[Paddlewise] Found some great raingear!

I picked up some great raingear at Slickers, the raingear emporium in 
Prince Rupert on Saturday.  It is French made, called Guy Coton.  It is 
heavy duty PVC coated nylon, heavier than the Helly Hansen, but lighter 
than the Grundens.  It is not cheap, about the same as the Grundens, but it 
is quite long, (almost knee length), and has a heavy zipper and a full 
length velcro strip to seal the storm flap, instead of the snaps common on 
this style of rain gear.

It is not a great kayak jacket, but it works fine in a canoe, as I proved 
on Sunday, paddling across Rupert harbour in the pouring rain.  The sleeves 
are not high tech, just wide open tubes, but I didn't even get wet cuffs 
until we put the boat on top of the car to come home.  I have never been so 
dry in all my life.  This stuff beats urethane coated nylon ("reverse 
goretex") and goretex, in my experience.  I had no problem with 
condensation, wearing a cotton tshirt, shorts, wool shirt, wool toque, PFD 
and new raincoat.  On the way back I put on sweatpants and cheap coated 
nylon rainpants, as I found the jacket wasn't quite long enough the keep 
the cold rain off my legs.  It was rainy, 10-12 kt wind, and maybe 5 deg. 
C.  Warm and dry at the end of it, despite bucking wind and tide in both 
directions.

Next step is to lengthen it, to bring it down to knee length.  I got a 
chunk of similar material to add to the hem for this task.  Then, to try it 
in warmer weather, crashing around in the bush or hiking up in the 
alpine.  If it still works for this, I will be ecstatic!

Rob.
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