I'm going to suck it up and start fishing much earlier this. By earlier I mean colder. I just want the warmest long johns I can get. Any proven favorites?
Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Printable View
I'm going to suck it up and start fishing much earlier this. By earlier I mean colder. I just want the warmest long johns I can get. Any proven favorites?
Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I've prefer fleece line jeans.
I have some under armour base layers I like. Since I'm in kayak I don't wear anything cotton in case it gets wet.
I wear these all the time in the winter.
Access Denied
Access Denied
I am confused on base layers. I have read that base layers are not as warm as thermal because they do a different job. I like that they are thinner. Are they warm enough for 15° wind chill?Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave336
Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Silverside, the idea of a base layer isn't really to provide warmth itself. It is more to provide wicking action for sweat. Yes, your body sweats even in the coldest weather. If your thermals trap that sweat then they loose all their insulating ability. That is why those traditional cotton thermals are basically worthless. For me, I love USGI surplus "silks". You can get them cheap on Ebay. Wear those against your skin and add insulating layers on top.
:hesaid
I have no experience with extreme cold but I have been warm wearing mine and I'm extremely happy with them. I layer usually for the weather that particular day. Usually the only thing that gets cold is my feet, hands or nose.
Merino wool hands down. Merino base layers in mid weight do everything you need. Keep you warm when layering, dry super fast if you sweat, dont absord odor when you do sweat, and are not itchy. You'll pay more for wool typically but it's worth it. I'm working an unheated dock at night. Monday night was -18. Wool base layers, my pants and long sleeve shirt, light weight bibs and jacket and I wasnt cold. Feet and hands were cold on and off and that's another point. Dont forget your head, feet and hands. It's a losing battle to stay warm if you neglect those 3. I work in the cold, fish in the cold, and bowhunt in some pretty extreme conditions. Ask anybody that hunts in the cold about base layers, I bet ya 75% say wool.
for me layers are key to being able to adapt for changing weather conditions. it might feel great at the ramp and then you end up fishing a point with a howling wind. or vice versa. i like base layers, jeans, then bibs. put the bibs on after you get the boat loaded and take them off before you get out. heavy duty socks and good rubber boots. lose the bibs if you get hot. dont forget gloves, and a face mask or helmet makes a boat ride way more palatable if the wind kicks up and you get into some chop. if you do end up out in some real cold stuff pay attention to the ramp that it doesnt ice up where the truck will sit. throw a bag of salt behind the seat or something. take a tow strap with you and try not to be the only guy there if possible. works for us here in missouri ought to work fine in illinois.
Another thing to keep in mind is not to have wool socks on in boots before you get there. The truck heater will have your feet sweating and wet before you get there.
Sent from my LM-K920 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
In this kind of weather..one base later is down pants. And reasonably priced. https://www.amazon.com/PANLTCY-Utili...s%2C187&sr=8-1
First layer silk long Jons then Mareno wool or down. Silk is super warm. Amazon.com
Can anyone post a link where the merino wool items can be purchased. I have been looking for ages for it.
Amazon.comQuote:
Originally Posted by Dollfly
Amazon.com
I own 2 sets of these. Icebreaker or firstlite also make good wool. They key is getting the highest possible wool percentage. Lots of companies make it cheaper by adding 50-60% polyester etc which defeats the whole purpose
This isn't base layer, but growing up I always thought Carhartt was king...wrong. Down jackets are worth their weight in gold. I prefer Columbia jacket and columbia omni heat bibs.
Thanks for the link
Base layers are great and all, but what really makes the difference for me is windproof outerwear.
I have a thin wind/waterproof scentlok jacket that makes all the difference in the world when the wind isn't cutting you like a knife.
Academy has some nice looking wind suits, and the BPS 100mph suits are very good if you've got the money.
I got some from cabelas that are getting the job done for me. I wear them on my skin then layer as much as needed for the weather. Tee shirt,fleece, and hoody. Then top off with a coat. Most days in the month of March, I’ll take the coat off and just have it with me in case I need it. Always remember, you can take clothes off but if you don’t have them with you, you can’t put them on.
