[Paddlewise] drytop/paddling pants test

For all those who are still refraining from buying a dry suit let me share
something I learned yesterday.  I too have been balking at the price of a
Gore-Tex drysuit so I thought I'd try out the dry top / paddling pant combo
since I picked each piece up on sale.  

I suited all up with polypro first layers, a heater top, paddling pants, dry
top, wet suit boots, neoprene gloves, pfd and skirt and waded out to go for
a test swim.  water temp was probably about 40 degrees and the first hint of
this was the seepage into my boots.  As I waded out further I could feel the
cold surround my legs as the air was forced upwards out of my pant legs.  At
this point I was thinking that it was getting pretty chilly and that next
time I'd wear fleece pants underneath.  I stopped about hip deep to check
things out, so far so good - cold but still dry.  So I ventured out about
chest deep.  It didn't happen suddenly, but slowly and surely the seal
between the top and pants leaked - and was it cold.  As the water seeped in,
it headed south to the more "sensitive" regions, let me repeat - was it
cold.  At this point I was breathing quick shallow breaths and wanting to
run back in to shore, but I thought I'd stick out the experiment and try
swimming around a bit.  I didn't last but a couple of minutes before it
wasn't fun any more.

When I got out I opened the ankle seals and about 2 or 3 cups of water
poured out each pant leg.  It didn't seem like much but enough to make
things real uncomfortable.  I'd say that in a real-life capsize and swim
situation this would not have been enough protection and it would have been
real difficult to do either a self or partner rescue.  And I have to wonder
how many people could keep their composure enough to do a roll after that
cold water hits their face.  I suppose with practice you might get used to
it but I wasn't about to try it "just for fun".

I wouldn't say the gear is useless, but it's better suited for cooler summer
days or early fall padding when the water is warmer.  I'm not going to run
out and buy a dry suit just yet (but my wife to be says I can after the
wedding), but instead I'm going to buy a wetsuit and wait for the water to
get up to 50 or so.

Joe


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