08-22-2003, 11:59 AM
[cool]So, you're putting the finishing touches on your tubing wardrobe, huh? Well, as with most aspects of gearing up, there are lots of different personal preferences. But, there are some basic considerations upon which you can choose your own options.
I seem to recall you were leaning toward the lightweight waders, rather than neoprenes. That is my own personal preference. It lets you stay dry in warmer temperatures, without the "sauna" effect. However, with proper layering, using the right materials, you can also fish comfortably in colder waters.
Just like any outdoor activity, layering is the key issue. You want as much warmth as possible, with the minimum in bulk. Traditionally, wool has been the fibre of choice for the ultimate in warmth, but it is also bulky and you do not want scratchy wool next to bare skin. A thin layer of absorbent cotton thermal undies is an aid to comfort, and can be all the insulation you need under a pair of sweat pants on many trips. I tend to prefer comfortable and loose fitting sweats to harder finish cotton or wool pants.
If you wander through the clothing section of a major sports outlet, you will find modern fabric insulated wear that can put some serious scorch marks on your plastic cards. If you have the "net spendable", and like technology, much of this stuff is light and highly effective. However, for the average tuber, it is possible to fish both economically and comfortably, without maxing out your credit lines.
I am thrifty, but not cheap. I would rather pay a little more than I would like to...than not quite enough. But, I do not spend over a hundred dollars for a full suit of high tech thermies. I tend to pack a bag with a couple of pairs of sweat pants and a pair of "fleece" for a top layer. Once I get to the destination, I can take a water temp reading and layer accordingly.
In Arizona, the coldest midwinter water temps are about 50 degrees. With the neoprene boots on my lightweight waders, I need only two layers of socks. I wear a pair of special hiking socks as the first layer, than a heavier layer of quality wool socks. If I have large enough fin foot pockets to take all of this bulk, without constriction, my feet remain comfortable. If they are cramped, it doesn't matter how many layers of wool I have on, my feet will get cold and cramped.
In the coldest waters of winter, I wear a layer of cotton or nylon thermals and then a pair of new (fluffy) sweat pants...with a final layer of the fleece pants. I seldom feel the chill of the water...especially in the higher seating of my Fat Cat. Sitting lower, in a round tube or mini pontoon, one's midsection is immersed deeper in the water, and you are more subject to chilling.
That brings up another point. Much of your body heat is lost from your head. Wear a warm wool hat on cold days and your body will stay warmer. Similarly, a pair of fingerless "ragg wool" gloves will keep warm blood flowing into the fingers, without interfering with tackle operation or sensitivity. Wool retains its warmth properties even when damp. Cotton does not. On trips where you are likely to handle a lot of fish and get your gloves both wet and slimy, carry one or two extra pairs of the wool gloves. it is great to be able to change into them when the cold breezes of winter chill your hands. Just be sure to remove the soiled gloves from your craft and properly launder them before the next trip...or you will have to fish upwind of yourself.
Back to the midsection. I layer on top, much like the bottom. I start with the layer of thin thermals, followed by a cotton tee shirt and then sweat shirt or light jacket. If you have trouble with core temp chilling, pick up a lightweight insulated vest to wear beneath the top layer. As a day warms up, you can shed a layer or two on top...stowing the removed articles in a waterproof plastic bag in your back pockets. It's easier to take it off if you don't need it, than to put it on if you don't have it.
Always carry a lightweight rain jacket and/or windbreaker. If you get wet on top, you are done...unless you enjoy hypothermia.
So, you don't have to spend a lot of extra money to dress for cold water tubing. Just be conscious of the bulk, and make sure your waders and fins are large enough to fit comfortably when you add the extra layers. I always double check and readjust my fin straps when I am changing my gear for the changing seasons. That makes a difference in the comfort and can insure against loss of fins, or broken straps.
Anybody else? What did I leave out?
[signature]
I seem to recall you were leaning toward the lightweight waders, rather than neoprenes. That is my own personal preference. It lets you stay dry in warmer temperatures, without the "sauna" effect. However, with proper layering, using the right materials, you can also fish comfortably in colder waters.
Just like any outdoor activity, layering is the key issue. You want as much warmth as possible, with the minimum in bulk. Traditionally, wool has been the fibre of choice for the ultimate in warmth, but it is also bulky and you do not want scratchy wool next to bare skin. A thin layer of absorbent cotton thermal undies is an aid to comfort, and can be all the insulation you need under a pair of sweat pants on many trips. I tend to prefer comfortable and loose fitting sweats to harder finish cotton or wool pants.
If you wander through the clothing section of a major sports outlet, you will find modern fabric insulated wear that can put some serious scorch marks on your plastic cards. If you have the "net spendable", and like technology, much of this stuff is light and highly effective. However, for the average tuber, it is possible to fish both economically and comfortably, without maxing out your credit lines.
I am thrifty, but not cheap. I would rather pay a little more than I would like to...than not quite enough. But, I do not spend over a hundred dollars for a full suit of high tech thermies. I tend to pack a bag with a couple of pairs of sweat pants and a pair of "fleece" for a top layer. Once I get to the destination, I can take a water temp reading and layer accordingly.
In Arizona, the coldest midwinter water temps are about 50 degrees. With the neoprene boots on my lightweight waders, I need only two layers of socks. I wear a pair of special hiking socks as the first layer, than a heavier layer of quality wool socks. If I have large enough fin foot pockets to take all of this bulk, without constriction, my feet remain comfortable. If they are cramped, it doesn't matter how many layers of wool I have on, my feet will get cold and cramped.
In the coldest waters of winter, I wear a layer of cotton or nylon thermals and then a pair of new (fluffy) sweat pants...with a final layer of the fleece pants. I seldom feel the chill of the water...especially in the higher seating of my Fat Cat. Sitting lower, in a round tube or mini pontoon, one's midsection is immersed deeper in the water, and you are more subject to chilling.
That brings up another point. Much of your body heat is lost from your head. Wear a warm wool hat on cold days and your body will stay warmer. Similarly, a pair of fingerless "ragg wool" gloves will keep warm blood flowing into the fingers, without interfering with tackle operation or sensitivity. Wool retains its warmth properties even when damp. Cotton does not. On trips where you are likely to handle a lot of fish and get your gloves both wet and slimy, carry one or two extra pairs of the wool gloves. it is great to be able to change into them when the cold breezes of winter chill your hands. Just be sure to remove the soiled gloves from your craft and properly launder them before the next trip...or you will have to fish upwind of yourself.
Back to the midsection. I layer on top, much like the bottom. I start with the layer of thin thermals, followed by a cotton tee shirt and then sweat shirt or light jacket. If you have trouble with core temp chilling, pick up a lightweight insulated vest to wear beneath the top layer. As a day warms up, you can shed a layer or two on top...stowing the removed articles in a waterproof plastic bag in your back pockets. It's easier to take it off if you don't need it, than to put it on if you don't have it.
Always carry a lightweight rain jacket and/or windbreaker. If you get wet on top, you are done...unless you enjoy hypothermia.
So, you don't have to spend a lot of extra money to dress for cold water tubing. Just be conscious of the bulk, and make sure your waders and fins are large enough to fit comfortably when you add the extra layers. I always double check and readjust my fin straps when I am changing my gear for the changing seasons. That makes a difference in the comfort and can insure against loss of fins, or broken straps.
Anybody else? What did I leave out?
[signature]