Bib Overalls

Okay i'm 62 and I have never owned a pair of bib overalls. I did buy a pair of ski bibs 10 years ago because they were on clearance at my local Academy store. My first time wearing them was 2 years ago and they really cut down on the cold. They were bought to size and they are way to snug. Carhatt, Dickies, Walls and few others all seem to great. I'm a city boy who typically does not fish in the winter so I have never needed to worry about warmth. I thought about floating fishing suit but I fish inside my boat instead of on top so the chances of me falling in is pretty rare. I'm Texas so cold for us 35-44 degrees. I just need some advice on what is going to be best for needs. I know for my northern brothers overalls are as common as a ball cap so I thought I would ask the experts.

For me I wear insulated Carhartt bibs in the cold. :dono

I grew up on a farm and spent 40 years on the railroad so bib overalls are a part of my dna. I have tried most brands and styles. A lot depends on body shape and fit. I dress in layers depending on the weather. Generally I start with a thin pair on long underwear a flannel shirt, with a pair of denim overalls, my preferred brand is Round House or Key, they are both made in America the Round House just fit me better. For very cold days, I have a pair of the Duluth Firehose material that are very warm. Then I use an outer layer of the Carhart unlined with zippers full up both legs, I can peel off easy in the boat, or in the old days on the locomotive. This is usually all I need, I have some lined carhart and they are just too warm, maybe ice fishing or a deer stand. My Carhart's are over 25 years old, still wear like iron, cost a bit more but over long haul the use and wear money well spent.

I fish all winter, even when the air temps are down into the 20's. Years ago, I started with Carhartt bibs and coat, they were fine until the air got to you, then I'd freeze. I've fished in Columbias, and they were great, waterproof, wind proof and warm, but my bibs had to be replaced because they started leaking. The replacements they sent aren't much better than jeans and are cut to fit humpty dumpty. Last year I ordered a Norfin float suit, bibs and coat. They're great, quiet, water and wind proof, very warm and comfortable too. I didn't get cold at all last winter wearing them, even after making a run down the lake. They are very reasonably priced IMHO. Now if I can figure out how to keep these old beat-up hands even close to warm, I'll be set. LOL.

I wear carhart overalls over sweat pants if it's windy. Regular dickies overalls over pajamas if it is not to windy. Wear them a little loose and they will be warm.

"Now if I can figure out how to keep these old beat-up hands even close to warm, I'll be set. LOL."


We are all looking for the magic bullet on this one.

Still wear the same Carhartt insulated bibs I wore when I worked. They get softer as the years go by it seems. But then again so do I. LOL

I found a new pair of Walls on EBay for $50. They should be here by next Friday.

I’ve had a set of walls insulated bibs for 20 years or so. First thing, wash em at the laundry in a tumble wash machine a bunch of times. This will make the material a bit more flexible and easier to move in. I did mine the hard way and it took years for them to soften at all. I’ve had a couple of carhartt jackets but I liked my blanket lined chore coat the best, except the pockets. They were patch pockets and not insulated. I gave it to my brother after owning it for ten plus years and he killed it in two weeks at a concrete plant. By far the best cold weather coat I’ve ever had was a Viet Nam era woodland camo military field jacket with a light zip in nylon liner, not the arctic one. I like a bottom of the butt length coat with a built on hood, not a roll up one that goes inside the collar. The only weak spot in my setup was the ankles. Keeping the wind from whistling up your legs was a challenge. I too fished twelve months a year when I lived in TN and once I figured out what worked best for me, all I needed was the time to go. I also used a knitted balaclava that tucked into the top of the coat and kept any cold out of the neck and throat area. No doubt I wasn’t pretty but it all worked well together. Hope you find what you need.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

I’ve had a set of walls insulated bibs for 20 years or so. First thing, wash em at the laundry in a tumble wash machine a bunch of times. This will make the material a bit more flexible and easier to move in. I did mine the hard way and it took years for them to soften at all. I’ve had a couple of carhartt jackets but I liked my blanket lined chore coat the best, except the pockets. They were patch pockets and not insulated. I gave it to my brother after owning it for ten plus years and he killed it in two weeks at a concrete plant. By far the best cold weather coat I’ve ever had was a Viet Nam era woodland camo military field jacket with a light zip in nylon liner, not the arctic one. I like a bottom of the butt length coat with a built on hood, not a roll up one that goes inside the collar. The only weak spot in my setup was the ankles. Keeping the wind from whistling up your legs was a challenge. I too fished twelve months a year when I lived in TN and once I figured out what worked best for me, all I needed was the time to go. I also used a knitted balaclava that tucked into the top of the coat and kept any cold out of the neck and throat area. No doubt I wasn’t pretty but it all worked well together. Hope you find what you need.

