Duck Camp’s Contact System Review: A Hunting Setup Built for Versatility
Duck Camp’s Contact System is a versatile camo setup designed for a range of hunting pursuits in varying environments.
Throughout hunting season temperatures fluctuate, terrain changes, and water always finds a way to disrupt the best days. However, a hunter with a do-it-all camo system can keep the advantages in their favor.
The Duck Camp Contact System balances a quiet, but durable face fabric with lightweight and breathable fleece materials. An articulated and mechanical stretch design will move with you throughout the hunt. With three different camo options, you should stay concealed in your chosen environment.
In short: The Duck Contact system is an excellent combination of comfortable, durable, and water-resistant gear that will keep you hunting throughout multiple seasons, with minimal drawbacks.
Duck Camp’s Contact System Review
I had a chance to test the Contact System at my September Teal camp. The cool mornings and warm afternoons provided ideal conditions to assess the versatility.
My system for the weekend included the Contact Softshell Jacket, Contact Softshell Pant, and Contact Softshell Vest in the Woodland print. While the Woodland pattern was designed to mimic a tree canopy or flooder timber, I think the vertical greens, browns, and grays will work well in the woods, marsh, or grassland habitats.
Contact Softshell Jacket and Pant: The Versatile Outer Pieces
The main pieces of the Contact System are the Contact Softshell Jacket and Pant. Both are made of 90% polyester shell with a DWR finish that will keep light precipitation from soaking through.
In addition, this DWR finish will stand up to blowing winds. The improved face fabric reduces the noisy rustling when stalking through woods. With the mechanical stretch fabric, you can climb, sit, or squat with comfort.
The Comfort Softshell Jacket
The Comfort Softshell Jacket ($199) is ideal for the big game, waterfowl, and even upland pursuits. Whether glassing in the mountains or tracking through the woods, the water- and wind-resistant finish will keep the cool temperatures and morning dew away from your body.
A stealthy fleece material should ensure that you are nearly silent moving toward your target. The harness pass-through on the Jacket should keep all your straps in position. When the rain or wind starts to pick up, you can keep the three-point hood securely fastened.
I was most impressed with the flexibility of this jacket. From setting decoys, to glassing for birds, and shouldering a gun there was no limit to my movement.
The slim fit of the Jacket really hugs your body but leaves enough room for comfortably layering underneath. Chest and side pockets will keep your valuables within each and your hands covered.
Finally, the fleece lining in the neck collar is soft against the skin. Overall, a solid hunting jacket.
The Comfort Softshell Pants
The Comfort Softshell Pants ($159) come in both regular and tall lengths with a range of 30-42-inch waistlines. With zippered side pockets, you can keep your keys or other small items securely enclosed on your pant leg.
The chap and hip wader attachments are great if you want to add some insulation under your hip waders or chaps for extra protection in sticky environments. The pants have a nice bend when walking and the soft fleece lining keeps the friction low, but also aids in trapping heat.
I really liked that the width of the pant leg — wide enough to cover heavy boots. The DWR finish kept mud and water from soaking through when I needed to kneel and sit. While it may be best to simply hose off the pants, they stood up well after the first few runs through the washer.
Contact Softshell Vest: An Ideal Accessory Piece
The Contact Softshell Vest ($149) is a great insulation layer or technical outer when the temps raise. Just like the Softshell Jacket and Pant, the vest is built from 90% polyester and 10% spandex with a DWR finish. The zippered chest and hand pockets give you plenty of storage.
As with any vest, your vitals should stay warm during mild weather. When I doubled the Jacket and Vest, I stayed relatively dry during brief periods of rainfall.
However, I think the biggest benefit of the vest is the added protection when walking through thorny vegetation. Make sure to check out the Original Bamboo Crew as a base layer under the Vest or Jacket.
Where the Contact System Falls Short
These pieces have very few drawbacks, but there are two things to note.
All of the outerwear pieces in this system are treated with DWR — making them water-resistant, which is great. Do not confuse this with being waterproof. This setup is not watertight, which may be of significant importance to waterfowl hunters.
They also aren’t insulated, which is both a pro and con. These are great pieces for early and mid-season, but might need to be left at home when snow flies and the water gets hard.
Conclusion: Duck Camp’s Contact System Is a Truly Versatile System
Overall, the Contact System performed as expected. The zippers, buttons, and hood all stood in the rain, mud, and sand.
With the stealth fleece, you can confidently move through the brush without producing too much noise. The technical details of DWR finishes and spandex materials were well-designed.
While moderately priced, each piece in the Contact System is exceptional in its performance. The multiple camo patterns should suit your various hunting pursuits.
If you are looking for a truly versatile hunting kit, the Duck Camp Contact System is a solid choice.
Check Contact System Price at Duck Camp
The post Duck Camp’s Contact System Review: A Hunting Setup Built for Versatility appeared first on GearJunkie.