Gear That Goes the Distance: Meet the Brute Down Jacket, Brute Down Vest & Gruff Waterproof Bibs

Gear That Goes the Distance: Meet the Brute Down Jacket, Brute Down Vest & Gruff Waterproof Bibs

Posted by Jackie Craig on

At River Brothers, we don’t believe in half-measures. Every stitch, every pocket, every layer of our gear is engineered to perform where it counts: out in the field. Whether you’re tracking coyotes across wind-scoured prairies, hiking snow-covered ridges for elk, or buried in a blind waiting on late-season mallards, you need gear that’s as relentless as your pursuit.

This season, we’re proud to introduce three new products built to keep you warm, dry, and moving with confidence: the Brute Down Jacket, Brute Down Vest, and Gruff Waterproof Bibs. Let’s break down what makes each of them a cold-weather workhorse—and why these layers belong in your lineup.

The Brute Down Jacket: Built to Withstand the Worst

Cold won’t quit. Neither will this jacket.

The Brute Down Jacket is everything you’ve ever wanted in an outer layer—tough, warm, and weather-ready. Constructed with a 100% DWR-treated ripstop polyester shell and filled with premium synthetic down, this jacket is made to hold up against wet snow, frozen wind, and the grind of late-season hunts.

We wanted a jacket that could truly be your final layer—durable enough to break the wind, insulated enough to lock in heat, and functional enough to move with you. With a double-wall shell, 3” RB Tail Extension™, underarm vents, and YKK waterproof zippers, it’s got the toughness and breathability serious hunters demand.

Key Features:

  • 100% Ripstop Polyester Shell (DWR Treated)
  • Double-Wall Shell for Water-Resistance & Wind Protection
  • Synthetic Down Fill That Stays Warm Even When Wet
  • 3” RB Tail Extension™
  • Armpit Zippers for Venting
  • Waterproof YKK Zippers
  • Interior & Exterior Chest Pockets

Noise Rating: 6/10

It’s not silent—but it’s not meant to be. Designed for long-range shots and harsh weather conditions.

Sizing & Fit:

The Brute Down Jacket has a standard fit with room to layer underneath.

  • Small: Body Length 26.5” front / 30” back, Chest 36–39”, Sleeve Length 35”
  • Medium: Body Length 27.5” / 30.5”, Chest 40–42”, Sleeve 36”
  • Large: Body Length 28” / 31”, Chest 41–46”, Sleeve 37”
  • XL: Body Length 29” / 32”, Chest 47–50”, Sleeve 38”
  • 2XL: Body Length 30” / 33”, Chest 51–54”, Sleeve 39”
  • 3XL: Body Length 31” / 34”, Chest 55–58”, Sleeve 40”
The Brute Down Vest: Rugged Warmth, Your Way

Wear it solo or stack it up.

The Brute Down Vest takes the same durable DNA as the jacket and strips it down to the essentials for when you need core warmth without the bulk. It’s perfect on its own for mild mornings or layered under your jacket when conditions turn brutal.

With 4 exterior pockets, an interior stash pocket, a 2” RB Tail Extension™, and the same rugged double-wall shell, this vest is designed to take a beating and keep your core warm, season after season.

Key Features:

  • 100% Rip top Polyester Shell (DWR Treated)
  • Double-Wall Shell for Water-Resistance & Wind Protection
  • Premium Synthetic Down Insulation
  • 2” RB Tail Extension™
  • Waterproof YKK Zippers
  • Functional Pocket System

Noise Rating: 6/10

Made to perform, not tiptoe. Designed with long-range action in mind.

Sizing & Fit:

The Brute Down Vest fits true to size as a standalone layer but is also designed to fit under the Brute Down Jacket for extra warmth. 

  • Small: Body Length 26.25” front / 29” back, Chest 36–39”
  • Medium: Body Length 26.75” / 29.5”, Chest 40–42”
  • Large: Body Length 27.5” / 30”, Chest 41–46”
  • XL: Body Length 28.5” / 31”, Chest 47–50”
  • 2XL: Body Length 29.5” / 32”, Chest 51–54”
  • 3XL: Body Length 30.5” / 33”, Chest 55–58”
The Gruff Waterproof Bibs: Built for the Brutal

Snow, rain, wind, mud—bring it on.

You asked, we delivered. The Gruff Waterproof Bibs were built as the most versatile outer layer we’ve ever made—uninsulated, 20k waterproof, and fully adjustable to your frame and your terrain. Designed for hard-hitting predator and waterfowl hunters alike, these bibs let you move, kneel, crawl, and hustle through the muck without getting soaked or restricted.

With sealed seams, reinforced impact zones, multiple gear pockets, and a flexible upper-body, these bibs are made to hustle with you every step of the way.

Key Features:

  • 3-Layer Waterproof + Windproof Polyester Shell
  • DWR Treated w/ 20k Waterproof Rating
  • Seam-Sealed for Full Protection
  • YKK Waterproof Zippers
  • Reinforced Knees, Heels, and Rear-End
  • Multiple Pockets + Decoy Loops
  • Adjustable Waistband & Flexible Upper Body

Noise Rating: 6.5/10

Tough and functional with a little grit—perfect for 100-yard+ shots or surprise action in the decoys.

Sizing & Fit:

The Gruff Bibs are built for a standard fit with adjustable features in the waist and upper chest.

  • Small: Waist 27–30”, Inseam 31”
  • Medium: Waist 31–33”, Inseam 31”
  • Large: Waist 34–37”, Inseam 32”
  • XL: Waist 38–41”, Inseam 32”
  • 2XL: Waist 42–45”, Inseam 32.5”
  • 3XL: Waist 46–49”, Inseam 33”
Behind the Patterns: RB Arctic Tundra & RB Marsh

We don’t just make gear that performs—we make gear that blends in where it matters. That’s why our outerwear comes in two purpose-built camouflage patterns:

RB Arctic Tundra:

Built for snow-covered prairies, ridgelines, and frozen wetlands, this camo is designed for predator hunts, elk tracking, and late-season waterfowl when the world turns white and shadows disappear.

RB Marsh:

Engineered for wetland edges, prairie grass, and cut cornfields, RB Marsh blends into the earthy tones of floodplains, grassy hillsides, and chopped fields—ideal for coyotes, geese, antelope, or mule deer.

Final Thoughts

These aren’t your average outerwear pieces. The Brute Down Jacket, Brute Down Vest, and Gruff Waterproof Bibs were born from the needs of real hunters in real conditions. Built to be layered, tested to endure, and styled to blend in—this is gear that’s ready when you are.

— The River Brothers Team

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