Re: [Paddlewise] summer paddle wear

Let me put in a vote for a dry top and separate bib dry bottoms with layers
of polypro underneath. This is an under-$350 combination from NRS (not
including the polypro layers) and can even be purchased in two installments
(I got one part for a birthday and another for Christmas). It will not keep
you as safe as a full dry suit (in good condition) but is comfortable enough
so that you can wear them in warm weather knowing that the water temp is not
nearly as warm.

I have a collection of neoprene wetsuits from farmer-johns to water-ski
shorties and my own personal belief is that the farmer-johns are too warm
for warm-weather paddling (but probably pretty safe in a capsize) and the
water-ski shorties are unsafe in a capsize but more comfortable to paddle in
when the air temp is over 70F. But the combo of dry top and separate dry
bottom is a good compromise.

It also gives you the chance to wear only the dry top (which I do most often
on lakes where one is close to shore).


Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA

On 5/10/07, Paul Montgomery <paul_at_paddleandoar.com> wrote:
>
> I'm in the Pacific Northwest and the weather is getting nicer but the
> water is still too cold for me to want to roll or self rescue without
> at least a wetsuit. Neoprene sounds very uncomfortable to paddle
> around in though. What's a thriftily challenged fashion conscious
> roller to do?
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