Re: [Paddlewise] Doug's Ultimate Drysuit

From: Doug Lloyd <dougl_at_islandnet.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 15:46:28 -0800
ralph diaz said:
<snip>
I have never owned a Goretex dry suit but my experience with a coated
drysuit is pretty much as that of Pete.  Air/wind penetration in a
closed coated dry suit is absolutely zero.  In a Goretex suit some wind
does penetrate (Goretex never claims absolute zero wind impermeability)
and some of your warmed up air as well (none leaves a coated suit).
<snip>
-----------------
This was part of the reason I went with non-Goretex in the end. I also
phoned a friend who paddles every week, 12 months a year. He has both a
Goretex and a non- breathable drysuit. In winter, he doesn't use the
Gortex  Kokatat Meridian. For warmer spring paddles he does. Best of
both worlds. My eventual aim would be to have both too. However, I don't
want to get divorced right now. Also, I do remember my Storm Island
trip. The breathable Sympatex was terrible -- like wet matte coldly
clinging to your skin. I had to wear my old nylon Wildwasser paddling
jacket over top just to survive.

Matt said:
Doug, it is absolutely essential that your wound not get wet I don't
think you can trust the so called "dry" suit to do this for you. My
experience has been there will be a little leakage into a dry suit that
will end up at your feet or ankles. Mine isn't Gore-Tex so even if I've
not been immersed the so-called "dry" suit still gets pretty moist
inside.

Matt,
Nice to hear from you. I'll be lurking more when I get back to work next
week. Jolie recommended a shrink wrap product for skin protection, so
I'll make some inquiries. My experience with Goretex is similar to
ralphs -- namely that a good insulation layer transports moisture to the
outside layer, where it dissipates with Goretex, but remains at the
surface with non- breathable. I'm not sure where the leakage comes from.
Neck seal? Anyway, I won't know until I give it a try.

Doug

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
Received on Thu Feb 28 2002 - 15:50:00 PST

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:51 PDT