SRC&Bassbum
Steelhead
Just wandering what others do for cold weather layering this time of year?
Cold weather layering?
- Thread starter SRC&Bassbum
- Start date
Divad
Whitefish
Go-to upper base layer is a merino wool long sleeve with a synthetic long sleeve over the top for all winter weather then...
If below mid 30s°, heavy wool zipper hoodie and a semi insulated waterproof jacket outside waders. Wool cutoff gloves.
If above 35°, synthetic heavy hoodie and waterproof shell. Nitrile gloves.
I always have two pair of legs on, usually a 200 wt merino wool and a heavy pair of synthetic sweats. Sometimes a thinner base leg depending on water temperatures.
If below mid 30s°, heavy wool zipper hoodie and a semi insulated waterproof jacket outside waders. Wool cutoff gloves.
If above 35°, synthetic heavy hoodie and waterproof shell. Nitrile gloves.
I always have two pair of legs on, usually a 200 wt merino wool and a heavy pair of synthetic sweats. Sometimes a thinner base leg depending on water temperatures.
If I'm going fishing, I layer up, like I do all year long. Only more layers this time of year.
From the skin out:
lower: capilene silk weight boxers, either merino or capilene mid-weight long johns, nylon quick dry pants - mainly for the pockets and so I don't walk into stores or restaurants in my underwear, fleece pants under waders, two heavy weight pair of merino wool socks, then waders and wading boots.
Upper: capilene silk weight tee shirt, light weight hoody, flannel or other shirt, fleece pullover, rain jacket.
From the skin out:
lower: capilene silk weight boxers, either merino or capilene mid-weight long johns, nylon quick dry pants - mainly for the pockets and so I don't walk into stores or restaurants in my underwear, fleece pants under waders, two heavy weight pair of merino wool socks, then waders and wading boots.
Upper: capilene silk weight tee shirt, light weight hoody, flannel or other shirt, fleece pullover, rain jacket.
jaredoconnor
Peabrain Chub
Nitrile gloves are amazing. Anyone that hasn't tried them, should.
I really want to try electric socks, but there doesn't seem to be any reputable products; it's all just random Amazon stuff.
I really want to try electric socks, but there doesn't seem to be any reputable products; it's all just random Amazon stuff.
Dr. Magill
Life of the Party
Stay away from cotton
Even your under britches
Hold water (sweat) and doesn’t dry with activity
Even your under britches
Hold water (sweat) and doesn’t dry with activity
Make sure your boots aren't too tight! It will cut off circulation and make you cold. Base layer of merlino wool or silk.. buy quality once and you won't have to buy again. Liner socks and merlino wool sock.. a good hat, heat escapes from your head.. gloves, I hate wearing them, but have at least two pairs of fingerless gloves with me.. if they get wet change them and dry the others off if you can. Put on your dashboard between spots and dry them and make them toasty warm.. good waders and jacket! Have a dry bag of clothes if you float or in the car/truck if you're banking it..
Thermos of coffee or hot water.. I bring my Jet Boil to make coffee or tea if I want/need it. Especially floating. Or heat water for a cup of Ramen!
A fire starter, can make yourself with cotton balls and petroleum jelly. Or a bag of Fritos!! I have cigars and whiskey too.. so I always have a couple of bomb ass lighters with me.. and usually a can of fuel.. plus matches as a backup.
Cheers!
Thermos of coffee or hot water.. I bring my Jet Boil to make coffee or tea if I want/need it. Especially floating. Or heat water for a cup of Ramen!
A fire starter, can make yourself with cotton balls and petroleum jelly. Or a bag of Fritos!! I have cigars and whiskey too.. so I always have a couple of bomb ass lighters with me.. and usually a can of fuel.. plus matches as a backup.
Cheers!
Can't go wrong getting quality stuff.
I bought a set of Woolpower bottoms and tops from Waters West years ago for winter fishing, and they have worked really well for me as a base layer.
In addition to fleece tops I will also use a puffy jacket under my rain shell as an additional layer.
And a nice wool beanie cap is important too.
Definitely stay away from cotton or down. They will not keep you warm when wet.
I bought a set of Woolpower bottoms and tops from Waters West years ago for winter fishing, and they have worked really well for me as a base layer.
In addition to fleece tops I will also use a puffy jacket under my rain shell as an additional layer.
And a nice wool beanie cap is important too.
Definitely stay away from cotton or down. They will not keep you warm when wet.
Buffalo Bison Wool, LLBean Boot socks, or Wigwam wool socks. Orvis Ultimate are nice too.
A pair of Cabela's double fleece wading pants. A pair of Craft fleece tights under if below 20 [Had from cycling (for xc ski I think). Or by themselves, if mild enough.]
Craft T or long sleeve mock turtle under shirt, Collared shirt, REI 1/4 zip light insulating layer, LLBean puffy, Redington insulated soft shell. Cabela's gore tex overcoat, if needed.
Fleece skull cap, maybe rag wool, or both.
Breathable waders over. Yes, boots must be roomy enough to wiggle toes without being too loose for safe wading.
Don't like gloves.
A pair of Cabela's double fleece wading pants. A pair of Craft fleece tights under if below 20 [Had from cycling (for xc ski I think). Or by themselves, if mild enough.]
