Hi
Bit of a lurker round here owing to my relative inexperience, coming back to the fly after a departure of about 20 odd years. I started back late on in the season and have not bothered to tackle rivers so far (which were all I ever fished in my younger years) but am dead keen to get back to it.
So with that in mind I have of late purchased a set of Breathable waders, and boots, with a view to partaking of a spot of winter Greyling fishing.

I have a decent set of base layer thermals, and am aware of the process of layering to retain some warmth but was looking for a spot of advice from those with more experience of winter wading.

My plan was to layer, the base layer, my usual fishing combat trousers, then over this a man made undersuit I used to wear with my scuba diving dry suit some time ago ( not that thick as it was for under a neoprene drysuit). I can even squeeze a pair of jogging bottoms on there too if needs be.
A couple of pairs of socks, one normal and one pair of wader socks over the top.
And on top, base layer, winter out door wear shirt (non cotton), the top of the undersuit and a normal fleece. I have a wading jacket for waterproofness.

I used the above without the technical base layer or wading jacket a few weeks back on a very cold day at North Third and on the whole was OK- with a few cups of tea through the day to return a bit heat!

I am sort of surprised relating back to my winter diving days that there is nothing similar to the thinsulate undersuits you get for wearing under membrane drysuits, for waders.
Does this sound adequate or am I better getting something purpose made for winter wading? If so what- Not seen an awful lot of thick fleece undersuits or the like - any recommendations?
I have read that wearing jeans under waders was not recommended- presumably because they are cotton based, does this also mean wearing combats is a **** idea?

Thanks in advance.

Kenny

hi Kenny , welcome to the forum and welcome back to fly fishing, i have thermal base layer , then thin fleeced jogging bottoms , and then one or two t shirts on top with a wool jumper,then one of these over it all under breathable waders,
Drysuit undersuits made of Thinsulate for diving, kayaking etc.,(the black one)

on my feet socks and neoprene socks .........

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WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

Coco Chanel said style was dressing functionally appropriately and in tune with the environment.

anything that keeps you from freezing to death seems to work

Thanks for the link.
I have seen these Neoprene socks, are those for wearing under sock foot waders I thought they were for boot foot waders? I had a pair of thinsulate bootees (again from my diving) and they were too uncomfortable once my feet wer ein my wading boots.
That fleece suit looks toasty though and only £25 notes- not bad at all.

Tanu,
your breathables have neoprene socks already fitted.
you dont need ought else on your feet apart from a good pair of wool socks!
you wont get your boots on otherwise!
Some form of thermal long johns under normal cotton trousers is all that is required under waders, same applys to top layer, thermal vest cotton shirt, good fleece, worn inside waders, then you are set.
any more wont keep you warmer, will just make you look like michelin man, and restrict movement!
regards
bert

Yeah that was my point- I thought neoprene socks were for boot foot waders where they have no in built insulation. Like you say even a fairly think thinsulate sock is too thick under the neoprene sock of the wader.
ta

The biggest problem when wading in the winter is not keeping the legs warm, but keeping the feet warm.

For water temps down to 5 C, I wear polar fleece wading pants, usually over poly long johns. That's enought for stream fishing when moving in and out of the water.

Cotton anything under waders is a bad idea, even with breathables.

Feet are a different story. Cramming in extra socks is counter productive because it restricts circulation so your feet just get colder. The only thing that I have found to partially work is a few years back I bought a pair of wading boots specifically for winter fishing. They are 2 sizes oversized so I can wear heavy boot socks without constriction.

This setup is fine down to -5 or so, but beyond that to really be comfortable, you have to go to specialized boot foots like those worn by waterfowl hunters.

Grouse

Stick two of these to your feet Welcome to Cura-Heat! Happy Days

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Allan
Only dead fish go with the flow.

I bought one of those, maybe a couple of years ago. Fabulous piece of kit with Helly Hanson Merino Thermals under it.

Feet, Merino Wool Socks and Simms Thin Neoprene Socks on top, then the Neoprene Wader Bootees.

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Roy

Forget the breathables.

Bison neoprene chesties are the way to go for Spring, Autumn and Winter.
£60 inc postage from ebay.

DB

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That wouldn't happen with a Pridex