Re: [Paddlewise] Wet Suits in Coldwater

From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 21:36:05 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: "PJ Rattenbury" <ratten_at_uow.edu.au>>
.
> 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.SNIPPED>
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.

Fascinating stuff about cotton.  Who would have thought this.  Regarding the
wool...sounds fine.  But I had an interesting experience with wool under a
dry suit. It got quite wet wearing a wool sweater as an experiment (and I
still was warm) but the sweater stretched out til it reached almost down to
my knees!!

ralph diaz

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Received on Wed Mar 12 2003 - 18:32:47 PST

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