Dressing Warm? 2025
papajoe222 reply :
I know that many of you know how to dress to keep warm while fishing during the cold water period. I also know that what works for one person may not work for another, so I thought I'd start a thread about what does and why it does, for me. A discussion about what and why your system works can be beneficial to some.
I am one of those that can't stand wearing a base layer such as UnderArmor. I always feel a chill even if I'm sweating while wearing it. My base layer consists of a cotton garment with the UnderArmor second. The next layer is totally dependent on the type of fishing I'll be doing. If I'm fishing from shore I want something absorbent as I'll likely be moving around and active. If I'll be mostly stationary, I want something that will block the wind and that offers some thermal benefit. A wind breaker with a light lining fits the bill perfectly. the last item is a single garment chosen based on the temps I'll be facing.
That's it for keeping my core warm. Very little bulk, but more than enough to keep me comfortable. More is not only restrictive, but results in overheating which in turn ends up making me cold.
Pants, boots, a hat and gloves round ot the remainder although I will don a pair if insulated bibs if I'll be facing extremely cold wind chills.
What's your system?
HoosierHawgs reply :
A hoodie lol
gulfcaptain reply :
sweetshirt, bennie, fleece neck gaiter, jacket. If I'm gonna get cold wearing all that, I'm gonna find something else to do.....lol
Smokinal reply :
I hate the cold but I love to fish so I have narrowed down, through trial and error, my system. Wool socks and thermo boots; I like a base layer so I wear a base legging under a pair of insulated skiing wind breaker pants, then my Cabelas wind pants over those. Upper body gets a base layer, wool shirt, insulated jacket, then Cabelas wind jacket; hat and gloves if needed. I can be out in 30 degrees in wind with this setup and fish comfortably.
And I always wear my PFD over my final jacket.
I'd like to recommend people to see a ski shop for insulated wind pants. They were one of my best clothing purchases ever. I feel that if you can keep the wind out of your clothing, you've won the battle!
Stay safe and warm my friends.
Senko lover reply :
Just normal layers. Shirt x2, sweatshirt, hoodie, coat. Fingerless gloves. Nothing special.
fishinphilly reply :
well to start, i couldn't use cotton because it holds water and for some reason (bad genes) i sweat uncontrollably lol but i usually just start with a base layer of kenyon polarskins heavyweight for pants and mid weight for a shirt and just go from there
if your ever looking for any try sierra trading post they have everything
A-Jay reply :
Under Armor Cold gear has been my standard base layer for years.
However Columbia Omni-Heat has replaced it. The Columbia product is lighter, less compressing making it more comfortable and feels warmer to me. Second layer is wool or fleece as the mood strikes me.
I am also NOT a person who would ever wear anything cotton in the cold, especially as a base layer.
A-Jay
slonezp reply :
No under armor. In fact commando for me. If it's below 40* I wear my Carhart bibs on the boat. A Save Phace when running from spot to spot and a fleece head/scarf combo thingy while I'm fishing.
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 1/25/2015 at 7:07 AM, Senko lover said:Just normal layers. Shirt x2, sweatshirt, hoodie, coat. Fingerless gloves. Nothing special.
I know fingerless gloves are good in terms of not impeding casting/fish handling... But in terms of keeping you warm they are pointless IMO (no offense, I'm sure you like them..mot each his own).. But you are still losing all that heat through your extremities
flyfisher reply :
Synthetic everything for me...sweat is the enemy as is any moisture so quality wicking garments are important. I usually wear patagonia capilene of varying weights for the base layer depending on the temp then something a little heavier, usually fleece or a synthetic fill vest and a shell that is waterproof and windproof. I seem to be blessed with being pretty good with no gloves in the cold but i will carry a hot hands or two to put in my pockets or in the rare cases i wear gloves i put them on the back of my hands as this warms the blood as it goes into my fingers, I will also wear a knit that too...The key is to not let your feet or hands get cold because it is very difficult to get them warm again, even more so with the feet.
Another tip that i learned when rock climbing is that when your hands get really cold swing your arms around in big circles...it forces the blood back to your fingers which when they are really cold can be painful but it works....we used to call it the screaming barfies for some reason lol
FishTank reply :
Icebreaker Oasis 200 shirt with a pullover from Marmot and if it's cold and raining I have a Marmot soft shell jacket that keeps me warm and dry.
For pants, I use a pair of flannel jeans. If its wet outside and cold, I use a pair of Gore Tex Pants with some long underwear.
