhelming feedback from customers about our waders, we’re excited to offer a full system of apparel that lives up to Chêne’s Built Better commitment.”
Like Chêne’s wader, all the products will be backed by Chêne’s limited lifetime warranty and in-house repair program at Chêne’s Memphis headquarters.
The collection is headlined by two ackets: the Over and Under Jacket ($300) and Hydro-Lok Shell ($380). A blend of warmth and comfort, the Over and Under was designed to be worn underneath waders. The entire jacket is lined with sherpa fleece, while the upper part of the jacket has added insulation to protect exposed areas from the wind and cold. The lower part of the jacket is uninsulated and tailored, resulting in maximum breathability and a streamlined fit under the wader. The Hydro-Lok Shell is a 3-layer nylon rain jacket that delivers dependably waterproof protection in a highly breathable package. Both jackets are available in Mossy Oak Bottomland, Original Bottomland and Shadowgrass Habitat colorways.
The Scout Vest ($200) is a versatile layering solution that can act as a wind-breaking outer layer or insulating mid-layer for colder hunts. The outer polyester shell is bonded to an inner fleece liner and features a zippered pocket on the left breast, dual fleece-lined hand warming pockets, stretch fabric under the arms for easy layering, and a fleece-lined collar. The Scout Vest is available in Mossy Oak Bottomland, Sage, Dark Green, and Black.
The Sixty Series ($160) is the foundation of Chêne’s layering system, designed to be worn all 60 days of the waterfowl season. Constructed with mid-weight fleece, it can function as both a base-layer or mid-layer depending on conditions. The Sixty Series, available in hooded and non-hooded versions,features flat-locked stiching that won’t irritate skin, kangaroo pockets to keep hands warm, elastic cuffs for optimum fit under jackets, and integrated thumb loops in cuffs. Tin Mossy Oak Bottomland, Grey, and Olive.
Finally, Chêne’s Merino Wool Top ($100) and Bottom ($100) are high-performance base-layers that keep hunters cool during early-season hunts and warm during frigid late-season fronts. Both tops and bottoms are made with 100-percent New Zealand Merino wool that naturally wicks moisture and regulates body temperature.
In addition to the new apparel, Chêne will offer its wader in Mossy Oak Bottomlands, as well as new patterns: Shadow and Mossy Oak Original Bottomlands.
The new collection is available exclusively at www.chenegear.com.
