In the end, a drysuit with enough insulation underneath for long immersion times in colder winter water will typically mean it will be difficult to maintain a comfortable ambience with any amount of real exertion going on while paddling if there is some decent sunlight radiation hitting the fabric or if it is relatively humid and warm. For winter performance, I want my drysuit to provide adequate protection for fast re-entry scenarios. My wetsuit does the same job but as it can't replicate the full seal of a drysuit, there are issues to deal with upon initial immersion as well as post-immersion dampness often with diminishing returns that a drysuite gives a bit more lee way with. A drysuit also gives better protection out of the water too. I typically prefer my wetsuit for three season paddling as I can layer more to desire, peel-down if I want, and generally have better control over comfort levels. Deep winter I like my drysuit as well as for hell-bent shoulder season storm paddling. Either way, if I don't feel confident about my self rescue abilities or anticipate complex backup failures, I will often re-negotiate my paddling objectives and goals for that day. For summer paddling, a tightly-compactable, minimalist drysuit is nice to have along for unexpectedly rough crossing, etc. One that rolls up and takes up little space is the one you don't need to wear but will carry and is there if you need it while summer expedition. Me? I'm more interested in a good solid 10 minute widow of functional opportunity to complete fully successful self rescue outcomes, without dexterity loss and impairment of my fighting chances. After that, I deserve to maybe die, maybe not, maybe call in a rescue, maybe no one is there, maybe my equipment/immersion apparel isn't the problem...! Doug Lloyd not-so-sunny Victoria > Dress for the water temperature, not for the air temperature. I've always > thought this advice to be a bit of a paradox. This time of year, the > water is very cold yet the air temperatures are comparatively warmer. If > you dress for the water temp you are overdressed for the air temp. If you > overdress inside your drysuit, your body will sweat. Your clothing will > get soaked with sweat. Your wet garments will cause you to chill. You > start out dressed for cold water, but end up prepared for neither. > Thoughts? *************************************************************************** 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 Tue Mar 17 2009 - 23:36:37 PDT
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