I bought a pair of Hydroskin socks. They seem quite warm although I haven't used them outside yet. One thing to report, the material is extremely stretchy, much more than anything of neoprene has a right to be. I found that when I ordered the socks using their measuring scale, they turned out too big. I didn't want to wear them outside and returned them. The smaller size just arrived this afternoon after a morning paddle trip. These fit fine. I would think, based on this experience, that if you plan to buy the stuff, get something closer to your usual size. Normally with neoprene, I tend to go a size or so larger. Go with your true size and it should fit like a glove, a soft comfortable glove. That should make it a worthwhile having if you need something for transitional times such as this time of year. As for its warmth, judging by what the material contains (as mentioned below) and where NRS placed it in their catalog (same page virtually as their 2 mm neoprene) that it is probably in the 2 mm neoprene effective class, i.e. take the suggestion mentioned below from a NRS person that it is 2.5 with a grain of salt. I have high hopes for the product. ralph diaz DANJW_at_aol.com wrote: > > Hydroskin and fuzzy rubber are very different. I have both. They are > > both lightweight but that is the only similarity. Fuzzy rubber has a > > fuzzy lining with a stretchy rubbery material on the outside; hydroskin > > is like a thin neoprene lined with nylon.... > > Thanks for the correction, Karen --- shoulda' checked my sources > before transmitting. > > So how do the materials compare? > > Jack > > Here's my interpretation of the "facts" gathered by talking with an > NRS rep at a paddle show - sold me on it, have worn it a few times, very > comfortable, no swims - Incidentally, I don't have any experience with "fuzzy > rubber", which I understand is produced by Malden Mills ( the Polartec Fleece > people ). > NRS Hydroskin was reported ( by the NRS guy ), to be more puncture > proof than fuzzy rubber due to it's 4 way stretch properties. The .5 mm layer > of neoprene is bonded to the other layers with a cement that includes flecks > of titanium - which is a technology borrowed from the Scuba diving wear - > the metal is supposed to reflect body heat back to to the wearer. The inner > layer is reportedly micro-fleece to add insulation value. Supposed to be > equivalent to about 2.5mm neoprene. My personal ability to compare Hydroskin > to other fuzzies or neoprene wet suits is nil, as it is the only thing I have > any experience with. Dan Williams > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri May 14 1999 - 11:36:57 PDT
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