Re: [Paddlewise] Wetsuit for cool water??

Allan Singleton wrote:

> How thick is a "normal" wetsuit in your part of the world? Here you can buy
> from 2mm to 8mm, perhaps even 10mm.
> 
> I have 3mm and 6mm suits, farmer johns plus jackets. A polypro top, 3mm
> farmer john and a paddle jacket is my normal warm season wear, substituting
> the 6mm farmer john in the winter. The 3mm waist length jacket is normally
> taken along, but rarely worn. The 6mm jacket is a hoodless dive jacket,
> gives great extra protection, but is too restrictive to paddle in for any
> length of time.
> 
> Does anyone have guidelines on water temperature vs wetsuit thickness? Or
> for when wetsuit should become drysuit?

I'll take a crack at this with some caveats

--metabolisms and acclimatization to cold varies by individuals and
ain't just the fat layers although that helps some

--protection in the water is not the same as what how you will feel once
you are out of the water and into wind and cold air temperatures

So here goes:

Good to around 45-47 degree water---3 mm farmer john with a full sleeve
top of medium weight capilene or similars underneath the top portion.
Over that a dry top and some kind of paddling pants.  Booties, polartec
beanie, gloves.

Good to low 40s:  Full 5 mm suit or a full 3 mm suit with some kind of
jacket or vest of similar material and the rest of the stuff from above.

Fundamentally, a wet suit to dry suit switchover should occur in the mid
40s or sooner if you wish; and especially if the air is cool.

Trouble with 5 mm neoprene in full suit or even a full 3 mm suit is that
it is too restrictive for touring paddling.  But a custom-tailored suit
of this thickness will work.  I paddled with a Navy Seal commander who
had a full suit of I think 5 mm neoprene thickness including hood that
all was custom tailored for him.  It was not restrictive for paddling.

ralph diaz 
-- 
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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."
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