Charlie:
I ordered 2 pair of the gloves and hope the come in time for next weeks steel trip.. Couldn't believe the low cost and from your experience I think they will serve well..
For years and years I used the rag wool fingerless but they just don't make them like they used too as well as still dealing with frozen finger tips (I'm just not as hardy as I once was)..
Next up I researched the Columbia hat..
Who the heck cares how ridiculous one might think it looks.. I for one am not about fashion.. Just look at me in my not so afraid to pose pic's wearing my dumb azz warm as heck hat..
It's super warm , was cheap as heck but gets wet.. Not good..
I'm going to go along the same line hat wise but looking to water proof outer shell.. I'm just a tad shell shocked at the columbia price tag.. Their colors are kinda out there as well, except for the Ebony blue.. Wouldn't it be neat however seeing double trouble in our future pic's.. LOL Maybe..
Anyway,
Head,hands and base layer are covered..
Next layer for me is MICRO Fleece bottoms..
Great stuff, way better then the original loose fleece..
400gram micro fleece wader liner pants ROCK..
P.S.
Note the poly under base layer w/ micro fleece zip up under the (un zipped) wading gortex jacket..
Gortex is great but it don't breath.. You must allow moisture to escape..