PaddleWise by thread

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Is Some Rethinking on Drysuits, Wetsuits InOrder?
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 19:31:42 -0800
JSpinner_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 11/30/00 11:16:42 AM, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes:

[snip]
> <<A.  First wetsuits: a given in neoprene wet suits is that you must have
> them extraordinarily tight or otherwise they won't work.>>
> 
>     The function of the two garments is very different. What keeps one warm
> in the wetsuit is the water trapped between the skin and suit that has been
> warmed by the body heat. Therefore the need for it to be tight, but not super
> tight. To some degree the neoprene keeps so much flushing of cold water from
> happening. 

Glad to see your experience is similar to mine, Joan.  My experience with wet
suits is very different from Ralph's.  I wear mine snug, yet it moves easily
over my skin while paddling.  If I go for a swim, the wet neoprene becomes even
stretchier, and does not bind me.  Even so, there is very little exchange with
surrounding cold water, unless I thrash around a lot.  In short, my farmer john
works well for me, while Ralph has trouble with his.  Could this be a function
of body type?  I think Ralph is slender and I am not.

In fact, on multiday trips I usually wear my FJ through the set up camp phase,
expecially if it is raining, so my "dry" camp gear does not get soaked.  The
next morning, I am usually donning a damp wet suit ... which I will be doing
forever unless I can convince that coyote that ran off with Mark White's
booties to snatch my FJ.  (Then I could buy a real dry suit!)

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:19 PDT