Cold Weather Gear - Fishing

[jbsoonerfan]

I will preface this by saying I consider myself a bit of a "brand snob" so to speak, so when researching something for cold weather fishing I was of course looking at Simms, HUK, Aftco, Frabill, etc. I have a set of HUK for cooler weather but nothing really for colder weather. I don't mind layering up, but I don't like having to take everything off to get to my base layer and then putting everything back on. Therefore, I was looking for a set of bibs that I could use when it was in the 35-45 degree range and be comfortable wearing them. I looked and look and did a ton of research and I came across a brand called RefrigiWear. Apparently they are used in a lot of commercial warehouse settings where workers spend a lot of time in the freezer and in colder working environments. I am not looking to break the bank with a set that I may only use once maybe twice a month for 4 months out of the year but there is no need to spend a couple hundred on these if they aren't worth anything. The reviews on them look great but none of the reviews are about them being used for fishing only hunting.

 

I guess I said all of that to say, anyone have any experience with RefrigiWear products? 

[TnRiver46]

35-45 you’ll be fine in the bibs they sell at academy, h20 express. If you fish in the rain a lot, might want to look into goretex. When it’s pouring I wear my car hart rubber bibs 

[Kev-mo]

refrigiwear is what a few of used for ice fishing back in the day. it was good back then and i would imagine it's better now due to advancements in fabrics and technology. 

 

it was lite, decently windproof and offered some protection from rain with it's hard nylon? shell.

with the right layers underneath we could sit outside on a bucket all day. also exceptionally easy to get into as the legs zipped all the way to the thigh and the torso zipper went from neck to waist. the suit also helped on some late march early april trips to lake norfork zipping around at 60 in a friends champion.

 

at the time it was the right tool for the task. i'm pretty sure i bought it at gander mt so it was being marketed as a solution for cold weather sports, ice fishing, snowmobiling etc. 

 

[Jig Man]

I’ve had several pairs.  The ones I wear now are the warmest ones I have ever had.  They are down bibs from Duluth Trading Co.  I have been using them for at least 10 years now.  I would buy another pair in a heart beat.

[TOXIC]

What seems to be an easy topic really isn’t.  There are a lot of factors that go into cold weather gear and are individual to the person buying it.  For example I have a picture of my fishing partner and I on the same boat at lake st Clair.  He is on the front deck with flannel lined fishing pants and 3 shirts.  I am on the back deck in shorts and a hooded sweatshirt over a long sleeved t shirt.  Do you think we have the same taste in cold weather gear??  In freezing weather, I can get away with a couple of layers under a Bass Pro, Pro Qualifier gortex lined bibs and jacket.  He goes with the Cabelas Guidewear which is much heavier and likewise more insulating.  If I am going to be in the really nasty stuff, I have a Bass Pro 100mph suit that I switch to.  Now they have the 200mph suit that supposedly is lighter and warmer.  Another consideration is how much activity you plan on doing in your gear.  The more you move the warmer you will be and that is why ice fishing gear is normally heavier.  Plus the fact you are not casting and don’t need the range of motion thinner gear gives.  I hate to muddy the water but it’s not as simple as it sounds.  ?

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 11/6/2020 at 12:46 PM, TOXIC said:

What seems to be an easy topic really isn’t.  There are a lot of factors that go into cold weather gear and are individual to the person buying it.  For example I have a picture of my fishing partner and I on the same boat at lake st Clair.  He is on the front deck with flannel lined fishing pants and 3 shirts.  I am on the back deck in shorts and a hooded sweatshirt over a long sleeved t shirt.  Do you think we have the same taste in cold weather gear??  In freezing weather, I can get away with a couple of layers under a Bass Pro, Pro Qualifier gortex lined bibs and jacket.  He goes with the Cabelas Guidewear which is much heavier and likewise more insulating.  If I am going to be in the really nasty stuff, I have a Bass Pro 100mph suit that I switch to.  Now they have the 200mph suit that supposedly is lighter and warmer.  Another consideration is how much activity you plan on doing in your gear.  The more you move the warmer you will be and that is why ice fishing gear is normally heavier.  Plus the fact you are not casting and don’t need the range of motion thinner gear gives.  I hate to muddy the water but it’s not as simple as it sounds.  ?

