Post
by RandyJ » Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:50 am
Meta,
I can give a quick overview that may help. Neoprene is the material used in Hydroskin, farmer johns, etc. The way it works is that when it gets wet, your body warms the layer of water that the neoprene holds next to you. Fine for one or two dips, but if you're paddling agressively and/or flipping a lot, it won't be long till you're really chilled. Farmer john/janes are sleeveless and sometimes legless to improve comfort and mobility while still insulating your core. Since they are usually a few millimeters thick and need to be snug against your skin to be effective, they're less comfortable/more restrictive than other paddlewear. It does, however, provide some impact protection if you go for a swim.
Drysuits and drytops are made of coated nylon - may be breathable a la Gore Tex - and have tight latex seals at the neck, wrists, and ankles to REALLY keep the water out. You wear some type of layer underneath to wick up the perspiration and the one or two trickles of water that inevitably get in when you roll or swim. Most comfortable and effective; also most expensive.
Semi-dry tops are similar to full drytops/drysuits, but typically have seals that aren't as effective - like maybe latex at the wrist, but neoprene at the neck. In other words, to save money, you're willing to accept some leakage, won't be paddling as agressively, or the air/water temps aren't as cold, etc. These certainly have a use. Let me know where you find any semi-dry water, though. I want to experience it.
Splash- or spray-jackets are usually just coated non-breathable nylon with neoprene or velcroed cuffs. They'll keep the splashes off, but if you flip, they'll do very little to keep you from getting soaked. Cheapest cost of all the above. If you're wearing these alone, you probably don't expect to flip, or you have neoprene or other insulation underneath.
For the boating you describe, you would probably be happy with a farmer john/jane neoprene, Capilene or fleece top, and a splash jacket. BUT, if you can afford it, I really recommend a breathable-fabric drytop. They really keep the water out, extend your range of motion, your range of temperature comfort on any given day and they extend your overall season. My Gore-tex drytop is comfy from the 30's into the 60's or even 70's. Until I wore it, I would have never believed that you could be that comfortable on the water.
My rule of thumb is to dress one "layer" warmer than I really think I'll need that day. It's usually easy to cool off if things get warm, but it's always harder to warm up after getting chilled. It also pays to expect the unexpected - long swim, sudden dip in the temps, or broken-paddle-gotta-hike-out-after-dark-in-early-December.
Hope that helps.
Let there be rain!
