3mm neoprene Farmer Johns/Janes are an old stand-by for cooler water paddling. But a number of other materials have come along over the last few years that are supposedly better than neoprene for this application -- being more comfortable, more flexible, lighter, etc., while apparently offering just as much warmth as your standard 3mm neoprene. Polartec from Malden Mills is one of these new materials. There are others I gather. Does anyone have any recommendations for favorite non-neoprene wetsuits that they would care to share? I ask for a couple of reasons. The first is that many of the garments I've found that are made from these newer materials are available as separate tops and bottoms, rather than an integrated Farmer J style. The second is that for some of the newer Farmer J style wetsuits, it's very hard to tell what they're using material-wise. For instance, is Rapidstyle's "Fuzzy Rubber" product made completely from the newer materials, or is it instead like the range of NRS wetsuits, all of which include at least a layer of neoprene at their core (even if lined in and out with other materials). It's all a bit confusing. And it's not as if it's easy to find a retail outlet offering multiple manufacturers' wares for one to sample for best fit and comfort, let alone in-water performance. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
First, Fuzzy Rubber-style wet suits typically are equivalent in warmth only to 2mm neoprene, not 3mm neoprene, though I have heard that the thermal protection can be increased by wearing some polypro/Capilene underneath. Second, Rapid Style's Fuzzy Rubber products are made from Malden Mills' thermal stretch fabric bonded to a shell of urethane or similar material. There are no other layers. (BTW, I think "Fuzzy Rubber" is a trade name of Rapid Style, though it is often used generically.) I've used only Rapid Style's Fuzzy Rubber (full jacket) and Wyoming Wear's Splash Gear (early version of pants and vest). I prefer Rapid Style's styling (unlike the Splash Gear vest, the Fuzzy Rubber vest does not have a turtleneck collar). But I can't always find the right sizing in the Fuzzy Rubber line. Don't fall for the line that this stuff is more breathable than neoprene, as it isn't, appreciably. But it is more comfortable, it dries more quickly off the body, and the built-in shell provides more wind protection. I like it. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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