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Years ago I worked for Kraft foods and they had a deep freezer that was over 100 yards long. The forklift drivers was in out of thing 50 times a day. They keep those freezers at -20 degrees and I ask the guys how could they stay in their 30 minutes at a time. The company purchased them Refrigiwear jackets and bibs once a year. They were good at -40 degrees. Years later I purchased a set off EBay for $100. In our typical 30-40 degree you would fry in that suit. I guess they would be great for those up north and our Canuk friends but they were way too much for Texas. I wear them once every 3 years on average. The same thing applies to Mickey Mouse Army boots. They were made for the soldiers in Antarctica and they are certainly over kill for Texas. I'm sure the Walls will serve me just fine.

What I wear depends on just how cold it is.
For milder winter temperatures, say upper 30's, I'll just wear layers of clothing under a BPS 100 mph rain suit. It's windproof, rainproof and warm enough to stay comfortable all day.
For colder temps, down to mid 20's, I wear the lightweight Artic Armour float suit Arctic Armor Products - Products. Again, it's windproof, rainproof, a float suit and since it's colored black it absorbs those sun rays and helps to warm you on those rare days the sun pokes out.

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Originally Posted by Grainraiser

Years ago I worked for Kraft foods and they had a deep freezer that was over 100 yards long. The forklift drivers was in out of thing 50 times a day. They keep those freezers at -20 degrees and I ask the guys how could they stay in their 30 minutes at a time. The company purchased them Refrigiwear jackets and bibs once a year. They were good at -40 degrees. Years later I purchased a set off EBay for $100. In our typical 30-40 degree you would fry in that suit. I guess they would be great for those up north and our Canuk friends but they were way too much for Texas. I wear them once every 3 years on average. The same thing applies to Mickey Mouse Army boots. They were made for the soldiers in Antarctica and they are certainly over kill for Texas. I'm sure the Walls will serve me just fine.

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Brought back some memories of my first trip to Germany and the need of Micky Mouse Boots. Prior to a major field exercise called Reforger, 1stInfantry Division Forward had a field exercise called a Jeep Ex (jeep Exercise) for all the Company Commandeers. It's held in the winter. All support personnel are cordially invited, LOL, (that's a nice way of saying, you going want to or not). Any rate, being a cook, you going. well, the Seargent put what mechanics there was and the cooks together. Two GP Small tents with cold weather liners hooked together. Each had it's own multi-fuel heater. Well this particular week that this exercise was happening was the coldest week of the year... Not sure exactly how cold it got, but the deisel in the 2-1/2 ton trucks gelled, and mogas (regular gas) was mixed with the diesel fuel for the tent heaters. the stoves and first 4" stove pipe was cherry red in the tents, and though it was warmer inside than outside, you could still see your breath inside the tents. the cooks could not put up the cook tent as you couldn't drive the wooden stakes we had in the ground, so, we got to cook and serve the food from beside the Mess hauls 2-1/2 ton truck, on the frozen ground. that exercise was the only time in 7 years I was thankful they issued those Micky Mouse Boots. and yes, it still wasn't cold enough for them. However, it was too cols for standard issue boots and rain boots which was your other option...

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Originally Posted by crappiemax

What I wear depends on just how cold it is.
For milder winter temperatures, say upper 30's, I'll just wear layers of clothing under a BPS 100 mph rain suit. It's windproof, rainproof and warm enough to stay comfortable all day.
For colder temps, down to mid 20's, I wear the lightweight Artic Armour float suit Arctic Armor Products - Products. Again, it's windproof, rainproof, a float suit and since it's colored black it absorbs those sun rays and helps to warm you on those rare days the sun pokes out.

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How long have you had the Arctic Armor? I ask as I bought a set back 20 years ago. It was unbelievably light and warm. I could go out in 30 degree weather with just a t-shirt and that jacket and be warm. After about 3 years though it started to leak, and I got soaked in the rain. The bibs never fit me well, so I mostly just wore the jacket. I probably wore it out, but for the $159 (each) it was back then I never bought another. Back in about 2002 a rainsuit over $300 was a lot of $$$ for me. I see they are on sale for $99 now. Are they any better in the waterproof dept? For that price I might have to try them again.

I wear Berne from Tractor Supply. Decently insulated with legs that zip open for vents if needed. If its gonna get in the low 40's i wear a pair of frost fire thermals under them. Been wearing bibbs either work or outdoor related for 30 years. I cannot stand coveralls.

If i ever get kicked out the bed from a fever or virus i slide them on and sleep in the recliner.

Same deal with chilli night.

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Originally Posted by justinp61

Now if I can figure out how to keep these old beat-up hands even close to warm, I'll be set. LOL.

