[lophat]

After reading the latest BCO, I was wondering what people do to keep warm out there at this time of year? Does anyone have a great layering technique that not only keeps you warm but dry? I used to wear sweatpants under my neos but that just got damp and quick. Switched to some technical long johns and Bare fleece pants and pullover and this was a lot better although not perfect. I'm thinking about some denser fleece but not sure if this is the best way to go. It's mainly the lower body and especially the toes. Thanks!

 

[Nuggy]

.

 

[STLHDR]

It really depends on what type of fishing you are doing and how active you are.

Cheers
G_C

Ill second that all I wear is trackpants, and a t-shirt under my breathables and wading jacket.

 

[firstlight]

Fleece pants under the breathables works good for me.
Upper layer is usually a T-shirt and a heavy fleece under my jacket.
Dont forget the hat of somekind to hold the heat in.
Socks i wear a pair of sport socks and a large pair of wool socks over them.
Gloves i dont like to use and if it is that cold out your guides are icing up and i rarely fish at those times.

 

[Sea Chaser]

multi layers...best way to go :cheers:

 

[ribolovac]

I agree with the multi layers,i do a lot of walking when I go out for steel,never had problems keeping warm exept when my waders leaked. :thumbup:

 

[theweev]

At this time of year...
base layer: poly prop long johns/top
1st layer: 100 wieght fleece full front zip/ cinch collor jacket
2nd layer: 200 wieght fleece full front zip
3rd layer : Hely Hansen rubberizex hooded rain coat

I wear thick neoprene Bare waders ( 5mm i think) with nice warm socs.
easy to vent and when all done up w/ a touque it does me to -5ish. For real cold I add 200 weight fleece full zip leg pants to the bottom and a 100 weight fleece vest to the top.

 

[Merc]

Polar fleece pants in the lower with merino wool socks. Dry fit t-shirt, polar fleece sweatshirt, polar fleece jacket and wading jacket on top. And baseball cap (dry fit too). Also keep in mind that if your feet are crammed into your boots, seriously consider getting bigger boots as you need some wiggle room in your boots to allow blood to circulate. Otherwise, your feet will definitely get colder.

 

[fishnfvr]

I know exactly how you feel !! :happy: Dont laugh but - I wear 5 shirts/sweaters (the first layer being the dryfit)
and them my cabelas jacket on top I am wearing so many shirts - my velcro straps are hard to get on my shoulders right - lol. And funny thing is if I wear just one shirt less - I am cold! I know its alot but I think you guys must have alot more insulation than me cause 3 shirts just wouldnt do it and I would freeze to death - Now my toes well I did buy myself a pair of sport socks and I wear another pair over top - but with cold toes you just learn to live with it :happy:

 

[fish on]

There's a lot to be said for a "quality" fleece..........worth their weight in gold........... :thumbup:

 

[FIRE-FISH]

I'm a wool guy all the way! A long sleeve dri-fit shirt under a Stanfield's wool sweater, with a touque and good to go. The touque- very important, everything just kinda stays warm if ur head is. And a big o bowl of oatmeal in the morning! Don't fgorget the gloves, cuz the beers are to cold for the hands this time of year! :beerchug:

 

[musicman]

I find that sweating under neoprenes is unfortunately just a fact of life. No matter what clothing you wear underneath, and we all know that once you get a little wet eventually you will start to get cold. I switched to breathables many years ago and I no longer have any of those sweat/ cold problems. Just a good pair of fleece pants underneath with a quality pair of wool or fleece socks ( not to tight in the boots though, those toes gotta be able to move around ) If it's REALLY cold out then I'll just add some thermals under my fleece pants and there is never a problem. Maybe breathable waders should be an option for you to consider. Oh yea , and as FIRE- FISH mentioned, bring along a touque !! Very important !!

Hope this helps

Musicman

 

[GerBear]

I love my ice-fishing and will spend on average 7 hours out on the ice in any one day. The Boots I use which in my thoughts are about the most important piece of gear as they are directly between me and the ice are called Baffin Technology, ( Surplus Herbies ) come with rubber bottoms ( lots of grabbing grip for ice, haven't tried them on wet rocks tho ) and gortex uppers to a height of 17", no zippers so less chance of leaks and full liner, feet stay warm with only a pair of cotton under heavy wool socks. As a general rule I wear johns with cotton pants and t-shirt then jack shirt and slide into a pair of insulated cover-alls, add a toque for the top, don't like gloves much so just put a handwarmer in each pocket and still quick to grab the handline when something comes knocking.

Ger

 

[flyrod]

Sit in the hot tub by emersing yourself up to your chin and staying there until the outside temperature reaches 20 C.

 

[Furious_George]

When it's especially cold and I know I'll be standing in water for a long period of time I use hot-shots inside the booties of my waders but I keep them outside of my socks.

 

[biffchan]

Everyone is bang on with what they said about fleece.

Just another little tidbit to add and that is that WET COTTON = COLD

Stay away from cotton at all costs, especially for areas that get damp ie feet.

 

[StillwaterStalker]

For this time of year:
Wool socks
Sweat pants
T-shirt
Some special cotton longsleeve shirt my parents got me
Bare Blackwater waders
Sedge wading boots
Bare Kodiak rain jacket
A pair of those wool gloves with the flip up finger flap thingy in the pocket for when my hands get cold.
Ball cap.

keeps me warm, dry and comfortable.

 

[Fairweather fisherman]

I got a pair of neoprene, fleece lined socks from Army and Navy this year. I am really pleased with them and would reccomend them to anyone who tends to get cold feet.....no pun intended.

 

[lophat]

Wow! Obviously guys have put a lot of thought into this! I'm sure most of us have found what works through some trial and error. I do avoid the cotton items and use dri-fit, wool and fleece where I can. I have thought about breathables but don't neoprenes provide better insulation in cold water? I have a great windproof toque and even a balaclava for when the wind picks up but looks kinda silly. I use the same basic layering setup for winter steelheading and ice fishing (minus the waders of course). Has anyone tried the full fleece bib? Also, since fleece is porous, I am looking for some pieces that have a windproof yet breathable layer built in. I agree with the point about the boots. I think they are too tight when I add the thick -40 socks. Maybe I'll have to try the hotshots. :thumbup: Thanks Guys!

 

[professori]

The simple answer is, yes neoprenes do provide better insulation trhan breathables, and if you were simply sitting still in a snowbank, you would stay warmer in neos. However, there are a number of factors that need to be considered. First of all there is the issue of exercise (at times vigorous) which causes the body to sweat, which is a very good way to cool yourself down. The neos trap the moisture inside next to the skin and keep it inside, thereby speeding cooling. secondly neos are usually quite tight and the restriction on movement makes it more difficult, and therefore more sweating than in a less constricting garment. Breathables do just that, which allows moisture (sweat) to escpae from the interior. Combine that with moisture wicking garments next to the skin and as many layers of insulation as needed, due to the looser, roomier fit of breathables one actually does stay warmer in breathables than in neos. I have worn breathables now for about 4 years and would climb into my neos only as a last resort eg. my breathables were leaking like a sieve.