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From: Mel Grindol <grindol_at_my-dejanews.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Fuzzy Rubber
Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 18:25:16 -0000
Does anyone have experience using the Fuzzy Rubber made by Malden Mills and sold by Rapidstyle ( http://www.erols.com/rapids/) ?  Can these be used in place of a wetsuit or would a wetsuit still be required?  I know that on the web site they say that it is the equivalent of 2.5mm neoprene but I'm looking for some real world experience.

I'm trying to decide whether to buy the Fuzzy Rubber or just go with a traditional wetsuit.

Thanks,
Mel
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From: Steve Cramer <cramer_at_coe.uga.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Fuzzy Rubber
Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 15:08:07 -0500
I've got a top and a bottom of the stuff and I like it a lot. It's soft
and stretchy, so you can wear a longsleeve top of it, which you can't
with 3mm neoprene. In 40 degree water and 50 degree air, it's plenty
warm with a light layer of poly underneath, even if you're rolling and
getting splashed a lot. 

I can say from experience that 40 degree water and < 40 degree air is
too cold for that setup. Especially if you swim. But I'd add more fleece
and/or a drytop before I'd add a wetsuit over it.

It's made by several manufacurers, but Rapidstyle is the class of the
lot. Construction and detailing and fit is great. I have a Patazod FR
vest in size XL. I'm 5'11" and 185#, and the thing fits like a second
skin. If I were a # heavier I couldn't get into it.

It ain't cheap, of course. My top and pants combo costs $245 retail (I
got it for $170). A good wetsuit would set you back $90 or so, but you
still need a $100 paddling jacket and a $25 fleece top to give the
equivalent warmth, so it may balance out.

Steve

Mel Grindol wrote:
> 
> Does anyone have experience using the Fuzzy Rubber made by Malden Mills and sold by Rapidstyle ( http://www.erols.com/rapids/) ?  Can these be used in place of a wetsuit or would a wetsuit still be required?  I know that on the web site they say that it is the equivalent of 2.5mm neoprene but I'm looking for some real world experience.
> 
> I'm trying to decide whether to buy the Fuzzy Rubber or just go with a traditional wetsuit.
> 
> Thanks,
> Mel
> ---
> There are three types of people, those who can count and those who can't.
> 
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From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Fuzzy Rubber
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 15:17:56 -0500 (EST)
On Fri, 5 Feb 1999, Mel Grindol wrote:

> Does anyone have experience using the Fuzzy Rubber made by Malden 
> Mills and sold by Rapidstyle ( http://www.erols.com/rapids/) ?  Can 
> these be used in place of a wetsuit or would a wetsuit still be 
> required?  I know that on the web site they say that it is the 
> equivalent of 2.5mm neoprene but I'm looking for some real world 
> experience. 

I've got one of the henderson fleece "wetsuits".  It's MUCH more 
comfortable than my neoprene farmer john, so I'm more inclined to wear it
than the farmer john.

It's also not as warm as my neoprene.  For borderline days it's wonderful.
For cooler weather I still have the increasing levels of gear (wetsuit,
semi-dry suit, drysuit).  I should also add that it doesn't stretch as 
much as the neoprene, plus it's got footstraps.  

Like many people I've got a somewhat challenging body shape.  I have 
more loose spots with my fleece suit than I do with my neoprene, so it's
not as warm as it would be if it fit snuggly.

The new fuzzy rubber is probably warmer than what I have, in that I've heard
there is more of a wind barrier in the most recent stuff.

> I'm trying to decide whether to buy the Fuzzy Rubber or just go with a 
> traditional wetsuit. 

I would start with the fuzzy rubber and if that wasn't warm enough buy 
neoprene.

kirk
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