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I fish all winter too here in NE Ohio. Going today after work. Went yesterday after work. Although it's toasty warm this week at 45-50 degrees, I have two of these when needed.


Put em in your overall pockets and keeps the body and hands warm.

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Attachment 498425

Skip the bibs, wear rain bibs instead. Blocks the wind and holds some heat in. Serves double duty that you can wear them in the rain.

"I cannot stand coveralls."

I have some insulated coveralls and hate wearing them unless I am working on my truck. Once the work is completed I have to come out of them immediately because they are so uncomfortable.

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Originally Posted by bfish

Skip the bibs, wear rain bibs instead. Blocks the wind and holds some heat in. Serves double duty that you can wear them in the rain.

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I have some rain bibs I use in the spring when getting caught in spring rains can happen at anytime.

I wore under armor, jeans, flannel shirt, and insulated carhart bibs for years with no problem getting cold. Just couldn’t move around comfortably.
Switched to Piscifun insulated bibs and coat and zero problems. Just jeans and whatever shirt.
Kinda pricy but worth the money and has flotation too.
Have no idea what a pair of insulated carharts cost these days but they were as good as you could get back in the day.
Can’t go wrong with the Piscifun in my opinion.
Hard to concentrate on fishing when you are cold. lol [emoji38]
Good luck.


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Yeah .... no !! I can't hang with any form of clothing that has straps over the shoulders. For some reason they wear me out & force me to hunch over :dono
When I did fish cold weather times, I wore a Wall's Chiller Killer (snowmobile suit). Then, one frosty morning running down the lake, I noticed that the cold air was getting thru the suit. I whipped out my Frogg Toggs coat & pants, put them on over the suit and eventually had to open the coat & the front zipper of the suit ... to keep from roasting. :)
I was wearing that same duo, many years ago, down at Weiss. It started "raining", but I quickly noticed that the "rain" was making a tink tink sound as it hit the Frogg Toggs ... and I realized that it wasn't "raining", it was Sleeting !! :Rofl Went right on fishing, warm & toasty in my WCK/FT outfit.
If I were to brave the elements today ... I'd be wearing the same combo.

Spent the last 10 years of my childhood in Alaska and generally wore whatever cheap waterproof shell layer I could find with 2-3 layers of sweatpants/jeans/pajamas under that.
That got me through lots of days of skiing down mountains in sub-zero weather.

Asked my buddies up there what they're wearing these days and got a range of answers but all still doing the layers - only they make enough money now for good shell layers. A brand called "eskimo" came up for the overalls but the friend that suggested that is not reliable so take that with a grain of salt.

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Originally Posted by MDCrappie

How long have you had the Arctic Armor? I ask as I bought a set back 20 years ago. It was unbelievably light and warm. I could go out in 30 degree weather with just a t-shirt and that jacket and be warm. After about 3 years though it started to leak, and I got soaked in the rain. The bibs never fit me well, so I mostly just wore the jacket. I probably wore it out, but for the $159 (each) it was back then I never bought another. Back in about 2002 a rainsuit over $300 was a lot of $$$ for me. I see they are on sale for $99 now. Are they any better in the waterproof dept? For that price I might have to try them again.

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I've had mine for 6 or 7 years. Now I only use them while fishing maybe November through March, so I don't do anything that's hard on them. After that time though, I'd say they are still in a like new condition, still warm & still waterproof. Mine aren't really showing any signs of wear. I usually wash them every spring to get the fish slime off of them, then store them in the basement until the next year.
I saw the sale prices when I posted the link and at that price, I might buy 1 pair of bibs and both the lightweight and the heavyweight parkas.

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

Yeah .... no !! I can't hang with any form of clothing that has straps over the shoulders. For some reason they wear me out & force me to hunch over :dono
When I did fish cold weather times, I wore a Wall's Chiller Killer (snowmobile suit). Then, one frosty morning running down the lake, I noticed that the cold air was getting thru the suit. I whipped out my Frogg Toggs coat & pants, put them on over the suit and eventually had to open the coat & the front zipper of the suit ... to keep from roasting. :)
I was wearing that same duo, many years ago, down at Weiss. It started "raining", but I quickly noticed that the "rain" was making a tink tink sound as it hit the Frogg Toggs ... and I realized that it wasn't "raining", it was Sleeting !! :Rofl Went right on fishing, warm & toasty in my WCK/FT outfit.
If I were to brave the elements today ... I'd be wearing the same combo.

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I own a Pilot II jacket from Frogg Togg and I cant disagree with you.

If you ever brave trying bibbs again make sure it has elastic shoulder....game changer.

