Chêne Gear Unveils Founders’ Reserve Waterfowl Collection

September 18, 2026

Technical Waxed Canvas Apparel Constructed with British Millerain Textiles

MEMPHIS, TN (September 18, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ — Chêne Gear, a premium outdoor equipment brand known for its technical hunting outerwear and apparel, today launched its newest line of waterfowl gear: Chêne Founders’ Reserve.

The Founders’ Reserve collection features four new waxed canvas outerwear products specialized for the modern waterfowl hunter: Founders’ Reserve Waxed Wading Jacket, Waxed Down Vest, Waxed Bib, and Waxed Jac-Shirt.

Designed and built for technical performance, reliable durability and timeless style, Founders’ Reserve leverages the brand’s elite design with premium materials sourced to stand up to the rigors of the field while wearing comfortably after the season is done.

“We created Founders’ Reserve to honor the hunting heritage,” Chêne Gear Chief Executive Officer Dennis Zuck explained. “This is a commitment to quality craftsmanship and making great gear that is built to last. Each piece features technical design made for today’s demanding waterfowl hunters, but the collection also captures the grit and relentless spirit of waterfowl hunters. These are pieces that will wear better season after season and truly stand the test of time.”

Chêne partnered with British Millerain to source the best waxed cotton canvas available. British Millerain has been producing premium waxed canvas since 1880 and continues to set the standard for durability, weather resistance, the unique patina that becomes the hallmark of well-used waxed canvas gear. Each Founders’ Reserve product features premium 11-ounce British Millerain waxed cotton canvas that is meticulously produced with well over a century of experience in Rochdale, England.

Other premium components across the collection include antique brass buttons, antique brass YKK zippers, brushed trico-lined pockets, and durable stitching.

The Founders’ Reserve Waxed Wading Jacket features a wader-compatible build with a fleet of features designed for efficient storage, mobility and comfort while shielding the hunter from inclement weather and prolonged abuse in boats, timber, blinds and brush. An adjustable hood with a structured brim adds weather protection without infringing peripheral vision, and carefully designed cuffs and storm flaps seal out water and wind.

Packed with 160 grams of 650-fill premium goose down, the Founders’ Reserve Waxed Down Vest is an essential layer that can take the chill of an early season day or provide critical core warmth as temperatures plummet. The vest is cut to fit easily with waders and features purposeful pockets for storage and hand warmth.

For the toughest hunts of the season, the Founders’ Reserve Waxed Bib gives field hunters a rugged two-layer waxed cotton canvas construction with clever articulation, zipper placement and suspender designs that enhance mobility. Fleece-lined kangaroo and brushed tricot pockets provide instant hand warmth, and full-grain leather back reinforcement and full-length leg zippers ensure durability and effortless performance in the field.

The versatile Founders’ Reserve Waxed Jac-Shirt can be worn as an overshirt or jacket to serve the hunter well throughout the season. Underarm gussets give free mobility for calling, shooting and navigating thick timber while a brushed cotton twill lining and classic workwear-inspired design make this a great crossover layer for comfort and style in the field or on the town.

Each offering in the Chêne Founders’ Reserve collection represents the brand’s ethos of understanding its core customer and refusing to compromise on making the best product possible.

“Like a shotgun or a hunting knife, Founders’ Reserve is made to be used faithfully and eventually handed down from generation to generation,” Chêne Gear CEO Zuck added. “As hunters, we understand the importance of our time in the field. It’s about the pursuit, but it’s also about so much more and creating amazing memories that we’ll have for the rest of our lives. We’re honored to contribute to this heritage and to have the Chêne Founders’ Reserve collection be an enduring part of the outdoor experience.”

Founders’ Reserve Waxed Wading Jacket (MSRP: $380)
Purpose-built with a wader-friendly fit, refined field storage, and weather-sealing details throughout, the Founders’ Reserve Waxed Wading Jacket is equally at home in flooded timber before daylight as it is around camp after the hunt.

• 11 oz British Millerain waxed cotton canvas shell
• 5.25 oz brushed cotton flannel body lining
• 16-wale cotton corduroy collar
• Adjustable hood with structured brim
• Hidden interior storm cuffs
• Adjustable outer snap cuffs
• Full-length YKK antique brass zipper
• Antique brass snap storm flap
• Rear zip-access game pouch

Founders’ Reserve Waxed Down Vest (MSRP: $350)
Combining premium British Millerain waxed cotton canvas with 650-fill goose down insulation, the Founders’ Reserve Waxed Down Vest provides dependable warmth while allowing complete freedom to call, shoot, and work birds. Designed with a wader-compatible fit and timeless styling, it’s the layer you’ll wear from the first cool front through the heart of duck season and long after the hunt is over.

• 11 oz British Millerain waxed cotton canvas shell
• 160 g 650-fill goose down insulation
• Nylon twill lining
• YKK antique brass zipper
• Snap storm flap
• Magnetic duck call pocket
• Zippered phone pocket
• Dual cargo pockets
• Fleece-lined handwarmer pockets

Founders’ Reserve Waxed Bib (MSRP: $450)
Constructed from two layers of premium British Millerain waxed cotton canvas, the Founders’ Reserve Waxed Bib delivers uncompromising durability and protection in pit blinds, layout blinds, flooded fields, and anywhere harsh conditions demand more from your gear. Articulated construction and thoughtful adjustability keep you moving comfortably, while timeless heritage details ensure these bibs will only improve with every season.

• Two-ply 11 oz British Millerain waxed cotton canvas
• Backpack-style suspenders
• Full-grain leather back reinforcement
• Articulated knees
• Gusseted crotch
• Full-length leg zippers
• Fleece-lined kangaroo pocket
• Brushed tricot-lined hand pockets
• Antique brass YKK hardware

Founders’ Reserve Waxed Jac-Shirt (MSRP: $275)
Part overshirt, part jacket, the Founders’ Reserve Waxed Jac-Shirt is one of the most versatile pieces in the Founders’ Reserve collection. Built from premium British Millerain waxed cotton canvas, it offers dependable protection from changing weather while maintaining the timeless look of classic workwear.

• 11 oz British Millerain waxed cotton canvas shell
• 5.25 oz brushed cotton twill lining
• YKK antique brass snaps
• Hidden magnetic chest pocket
• Pleated chest storage
• Half-moon underarm gussets
• Brushed tricot-lined handwarmer pockets

For more information about Chêne Gear, visit www.chenegear.com or follow @chenegear on social media.

About Chêne Gear

Chêne Gear is a premium outdoor brand built by hunters for those who demand gear they can trust in the field. Founded in 2021 and based in Memphis, Tennessee, Chêne designs and develops equipment to perform in the harshest conditions across waterfowl, turkey, and beyond. Every product is field tested, pushed to failure, and rebuilt to meet uncompromising standards of durability and performance. With a focus on reliability, service, and purpose driven innovation, Chêne serves a community that lives the hunt, not just shows up for it. If it doesn’t hold up in the field, it doesn’t make it to market. For more information, visit chenegear.com.

For media inquiries, contact David Nolt: david@birddogpr.co