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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Joe, Your experience confirms the stories that I've been told. I finally broke down last week and ordered my one-piece drysuit, a Kokatat. Not cheap to be sure. But after paddling through the winter taking my chances in NRS HydroSkins beneath a drytop, I look forward to being able to swim in the cold stuff. Besides, I can't pretend the HydroSkins are the equal of 5mm neoprene for ever. Disclaimer - Yeah, yeah yeah - very dangerous, Hypothermia!! blah, blah, blah. I've heard it. I believe it. I've taught it. I've backed off trips because there was a chance (or rather the fear) that I might swim. Jed (who gave up swimming 11 months ago, and never looked back) Remember - "Friends don't let friends swim!" *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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