Lose the bulk, opinions on basewear/long underwear

So when I fish cool/cold weather my routine right now is to wear a Tshirt, Long sleeve thermal, a pull over windshirt (like a windbreaker jacket type thing), A hoodie, and then my columbia winter jacket. I stay warm. Sometimes too warm but I also feel bulked up more than I want to be.

I figure there has to be some sort of nice base layer or long underwear I could get that would help me eliminate a few of those layers. What is everyone else out there wearing?

Few other things. I tend to be a warm guy, I tend to sweat, talking about fishing in 35-50 degree weather

You can go buy the expensive base layer underwear, I am sure that they work very well, as advertised. I have found some merino wool 3 button, 1/4 zipper and mock turtle neck long sleeve sweaters. These are very thin and light. Start with a thin wicking sport shirt, a merino wool long sleeve shirt and layer as needed from there. For long johns, I like the micro fiber polar fleece. These can be found at kohls and herbergers clearance racks in the spring for a reasonable price. Thin merino wool combined with polar fleece works for me.

You actually wear the exact same layering system I use when ice fishing. I think that buying high end materials would help like polertac, and primaloft material. I bought a nice primaloft pull over a few years ago and that more or less allowed me to ditch the hoodie. Helped reduce the bulk. I’m eyeballing a floating suit in the next few years and I’ve heard those are plenty warm

The underarmour 4.0 with the wool lining is the best money i have ever spent..i run around ice fishing with that and my underarmour skysweeper hoodie is all…usually end up ditchin the hoodie if im moving alot

puddlepounder wrote:

Thin merino wool combined with polar fleece works for me.

All about the moisture wicking for this guy. Put on an UA workout shirt underneath polars and makes a huge difference.

The wool is an amazing material. Went back to a leather work boot recently, after going through 4 pairs of tennis shoes last year , but guys in store swore to buy the big bulky merino wool work socks. I hate hot sweaty feet and reason why I went to tennis shoes, but wanted to try anything to not get it again in a work boot. Things are awesome. Shows why us “wetter” people its really important to get that sweat away from your body, whether hot or cold.

Why are you wearing a windjacket? Can get rid of that thing all together.

I do moisture wicking undershirt, cheap polar underwear, hoodie, buff(works great in winter for sun and wind protection, as well convertible neck warmth). Usually will be good enough right there to haul everything out of truck, walk to spots if early ice with the smitty and get setup. Then comes the jacket if cold, but let that sweat work its way out first and more importantly don’t get to hot to begin with.

Brady Valberg wrote:

The underarmour 4.0 with the wool lining is the best money i have ever spent..i run around ice fishing with that and my underarmour skysweeper hoodie is all…usually end up ditchin the hoodie if im moving alot

+1 on the under armour stuff. I use the 3.0 in the fall for fishing/hunting and then the 4.0 in the winter under my bibs and I usually just throw a hoodie over the top and I am good unless the wind is blowing I will have to throw one more layer on top. That stuff is well worth the money!

Also quality layers such as Sitka Gear is well worth the money but you are going to pay for it.

Jonesy wrote:

my routine right now is to wear a Tshirt, Long sleeve thermal, a pull over windshirt

If the T-shirt is cotton, dump that. Just holds moisture and cotton cools you off. Also, cotton is bulky compared to other wicking materials like wool.

-J.

climate suit

Used to layer to but it sucked getting all that on and off. Either had to put most on at home and drive with the windows down to where ever you are going or put it on out in the cold while there. Also made it tough to stop on the way home for a burger or beer wearing all the restaurant. Went with a sno suit years ago and it solved that problem. Just jeans and a hoodie under it. Never even wore the coat very often.

Anyone wearing some of the new heated jackets or bibs? Thinking that might be my next try.

I have the Milwaukee heated jacket and 3 batts.

It’s neat, but pretty rare I wear it for anything but casual, though it has spent time in the boat seeing how it ‘fits’ the bill. I prefer the comfort knowing comfort isn’t going away with a dead battery.

I like it for winter driving. Get into cold vehicle and crank up the jacket until vehicle is warm. Batteries do not last long on high.

A good under armour type shirt either UA or another type all work close to the same. Then all I have on is a hooded sweatshirt for icefishing. I hate jackets too bulky for fishing.

The main purpose of a base layer is to wick moisture away from your skin. Any of the synthetic long johns should do.

You generally want the outer shell to be weather proof. You may be able to ditch a wind shirt/breaker as an insulating layer. Basically use the base layer & outer shell and adjust the insulating layers as needed.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html

stay dry! if i’m fishing or hunting after October 1st, i don’t wear a single cotton item. cotton gets wet, cotton kills.

some good stuff i’ve found:

– Cabela’s ECWCS long underwear
– Army surplus heavyweight polypro: you will sweat, so best for just sitting
– Smartwool brand sock liners
– wool socks (75%+ wool)
– Patagonia M1 polartec fleece pants
– Cabela’s “windshear” wool tops and pants (i swear this stuff is magic)
– Gore-Tex shells

I use as many things with merino wool as I can.

