While many people consider fishing to be a warm-weather endeavor, many anglers brave colder temperatures to pursue fish throughout the fall, winter, and early spring. Rather than heading to their favorite fishing holes in shorts and t-shirts, cold-weather anglers need to dress for fishing success by wearing and/or packing warmer, water-repellent layers that allow for freedom of movement while fishing.
Finding warm, comfortable jackets that allow for freedom of movement while casting and reeling is not easy, however. In many cases, warmth means bulk, and bulk means restriction of movement. Recognizing this concern of cold-weather anglers, RefrigiWear, Inc., a manufacturer of insulated industrial work wear and personal protective equipment for use in subzero temperatures, inclement weather, and low-visibility environments for more than 60 years, recently asked me to test and review their Softshell Jacket.
Retailing at about $95 on refrigiwear.com, the RefrigiWear Softshell Jacket aims to provide “a durable, windproof, stretchy and water-repellent option for staying warm, without being too heavy.” The jacket includes over 300 grams of insulation, a water-repellent membrane, and zippered handwarmer pockets. Additional features of the jacket include a full-zip stand-up collar, elastic cuffs, and a drawcord hem.
I received the Softshell Jacket from RefrigiWear in September 2015, but until recently, it has been too warm to test it. Temperatures here in Delaware dipped below freezing this week, so I was finally able to test the Softshell Jacket over the past several days.
RefrigiWear’s Softshell Jacket was stylish, functional, and warm enough to wear in mid-30- to mid-40-degree temperatures. In fact, the black jacket looked good enough for me to wear to the Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants football game on Monday, October 19, when temperatures were in the low 40s. The jacket kept me relatively warm, although I had a long-sleeve fleece shirt and wool vest under it. On RefrigiWear’s web site, the jacket is listed with a 20-degree comfort rating, but I think another layer (perhaps an outer shell) would be necessary for temperatures below 30 degrees.
I did not bring gloves to the game, but the SoftShell’s handwarmer pockets were enough to keep my hands warm. The zip-up collar came in handy, since it allowed me to block out the wind and seal in some body heat, but it felt rather stiff under my chin and jaw.
The sky was clear as could be, so I questioned how I would test the water repellency of the jacket. I didn’t need precipitation to do so, however. An over-indulgent football fan spilled a full cup of beer all over my row, and I receive some residual splashes. True to its claims, RefrigiWear’s Softshell Jacket repelled the water (well beer, actually). A quick blot with a napkin and the jacket was as good as new.
The jacket provided for ease of movement, so there is no doubt in my mind that it could be worn while fishing in cooler weather with no adverse effects on rigging, casting, reeling, or netting. If you are looking for a functional jacket for cooler weather, consider the RefrigiWear Softshell Jacket. If you need a jacket for cold-weather fishing—like ice fishing, for example—you will need another layer or two.