Undergarments for your breathable chest waders that is......get yer minds out of the gutter

I usually just wear sweat pants under my lightweight breathables. Part of why I like them is they are loose and comfortable but the obvious downside is they(being made of cotton) wick water so are prone to dampness when you work up a sweat.

I'm not well versed on other materials/brands that breath better and wick away water better. I picture something like longjohn bottoms but made of a breathable material like gor-tex or something. My concern there is as the temps. warm up yet still to cold for shorts/tennis shoes. Will this type of undergarment be "suffocating" and promote overheating of oneself on a long river hike?

Opinions and recommendations needed.

Thanks.

Great question Eric.

I hope some of the children will behave themselves.

FLEECE!!!!!!!!!! have the bibs for when its really cold or just some lighter ones for the normal days..

I've had 2 other people say fleece too that i talked to in person. God, wouldn't you get hot in those when hiking? Can you recommend a brand and who carries them?

I use simms waderwick heavy or mid weight for undergarments and have found that they are very comfortable and though a little expensive worth the money. If it's really cold some reddington or any other fleece wading pants over those and I dont get cold. Alot depends on weather I'm sittin' in a boat all day or walkin the bank.-T

I wear polypropylene long johns...if it's winter time, I add a pair of fleece pants over 'em.

Fish on...

Todd

Ditto

redington makes some good fleece pants

Fleece has worked for me in the past but they do get warm when your hiking. Columbia makes a real nice pair with ankle straps so they dont bunch up. I have heard that underarmor heat gear is nice but I have never tried it.

polypro, they come in different weights for temperature/activity level then the fleece over that when coold & not active.for ice fishin a down suit is great. make sure you get the underwear in camo with a drop flap so you can hide in the brush when taking a dump so your buddies can't see you to pelt you with objects

Thanks for the input but the question remains, is this feasible as temps warm up? Think late spring/early summer and long hikes. Also, I'm gathering that the fleece that is being mentioned is actually more of a pant than a long john bottom?

Seems like a lot of what is being described is winter-wear???

Fleece over boxer briefs...

Shoot i wear my fleece till its warm enough to wet wade..Because before that those early morning are still cold and the water is damm cold. i have been at blue creek at 3 am in shorts in the summer and it sucks...so i think if you stick to the fleece pants you will be GOOD>!!

I Found a pair of Nikken long John's, made from ceramic fiber like the Astrounats suits are made of ,disperse heat but will retain heat, after a dunking in cold water yould think your day was over with, not with these, once out of the water these long john's will retain body heat and warm you as if it never happened, long johns and a pair of sweats is all i wear

Polypro long johns by themselves or w/ pile fleece when it's cold. Capilene(tm) is high quality.

Warm when wet, and efficient at wicking moisture. Works well w/ breathable layers.

Poly pro & fleece in winter. Commando in summer.

Polypro under fleece when really cold or just fleece.

I were black wool, the stuff the loggers ware.

Eric, when it's too warm to wear poly's under my waders, I usually consider it too warm to wear waders at all...almost all of my summer and fall fishing is done with wading boots and shorts.

That being said, I don't find it to be too warm with the waders with just the polys unless it's pretty warm out...I would just prefer to wet wade when I can.

Fish on...

Todd

Key is to have a breathable/wicking layer next to your skin. I like a light fleece layer better than polypro if that is all you're going to wear. Have read that polypro doesn't actually wick by itself, it is just hydrophobic (avoids water) and needs the fleece to move the moisture and work right. A light blend like capilene is good. Also important is wicking socks and briefs. If you wear cotton and hike, both of these will absorb moisture and feel clammy all day. A good synthetic may feel clammy while you are hiking but will quickly dry and be comfortable while you fish. Another comment is that many people who are used to cotton/wool tend to overdress when switching to synthetics. Really light stuff can keep you warm and if you are really sweating under breathables you are probably over dressed. I began to carry an extra layer when I hiked so that I could dress really light, but found that I rarely needed it .

This link has a good article on the basics: http://flyfisherman.com/gearreview/rplayering/