Warm layering system for the winter FISHING season!
Here are some tips and tricks for what to wear to stay warm through exploring this winter season. How to layer winter clothing for fishing and other outdoor activities!! If you are avid in the outdoors in the winter, here is an easy layering system to stay toasty warm and adventure longer.
Easy steps to dressing warm in winter weather for both WOMEN and men!
! TIP ! other than for base layer thermals and outer most jacket, try NOT to wear hooded shirts or sweatshirts!
Long Johns / Thermal Base Layer
Why no hooded sweatshirts? Personally, the hood is way to BULKY around the neck! We find that it is warmer with a face mask and/or thermals with a hood to keep the head warmer. Rather than sweatshirts.
They make some kick butt thermals these days. A semi tight insulated long sleeve shirt should be the FIRST LAYER! Ttruly keep the cold air from cutting through the bone with a thermal top with a HOOD.
It conforms to the exact size of your face so hardly any cold air gets to your ears! Also, it has a neck gater as well as the hood. CRUCIAL for protecting neck from wind.
Buffs are all the rage, and for good reason. Even after protecting you from the summer sun, the buff continues into winter !
If the thermal hood is just not going to work for you … then thermals with a collar will keep the cold from your neck and add the face mask or buff!
The underarmour with the built in face mask and hood is ESSENTIAL for winter weather adventuring. We have a couple that we alternate so we usually always have one to wear for the spontaneous winter adventures. Perfect for snowmobiling, skiing, fishing, etc. This is a MUST HAVE for the outdoors type!
Long Sleeve Smooth, Soft, “Wicking” Shirt
We try to keep this layer a cooler light weight shirt. A “wicking” material shirt for rubbing against the base layer. Some base layers are like a velcro material to a cotton shirt apposed to this kind of smoother material that slides easily.
Long Sleeve Button Down / Fishing shirt
Add another lightweight fishing shirt over the wicking and thermals. OR JUST A REGULAR LONG SLEEVE Button down SHIRT.
This adds another removable layer if to hot or cold! Thin, multiple layers are easier than bulky heavy layers for movement.
Long Sleeve light and thin full zip/quarter
If the weather is super cold, <25*, then a thicker sweater is needed!
Mid Weight Jacket
Being outside in the cold snowy northern winters are sometimes brutal. Especially on a boat or wading through cold streams. Layering clothes is an easy way to stay warm if you have the right material. By not having really bulky clothing keeps the sleek action of your cast fluid and without annoying oversized jackets.
Long Sleeve heavier down jacket or equivalent without a hood! Heated jackets are a must ! If you prefer a heated jacket then depending on the weather you may not need some of the under layers!
Insulated Vest
This is an easy way to keep the core of your body extra warm, even if it is a thin shell or fleece! Some vests have top front pockets, creating more space for the phone, thin gloves, chapstick, etc.
Waterproof Jacket
! TIP ! For RAINY/SNOWY weather ; keep your top layer rain jacket OUT of your waders! Don’t tuck it in.
Having a couple waterproof jackets both insulated and shell is a good idea. Different ones for different winter activities. But one thing is a must! GORETEX and TOP POCKETS! The top pocket to put the phone to easily access it for pictures of the fish!
Now for those bottoms…
Base Layer Thermals
Always always have thermals as your first layer top and bottom!
Quick Dry Pants
Quick drys OR REGULAR PANTS, insulated if you must. Quick dry are nice if you have a leak in your waders! They dry quicker than jean material and are super comfy!
Insulated pants
if super cold <25* you’re going to want a heavy insulated (waterproof) pants!
Socks
A wool, wicking, compression sock, or variations of all. Sometimes wearing a wicking sock inside a wool sock makes sense for the activity, if the foot sweats. Or just a warm wool sock.
Our personal favorite are Darn Tough socks – knee length + cushions! They are really warm and hug the arch of the foot. These specific pair have CUSHIONING on every point of contact that the feet has with boots!
The skiing style socks are made for every winter activity not just skiing, warm wicking socks are good for any winter boot to stay dry and warm!
or the specific fishing wader socks found at Cabelas!
Cabelas has some knee-to-toe insulated socks!
Waders
Female waders
When fishing with waders in the winter, make sure there are NO LEAKS! Patch those leaks before heading out into the cold water.
Also a good idea to put hand warmers between your socks and the waders.
HATS
Beanie Stocking Cap
Keeping your head warm is CRUCIAL! The heat escapes out of the top of your head! With the hooded thermal and the beanie this should keep your head toasty!
Gloves
Do not forget hand warmers, easy to stuff in your bag !
Hot hands for in the waders, place them at the feet before you even make it to the water! Excellent for any foul weather activities to put in your gloves and boots.
A couple good pair of fingerless gloves work wonders when stripping line and casting in the cold!
Unforeseen falls in the water can really make for a very chilly day. Make sure to have a complete dry set of clothes back in the vehicle. Also keeping a TOWEL handy is nice for those snow winter or rainy fall days.
A HEATED car blanket doesn’t hurt either for the ride home!
Whether hiking, biking, boating, fishing, or other exploring in the winter season, these are some tips to help stay warm.
Thanks for checking out how we layer for winter! Hope this helps you stay out longer doing the things you love. Don’t let the weather hinder your activities. Tackle the elements and get OUTSIDE.