This is so right. Merino wool base layers are the best of the best. I’ve hunted and fished all my life and back when cotton long Johns were popular and pretty much all we had i can remember some really cold trips. I have used Smartwool, Icebreakers and Minus33Quote:
Originally Posted by parratt1
I use these on the Appalachian Trail also. I use the mid weight for hunting and fishing and lightweight for backpacking.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You wont go wrong with Merino wool.......check out the Minus 33 brand...ain’t cheap but 100 percent wool and comes in 4 different base layer weights.
Regards
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I used to winter camp. Yes, sleep in a tent while it's snowing. After 50 years of tent camping I bought a 5th wheel. How you dress depends entirely on your outdoor activity. The first rule of winter activities is not to sweat. Sweat is your enemy. Back in the day wool and goose down was king, and are still extremely hard to beat. Wool will keep you warm even when wet. Down is the warmest material, until it gets wet and then your done. Today's modern synthetics have there place and purpose, but they are not the end-all-be-all. Layering is the most effective when active. Material doesn't matter. The goal is to not sweat. The more active you become the more layers you take off. The slower you move the more layers you put on. Today they call it base layer, mid weight layer, top layer, and outer layer.
I personally find fleece to be the warmest material next to the skin, however it provides 0 resistance to wind. It needs an windproof outer shell. Carhart bibs an jacket provide the best coverage and will keep you warm while sitting around. I still wear cotton in teh winter.
I have a routine for cold weather fishing on open water (ice out). I wear cotton skivvies, cotton socks, blue jeans, cotton t-shirt, and fleece lined jacket from the house to the ramp. Once the boat is launched I switch clothes. Strip off the cotton socks and put on wool ones. Strip off the t-shirt and put on a long sleeve turtle neck. Swap out the hiking shoes for winter boots. Swap teh fleece lined jacket for Carhart bibs and coat. swap the ball cap for a stocking cap, prefer something windproof like the style worn up north with ear flaps.
This routine is two fold. I'm not sweating in my fishing clothes while I load the boat, hook up the boat, travel and unload the boat. Plus I have a pair of "dry" clothes in the truck incase I go for a swim on accident. Hyperthermia is no joke. I once had it so bad I couldn't stop shaking for a whole day, no matter what I did to get warm.
I could go on. I used to teach Scouts and their parents how to winter camp.
We have an Under Armour discount store close....you can also get it cheap at the end of the season on the website clearance.
I get the Base 4.0 and their Wool Base hunting stuff for cold temps, then their wool socks, and windproof outer layers. treat your feet the same, first is a wicking layer then wool socks...your feet will stay dry. wool can still insulate even wet!
Merino wool. There is nothing better.
Warm, comfortable, low odor, highly wicking. 170-200 gram is lightweight for active sports, 230-260 gram is midweight better for sitting, then there is thick stuff.
**There are 2 main drawbacks to merino: Price and durability. It's not going to last a decade like synthetic will.
I wear UA cold gear or Terramar ECWS GI-style fleece long underwear. Typically 3.0 weight. No cotton. I use it hunting and fishing. An IDI Gear jacket provides rain and wind protection, as well as extra flotation if I was to ever fall in.
I have a set of the UA base layers and they are warm. Great for long sit on stand. The only thing I dont like about them is they fit really tight. And yes, I got a size larger.Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave336
The old heavy cotton long johns are probably the least expensive and they are warm. They are horrible if you are active, you will sweat like a monkey. SuperDave is right, if they get wet your not only wet but cold. I deer hunt a lot and spend hours on stand and I love 100% merino wool. Wool doesn't loose its insulating properties when wet. Whatever you choose, remember to layer!
spray your feet with a dry antiperspirant before putting on your socks especially the bottoms.
Never heard of that but a great tip.Quote:
Originally Posted by dbowling
great post man! Love carhart and agree about fleece next to the skin. Fleece pajama bottoms under some bibs work greatQuote:
Originally Posted by Hanr3
Same here, I don't handle the cold like I used to. I wear polar weight long underwear, down long underwear and insulated bibs. Also hand warmers in the pockets because i can't wear gloves and fish. I'll stay out a good six hours , even longer if they are biting.Quote:
Originally Posted by cevans