Sitka’s waterfowl gear is known for its top quality and high performance, and this year the company’s got a slew of new products that ducks hunters will find infinitely useful.

There are some new baselayers — a CORE midweight zippered T, a heavyweight CORE T and a CORE hoodie. With a zipper on the left side chest pocket, the midweight T has the right combination of being handy as well as comfortable and warm. For colder days, the heavyweight T fills the bill, and the hoodie is the ultimate warm baselayer. The baselayers use Polygiene odor control technology; it’s a silver salt treatment that affects the garments at the fiber level, so the anti-microbial quality will inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria for the lifetime of the product — even through repeated laundering.

There is also a CORE heavyweight pant and some new merino T’s and bottoms; this is the first time Sitka’s put its waterfowl pattern on merino wool, and anyone who wears merino will tell you what a comfortable and effective baselayer it is.

In the insulation line, hunters will love the new Gradient pant. One of the problems with the super-effective lofted insulators like Primaloft is that though they’re supremely warm, they lose their warmth potential when compressed — like when you wear the pants under waders. The Gradient pant solves that problem. It’s noncompressible for superior warmth, and it’s specifically designed to wear under waders. It’s even got stirrups.

For outerwear, the Delta pant is essentially high-end rain gear. It packs down extremely small, easy to throw in your bag for those “just in case it rains” scenarios. The zippers go all the way up to the waist, so it’s easy to slip on in a hurry.

The Dakota Hoodie with Windstopper has a super thick fuzzy lining in the front pockets — something your cold hands will certainly appreciate on a cold morning in the marsh. It’s got a full collar whether the hood is up or down, and the hoodie is super-engineered to fit perfectly and provide you a full field of view. Sitka wanted to solve the problem of not being able to see around you when you turn your head in a hoodie, and they have. For those who want more features and a full zipper, the Dakota Jacket is a great option, with a very similar hood and pockets galore.

The Grinder Pant is made of four-way stretch fabric, and the Sitka designer I talked to compared them to “men’s yoga pants.” They’re super stretchy and comfortable, and you’ll find yourself wearing them after the hunt has ended.

There’s more, of course, including a few accessories like a super-warm lined beanie and a thick, warm neck gaiter. Check it all out at www.sitkagear.com.