Whats Your Cold Weather Gear?

[Megastink]

I'm shopping around for some cold weather fishing gear. I have some now, like Under Armour base layer and Linear Gloves, Wool Hat, thick sox. However, my gloves arent waterproof (quite the opposite) and thw wind gets under my raingear.

 

So, what do you all wear during the cold weather? I'm particularly interested to hear about neck gaiters, waterproof gloves (with dexterity), footwear, under layers, etc...

[A-Jay]

I was big proponent of UA Cold gear.  Especially in a situation where I was going to be active in the cold; wicking away moisture is important.

 

I have recently stitched completely to Columbia Omni-Heat - Everything.

 

It's warmer, fits much better and does it all.

 

Base layer, Mid layer & Top layer as well as socks, gloves, boots & hats.

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.columbia.com/Omni-Heat-Reflective/Technology_Omni-Heat_Reflective,default,pg.html

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I wear my hunting stuff.

[Bluebasser86]

BPS 100mph suit, White River fingerless fleece gloves (a few pairs so I can change them if they get wet), Redhead wool socks, BPS heavy weight thermals, Redhead baklava, and Muck Ranger boots.

I wear this gear in single digit weather, snow, cold rain, and wind and it's done great keeping me warm.

[roadwarrior]

Start with Under Armour and build on that. Layering is the key. For the most part, uninsulated

Cabela's Guidewear is all I need. If it's a little colder I will add a coat. I only wear gloves when

we are running.

 

Keeping my feet warm is the biggest issue. Sorel boots are a MUST for me.

 

 

 

   

[RAMBLER]

 A sweatshirt over my t-shirt.  I can usually take the sweatshirt off as the day warms up.

 

I grew up in Wisconsin so I know what it's like to be outside in 40 below weather.  Never did like it.

[iabass8]

warm feet are #1 for me. I wear cabelas pac bay 2000 infernos. kinda heavy but you won't get cold feet. cabelas guidewear bibs, hoodie, wool socks, stocking cap. i usually only wear gloves running as there's usually a small heater for our hands on the boat.

[Insanity]

(Gloves) Take a look at the Gorilla Grips at Home Depot there around five bucks. Very thin smooth rubber palm (water proof) and the stretchy material breaths on the back side so your hands don't sweat. They only stock large here but they fit me perfect. I can tie line, light cigs or anything with them on.

Down side is they are thin so if it gets to cold you'll need better ones. But I can tell you I like them so much I'm gonna buy 20 pair soon in case they stop making them.

I love my heavy Carhartt coat. But then again I'm a country boy anyway. Lol

With it and long john bottoms I'm good.

If I start to get cold with that on. The rod tip is freezing up every cast anyway. And I get tired of that real quick.

[Cryoglobin]

Mountain Hardware baselayer and monkey man jacket.  If it is really cold, I will wear a marmot softshell between those once it gets into the 30s.  Add a pair of northface powerstretch gloves and icebreaker mountaineer socks and I am good to the mid 20s.  Below that, I'm not fishing.

[KDW96]

I wear my hunting stuff.

 

My hunting gear is what i use also. A good pair of boots that have GORTEX. No exceptions there. And make sure you can resole them when needed. As far as insulation, i have a 400 gram i wear to about 30 degrees, below that i have a 1000 gram insulated. I also work outside 8to10 hours a day in the cold.After many years,these are what i have. 2 words;RESOLABLE AND GORTEX. 

[*Hootie]

My Cold Weather Gear::

1: My big screen TV

2: My sweats

3: My couch

Hootie

[Hanover_Yakker]

Maybe I can shed some light on this topic and possibly save someone's life at the same time.

 

Layering is the key, but what layers to use?  Unless you are using a dry suit or Coast Guard Survival Suit, here are some cold water basics.....

 

Body:

1. Base layer (wicking) - this is the foundation and the key to removing water from your skin.  Duofold, Thermax, Kokatat, Capilene, etc.  Many companies to choose from.  Average price is $30-50 per piece (bottoms and tops) or a union suit.

2. Insulating layer (fleece) - this layer holds the water off of your skin and provides some measure of warmth.  Many options here and many places to get them.  Prices vary.  I use Hodgman myself.

3. Waterproof layer (not rain gear!) - this layer has gaskets to keep water out.  I use a two piece setup - Frogg Togg breathable chest waders (w/ wading belt) with neoprene booties and an NRS splash top w/ neck and wrist gaskets.

4. Additional layer (not necessary but some like it) - pullovers (not cotton) like the UnderArmor versions are a poly blend with nylon (usually 70/30 at a minimum).

