Gearing up for winter (clothing)

[NAGG]

OK ... you Queenslanders really dont know what winter is - that is unless you go out west to fish the sweetwater. Here in NSW it's gets cold & as I'm planning a few trips out west plus the odd coastal river trip I've started to look into what clothing I should buy .

We all understand about layering - thermals for the trips out west (where we are talking anything down to minus 5 deg . That's a given

What I'm particularly interested is reasonably water proof / wind proof pants (maybe a jacket) . From what I am reading these soft shell / fleece lined materials are the go . Here in this space , you can spend $50-$350 for a pair of duds ... that's a big difference . Hunters Elements $200 ..... but it's still a hell of a lot of money .

Anyhow I'm interested to hear the thoughts of everyone when it comes to warm / wind / water resistant ... clothing (pants , hats , gloves) . The good the bad / brands etc

Keen to hear your replies.

Chris

[stevej]

for the top half
outer
https://desolvesupplyco.com.au/collections/hoodies-fleece/products/kraken-anorak-black?variant=41375917932721
Inner
https://www.macpac.com.au/macpac-mens-tui-fleece-pullover/119248.html
base is a t shirt or if near or under 0 i have a merino long sleeve thermal shirt

for the bottom half
pair of merino socks and a pair of decent trackies

if really cold i have merino long pants and put my wet weather pants on over the top
https://hunterselement.com.au/collections/outer-layer-pants-bottoms/products/obsidian-trouser?variant=39685589106842

and these are the shoes i use in winter or when walking banks in snake country
https://www.anacondastores.com/footwear/mens-footwear/mens-mid-hiking-boots/merrell-mens-moab-3-gore-tex-mid-hiking-boots/BP90191835-walnut
https://www.anacondastores.com/footwear/mens-footwear/mens-low-hiking-shoes/merrell-mens-moab-3-gore-tex-low-hiker/BP90191869-walnut

[NAGG]

for the top half
outer
https://desolvesupplyco.com.au/collections/hoodies-fleece/products/kraken-anorak-black?variant=41375917932721
Inner
https://www.macpac.com.au/macpac-mens-tui-fleece-pullover/119248.html
base is a t shirt or if near or under 0 i have a merino long sleeve thermal shirt

for the bottom half
pair of merino socks and a pair of decent trackies

if really cold i have merino long pants and put my wet weather pants on over the top
https://hunterselement.com.au/collections/outer-layer-pants-bottoms/products/obsidian-trouser?variant=39685589106842

and these are the shoes i use in winter or when walking banks in snake country
https://www.anacondastores.com/footwear/mens-footwear/mens-mid-hiking-boots/merrell-mens-moab-3-gore-tex-mid-hiking-boots/BP90191835-walnut
https://www.anacondastores.com/footwear/mens-footwear/mens-low-hiking-shoes/merrell-mens-moab-3-gore-tex-low-hiker/BP90191869-walnut

I have the Helly Hansen polar fleece tops - same as Macpac ..... love these

Tracky dacks just dont cut it ... unless you throw waterproof pants over the top - I do have polar fleece pants which are ok .... but they still need waterproof pants over the top.


Chris

[stevej]

Which is what I do as described in my reply
Those hunter elements pants are wet weather gear I have a matching jacket too

With merino underneath they do well if you are out of the wind and not getting wet
Im not talking full fleece Kmart jobs but brand name with the hard shell and fluffier fleece on the inside
puma Nike decent stuff

mates who fish blowering in the dark wear freezer suits or other commercial cold workers gear
Too much effort for a fish for me

[tunaticer]

After decades of winters in Stanthorpe I am a firm believer that wool base layer is about as good as you can get.
Over that is a medium weight poly cotton layer then a soft shell if the wind is cutting or it is damp.
The last thing you want to be doing is rugging up then throwing a parka over the lot.
You are far better off being comfortably cool than sweaty hot.

[NAGG]

I did buy marino base layers a few years back & they are certainly warmer than the polyprop ones . Agree it's a good starting point .

Chris

[NAGG]

Which is what I do as described in my reply
Those hunter elements pants are wet weather gear I have a matching jacket too

With merino underneath they do well if you are out of the wind and not getting wet
Im not talking full fleece Kmart jobs but brand name with the hard shell and fluffier fleece on the inside
puma Nike decent stuff

mates who fish blowering in the dark wear freezer suits or other commercial cold workers gear
Too much effort for a fish for me

If you fish Blowering at night in winter you probably need a polar suit .

Back in the day when I would fish the Eucumbene in the winter - I'd be wearing goretex chest waders , so it was really easy to stay warm & dry . Thermals , polar fleece pants & top - Throw a goretex milspec jacket over the top & you were pretty right . Very bulky though .

Chris

[stevej]

I also worry about going for a swim from a small boat on a big dam
my days of risks for a fish are way behind me

merino also doesn’t stink as bad as poly prop does.

waders as you say or some big commercial lines gum boots work well too

[chris69]

OK ... you Queenslanders really dont know what winter is - that is unless you go out west to fish the sweetwater. Here in NSW it's gets cold & as I'm planning a few trips out west plus the odd coastal river trip I've started to look into what clothing I should buy .

We all understand about layering - thermals for the trips out west (where we are talking anything down to minus 5 deg . That's a given

What I'm particularly interested is reasonably water proof / wind proof pants (maybe a jacket) . From what I am reading these soft shell / fleece lined materials are the go . Here in this space , you can spend $50-$350 for a pair of duds ... that's a big difference . Hunters Elements $200 ..... but it's still a hell of a lot of money .

Anyhow I'm interested to hear the thoughts of everyone when it comes to warm / wind / water resistant ... clothing (pants , hats , gloves) . The good the bad / brands etc

Keen to hear your replies.

Chris

Here in qld I just put a buff over my face when travelling on the water I find it keeps the wind off my face and socks and slippers to keep my feet warm and a wind proof jacket never goes astray.

[Greg P]

I have a full set of Sharkskin chillproof items that I have used for a couple of years {jacket, long pants, boots, gloves and hood. Works well for Qld winter in the boat. Layer up as required and keep completely dry

[NAGG]

Yes - Bought myself one of those Aussie made sharkskin jackets (kind of 3 layer soft shell) - So that should be pretty good for a winters day keeping the wind chill at bay.

The other thing was I bought a pair of cheap snow boots from Anaconda - fleece lined - reasonably waterproof ..... so good for that lakeside camping out west.

So I'm getting there .

Chris

[Neddey]

Check this out for up top.

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/buderim/jackets-coats/huski-venture-4-in-1-hi-vis-jacket-new-with-tags/1312610182