Bulk and weight is a big factor in fishing or hunting gear.  You have to take into account how much your going to move.  The last thing you want to do is sweat, it can make you uncomfortable or even ruin the day.  Cotton has refrigerating qualities once its wet, so go with performance fabrics as a base layer and good quality merino socks.  Jeans are ok to wear over your bottom base layer but wading pants and sweatpants are better as long as your wearing bibs on the outer layer. 

I like to wear a T shirt over the top base layer and a Henley over that, then a heavy weight hoody over the Henley. 

Its best to have water proof and windproof bibs with good pockets and beefy zippers.  Most of the better brands have good zippers, but you would be surprised at how much the quality of BP and Cabelas and a few other popular brands has deteriorated in recent years. 

The top outer layer whether you want shorter wading jacket or longer parka length top should be as water and windproof as the bibs.  The lighter shell weight coats with little insulation are much cheaper and will work in most situations.  The majority of the time I wear a lighter insulated parka while fishing, but when it gets brutaly cold I wear my 3 in 1 wading jacket I duck hunt in, its really bulky but incredibly warm.  You probably get more for your money with a 3 in 1, because you can wear the just the shell, the liner or both, depending on conditions.  There's nothing wrong with parkas with less insulation, just make sure you have something to layer under it if need be, like a heavy wool sweater or fleece.  The hood makes the coat.  Make sure its fully adjustable with a good storm flap or partial facemask to keep it secure in high wind.  

I wear a regular weight buff or fish monkey neck gaiter when its colder.  On my head I wear a ball cap or a billed knit beanie.  I keep a heavy weight adjustable Balaclava in my vehicle or boat JIC.  They are like a neck gaiter, face mask and hood all in 1 that doesn't restrict motion or vision at all which is important hunting or fishing. 

Without your hands your useless, so once you've gone this far, don't skimp on the gloves, especially those of you who rely on hot hands once you can see your breath, you know who you are.  If you like running your casting reels loose like I do, its really tough to use full fingered gloves.  I like synthetic half fingers and thumbs the best.  Wool and synthetic glomits are a good idea, but they make it awful hard to access pockets whether you using the mit or not.  Ive had to stitch many velcro patches back on from digging around for my phone.  Ragg wool half fingers are good for warmth until you handle a fish, then they become damp and after a few trips without washing them they get a little fishy.  In brutal cold conditions Ill wear glove liners under my half fingers.  If they are good quality you still have some sensation in your finger tips.  Full gloves take nearly all sensation away, I like the Sitka Pantanal gloves for decoys and shooting but its too hard to fish in them for me.

Most importantly when your fishing or hunting in cold weather, be safe.  Wear an inflatable if your in a boat or even fishing rivers or streams whether your wading or not and wear a wading belt.  Keep at least 1 extra change of clothes in your boat and or vehicle along with some towels and wool blanket or 2.  Be safe guys.

[WRB]

Cold weather is relative to where you line. Boring holes in 3’ of ice vs wearing extra clothing in 36 degree mornings that warm up to 60 during the mid day. I will take the 36 degree mornings!

Tom

[jbsoonerfan]

I thought I had updated this thread, but I must have just dreamed I did. Anyway, I went with the Frabill i3 jacket and bibs. I was able to get both for $220 so I went with them after reading some reviews. I have only had them out twice and both times they were great. The second time out I had to shed the jacket after about 30 min as it had warmed up to about 40 degrees and I was getting warm. I love that the jacket has a stretchy neoprene like material around the cuffs so there is no velcro to try to keep tight to keep the sleeves from falling down. The bibs are kind of tight, but I could stand to lose a few pounds so maybe that is my fault for being fat lol. Overall, very happy with them so far.

[12poundbass]

1 minute ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I thought I had updated this thread, but I must have just dreamed I did. Anyway, I went with the Frabill i3 jacket and bibs. I was able to get both for $220 so I went with them after reading some reviews. I have only had them out twice and both times they were great. The second time out I had to shed the jacket after about 30 min as it had warmed up to about 40 degrees and I was getting warm. I love that the jacket has a stretchy neoprene like material around the cuffs so there is no velcro to try to keep tight to keep the sleeves from falling down. The bibs are kind of tight, but I could stand to lose a few pounds so maybe that is my fault for being fat lol. Overall, very happy with them so far.