 

Feet:

1. Base layer (wicking) - not sock liners.  Wicking socks remove the moisture from your feet.  Any outdoor/Camping store will have these (REI, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, etc.)

2. Insulating layer (wool) - wool socks will help keep your feet warm.  Smart Wool is the brand of choice but there are many options.  Any sporting goods store will have these (Dick's, Bass Pro, Cabelas, REI, Academy, Sports Authority, etc.)

3. Waterproof layer (neoprene rules here) - no other choice in my opinion.

4. Protective layer (prevents damage to the neoprene) - varied on your conditions.  Anything from Crocs, Tevas, etc. to full waterproof wading boots by Simms, Orvis, etc.  I have Tevas, Crocs for mild cold weather and Simms Blackfoot wading boots for extreme cold.

 

Head/Hands:

1. Wool and fleece - many pairs.  If it starts to rain, you will need to change them out often.  Cheap ones from any store will do fine.  I use the fingerless Artic Zone ones from Bass Pro with the flip over mitten.

 

 

For those that are fishing in waters colder than 60 degrees, most of you would suffer from hypothermia if you ever fell in.  Harsh reality but it is true.  Most winter anglers in boats fail to account for four major things that I have seen.

 

1. Cotton kills - that means jeans or any other layer of clothing that is cotton based.  Cotton does not dry/breathe and when it is wet, it sticks to your skin.  Not a recipe for warmth in cold water/weather conditions.

2. No dry bag - it contains a complete set of clothing to change into AND some kindling and fire starting materials to get you warm.

3. Improper head, feet and hand protection - they will spend money on the clothing and forget to properly protect their head, feet and hands.

4. No float plan - not letting someone know your planned time on the water, where you will be and what time to expect you.

 

When in doubt, call for help.  It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

Even if you change into fresh clothing with the proper layers, it will do you no good if your inner core is cold.  The effects of hypothermia can set in as early as 2 minutes all the way up to 3 hours and more.  In reality, any body temperature less than 95 degrees is technically suffering from early onset of hypothermia.  A water temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) can lead to death in as little as one hour, and water temperatures hovering at freezing can lead to death in as little as 15 minutes^.  A notable example of this occurred during the sinking of the Titanic in which most people who entered the −2 °C (28 °F) water died within 15–30 minutes.

 

Many of us, including myself, fish solo during the cold water months, so being prepared for when it will happen (not if) is a huge factor in coming back to fish another day.

[Oregon Native]

Rivers west coat and bibs...awesome

Fingerless gloves..neopreme and felt stuff....PLUS a large handwarmer in each front pocket if not raining...if raining in goes in the down vest I have under my rivrs west that I've had for twenty years that is totally awesome. Footwear depends on day of coarse..but hard to beat wool socks and a good pair of danners.

Tight LInes

[pbizzle]

I really like Columbia's omni-heat stuff.

[roadwarrior]

Wow!

 

My feet are the biggest issue I have in cold weather. I can't imagine Crocs in the winter.

 

 

 

 

[zachb34]

Shorts and T-shirt if it's really cold jeans and jacket (south Florida) lol

[Jeff H]

I use the high tech wicking base layer stuff from cabela's,  A wool long sleeve 1/4 zip shirt, a Cabela's Outfitter wool vest and my Cabela's Guidewear suit to shut out the wind.  Pants are merino wool wader pants. Merino wool socks.  I've many different boots to choose from but just a bought a pair of Cabela's Sno Runner.  They are lightweight 400 gram thinsulate and plenty warm for sub freezing (below 32 deg) temps. Stocking cap, wool fingerless fishing gloves. 

 

Yup, I believe in WOOL!  Ain't nothing better for cold weather wear.

[Brayberry]

I'm ice fishing in Alaska, and this works for me, down to -40.

 

Under Armor base layer

Waterproof/Windproof Snowpants (high quality hunting ones, I use Mossy Oak)

 

Under Armor Base Layer

Thick Synthetic Shirt

Thin Synthetic Shirt

Waterproof/Windproof Jacket

 

I wear a Under Armor Stocking Hat

 

SmartWool  Socks

Waterproof Shoes

 

Gloves I use thin gloves for ease of movement

 

Another trick is any exposed skin, cover with a think layer of vasoline.  NO need to rub it in, leave it clumpy and not rubbed in.  The vasoline holds your body heat in, and works like a chapstick for your skin.  I se this on my nose, around my eyes, cheeks, etc

[Bankbeater]

Never hurfs to keep a blanket in the car just in case.

[FD.]

Shoes instead of flip flops.  Only going to 70 tomorrow.