Smartwool socks are a must. I also love my Asolo Power Matic boots. This combo has never failed.
rippin-lips reply :
I can't stand the cold so I pack it up for the winter as far as fishing goes. Plus ice fishing would be my only option really. I got a pair of those Deluth trading co. fire hose pants that are flannel lined. Those suckers will keep you warm though.
corn-on-the-rob reply :
30 to 45 degrees:
Legs
-Gander mountain winter base layers pants
-Silk pajama pants under or over the base layer (thin but very warm when used as an inner layer)
-Then sweat pants or jeans
-And finally, rain-gear pants (shell)
Feet
-Thick wool socks paired with water proof boots (cheap rubbers is all it takes, socks keep them warm, rubber keeps wind off and feet dry)
Upper Body
-2 Gander mountain winter base layers
-Thin long sleeve short
-Fleece hoodie
-Columbia fleecejacket
-Rain-gear shell
Head
-beanie
Hands
-fingerless or high grip gloves if not raining
-no gloves if raining for significant period of time
-I picked up a hand warmer that straps around my waist from NFL shop (browns logo/colors) that I can tuck my hands in when I want, I used it this winter and it is awesome
All in all many layers but easily removed if too warm.
Sam reply :
Layering is the best way to stay warm as long as you have a good head cover.
The majority of heat is loss via your head.
Keeping your phalanges warm is also a challenge and it is very interesting to read how each guy approaches that problem.
corn-on-the-rob reply :
On 1/25/2015 at 8:35 AM, jakob1010 said:But you are still losing all that heat through your extremities
Well obviously you lose heat through exposed skin but it is mostly about surface area, the less exposed, the less heat lost, although cold finger tips will make the near by tissue under even if covered colder. Which I agree many times your hands are cold but not quite as much as no gloves at all.
So I will take slightly warmer palms/base of fingers/back of hand than no gloves at all especially because I refuse to wear thick gloves that severely impede my ability to keep sensitive contact with my rod/reel.
corn-on-the-rob reply :
On 1/25/2015 at 4:01 PM, Sam said:The majority of heat is loss via your head.
I hate to be this guy sam... 
Although a head cover is important to keeping warm and feeling comfortable, that statement is one that has been said for a very long time but merits no scientific backing, an old wives tale if you must. Your head does not lose heat in larger amounts or faster than any other part of your body of equal surface area.
I think the origin was from a very poorly done "study" by (maybe the army? a long time ago, don't quote me on that) and they started spreading that information as fact.
Our faces are also very sensitive compared to most other places on our bodies which makes it feel as if we are losing more heat at times.
hat/pants
hat/coat
coat/pants
If you had the choice of only two of the three items in very cold weather (assuming they kept that body part sufficiently warm), your chances of survival would be best picking the coat/pants every time.
papajoe222 reply :
On 1/25/2015 at 7:03 AM, Smokinal said:I hate the cold but I love to fish so I have narrowed down, through trial and error, my system. Wool socks and thermo boots; I like a base layer so I wear a base legging under a pair of insulated skiing wind breaker pants, then my Cabelas wind pants over those. Upper body gets a base layer, wool shirt, insulated jacket, then Cabelas wind jacket; hat and gloves if needed. I can be out in 30 degrees in wind with this setup and fish comfortably.
And I always wear my PFD over my final jacket.
I'd like to recommend people to see a ski shop for insulated wind pants. They were one of my best clothing purchases ever. I feel that if you can keep the wind out of your clothing, you've won the battle!
Stay safe and warm my friends.
Wow, That's a lot of clothes to wear for only 30 degrees. What do you do when it gets cold?
Oregon Native reply :
Started wearing some Dyna Max glove/liner for fishing in. Almost like a second skin and have really helped in the warm hand thing while fishing. Awesome...can feel the bite too.
Lund Explorer reply :
The secret is to wear enough layers to stay warm and yet avoid sweating when you to exert yourself.
Depending on how cold it is or what I plan on doing outside in it, winter wear always starts with my Duofold longjohns and could end up with Carhart Jacket and Bibs on top of two or three other layers.
blongfishing reply :
Here in South Carolina it dosent get too cold so mine may be too little for y'all but I usually put on a base layer which consists of long johns/thermal underwear whatever you wanna call them and an underarmour shirt. The second is my regular clothes which consists of my regular everyday Magellan fishing pants, t-shirt long sleeve or short sleeve, and wool socks. Then my last layer is a hoodie and sometimes my rain/warm suit. On my head I wear a hat and always a hoo rag. This helps me through a day on the water and always have some hot coffee!
