Marmot Women’s Outlook LS
MSRP: $50
The fit is long, but not too long and the fabric is so soft! With tight budgets, you can’t go wrong with Marmot as a long-lasting choice.
Outdoor Research Women’s Radiant Hybrid Tights
MSRP: $80
These are great pants for under your waders. You can wear them as a top layer and be ready to don the waders when you get to the river.
Hot Chillys Women’s La Paz Salsa Zip Hoodie
MSRP: $95
This fluffy soft hoodie is a good one to reach for when in need of comfort and warmth. It fits well and feels good.
ExOfficio Sol Cool Zippy Long Sleeve Jacket
MSRP: $70
Lightweight and airy, this fast-drying, odor-resistant, zip-up layer is very comfortable and allows maximum movement. Meant to keep you cool on hot days, it also works well over a silk base layer during a warm Alaska day.
Smartwool Women’s PhD Smartloft Divide Full Zip
MSRP: $200
A must for any smart layering system, this midlayer jacket proves invaluable. The SmartLoft insulation provides more core warmth while the MerinoMax arms and back offer breathability and body-temperature regulation.
Eddie Bauer Men’s Microtherm Down Vest
MSRP: $119-$139
Extremely light and comfortable, this vest made it on every trip, serving as a layer for chillier days and as outerwear during other times.
Columbia Women’s Mighty Lite III Vest
MSRP: $90
Featuring Columbia’s Omni-Heat thermal and reflective insulation for maximum warmth, this vest looks really sharp and lands a lot of compliments, while performing exceptionally well.
Ex Officio Men’s Air Strip Micro Plaid LS Shirt
MSRP: $90
Technically designed and full of functional details, this quick drying shirt was a favorite in 2012.
Grundens Fiske Skins Crew Neck Top and Pant
MSRP: $31.80-$33.80 each for top or pant
100% polyester fabric is treated for odor control, and the fabric holds up to a lot of wear and washings – critical features for under-layers. All of the features consider comfort and softness, making it the perfect next-to-skin choice.
Marmot Windridge LS
MSRP: $38
Extremely lightweight and breathable, this fabric makes for an ideal baselayer.
Polarmax Tech Silk Men’s Base Layers
MSRP: $29.95 each for crew neck shirt or pants
Even during the height of summer, you still need base layers in Alaska, and these were perfect under waders during several fishing forays.
Jockey Women’s Smart Thermal Reversible Top and Long Jane
MSRP: $38 each for top and bottom
These base layers are some of the softest we have ever tested. Made from Viloft, Acrylic and Spandex, it’s like being in your softest pajamas.
Polarmax Unifit PMX Hoody
MSRP: $69.95
Good-looking as well as functional, this hoodie worked as a mid-layer or outwear on warmer days. We found it to be highly packable as well, making it easier than not to toss it into the go-bag for just about every trip.
Loki Women’s N Vest
MSRP: $129
A thick down vest is a great outer layer on a fall day of fishing. Keep your core warm while leaving your arms free for maximum range of motion. Loki makes quality products that last and this vest is no exception. As an added benefit, the vest turns into a light backpack to hold itself. An inner pocket turns out to uncover the pack feature.
First Lite Springer Vest
MSRP: $130
The Springer vest is 100% superfine Merino wool and is very lightweight, so it layers well and provides a ton of warmth. Fit and quality are above average.
Columbia Men’s Midweight base Layer Top and Tight
MSRP: $55 for each item
Providing warmth as well as next-to-skin comfort, this midweight set made an excellent choice for the first layer on cold winter days on the ice.
Hot Chillys Men’s Micro-Elite XT Heavyweight Tight
MSRP: $70
There are numerous layering options on themarket, but we especially liked these heavyweight tights from Hot Chillys during some late September fishing when air and water temperatures had many thinking about putting away the rods for the year.
Woolrich Men’s Granite Springs Zip Neck Sweater
MSRP: $89
Using a 70% lambswool and 30% nylon mix makes this sweater warm, light and comfortable. It remains warm when wet and worked very well as a mid layer. The fleece-lined collar is very comfortable.
Icebreaker Women’s Cascade Hood
MSRP: $200
High quality, midweight 260-gram pure Merino wool is the base for this well-made zip-up. It is stylish and functional and fits a woman of average height well, with a back that is slightly longer than the front.