Layering under waders

Jason R.

Jason R.

New member
I just picked the Cabela's 5mm Armorflex waders with 1600 gram ultra thinsulate in the boots. Does anybody have any layering system ideas for late season?
 
Ditto the Minus33 merino wool underwear. Over that I also wear Cabelas wool whipcord pants (not available anymore from Cabelas). Wool socks with silk or poly liner socks.
 
Joseph,

All I have for now are some hanes thermal pants and fleece pajama pants. I didn't know if that would be enough or should I wear some work pants in between. Possibly wool? I have some wool pants as well. My upper body i should have under control. I'm just getting started so I still have to acquire better gear. In the future.

Thanks for your input.
 
What temps are you hunting in? Are you going to be standing in the water? Are you walking in or boating?

For me it depends on the above questions. I'm not sure what Connecticut weather is usually like but there's snow in your profile picture so I'm guessing 20's and 30's F for late season. I always wear sock liners and a pair of wool socks, sometimes two. My feet usually get cold even with heavy insulated boots. If I'm moving around quite a bit and walking in I will usually just wear a pair of thermal underware. Layout hunting I will usually wear some extra pants because of limited movement. I used to wear a pair of snow pants under my old 3mm waders.
 
R.C.

That picture was actually right after a snowshoe hare hunt up in Vermont. Here in CT its been frigid but Mike Rowinsky is taking me on my first duck hunt this Saturday and the weather says 54 and rainy. He mentioned a boat, but he said we can either walk in or use the boat. I just want to be prepared.
 
You should wear some heavy fleece or wool pants under the wader. Moisture will form inside the waders and you need some insulation from the moisture. Cotton with moisture does not work well.

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With the tides the way they are, we'll be using my boat. Great kayaking spot, but I only have one kayak.

We'll use the Higbee!

Mike
in a marsh NOWHERE near your spot
 
So I should have everything to get me through this Saturday. Thanks for all of the info guys. Mike, I will be seeing you Saturday!
 
Tough thing is that proper layering depends upon activity level. If you are walking in and layered heavy, you will get hot and sweat. If you can't keep that moisture away from your body, when you stop moving you will begin to freeze. This is true even when taking a boat out. For me, we boat out but still have the exertion of getting decoys deployed and the blind setup. As crazy as it sounds, when I get out to the spot, I usually take off a couple of the top layers in an attempt to keep from building up too much heat and sweating.

My feet always get cold. One thing to keep in mind there is that feet squeezed in boots will be impossible to keep warm. In other words you may think you are doing justice by layering multiple pairs of socks. Unfortunately if you layering too many socks and create a snug fit your feet will get cold. Sometimes less is more.
 
Hey Jason....what you have should be fine. Mike took me out to the marsh a couple of weeks ago . Had a great time. He's a great guy..loves waterfowling and is eager to share what he knows. I'm a newbie myself...and guys like Mike sharing the sport with others ensures that the tradition continues. Mike
 
My feet always get cold. One thing to keep in mind there is that feet squeezed in boots will be impossible to keep warm. In other words you may think you are doing justice by layering multiple pairs of socks. Unfortunately if you layering too many socks and create a snug fit your feet will get cold. Sometimes less is more.
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Couldn't agree with you more. With feet less can be more and I learned that on my own layering as many wool socks on my feet as I could squeeze into a boot as a teenager.
 
at 54 degrees and 5mm waders you have to figure on how you are hunting. If there is ice and you are in the water all the time wear a wool/poly blend one layer, maybe a thin pair of wool socks and definitely poly. if from a boat or shore at those temps I would wear shorts inside my waders.
 
5 mil with 1600g of thinsulate are pretty heavy. I have a pair like that. Usually I wear a pair of good wool socks with jeans and a sweat shirt. Wind blocking, hooded fleece pullover on top of that, then a heavy parka that I can take off to regulate my temp. Staying warm enough is not a problem. If anything, they are usually more boot than I am comfortable wearing and I prefer to wear breathables unless it is extremely cold.
 
Jason,
Check out the line of thermal underwear from Drake. Made especially for wearing with waders. The stirrup feet and different weights allow you to match the conditions. I got a pair of the LST (late season) and love 'em.
 
Wear under armor as a base layer next to your skin and then layer as much as needed on top of that. UA pulls sweat away from your skin which is what always chills me after physical activity like walking or setting out decoys.
 
Just got my LL bean polartech union suit medium weight 29.99, great base layer for the real cold.
 
Polypro sock liners with wool socks on top

Drake fleece wader pants is all you will need unless you are hunting in extreme cold. I have used this combo in MN hunting down to -10 and everything stays warm. My toes start to feel some chill but beyond that, everything above the toes is happy.

Mark W
 
In cold weather, I wear a pair of Gore-Tex thinsulate bibs from Cabelas under the same waders. Sprang a leak and did not know it until after the hunt, plus gives you something decent to wear when you peel off the waders on the dock when you get back in.
 
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