How are you staying warm? McBride said they have gone to

[JimD]

Seems more people are going to breathable waders all year now. McBride said they wear a wicking layer that he describes like dancing tights and a second layer with their breathable waders all year long.

What has been working best for you?

neoprene or Breathables?

How are you layers up including socks to stay warm on the cold days and nights out wading?

Thanks,

Jim

[sfef84]

Once the weather got too cold to be wet and comfortable in the elements, I ponied up and bought the Simms headwaters and their Flats boots. I am very happy with each purchase. The breathables are more roomy and lightweight. I have waded on the warmer days (mid 70s) these past couple months with just a t-shirt and have been super comfortable. Time will tell once it gets to be 90F+ plus. What I can tell you is I will not be using my ray-guard boots this summer for a couple reasons:
1) Almost unusable after a couple days of exploring new reefs. The oysters absolutely DESTROY the rubber soles (which are only about 1/4in thick)
2) Simms Flats boots have irrigation channels which allow water to flow out of the boot and not weigh you down (unlike the ray guard boots)
3) Simms reps brought the boots to FTU and told them to take knives, ice picks or anything else to the boots to see simulate a stingray barb. 100% protection. They have a metal mesh layer sandwiched by tough leather.
4) More support: Almost broke my ankles on a few occasions after sinking in mud that seeped into my ray guard boots, anchoring me down in chest high water. Dangerous
5) More structure. I used to have to worry about stubbing my toe on reefs/rocks in the ray guards. Now I cruise around the reefs like a soccer mom in a SUV over kroger parking lot speed bumps.
I can go on and on.

Using the waders in the summer... time will tell. They do have a cool feature that you can roll the chest part down and use the straps as a belt. Looks silly but oh well.
Will def be using waders in the summer for the following reasons:
1) Thick layer of protection against the stingrays in the water, burrs/thorns/stickers when bayou/island hoping.
2) Its cleaner, its like a west bay nasty water condom. The back-water brackish water is disgusting, especially when trying to catch bait in areas where the water is brown from all the mullet SH&*#.

I know the reef boots and breathable gor-tex waders are expensive, but there is no doubt in my mind they will either be the last, or second to last waders/boots I ever buy (im 26... got some life in me)

[Curmudgeon]

I've been using breathables and haven't tried neoprenes yet. I've heard they're great in the winter but terrible when it's warm. Last time I waded I wore sweat pants under the breathables: Big Mistake! They compressed under the water pressure and were c-o-l-d! Next time, I'm gonna try long undies and jeans for insulation. That has to be better.
I bought a cheap pair of Hodgeman neoprene wading boots since I couldn't find a better pair in my size (that I could afford). Those over my waders with a pair of cotton socks it plenty toasty for me. They are pretty lousy boots, though. Pretty flimsy, no traction and zero support. I'd rather have a decent pair of boots. Even the Academy canvas with lug sole cheapos are better that the neoprene boots I've got

[Muddskipper]

Breathables all year long ..... I hate crotch rot in the summer and with the VIBRO stuff it puts my mind to ease

WINTER - a pair of fleece work good, but NO COTTON socks !!! The sweat hold the water nad makes you cold !!!

[Robalo]

Longjohns, heavy coat, knit cap, gloves-my gd gas furnace is broken so using space heaters until the new part arrives!!

[FishinAddiction]

Breathables, Under Armour cold Gear, Sweat Pants or Jeans, Wool Ski Socks, and layered up top. No issues to be had. Wet wade when you can.

[TTU Wader]

Breathables, Under Armour cold Gear, Sweat Pants or Jeans, Wool Ski Socks, and layered up top. No issues to be had. Wet wade when you can.

Exactly what I do except I wear neoprene socks.

[kenny]

Neck gaiter and wind-proof fleece skull cap (with ski goggles if it's really cold......silk or synthetic long johns, light or heavy synthetic fleece pants and shirt (depending on the temp), then wind-proof fleece jacket, Simms wading jacket, Simms G3's. I wear thin synthetic socks and heavier synthetic socks over that, foreverlast reef boots and wind river guards.
The secret is layers and NO COTTON!
Oh yeah, and I'm not wearing friggin waders in the summer!

[JimD]

Great- Hey Kenny you may have to have Robalo over to keep from freezing if it gets that cold.

Bummer with the heater out.

Thanks for the advice.

I have both and night fishing a while back I got cold and could not shake the cold feeling. Think it was the wrong socks that caused the problem. Most of my old gear was state of the art in 80's when I used to trophy deer hunt all the time. Wool and more wool but it did a great.

I have still not fig out all the new stuff and the old stuff finally died but it was for good skiing and Colorado hunting.

Son got me a good set from REI but still scared to drop off into a cove or reef in the dark layered like that.

Thin stuff all looks the same to me but is marked for different for degrees of temp.

I like wet summer wading too. Never get the breathables out unless we have jelly in abundance. I hate to wade in them thin long pants or not.

[kenny]

Jim,
maybe get some of those toe warmer packs at Academy. I think they're call warm toes and you put them on under your toes and on top of your socks.

[JT]

Breathables all year long ..... I hate crotch rot in the summer and with the VIBRO stuff it puts my mind to ease

WINTER - a pair of fleece work good, but NO COTTON socks !!! The sweat hold the water nad makes you cold !!!

Since when did you start wearing waders in the summer? this coming summer?

[mjh]

Heck I stay dry by just staying in the boat.

[plugger]

Heck I stay dry by just staying in the boat.

HAR !!