roadwarrior reply :
The basics:
Under Armour
Cabela's Guidewear
Sorel boots
livetofish28 reply :
Under armour or layer like that, thermal layer sweatshirt if, really cold a fleece over that regular jeans unless temps are in the 20's then a thermal layer under that and to finish it off a cabellas almost gore-tex jacket the one just below the guide wear and then my BPS 100mph bibs
Tight lines
Andrew
Thornback reply :
First off, I always have on my PFD. For the cold here in Florida, I wear cotton bibs, heavy knee-high socks, long sleeve shirt, cotton sweat shirt with hoodie and then over that a wind breaker with lining, cap, gloves when driving the boat and sometimes at the start of fishing. Usually here when the sun starts rising it will eliminate the cold and I start peeling off the layers. If it gets 32 degrees or less I will swap the cotton bibs for a pair of insulated bibs. Florida weather can warm up quickly during full sun so anytime I wear the insulated bibs I always take along a pair of cotton bibs so I can change in the boat if I start to feel too warm.
shootermcbob reply :
Our bodies naturally generate heat....the most importiant thing we can do is preserve that heat. We do this by keeping the wind off our bodies as much as possible. When it is cold, I ALWAYS have gore-tex on as my outer layer...both wind proof and water proof.
Layering is effective and most people have their favorites. I prefer merino wool...as my base layer and insulating layer. IMO, nothing wicks as well, and nothing keeps ME as warm if I do sweat a bit.
When it is really cold and windy, I add another insulating layer of primaloft filled vest/jacket...very warm yet not bulky.
I agree with Sam ...not about the SEC, 
, but about covering ones head. In my personal experience...it is vital to keep your head covered. I prefer a windproof balaclava...over a light merino wool balaclava.
Wool socks and a waterproof hiker..hunting boot and I am good to go.
One thing, tight boots are not conducive to warm feet.
ChrisWi reply :
Columbia base layers, long sleeve shirt, two sweatshirts, jeans, 2-3 sets of Wool socks, Carhartt Bibs, jacket, and a neoprene gloves.
Klebs01 reply :
For me, merino wool base layers seem to work much better than the under armor type synthetics. Plus they are more stink resistant. I also have a pair of orvis gloves that have leave the tips of the thumb amd first two fingers exposed but fully cover the last two fingers. The seem to provide a good balance of warmth while allowing the feel to tie knots and thumb the spool while casting.
Fishes in trees reply :
Staying warm ( or cool for that matter) while you are fishing is just a matter of throwing money at the problem. Everyone has to figure it out what works for them. I generally use some kind of 3 layer system, i.e.base layer next to skin, insulating layer and a windproof/waterproof layer. Generally, be mindful that more often than not, it is easier to remove layers if you have dressed too warm than add another layer if you're not when you are out on the boat. Owning several different weights of base layers and insulating layers lets you fine tune your garmets for the appropriate weather that day.
Now, on the subject of "don't be dumb" we all know ignorant stuff can happen out on the water from time to time. Plan ahead and have a spare set of clothes, appropriate to the weather, including socks and hat, in the truck. I keep a spare pair of shoes also. This can keep an accident a humorous story, rather than you getting really sick from driving home in wet, cold clothes. This is one situation where an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure.
Now, on the subject of looking good when you got your cool/cold weather gear on, a couple of times each year, the weather is right for my favorite fishing outfit, i.e. back in the day I got an authentic Irish Fishermans sweater. It is so warm that you really can't wear it in the house, or riding in the truck for that matter, but out on the water it is a nearly perfect combination of warmth, flexibility and breathability.
Heavyweight boiled wool is as old school as you can get, a choice of fisherman all over the world going back hundreds of years, but once you get one, that will be your first choice for cool weather gear.
Thornback reply :
I'll add an amusing story to the topic -- I once had a neighbor who wanted to accompany me on a fishing trip. He had never been out in a bass boat and didn't fish. It was a cool morning and when we got the boat in the water I put on a jacket. He laughingly made some remark about me needing a jacket, then said the weather wasn't cold, that it felt nice. He was the macho type. He was wearing shorts and T-shirt, as was I. Well we had about two miles to run to get to a fishing spot so I took of at top speed with the intention of showing him how cold it could be speeding across the water. When we reached the spot and I anchored he said, "It does get cold running across the water in a boat."
Blues19 reply :
For the coldest days, I wear thermal pants and shirt for my base layer. I'll wear flannel lined jeans and a pair of gor-tex bibs. If its super cold I will wear a pair of fleece PJ pants under the jeans and over the Thermals. On top I'll wear another long sleeve shirt and either a fleece shirt or jacket. Then I put on another fleece with an extra large hoody. For my head I will wear a Balaclava with a beenie on top. I have a neoprene facemask that i wear with my sunglasses over for running.
Also: I played A LOT of soccer growing up and have a lot of extra old soccer socks. I use to cut the feet off the socks with holes and used the long leg part of the sock as sleeves. If you put them over a base layer it adds quite a bit of warmth.
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