Re: [Paddlewise] Fuzzy rubber, fuzzy logic and the comedy stylings of Fozzy The Bear ...

Gary,

The "fuzzy rubber" (HydroSkin) stuff is ok.  It is more comfortable to wear.  I use it when the water temperatures don't require a real wetsuit.  They say it is equivalent to 2mm neoprene, which I think is a slight exaggeration.

One use I've found for my fuzzy rubber top is to wear it under my farmer John.  My wetsuit is a 2-piece model (Farmer John plus zippered jacket) which is way too hot when paddling (but very comfortable when practicing rolls and recoveries in S.F. Bay in the winter).  The fuzzy top with short sleeves, worn under the farmer John, is quite warm but not awful.  

The price for fuzzy rubber is a bit high.  Short sleeve shirt plus shorts total $125 at NRS, while a comparable sleeveless 3mm Little John is only $65, and the L.J. will keep you warmer.  You can wear an inexpensive polypro t-shirt and shorts under either one to make yourself more comfortable, although from people's reaction I know I look like a clown dressed that way.

One complaint -- the fuzzy stuff does not seem as durable as neoprene to me.  After only one winter I'm seeing some cracks in the outer surface of the material, and yes!  I do wash it in fresh water after every use.

jerry.




At 05:09 PM 03/09/2000 -0500, Gary Tabor wrote:
>Today's stop at the local yak shop (Great River Outfitters, Waterford,
>Michigan) turned up another weapon in the battle against mean ole mister
>hypothermia ... "fuzzy rubber".
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>Never heard of the stuff before!
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>I soon expect to make such a fashion purchase, so why not throw this open for
>a bit of floor debate?  What are the pros and cons for the three choices (of
>which I'm aware):  dry suit, wet suit, fuzzy rubber?  Is there a 4th and 5th
>option I've yet to learn of? 
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>What I'd like to purchase is a system suitable for three hydro-sports:  sea
>kayaking, windsurfing and dingy sailing/racing.  The lovely thing about the
>fuzzy rubber option (according to the sales guy) is that it can be layered up
>or down to suit power expended:  thicker for sailing, thinner for paddling.
>Also, the two "wet" options will not be totally defeated if I snag my butt on
>a raw bolt end thus holing the suit.
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>Sock it to me!
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>Gary
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