Fishing Underwear ?

pearl · 12-01-2003, 08:23 PM

Got back on the sticks of my ( new to me )drift boat last week after a depending on a jet only for the last 10 years.

One thing that I have noticed is that after I have done some heavy rowing especially early in the morning I work up a good sweat and then anchor up only to get a chill. In a severe condition this could lead to hypothermia?

What is the best type of under shirt and or under wear to wear while rowing. I would be looking for something that breaths but takes the moisture away from the skin and keeps you warm. Cotton sucks!

My son who plays football suggested "Under Armor" a brand of fabric that is popular with athletes.

Comfort and safety is always a priority.

What works for you?

WheresMyBobber · 12-01-2003, 08:37 PM

I have a brother in law who's an active mountain climber, and he wears polypropelyne (spelling?) underwear. Not just poly long johns, actual poly underwear specifically for the reasons you mentioned, and he swears by them. When he's climbing he works up a pretty good sweat, and a lot of times it's cold and windy when he stops to take a break. I don't know where he bought them, but I'm sure REI or other similar stores would carry them, and I bet they would work great for cold days in the drift boat.

Fast Action · 12-01-2003, 08:42 PM

Wheresmybobber,

I was in the light infantry for 7 years. We road marched everywhere we went. All we used was Poly Pro. Go with Poly Pro!

Riverkeeper · 12-01-2003, 08:47 PM

Yup, polypro. For what it's worth, I have found some of the more expensive REI type brands to be better than the knockoffs as far as comfort and wicking performance (you get what you pay for). Something with lycra woven into it will be more comfortable than straight polypro.

Whatch out for the B.O. though

SandyRiverRon · 12-01-2003, 08:47 PM

Agree on the Poly Pro....years on the sticks taught me...underwear that wicks is the bomb.

Mikeymoto · 12-01-2003, 08:51 PM

poly pro is my favorite. Wool is second but only with a silk underlayer. I bought good quality 15 years ago and it is still in good shape. Mountaineering stores should be the best bet for good or better quality.
MM

skrimmy · 12-01-2003, 08:57 PM

Poly Pro or Capalene. Can't go wrong with either. Some great stuff at REI Outfitters.

KChookem · 12-01-2003, 08:58 PM

Many years ago I purchased a polypro that has a Zippered Turtle Neck (made by Patagonia) - it works very well, but this style is hard to find. Body odor has not been a problem, by static cling can be. Newer products are better now. If I expect to work up a sweat, I'll wear a wool shirt as the next layer, and then something to go on top of that, when needed. I might take a look at some of the clothing that Ifish sponsor USIA carries.

Gun Rod Bow · 12-01-2003, 09:25 PM

Pearl,

The polypro base layer is a great start. I got some long sleave thermal shirts from LL Bean called "River Driver" shirts a few years ago. Wool blend, I always wear something, usually tee shirt under them.

They breath and are very warm. Usually a wool shirt over that. Good to freezing temps even with no coat.

jimh · 12-01-2003, 09:37 PM

REI brand polyester with Lycra if you are buying from REI and want to wick the moisture. Thermax or Power Dry if you buy from cabelas for warmth.

Polypro doesn't launder well in comparison. All of these are synthetic and wick away moisture.

Flatfish · 12-01-2003, 09:50 PM

Do not sweat hard. If you are, anchor, and strip down til you don't.

Duofold polypro. Fleece over that. Raingear over that. Or on a nice day( no rain), a warm jacket on top.

No long johns( waders should keep you warm enough), just fleece pants.

Once you get wet, life will get a bit more uncomfortable.

Your head , neck, and eyes lose a great amount of heat. Cover each area with fleece, and you should not need to dress so heavily over the torso to stay warm ( substitute sunglasses for fleece over the eyes)

.

Mark and the no sweat dog.

straightweave · 12-01-2003, 10:30 PM

Patagonia, or "pata-gucci" as the climbers call it, makes really good stuff.

For any ol' poly pro, check w/ the US Outdoor store in downtown PTLD, the Columbia outlets, REI, etc. I found some good tops and bottoms at the Columbia Outlet in Sellwood last winter at a discouted price.

ampersat · 12-02-2003, 05:49 AM

You can do a lot to regulate your overall body temp by adjusting your headwear. I carry two hats for this; one is a thick polartek hat, the other is a thin yarn-based hat.

