Re: [Paddlewise] Wet suits/dry suits

From: Thomas M. Heineman <heineman_at_enteract.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 19:41:10 -0800
Tomckayak_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 10/31/99 10:46:40 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> wanewman_at_uswest.net writes:
> 
> << Anyone who has done the late October jumping and barking routine no longer
>  contests that the cost of a  drysuit is worth the benefits!
>   >>
> A dry suit is also great on any multi day trip in the Northwest & Alaska even
> in the summer. A wet suit in the morning is a pain even if it is not frozen.
> Setting up camp in the rain is another reason for a Gortex Dry suit.
> *************************************************************************

Why Goretex?  Does it really breathe $400 better than those that don't
breathe at all?  

I took a 5 day trip on Prince William Sound in Alsaka with an outfitter
that expressly stated "No Goretex."  Beacuse parts of the Sound are
rainforests, having dry gear that was truly dry gear was really
important.  I started out bringing a Columbia "Omni-Tech" rain jacket
that was tested the day before we left by rain... It was several years
old and although it reportedly "breathed" it also absorbed moisture in
it's old age....   I bought some urethane coated relatively inexpensive
rain gear that worked fine.  Admittedly this was not Goretex, but you
get my drift.  I also had a Kokatec lightweight paddling jacket that
worked well ($60 on sale at REI).

Why not get a drysuit that is not Goretex?  Is it really worth the extra
$$$$?

Tom

(lives 100 yards from LAke Michigan that gets very cold in the winter)

P.S.  The native Alaskans seemed to love to poke fun at the Goretex clad
tourists from the lower 48...  Do they know something we don't know?
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Received on Sun Oct 31 1999 - 17:47:33 PST

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