Re: [Paddlewise] Insulation under a Drysuit

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 21:45:22 -0500
From: "Dickson, Dana A." <dana.dickson_at_unisys.com>


> My question is have others who paddle in cold had similar experiences with
> insulation dampness?  If so, have you found a solution to the dampness?
> 

I wear a one-piece, 100-weight Polartec drysuit liner and, if it's really cold,
a Polartec top and heavy (cycling) polypro tights as well.

I find that the persperation tends to flow to the outside of the fleece layers.
That's partly wicking and partly condensation on the outer layers.  Since 
Goretex only lets out the insensible persperation (ie. water vapour), and 
since I generate lots of sweat when paddling, I expect to get wet.

When I stop, the persperation continues to wick and I feel drier relatively
quickly.  If I stop long enough, there's a noticible drying.   Usually the drysuit 
is comfortable after about five minutes of standing around.  In the worst case,
I find that I'm no worse than paddling in warm weather.  I guess I just accept 
damp as part of paddling.  

I don't find that I feel that cool.  In fact, I sometimes open up the drysuit
to cool off.

Ralph has commented in the past about his concerns that Goretex suits
leave the wearer prone to evaporative cooling problems, but that's not 
been my experience.  

Mike

(first post in a month due to computer problems)


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Received on Mon Nov 27 2000 - 19:00:20 PST

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