MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic - Floating Hide

MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic, floating hide for wildlife photography at eye level

With the MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic you get a floating hide that, in practice, simply sets a new benchmark. It lets you virtually glide into the world of ducks, geese, great crested grebes and all the other waterfowl and photograph them where the magic happens: directly at eye level, just above the water surface. No wobbly bank, no tripod in the reeds, but a well‑thought‑out floating system developed specifically for nature and wildlife photography on the water.

Simple and effective!

The basic principle is almost astonishingly simple and precisely for that reason so convincing. The float is filled with a high‑pressure air pump, making it very dimensionally stable and at the same time pleasantly light. You don’t have to assemble anything complicated or lug around bulky Styrofoam boards or improvised constructions. Inflate it, attach the camouflage structure, mount the camera and you’re ready to go. Simple and effective, in the best sense.

Despite the simple handling, a lot of thought has gone into the details. The buoyancy of the float is so generously designed that you can hook your elbows into it while swimming in deep water without significantly increasing the draft. In practice, this means that your camera gear remains safely and steadily in front of you, even when you have no contact with the bottom. In such situations we explicitly recommend a life jacket and very calm water, with as little swell as possible, so that you can really concentrate on your photography.

Made in Europe

The MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic is manufactured in Europe. You can tell by the material quality, the seams, the neatly placed attachment points and the fact that nothing feels like a quick DIY solution. It is a professional tool for serious nature photographers who do not want to settle for half‑baked solutions. The materials used are robust and durable, designed for regular use in wetlands, lakes, ponds and slow‑flowing waters.

At the same time, the packed dimensions remain surprisingly compact. Folded up, the floating hide disappears into the supplied carrying bag, the waterproof Ponting Bag from MR JAN GEAR. This allows you to take the complete set conveniently in the car, on the train or even in your airplane luggage without feeling like you’re transporting half a boat.

Developed by photographers for photographers

With this floating hide you can sense in every detail that this is not just some generic outdoor product that has been adapted, but that nature photographers have described very precisely what they need on the water. The float is shaped so that you can place your equipment dry and at the ideal height on a mounting board. This gives you the typical eye‑level perspective on swimming waterfowl and other animals in shallow water.

In shallow water you use the hide kneeling, sitting or squatting. You can flexibly adjust your position depending on how deep the water is and how long you want to stay there. For longer sessions we recommend planning your use carefully and keeping an eye on water temperatures. A wetsuit is very useful in most situations, sometimes even indispensable, so that you can work with concentration and without getting cold.

The camouflage structure itself is thought out down to the last detail. It can be installed quickly and easily. Mesh windows in the right places provide visibility and ventilation without compromising the camouflage effect. An integrated lens tunnel guides your telephoto lens unobtrusively to the outside while protecting it from splashing water and reflections. In addition, there are hook‑and‑loop panels where you can attach accessory pouches for spare batteries, memory cards or small tools. Everything remains within easy reach and still neatly stowed away.

Compact floating hide for flexible use

Despite its stability, the MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic is a compact floating hide that can be folded down to a surprisingly small size. This not only makes transport easier, but also spontaneous outings. When morning fog hangs over the lake and you want to react quickly, you don’t have to set up half a studio first. You grab the carrying bag, go to the water, inflate the float with a suitable high‑pressure air pump and are ready for action in a short time.

Inside, you have a free space of about 110 x 50 centimeters at your disposal. This is comfortably sufficient for you and your camera gear without feeling cramped. The maximum diameter of the float is about 30 centimeters. This provides stable buoyancy and a calm position in the water. The total weight including carrying bag is around 6.9 kilograms. This makes the system stable enough for serious use, yet still easy to carry, even if you have to walk a bit to reach the water.

Sturdy float and well‑designed ergonomics

The float is made of a robust, durable material designed for repeated outdoor use. It is not only dimensionally stable, but also constructed so that you feel safe when using it. There is a handle at the front and two more handles on the inside left and right. These handles make it easier to carry, position and hold the floating hide in the water. Especially when getting in and out or when slightly shifting to a new position, these grip points are worth their weight in gold.

On the outside you will find four sleeves into which the aluminum poles for the camouflage structure are inserted. In addition, there are further attachment points that give you flexibility to fasten accessories or tension the camouflage fabric individually. The camouflage colors are chosen so that you blend in well with typical Central European shorelines, reed belts and pond landscapes. The camouflage pattern is similar to the illustration but may vary slightly. This is normal and has no impact on function; on the contrary, slight variations often appear more authentic in nature.

Mounting camera equipment on the floating hide

For mounting the telephoto lens and camera on the mounting board, we strongly recommend using a gimbal head. Such a tripod head ensures that you can move your telephoto lens precisely yet smoothly without the entire construction starting to wobble. The gimbal head can be screwed directly onto the mounting board. For this, the mounting board must be drilled at the appropriate point, which in practice is done quickly and results in a very stable connection.

We advise against mounting the tripod head directly without an intermediate element. Instead, we recommend screwing a quick‑release clamp onto the mounting board. This allows you to quickly attach and remove your camera‑lens combination without having to screw it on and off each time. This is particularly practical if you switch between different focal lengths or want to secure the equipment quickly for transport.

