I guess I should have included more information during my first post. I paddle mostly calm in-land rivers, nothing too big, no rough water (in the winter especially). I always wear my PDF. I usually paddle within a 100 feet of shore or less. Right now I have a NRS HydroSkin Little John wet suit, NRS HydroSkin Gloves, and a pair of Teva water shoes for paddling. I was thinking of picking up an NRS HydroSkin Mysterytop (long sleeves) and some HydroSkin socks. Under the Little John and Socks I'll wear my thermax long underwear (synthetic material that retains your body heat--I've warn it while motorcycleing. I was also thinking of maybe adding a windblocker fleese jacket or my Gortex rain jacket over my PDF for additional wind protection. You can't roll a pungo so I have no intention of getting a full spray skirt but a half skirt might be a good idea just to keep the paddle drips off of my legs. Do you think this will be enough gear to keep me warm and safe in 50 degree weather? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>>>I paddle mostly calm in-land rivers, nothing too big, no rough water (in the winter especially). I always wear my PDF. I usually paddle within a 100 feet of shore or less. Living here in NJ, we are used to paddling all year 'round. Most lakes and other quiet bodies of water will be frozen, of course, but there are always some rivers open somewhere. There's even a traditional New Year's Day paddle. From what you are saying with regard to your paddling predilections, proper precautions would be of far greater importance than absolute protection against cold water -- an illusory goal anyway.. Since most large bodies of water will be frozen, we won't be on them, and the likelihood of being immersed in cold water for a length of time is minimal. We'll get cold but the shore is right there and we can usually get out. So the problem translates to keeping warm After you've been immersed. To be sure, we try to wear a wet suit at the very least. Most canoe clubs recognize that new paddlers may not be able to afford, or be knowledgeable about, wet- or dry- suits. So at the very least, club rules here require at least one complete change of clothing in a waterproof bag. If you're a terrible paddler, then two! Any club trip during the winter months requirea a minimum of Three (3) boats. One might be the victim, but the others can stay and help and if it's serious enough, one can stay and the other goes for help. We often will spot a contingency shuttle car somewhere along our planned route. >>>Right now I have a NRS HydroSkin Little John wet suit, NRS HydroSkin Gloves, and a pair of Teva water shoes for paddling. I was thinking of picking up an NRS HydroSkin Mysterytop (long sleeves) and some HydroSkin socks. Under the Little John and Socks I'll wear my thermax long underwear (synthetic material that retains your body heat--I've warn it while motorcycleing. Don't do this. Wetsuits are meant to be worn directly against the skin. They're called wetsuits because they don't block water completely. In cold water a little water will enter, but your body heat will quickly warm it up. You don't want to leave a channel of some kind, e.g. underwear beneath the whole thing because water will flow into it, you'll have to lost somewhat more body heat to warm it, and if you remain immersed even more water could come through, etc. etc. Where I've gotten dunked while wearing a wet suit, I typically find that it's wet around the periphery, e.g. should straps, sleeve ends, but the central core of the suit remains dry. If you wear long johns or other such, it should always be on the Outside of the wetsuit. Wearing synthetics is a good idea -- or Wool. both are similar in that the fibers do not absorb water so you'll have some residual thermal protection even if wet. take it off, wring it out a little and it will still stand you in good stead. Cotton is unfortuately very efficient in wicking heat away from your body, especially when wet. >>>You can't roll a pungo so I have no intention of getting a full spray skirt but a half skirt might be a good idea just to keep the paddle drips off of my legs. However, a full sprayskirt will also keep the heat you'ver radiated away within the boat and you'll be warmer. I was always amazed how toasty I felt in my ww kayak when others around me were complaining about the cold... >>>Do you think this will be enough gear to keep me warm and safe in 50 degree weather? We paddle worse than that around here. The important thing is to think ahead about safety and what you can do to keep yourself alive and functioning. In your case, plan you wardrobe for short-term immersion but long-term heat recovery. Joe P. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Surely the debate on dry/wet suits relies on durability. I remember reading on Paddlewise (I think) that wet suits are preffered in rocky beach areas as if a dry suit fails it fails catastrophiacall, whereas a wetsuit will tear and is easier repaired???? PS Steve in the Falklands not Rob..... Steve Dent Falkland Islands *************************************************************************** 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 - 16:33:31 PDT