I'm looking at the UnderArmour ColdGear Camo bibs and jacket, but I was wondering if there was something a little less expensive.  I'd like it to be lightweight for when i'm in the kayak, but able to take some bruising when I hunt as well.  Just wondering if anyone had any ideas?  I've heard of some wet suits, but not sure if those can go in the woods or not without being torn up.

remember, wool retains most of it's warmth, even when wet.

under armor is the best for cold weather when you are trying to stay mobile, Simms is also very good, none of it is inexpensive though... The best you can do is buy it in the spring when it is on sale if that ever happens.

 

Mitch

Thanks guys. 

remember, wool retains most of it's warmth, even when wet.

Bravo!  I love wool!  It can be spendy but it's always worth every penny to me.

If you are going to get wool, get the good stuff from icebreaker, smart wool, patagonia etc....it will last a lot longer.  That being said, i am not a fan of wool.  Yes it does retain warmth when wet but so do modern day synthetics and wool takes forever to dry out if you do get it wet.  When i am in the kayak i go full synthetic all the time because you will get wet and when you do, you want it to dry faster and wick away moisture from the body which synthetic beats wool on that every time.  I do like wool though but not as a base layer, more as mid weight layer but not in my kayak.

you should always dress in layers anyway. cotton under wool to absorb perspiration.

Expensive? not really. Bet you have some in the back of your closet

Please don't wear cotton when it's cold out. Wear a synthetic(or wool) wicking first layer. Cotton will just hold that moisture against your skin. Not what you want.

Please don't wear cotton when it's cold out. Wear a synthetic(or wool) wicking first layer. Cotton will just hold that moisture against your skin. Not what you want.

Cold weather, light weight. Sitting in front of the fireplace, in my shorts and tee shirt with a FLW magazine. That's about the extent of my cold weather fishing.

Hootie

My three best investments:

 

Under Armour

 

Cabela's Guidewear

 

Sorel Waterproof Boots

 

 

 

My three best investments:

 

Under Armour

 

Cabela's Guidewear

 

Sorel Waterproof Boots

 

 

 

Which model do you have? Love my Muck Rangers but once it starts to really get cold they leave something to be desired. 

1964 Premium T Boot with insert.  http://www.sorel.com/mens-boots-outdoor-shoes/

 

I think you might be more interested in the Carribou Boot with wool liner

I have a pair of North Face Chilkat II that I LOVE.  Really comfortable and maneuverable boot with plenty of warmth and waterproof!

 

Jeff

Cotton is the absolute worst thing to wear in the cold and especially as a base layer.  It can retain 3-5 times its weight in water which in cold weather is the exact opposite of what you want.  Sweat is the enemy as i learned through my years of climbing in the cold weather.  there were plenty of times i would be hiking into an area in freezing temperatures and i would strip down to my base layer just so i would prevent sweating.  Of course i was working pretty hard and hypothermia was not a a concern but the principles are the same, get any moisture away from your skins as quickly as possible.

 

Another important thing to remember is when choosing socks and footwear make sure neither are too tight as that restricts blood flow and will make you cold and once your feet are cold, it is hard to bring them back to being warm again

1964 Premium T Boot with insert.  http://www.sorel.com/mens-boots-outdoor-shoes/

 

I think you might be more interested in the Carribou Boot with wool liner

That's the pair that caught my eye when I was looking at their website. Won't be able to swing them this year most likely but I'll have to keep them in mind for when next winter rolls around. 

The best lightweight cold gear is lots of layers.  I like polypro/ or poly pro & wool combo's.  I like knits because I can move better in them.  I am not a big fan of jeans, even as an outer layer, because I don't feel like I can move well in them and I sometimes have balance issues anyway.  I have a buddy who tells me that I would change my mind if I got a pair of the fleece lined denim jeans that BPS or Cabelas sells.   If you wear a set of lightweight rain gear over your layers, it tends to keep the heat in better.  Last year, I had a friend who went to Ireland get me an Irish Wool fishing sweater.  It is so warm it is uncomfortable to wear it when you are driving.  I put it on once I get to the lake.

 

With all this being said, I don't know a thing about gearing up for kayak fishing.  Just try something and if you don't like it try something else.

 

If you are going to try for something for both hunting & kayak fishing, there will probably have to be some compromise somewhere.  Me, I'd go with cold weather clothes for hunting and then cold weather clothes for fishing.  The different sports having different movement requirements and stuff like that.

I love the cost co cold weather socks.  There a best value and very comfortable.  I rock my LL bean boots and columbia climbing pants that are waterproof.  I wear thermals under the pants and then a few layers on top with a columbia rain jacket that is thin but waterproof.  My boots were the most expensive items and the rest were under a hundred each.  This is low budget compared to the frabill fxe gear, and or the simms stuff.  I spend all my time on the water in my Yak but i dont think that my gear would hold up to hunting and bushes very well.  They would be just fine for going to and from work in the rain which i do use them for, as nothing is thick or bulky.

My three best investments:

 

Under Armour

 

Cabela's Guidewear

 

Sorel Waterproof Boots

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing.  These are about to be my 3 best investments as well.

Under Armour or similar base layer, then wool/fleece, then Gore-Tex waterproof shell.  No cotton!!!!!

If your looking for a actual pair of boots that will last and are waterproof I would check out Matterhorns or Danners. I could blow through a pair of boots in a month and just because a boot says waterproof doesn't really mean it when you stand in actual water all day.