A suitable quick‑release plate is then attached to the gimbal head itself. This creates a continuous quick‑release system with which you can secure your equipment safely while remaining flexible. When using a slightly longer clamp, you even have the option of shifting the camera‑lens combination forwards or backwards. This helps you to optimally balance the center of gravity and further improve stability in the water.

Recommendations for quick‑release mounting and practical use

For this floating hide we recommend using a high‑quality quick‑release base. Such a base with a matching plate allows you to assemble the entire unit without tools and disassemble it again on site. This way you don’t have to fiddle with wrenches or improvised solutions while standing in mud or shallow water. Everything can be loosened or fixed with just a few movements.

In practice this means that you prepare your floating hide on the shore, inflate the float, assemble the camouflage structure and then hang your camera with telephoto lens into place via the quick‑release clamp. When you are finished or want to change waters, you release the clamp, remove the camera and can then pack the rest of the system away compactly again. This saves time and nerves, especially in changeable weather or when you want to visit several spots in one morning.

Camouflage structure, mesh windows and lens tunnel

The camouflage structure of the MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic is designed so that you remain as inconspicuous as possible while still keeping an overview. The camouflage hood is stretched over the aluminum frame and forms an enclosed but well‑ventilated unit. Mesh windows at strategically sensible positions allow you to observe the surroundings without constantly having to stick your head out of the hide. This reduces movements that could scare animals and helps you spot subjects at an early stage.

The integrated lens tunnel is a central element of this floating hide. It guides your telephoto lens cleanly to the outside and ensures that only the front element is visible. This minimizes reflections and conspicuous contours. At the same time, the tunnel protects against splashing water and light rain. You can fully concentrate on your framing while the construction quietly does its job in the background.

The sewn‑on hook‑and‑loop panels for accessory pouches are another detail that is very useful in everyday use. You can attach pouches for spare batteries, memory cards, cleaning cloths or small tools there. This way you have everything with you in the hide without having to rummage around in your backpack. Especially when you are standing or swimming in the water, it is a big advantage not to have to go back to the shore every time just because a battery is empty.

Important notes on safety and equipment

When using the MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic you should always keep an eye on the water temperature and your own physical condition. Depending on the season and duration of use, we strongly recommend a suitable wetsuit. It protects you from hypothermia and allows you to work in a focused way for longer. In deeper water where you do not have secure contact with the bottom, a life jacket is additionally recommended. Safety comes first, even if enthusiasm for the subject sometimes tempts you to overlook your own limits.

The float is very buoyant and stable, but it does not replace personal protective equipment. Especially in wind, currents or larger waves you should realistically assess the conditions and, in case of doubt, stay closer to the shore. For calm ponds, small lakes and sheltered bays this floating hide is ideally suited. There it can fully play to its strengths and enables images that are hardly achievable from the shore.

Transport, packed size and Ponting Bag

A major advantage of this floating hide is its compact packed size. When folded, the float including camouflage structure and poles fits into the supplied carrying bag. This bag is the waterproof Ponting Bag from MR JAN GEAR. It protects your floating hide from dirt, moisture and damage during transport. At the same time, you can use the Ponting Bag as a robust backpack to comfortably carry the system over longer distances.

With a total weight of about 6.9 kilograms including the carrying bag, the set remains easy to carry. You can store it in the trunk, transport it on the back seat or take it on public transport. Especially for photographers who travel a lot or visit different locations, this mobility is a real plus. You are not tied to a fixed spot but can work flexibly wherever the conditions and the light are currently best.

Material, camouflage pattern and durability

The material used for the float is robust and designed for durability. It withstands mechanical stress well under normal use and is suitable for contact with water, reeds and typical shoreline structures. The surface is easy to clean if mud or plant residues stick to it after a session. The camouflage colors are chosen so that they work well in many European habitats, from small woodland ponds to larger lakes with wide reed belts.

The camouflage pattern is similar to the illustration but may differ slightly in nuances. Such minor differences are due to production and do not impair the camouflage effect. On the contrary, in nature slightly irregular patterns often appear more convincing than perfectly uniform structures. What matters is that you visually disappear into your surroundings with the floating hide and that animals perceive you as a harmless part of the landscape.

High‑pressure air pump and accessory note

To operate the MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic you need a suitable high‑pressure air pump to reliably and stably inflate the float. However, no high‑pressure air pump is included in the scope of delivery. So please plan to use a suitable pump separately. A high‑quality pump makes inflation much easier and ensures that the float reaches its optimal shape and buoyancy.

When the float is correctly filled, it remains stable and provides you with the necessary safety and steadiness for precise shots. An under‑inflated float can flex more in the water and make working with heavy telephoto lenses more difficult. Therefore, make sure you reach the recommended pressure and briefly check the condition before each use.

Conclusion on the MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic

The MR JAN GEAR Floating Hide Combo Classic is a specialized floating hide for nature photography that enables you to photograph waterfowl and other animals in and around water from an extremely authentic perspective. It combines a lightweight, dimensionally stable float with a well‑designed camouflage structure, practical handles, sleeves for the aluminum poles and numerous attachment points for accessories. With its compact packed size, robust material and professional focus, it is a very interesting solution for anyone who seriously wants to advance their wildlife photography on the water.

If you are willing to get up early, slip into a wetsuit and quietly approach the water surface, this floating hide provides the right basis. It is not a toy but a tool that helps you create images that would otherwise only be possible with great effort or not at all. And that is exactly what it was developed for.