>I just > noticed this Polartec Thermal Stretch...How does it compare to a wet suit? Hi Michael, I own a Polartec farmer john and paddling jacket. They work real well down till about 55 degree water. I can't vouch for any lower as I switched to a dry suit with the water hovering at about 55. They are about the equivalent of 2 - 2.5 mil neoprene. When it first flushes with water, I think the Polartec is MUCH colder than my 3 mil wet suit. The reason I think is that the fuzzy stuff lets in more (thicker layer) water initially. But once that water warms it seems 'almost' as warm as my 3mm wetsuit. If I had it to do over, I think I would get the 'fuzzy rubber' version. This is just like the Polartec, but has a rubber skin on the out side. The reason is the Polartec, once wet and in the wind, does suffer from some evaporative cooling loss. I think the rubber outer shell would help eliminate this. (I think Rapid Style sells this) The big upside is comfort - When dry it is 100% more comfortable than neoprene! I wear my thermal stretch under my dry suit as an inner layer and protection in case of a leak. I recommend the stuff and would have never bought my neoprene if I had found this first. Might want to get others advice on the lower temperature range though. Hope this helps, Woody *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Nov 29 1999 - 18:45:53 PST
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