Not like I'm the paragon of fitness myself, but I think as you spend more time on the sticks again, you'll sweat less. Sleds are okay for those who like them but there's no exercise factor to them.

mtpar · 12-02-2003, 06:09 AM

Pearl On The Sticks. That sounds like a new name on ifish. Any interesting things happen on your maiden voyage?
Give me a call and tell me about it.

Anything synthetic will work well, cotton won't dry quickly.

mtpar :grin:

Jennie@ifish · 12-02-2003, 06:13 AM

Oops wrong thread!

[ 12-02-2003, 07:14 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

cully · 12-02-2003, 07:36 AM

capelene by patagonia. lightweight then follow up with another layer of midweight or expidition weight. I hate being cold and sense i started doing the layering thing I'm netiher hot or cold on the river while rowing. Not a cheap fix but it'll last for years. I prefer cotton but it just does not do the job. I wonder what years of wearing plastic (capelene) will do to me ie. cancer? As soon as my fishing day is over I take the stuff off.

Lured In · 12-02-2003, 08:00 AM

Cabela's sells a full line of polypro (thermax) undies (briefs and boxer style) and long johns in light, medium and 'expedition' wieghts. I love mine. As was mentioned, be sure to dress appropriately. It is always easier to add layers as you get cold than strip, sweat soaked layers.

Hoosier Daddy · 12-02-2003, 08:25 AM

Underwear?

Sorry, couldn't help it.

FishSniffer · 12-02-2003, 08:36 AM

I vote for Capilene by Patagonia.

After years of being in the Airborne and then doing Search and Rescue and after years of getting used to being cold all the time I finally found this stuff (at REI). I tried everything and nothing quite fit the bill. I've also watched my partners struggle with staying warm

in the other brands.

Oh, and a bill you will pay as Cully said, it's not cheap. But it keeps me warm and even with layers I don't feel constricted like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. I wear this stuff every day. In fact, right now I'm wearing a full set of lightweights I've had for8 years. I've washed them a few times and they still looks like new. The stuff lasts.

If anyones tried Capilene and found something better please do let us know.

WheresMyBobber · 12-02-2003, 08:57 AM

FishSniffer:

Quote:

In fact, right now I'm wearing a full set of lightweights I've had for 8 years. I've washed them a few times and they still looks like new

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I hope the wash/wear ratio is a little better than it sounds like in your post! :shocked: :grin:

FishSniffer · 12-02-2003, 09:08 AM

Hey, I live out here in the sticks and all I have is a kerosene heater. Brrr. Need to keep warm ya know!

I can say though that these newer ones don't "pill" up as much when you run em through the washer/dryer as the older ones did. They were awful. I remember buying a "pill trimmer" for the old expedition weights.

Greg

Woody · 12-02-2003, 09:27 AM

I have some boxer shorts with salmon on them. [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

rola76 · 12-02-2003, 09:50 AM

REI has good stuff, as does Patagonia! A bit on the spendy side but it lasts forever and is super comfy! If all else fails, go to Bi-Mart, spend $15 and get some good ol' long johns!!

pearl · 12-02-2003, 12:17 PM

Thanks for all the good suggestions everybody. I appreciate it!!

Since Woody decided to make the first reference to boxers with salmon on them and knowing Woody, this is not a sight I want to see or subject any of you to see either. :shocked:

It's time to let this post go bye bye.

Thanks gain. I now have a direction to go and will be comfortable on the river this weekend.

Pearl

Woody · 12-02-2003, 06:00 PM

aww c'mon pearl, you knew somebody was gonna bite.

onstep · 12-03-2003, 09:42 AM

Either the pata gucci or smartwools. The smartwools are more money but in my expierance nothing matches them in extremes. I wore them on a mountain goat hunt this fall and was amazed at how well they regulated temp. as my activity rose and fell. If you hunt or are planning on wearing the same pair for a long peroid of time smartwools suppress scent better than any other long underwear I have tried.

Stz ll · 12-03-2003, 03:48 PM

Silk!!

riverraider · 12-03-2003, 08:00 PM

Best I've used is Thermax out of the Cabelas catolog. medium weight for most uses, heavy if you're cold blooded.
normally I wear thermax turtleneck and a wool sweater. I add a thermax undershirt if its colder(below freezing). I can't remember the last time I was cold or sweaty. For me, its the best thing I've used, and I've used most of them, including reg. polypropylene, mtp, silk, and (eeek) cotton.

SciGuy · 12-04-2003, 09:11 AM

REI Power Dry is hands down the best.