Tools Of My Trade
Rub your hands together for pro winter dresser Darran Goulder—the no-nonsense stylish antidote to Britain’s foul winter weather
Beating winter’s coldest weather isn’t just about picking the right garments—it’s knowing how to dress properly. Follow this advice from Darran Goulder, co-founder of specialist outdoor brand Fortis, and then shrug on his suggested garments and you’ll be primed for whatever the next three months has to throw at you…
1. Base layer: Elements Base Layer Top and Bottoms
“When we start getting the first frosts, that’s when the base layers come out of their annual retirement! Made from a super soft, lightweight and incredibly comfortable polyester/elastane blend, these not only offer essential unrestrictive warmth to the body’s core, but also wick away moisture. This is important because when you sweat (which we do even in the winter) it moves this moisture out away from the body preventing you getting damp and cold. Regular cotton T-shirts or hoodies don’t have the ability to do this.”
2. Second layer: Sherpa
“Aside from being one of the carpiest garments in the wardrobe (Tel loves the Gilet), the Sherpa fleece can provide some great warmth when worn over a base layer. It’s got a huge oversized double thickness hood which you hide away under when you recline in the chair after a long day getting the rods out. Being polyester it wicks away sweat too.”
3. Footwear: Elements Boots
“I don’t suffer from wet or cold feet but then I’ve always invested in high quality footwear, whether that be Gore-Tex lined trainers, Miendl hiking boots for river exploits and now the Elements Thermal Boots for wet and cold winters. For a thermal wellington boot these are remarkably comfortable to walk long distances in and when you’re stationary they keep your feet really snug. The outer boot is rubber and the 5 layer thermal liner would keep your feet warm to 30 below freezing if we ever had weather that cold.”
4. Head and hands: Elements Hat/Scarf/Snood/Gloves
“I wear the Elements Sherpa Hat to keep my head warm all winter long without fail and if I’m on a day session then the scarf or snood can be an extra addition to eliminate any draughts. I’ll rarely be using a bivvy or brolly on shorter sessions and more likely be exposed to any colder winds so these are a saviour. Same with the gloves: I’ve been pike fishing afloat in the most horrendous of storms and wearing these means you don’t have to sit with your hands in your pockets all day, potentially missing bites.”
5. Two essentials: Marine Liner & Marine Jacket
“These two pieces are in my barrow bag almost all year round, not just winter and they’ve saved me on many occasions. They work harmoniously and can be worn individually or also together at the same time.
“The Marine Jacket is a hooded waterproof outer shell, with over 20,000 Hydrostatic Head, and 20,000 breathability. In short this will withstand the heaviest of downpours with no leaks. It’s breathability means if you’re pushing a laden barrow to your swim you can do so in the knowledge you won’t be saturated with sweat by the time you get there.
“The reversible Marine Liner was designed as a thermal jacket which could comfortably be worn under our waterproof if you needed to. It’s packed full of Primaloft insulation which means for a very lightweight jacket it offers a great deal of warmth. I wouldn’t wear it in the depths of winter on its own, but if I was faced with a wet pack down/set-up I could wear it as a combo and be warm and dry.”
6. The outer garment: DPM Snugpak SJ9
“This should need no introduction! It provides ultimate warmth when the temperature really starts to drop and I’d be lost without it as I fish right through the winter regardless of the conditions. If the outlook is looking bleak I just switch up the species for the day! One thing I don’t switch though and that is the proven SJ9. It’s like an oven.”
