A quick rundown on the layer I use for 90% of my cold-weather fishing and for most activities for that matter.  This changes relatively frequently as I find new pieces and parts as something fails or something new comes along. I like to call it my five-layer dip. It bears no resemblance to the delicious party fave made from salsa, sour cream, guacamole bean and cheese, but it has a certain ring to it.

I don’t like to layer up and layer down much and I like to think that I have “trained” my body to just figure it out I usually buy everything in 2’s so one set vcan be in the wash and one set on my carcass. The tools that I have chosen to do so are:

First layer top-  Lululemon merino blend T-shirt    I am a big fan of lulu. I’ve worn their men’s underwear for close to 10 years and they truly make a quality product.   For this layer, I don’t so much care that it’s lulu, but I do really like thin Merino next to my skin.  I choose the blend for its durability as I haven’t had much success w 100% merino products    They seem to evaporate before long and you end up looking like you were attacked by moths. I tried finding a link but it would appear, that like most good things. . . . . they are now discontinued. I have a feeling that they are durable enough that I will have these a long long time, so I am happy for now.

Mid upper    Patagonia R1 hoody   It took me a while to fall in love with these.   The hood fits kinda goofy w a full face feel and I was really stuck on merino. Folks sometimes say these tend to smell more than merino.   Can’t say I’ve seen that as a huge prob (maybe you have smelled me).   They seem durable and well built and I don’t expect them to fail anytime soon.  I got used to the hood I just don’t zip it all the way often.  It sure is nice when you are cold and it’s blustery out tho.   Especially good on it for snowboarding under my helmet or when in my sleeping bag at night.   I love the long zip that goes almost to the belly button to dump heat when you’re exerting. 

3layer top   Patagonia puffy vest   I wear a vest over 200 days a year.  Such a great core warmer and an easy layer if you have to ditch one.  The fold up in its own pocket feature is genius and super useful.  The only thing I would change is a horizontal outside breast pocket for my phone on a lanyard.  I don’t fault them that’s just me being a weirdo and I can always add one 

4 layer top  Patagonia tough puff I was given this by Billy and Carrie as a lodge jacket and at first, I hesitated to wear it because it was too nice then I came to my senses and started wearing it.   Really is a tough piece of clothing.  Great coat, super comfy and soft.  Water shedding, warm and great hood. Looks presentable outside of my intended use (fishing/hunting/snowboarding) lots of great pockets wouldn’t change a thing.

Outside layer   Patagonia Riversalt Jacket.  I’m on my second one. But the original one still sees plenty of days.  Great pocket configuration, Nice cut hood, excellent cuff, a few places to hang nippers and whatnot.   My only problem with this jacket is the zippers aren’t lasting as long as I think they should.   It’s easy tho to just send it or even better get it fixed locally and carryon. The average joe will likely never have a zipper failure.  Nothing lasts forever and the good far outweighs the bad on this one.

Bottoms 1st layer: I’ve tried a lot of things merino and I’m eroding them away.   Moth attack once again. Right now I’m on icebreaker 260 bottoms   It’s a relatively thin merino blend it appears. I put quite a few days on these already and think these are gonna be the ones.  I wear this layer under ski pants, under waders anytime or fall steelheading till the snow flies.

Patagonia puff pants:  I wrote a recent post about these.  Warm but not crazy when you’re exerting. Once the temps drop or I know I am going to be wading deep I will throw these on. They’re tougher than you think (they will never love campfire sparks sorry) I’ve folded them into their own pocket but it’s a chore. They should make that pocket just a touch bigger to accommodate this. These are an indispensable piece of my layering system.