DRESSING FOR THE OUTDOORS
By Bob Jensen

This is the time of year when there are lots of outdoor activities, but if we aren’t dressed appropriately, we not going to be able to enjoy those activities. It doesn’t matter if we’re sitting in a boat, in a duck blind, in an ice-fishing shelter, or along the sidelines at a football game, if we’re cold, we’re not going to be having much fun. Following are some ideas for selecting clothing for the outdoors.

First of all, many outdoor enthusiasts like parkas instead of jackets. Parkas extend a little farther down the body and, in the opinion of many outdoors-people, are warmer than jackets. Jackets that go to the waist can creep up above the waistline and create a crack that can be very uncomfortable.

There are a couple of different materials that can be used in the parkas outer shell. Two popular ones are Gore-Tex and fleece. 

Gore-Tex is very water and wind-resistant. It has become very, very popular in the past few years.

Fleece is very soft, quiet, and comfortable and is warm as well. Fleece may not be as good in wet conditions as Gore-Tex, but it feels more appealing to many wearers. 

Now we need an insulating product to go between the inner and outer shell. This is the stuff that keeps us warm. A number of years ago, down was a very popular form of insulation in clothing. In recent years, Thinsulate has become popular, and for good reason. Thinsulate provides great insulation, but also permits moisture to wick away from your body. You don’t want moisture on your body if you’re trying to stay warm.

I like big pockets for gloves. Additional pockets on the chest for sunglasses, containers for ice-fishing baits, or other small items are appreciated as well.

Be sure there are Velcro closures at the wrist so you can snug the wrist openings tightly.

Buttons or Velcro over the zipper are also nice, as they make the garment just a little bit more wind proof.

Most coats/parkas of this style are dual-purpose outdoor garments, so expect them to most readily available in a camouflage pattern. In fact, I have seen very few that weren’t camo. 

I recently bought a Super-Slam Fleece parka that Cabela’s produces. This has been a marvelous garment for me. I especially like the fleece shell. It is very comfortable to the touch.

It is a huge advantage to be able to try different garments on before you buy. The Cabela’s stores have the best selections, and the personnel there are very knowledgeable and will help you make the right choice.

Top-notch outdoor clothing is built to last for a long, long time, maybe even a lifetime if your size doesn’t change. Most importantly, it will help you enjoy the outdoors even more. 

For more fish-catching information, visit the fishingthemidwest.com website.