If you have some extra money lying around you won't regret spending it. After going cheap and buying some sixty dollar stockingfoot waders, I realized how bad of a mistake that was. I folded em up, put em in a box, and haven't had them out since. I bought a set of cabelas ultimate armor flex waders with 5mm armor flex neoprene and 1000 grams of insulation in the boot. Got these for 129.99. After having a really bad experience with my woolrich walmart coat, I forked over some dough for a Columbia Duck Club Wigeon. It was 149.99 at cabelas. Never use cotton thermals. Cotton does not wick moisture and does not dry fast. I always use synthetic thermals. Heck, I've used my fleece wader pants for thermals under my bibs. I have some cabelas duofold thermals that I wear when it's super super cold. I layer them with my fleece. I picked up 3 pairs of Redhead Gore-Tex Camo insulated gloves for 5.99 a pair that were normally 15 bucks a pair. They have slim trigger finger. They are great. For socks, I use some super heavy weight merino wool "Outfitter" socks. I plan on buying some polypropylene liner socks to help wick moisture. If that doesnt keep you warm buy the footwarmers with adhesives. Stick em in your fleece wader liner pants pockets. It helps circulation. I have a black Polartec Fleece jacket from cabelas that I wear under my Trap vest at competitions. Man that thing is warm. This year, I am taking the liner out of my parka and zipping the fleece jacket into it. I already tried it and it works. Let's just see how warm and dry it keeps me. Hopefully it will do the job. For headgear you don't need much. I used a neck gaiter and it worked. It was the one from avery with the ear flaps. But, you don't really need it, all I ever used for ducks and geese was a fleece stocking cap that was 9 bucks at mackspw, and one of those DU Legion hats. When it really get's to raining or if the sun is shining a lot, I just put my boonie hat on over my stocking cap and it keeps the rain off and puts a shadow over your face. I probably have somethings that I don't NEED, but I feel better knowing that I have invested time to research and money to have good gear. I love my waders, and I love my jacket, I didn't talk much about my bibs. The are just a no-name brand from academy that have served me well for about 4 seasons now. They could be better, but they do the job and keep me warm. I plan on retiring them at christmas :yes: . Overall, I have one of the most comfortable setups around, and being comfortable can make a bad day turn good. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get good gear, and you don't need to if you are just getting into it, but at some point or another, you will buy something nice and it will serve you for a long time, and you'll realize you get what you pay for in ALMOST all situations. I hope I helped.