Good stuff above, especially the REI article. Moisture management is the biggest key and I’ll echo a few things:

– Get rid of all the cotton, especially for base layers. Ditch that wind jacket too.
– Invest in good merino socks, get both lightweight and mid weight pairs. If your feet stay warm and dry, the rest of your body doesn’t have to work as hard to regulate core temp. I also prefer merino liners cause my feet sweat a lot but YMMV.
– Merino base layers are expensive but worth it if you have the budget, polypropylene base layers are the other option for a lower cost.
– Store brand stuff can be really good. Cabela’s, Gander, Bass Pro, REI, Backcountry.com (Stoic) all offer good products, can also go the army surplus route here too.
– Brand name stuff is good but you can always find it on sale, TJ Maxx/Marshall’s/Nordstrom Rack will have some good stuff if you’re willing to look. I got mid-weight Marmot polypro tops and bottoms for $35 total a few years ago, works great.
– Mid layer top should be either poly fleece/hoody or at worst a cotton/poly blend hoody. Same concept with moisture management, cotton is rotten.

Hope this helps, good luck.

So that’s my problem-cotton. Especially for bow hunting, I layer upon layer upon layer of cotton long sleeves (usually 3). Then I’ll put on a couple of fleece jackets as I get colder. Looks like I need to rethink it a bit and buy some new stuff.

drewbop wrote:

So that’s my problem-cotton. Especially for bow hunting, I layer upon layer upon layer of cotton long sleeves (usually 3). Then I’ll put on a couple of fleece jackets as I get colder. Looks like I need to rethink it a bit and buy some new stuff.

Cotton is a good summer/warm weather material but it doesn’t manage moisture in cold weather. For insulation layers you want to think about clothing that traps air. Air is poor heat conductor so it insulates well. Things like fleece, synthetic fill sweaters/jackets, wool sweaters, etc. that provide loft make good insulating options. Down can be great as long as you don’t get it wet and have opportunities to let it air dry out. It will, however, collect moisture over time. You also want some type of shell or outer jacket that’s wind proof otherwise you blow away the nice trapped warm air.

Give a hat and neck gaiter consideration as well. Your body wants to keep your brain warm. If your head/neck isn’t covered you’re losing body heat.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Went to scheels today and wound up getting some Under Armor 3.0. I started to sweat just trying the things on so it should give me what I am looking for.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=731100&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=536fe26eac108454494e4020f69a8034&destination=%252Fuser%252Forder_details.cmd%253Fid%253DBt7epwmxEOsXO4LYKzdQDw%25253D%25253D%2526key%253D93c9f7c0b7194cf8b9be5efd0a080cf6

I wear have been wearing this with the matching bottoms as a base layer for a few years now. its a cheap option and it keeps me very warm. its also on sale right now for a great price. its not top of the line but ive sat outside ice fishing in some pretty rough conditions with this and a layer or two over top of it along with my outer coat and have been very comfortable. As others have said ditch the cotton.

A vote for Minus 33 merino wool. http://www.minus33.com/

Relevant. Backcountry/Steep and Cheap is an excellent web retailer, I’ve purchased hundreds of $$ worth of clothing/gear from them, great customer service.

http://www.steepandcheap.com/rc/baselayer-clearance

Scentblocker has their garage sale every year down in Cannon Falls. Last year I picked up some of their base layer underwear and shirt and they’re amazing and lightweight. The sale is again this year Oct. 6-8th at Rhinos Archery in Cannon Falls. It used to be at their warehouse, but it must have gotten too big. The prices can’t be beat, I’ve gotten most stuff 60-70% off.

http://www.minus33.com/

tegg wrote:

The main purpose of a base layer is to wick moisture away from your skin. Any of the synthetic long johns should do.

You generally want the outer shell to be weather proof. You may be able to ditch a wind shirt/breaker as an insulating layer. Basically use the base layer & outer shell and adjust the insulating layers as needed.

This works for me. I’m one of those guys that generates enough heat to be seen by a spy satellite when I’m walking or cutting holes. As soon as I stop moving I cool off a lot. I have a top and bottom that are made out of some kind of moisture wicking synthetic, polypropylene or something. Then I layer up over that with Polartec fleece. Top it off with an IDO hoodie and I’m ready to go.

Now if they could solve the gloves problem…..

SR

When you buy wool socks be careful-I have seen socks labeled ‘Wool Socks” that were less than 20% wool! How is that even legal? I have read on this forum that Bass P. S. has good socks and so does Red wing Shoes. Cotton is rotten.

404 ERROR wrote:

Scentblocker has their garage sale every year down in Cannon Falls. Last year I picked up some of their base layer underwear and shirt and they’re amazing and lightweight. The sale is again this year Oct. 6-8th at Rhinos Archery in Cannon Falls. It used to be at their warehouse, but it must have gotten too big. The prices can’t be beat, I’ve gotten most stuff 60-70% off.

Do they only have select stuff and it goes quick? Thanks. Shawn

Cotton Kills

It absorbs approx 27 times its weight in water and takes forever to dry all the while sucking heat from your body.

Simply lose the cotton layers and replace with a synthetic wicking material and you will be much warmer