There is still a little pull....maybe.... but for me it beats having to constantly pull my pants up. Rofl

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" but for me it beats having to constantly pull my pants up. Rofl"

I certainly agree with this. The older I get the more I understand why older people do what they do. They put more priority into function over style.

Straps hurt and make if a chore to pee. I use a cheap, thin (flexible) rain suit as my outer layer when it’s cold. Keeps the heat in. Wind out. Thin base layer. Whatever pants you like and rain suit on top.

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Originally Posted by Ranger690

Straps hurt and make it a chore to pee. I use a cheap, thin (flexible) rain suit as my outer layer when it’s cold. Keeps the heat in. Wind out. Thin base layer. Whatever pants you like and rain suit on top.

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I have to ask about that one. LOL

Y’all mentioned coveralls, and I’m mostly on the same page with one exception. I have a light weight coverall that’s camo and I think that’s why I first bought it. I had another that was meant for much colder temps than I encounter and it was good under freezing, maybe forty. The legs didn’t unzip but a short zipper on the bottom of the legs and once the day warmed up you had to come out of it. I left it at an outfitter in Texas after a hunt. But my light one was super when I lived in TN. 45* and things to do in the garage. A tshirt, a sweatshirt and the suit and my queen had to get me for dinner. I’d stay out there all day in perfect comfort with the big door open. Still have it. This year I might try some flannel lined jeans, I hear a lot about those.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Y’all mentioned coveralls, and I’m mostly on the same page with one exception. I have a light weight coverall that’s camo and I think that’s why I first bought it. I had another that was meant for much colder temps than I encounter and it was good under freezing, maybe forty. The legs didn’t unzip but a short zipper on the bottom of the legs and once the day warmed up you had to come out of it. I left it at an outfitter in Texas after a hunt. But my light one was super when I lived in TN. 45* and things to do in the garage. A tshirt, a sweatshirt and the suit and my queen had to get me for dinner. I’d stay out there all day in perfect comfort with the big door open. Still have it. This year I might try some flannel lined jeans, I hear a lot about those.

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I just ordered some fleeced line jeans on Thursday. I didn't even know they were produced.

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Originally Posted by Grainraiser

I just ordered some fleeced line jeans on Thursday. I didn't even know they were produced.

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I have a couple pair of Wrangler fleece lined carpenter jeans that I wear "out & about" when it's <40* outside. Had them for years ... very comfy.

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

I have a couple pair of Wrangler fleece lined carpenter jeans that I wear "out & about" when it's <40* outside. Had them for years ... very comfy.

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Redhead makes some fleece lined flex cargo pants. I fell in love with them. They are $49 but around Thanksgiving they go on sale for $29. I wear them all winter here in Md.

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Originally Posted by MDCrappie

Redhead makes some fleece lined flex cargo pants. I fell in love with them. They are $49 but around Thanksgiving they go on sale for $29. I wear them all winter here in Md.

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Those are the ones I purchased. I hope they fit too size.

Good reads and info. Thanks.
Bob

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Originally Posted by Grainraiser

I just ordered some fleeced line jeans on Thursday. I didn't even know they were produced.

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Carhart makes some good ones. Lowered a chain saw with a weak brake on mine. Saved me for the most part.

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I bought snowmobile bibs on closeout years ago, several pairs, best winter fishing gear I own. I wear my inflatable life jacket continuously if I have a pair on though.

I live in Georgia so I know it don’t get as cold here either, but I don’t wear bibs, I just go to Walmart or whatever and buy the thickest pajama bottoms I can find and wear them under a pair of jeans and a couple of hooded sweatshirts. That works here for me because it really don’t get below 25-30 but a few days per year and that keeps me toasty, put on gloves and put hand warmer inside the gloves to keep your fingers warm, and a beanie on your head, thick one, if you keep your head warm your whole body will stay warm. Just my 2 cent worth, works for me.

Okay I have thought about this thread and I need a young engineer to take this idea and run with it. I need a medium thickness rain suit with heating elements thru out the suit. I needs to hand warming pouch to keep your fingers warm. I then need it to be able to quick connect to a light weight lithium battery pack. This would be perfect for crappie/catfish and ice fisherman. I willing to share my ideas for a piece of the pie.

Plenty of this stuff on Amazon. Just need a friend who can sew it in.

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I learned somethings in my youth in places it gets bone chilling cold. Always take an extra pair of warm, dry socks. If your feet are getting cold chances are they have sweated and your socks are at least damp. you wouldn't think so, but next time take a few seconds and check. to get your feet warm, change your socks, wiggling your toes keeps the blood circulating too!

You started this thread asking about bib overalls. Get ready to be shocked at the price tag on denim bib overalls now- about $80-100 for USA made ones.
I've been looking for some too for the summer. May stake out the thrift stores now!