40* sounds like sweatshirt weather to me. ?

You southern boys.?

[Bird]

Refrigiwear is what I've worn for the last 15 years as an industrial crane operator, up until I retired.......warm but heavy. 

Much better options for fishing. 

 

You simply can't beat goose down as the lightest, warmest on earth.

Synthetic materials can't compete as of yet but very vulnerable to dampness. 

 

I wear Norwegian goose down on dry days but believe you struck a happy medium with your choice of cold weather clothing.....efficient and durable. 

[GreenPig]

Frabill F1 is my warm weather rain suit. Hunting coveralls & boots if cold and no rain. 100 mph suit in cold & rain. Below 32 air with rain I'll wait until the rain passes or temp rises. 

[NHBull]

Your insulating layers can be more important that the outer layer.  Given fishing is a low sweat activity and most insulating layers don't breath well, gortex can be a waist of money......some treated nylons manage wetness as good and remember, pressure will push water through stitching.  

 

[Mr. Aquarium]

Look into commercial fishing gear those guys are bustin ass in some of the worst conditions 

[GTN-NY]

I’m finally getting the base and outer layers but my hands are what I struggle with the most. 
I went creek fishing for trout yesterday. 35° @2:00 and falling till dark. It rained and snowed. I tried some 2mil latex gloves with a liner glow over them. It worked for awhile but the hooks would get stuck in the gloves. I ended up just using the latex gloves. My hands were cold but not that bad because they were dry. Other guy’s hands with me were red and painful because his were wet. 
 

I just bought these but the fingers are 1” longer than my fingers so I don’t think they’ll work. Plus the outer layer is kind of fuzzy so I think the hooks will get stuck. https://www.gillfishing.com/waterproof-gloves/

I have these on my Amazon wish list for Christmas. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N0KR5I/?coliid=I34UG8DNHNXSBT&colid=1YI87JHYJ9NFU&psc=1
I’m hopeful!?

[Michigander]

A full fleece suit under your summer rain gear works wonders. ? 

I'm in the kayak this time of year and it's a wetsuit under my rain bibs with a fleece hoodie for me. It does the deed.

[NHBull]

1 hour ago, GTN said:

I’m finally getting the base and outer layers but my hands are what I struggle with the most. 
I went creek fishing for trout yesterday. 35° @2:00 and falling till dark. It rained and snowed. I tried some 2mil latex gloves with a liner glow over them. It worked for awhile but the hooks would get stuck in the gloves. I ended up just using the latex gloves. My hands were cold but not that bad because they were dry. Other guy’s hands with me were red and painful because his were wet. 
 

I just bought these but the fingers are 1” longer than my fingers so I don’t think they’ll work. Plus the outer layer is kind of fuzzy so I think the hooks will get stuck. https://www.gillfishing.com/waterproof-gloves/

I have these on my Amazon wish list for Christmas. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N0KR5I/?coliid=I34UG8DNHNXSBT&colid=1YI87JHYJ9NFU&psc=1
I’m hopeful!?

I used to test cold weather gear for northface and patagonia  and we fou D that super heating your core ( electric vest) really increased blood flow to hands. I keep hand warmers in chest pockets and I think the placebo effect kickers in?

[A-Jay]

31 minutes ago, NHBull said:

I used to test cold weather gear for northface and patagonia  and we fou D that super heating your core ( electric vest) really increased blood flow to hands. I keep hand warmers in chest pockets and I think the placebo effect kickers in?

Cool ~ 

Did you ever have to do the car wash test ?

A-Jay

 

[ChrisD46]

21 hours ago, WRB said:

Cold weather is relative to where you line. Boring holes in 3’ of ice vs wearing extra clothing in 36 degree mornings that warm up to 60 during the mid day. I will take the 36 degree mornings!

Tom

Say , what about NorCal /  Oregon / Washington coastal areas ? Doesn't get much below freezing but remains damp and never seems to get much above 50 F. much of the year ?

[WRB]

What do I think....dreary!

Tom