Re: [Paddlewise] Cold water

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.  


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I've used to think that wetsuits don't need any water to work when immersed in
a water.  Air between the body and FJ (and air bubbles in FJ layer) is poorer
heat conductor, i.e. better insulator, than water.  In fact, FJ works
*despite* water layer, not because of it (as it was substantiated on some
other forum, with which conclusion I can't disagree).


Perhaps it needs additional research to establish whether *thin* underwear
slows down water exchange, but to me it's obvious that it has to be *thin*.
Because ultimately zero water volume around the body is better than *any*
water


volume.  Increasing the thickness of underwear, we increase the volume of
water circulating around the body.  At the first glance, thin underwear can be
useful in *some* spots where FJ isn't tight enough, so underwear material is
replacing the water that otherwise would be there, and slowing down water flow
through these gaps.  Thin underwear will give additional insulation *before*
immersion, due to the trapped air in it. If there is little or none such spots
on a given body, it would be reasonable to assume that there is little need in
such underwear. 





Separate issue is fleece over the FJ (under paddling jacket or dry-top). It's
function is to protect from cold *air*, and I don't know why is it redundant
or how thin underwear could replace it.





Alex.








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