Craft T or long sleeve mock turtle under shirt, Collared shirt, REI 1/4 zip light insulating layer, LLBean puffy, Redington insulated soft shell. Cabela's gore tex overcoat, if needed.
Fleece skull cap, maybe rag wool, or both.
Breathable waders over. Yes, boots must be roomy enough to wiggle toes without being too loose for safe wading.
Don't like gloves.
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Coach Potter
Life of the Party
The hunting world has the answer to your heated sock problem. I actually prefer the heated insoles but haven’t thought of a way to use them with waders.
I have a lot of variations...
Baselayer:
Icebreaker Merino midweight top & bottoms. The top has thumbholes; a nice feature I once had in a HH fleece sweater I grew out of.
Polarmax Micro Fleece heavyweight top & bottoms
Socks:
Over the calf compression stockings (increases leg & foot circulation) as a liner sock or calf sleeves; 20-30 mmHg is good for skiing.
Merino hiking socks.
may bring me some remote controlled electric socks
Trousers:
Those Eddie Bauer fleece-lined trousers from Costco (recommended by @Stonedfish last year ?) are awesome warm and don't look dorky après fish at the diner.
Shirt and sweater:
A Woolrich grey herringbone shirt I bought in the mid-1970s for winter climbing that is very warm but unwearably scratchy without a longsleeve baselayer.
A (Primaloft) synthetic puffy jacket or fleece vest
Headwear:
A Merino Buff or balaclava, + wool fitted baseball cap + a fleece Inca style cap with earflaps and chin strap
3mm neoprene chest waders
Footwear: if in my WM or tube wearing fins I wear 7mm neoprene Dive Boots
Outer jacket -
If I know there will be significant rain - sleet:
The warmest combination so far that works for fishing is some discontinued fingerless Cabelas fingerless Goretex "Windstopper" Thinsulate insulated gloves over Atlas 370 knit-nitrile gardening gloves.
Like boots, *the gloves must not be too tight. This year I have the Rockfish and Glacier Glove in XL to try. Also I found one cold snowy day on Lone Lake a warm head and core can allow me to fish in cold weather without gloves
Baselayer:
Icebreaker Merino midweight top & bottoms. The top has thumbholes; a nice feature I once had in a HH fleece sweater I grew out of.
Polarmax Micro Fleece heavyweight top & bottoms
Socks:
Over the calf compression stockings (increases leg & foot circulation) as a liner sock or calf sleeves; 20-30 mmHg is good for skiing.
Merino hiking socks.
may bring me some remote controlled electric socksTrousers:
Those Eddie Bauer fleece-lined trousers from Costco (recommended by @Stonedfish last year ?) are awesome warm and don't look dorky après fish at the diner.
Shirt and sweater:
A Woolrich grey herringbone shirt I bought in the mid-1970s for winter climbing that is very warm but unwearably scratchy without a longsleeve baselayer.
A (Primaloft) synthetic puffy jacket or fleece vest
Headwear:
A Merino Buff or balaclava, + wool fitted baseball cap + a fleece Inca style cap with earflaps and chin strap
3mm neoprene chest waders
Footwear: if in my WM or tube wearing fins I wear 7mm neoprene Dive Boots
Outer jacket -
If I know there will be significant rain - sleet:
Simms (if wading) or AF ECWCS Gen II Level 6 Goretex shell.
If colder with a little snow:Rivers West Ranger waterproof fleece jacket.
Gloves - I've tried lots of things because my XL hands can ache badly when cold; wool fingerless, *Glacier Glove neoprene (L), XL 9mil nitrile over OR Lightweight Sensor liners, *Rock Fish (L) fleece lined latex https://www.rockfishgloves.com/?page_id=1570...The warmest combination so far that works for fishing is some discontinued fingerless Cabelas fingerless Goretex "Windstopper" Thinsulate insulated gloves over Atlas 370 knit-nitrile gardening gloves.
Like boots, *the gloves must not be too tight. This year I have the Rockfish and Glacier Glove in XL to try. Also I found one cold snowy day on Lone Lake a warm head and core can allow me to fish in cold weather without gloves
Apparently not enough layers. -15 degree wind chill. I froze my ass off on this one. Standing in the river was the only way to get any warmth at all.
Coach Potter
Life of the Party
I prefer merino next to my skin top and bottom. I have several different weights of fleece bottoms. A down vest is impossible to beat for weight and warmth. I also like wool sweaters or button ups (I have both and bounce back and forth) and fleece. A gortex shell for wind and rain.
If it’s really cold, I will sandwich my toes (top and bottom) with adhesive toe warmers outside of my wool socks.
If it’s really cold, I will sandwich my toes (top and bottom) with adhesive toe warmers outside of my wool socks.
Divad
Whitefish
You cold feet people two things: 1) Have a thin, synthetic ski like sock as a base layer 2) Costco style wool sock are medium weight at best. Get good thick wool for the second pair.
I’m the dummy in a float tube all winter and very warm. One can also prewrap a hot hand to the top of your foot but the trade-off in comfort isn’t worth it for me.
I’m the dummy in a float tube all winter and very warm. One can also prewrap a hot hand to the top of your foot but the trade-off in comfort isn’t worth it for me.
