Rob, Your question was about correct wearing of a WETsuit in cold water conditions. My understanding is this: Wetsuits were designed to work when they are WET. They were not made to work dry, out of water. I wear a thin cotton garment UNDER my wetsuit. This ENHANCES the wetsuits inherent ability to trap a thin layer of water next to the skin, and SLOW the flushing of this warm water and hence cooling of the body. This is the ONLY time I wear cotton on the water. And in cold, wet conditions, the undergarment also enhances the warmth retaining qualitities of a wetsuit once you are OUT of the water. But only if you keep the wetsuit ON , until you change into dry clothes. Cotton is a killer if it is wet and exposed to wind. Inside a wetsuit, you put its water retention qualities to good use. A breathable windproof OVER a wetsuit may be appropriate in cold AIR temperatures. Many folks now use more 'technical' clothing instead of cotton, under their wetsuit, but these are all designed to wick moisture off the skin's surface. If I was to use something other than cotton I would go to the new superfine, superthin Merino wool technology. A number of NZ/Aust. Companies make these garments. They are hard wearing, super comfortable and don't stink when they get wet and dirty. I can provide trade names of these companies if you wish. No commercial ties. My O.O2c worth. Cheers, Peter Rattenbury Wollongong, NSW *************************************************************************** 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 Wed Mar 12 2003 - 14:41:43 PST
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