Long and Short of it...
In summer it is easy to choose how to dress on the water. Same in the winter when it is bitter cold. In between is when various combinations of layers present endless possibilities for dressing. Often, it comes down to deciding between a farmer John/Jane or a shorty. In many minds (including my own until recently), the shorty was for warmer weather while the full length farmer outfit with thick neoprene was warmer. Then I read a letter to the editor which brought out some excellent points.
Yes, the farmer john covers the legs and chest with 2-4 mm neoprene; but the shortie covers the armpits and upper arms, areas where water can sap a lot of heat from the body. This being the case, why don't we have available a 3-4 mm neoprene embellished farmer John/Jane that does everything the basic farmer suits do plus cover over the armpits (axillae) and upper arm for protection? This would be warmer than the farmer outfit alone and extend the season for those not willing to buy a dry suit.
Paddle safe...
DS
9 comments:
I've never understood the thinking behind the "farmer john" for cold water. I have seen them up to 7mm thickness, but it still leaves the armpit area completely exposed!
I think it is because they have not yet successfully made a sleeved wetsuit that fits everyone well without binding or chafing. A wetsuit that doesn't fit properly is just as bad as paddling without.
Don't they do it for scuba folks?
I think a full suit made for surfers or triathalon swimmers mite be even better. Those suits are more expensive but made of really flexible stuff.
I just got a 1.5mm xspan top to wear over the farmer john for surf swims. I'll let you know how it works out.
Windsurfers have that upper body as well but having that neoprene chafing at my armpits every paddle stroke, even with a rash guard, just ain't for me. I've found that the less expensive Tropos dry suit works fine and the neoprene neck gasket avoids the latex chafing/choking sensation. If your head is under water long enough for the neoprene neck to be an issue, you have bigger problems than a damp upper torso.
I've worn a 7 mil farmer john wetsuit for scuba diving the cold waters of Lake Michigan but they are always worn with a matching coat-like top with full-length sleeves. Like Russ, I don't see the point of wearing a farmer john without a neoprene top for cold water kayaking.
Even NRS has "full" wetsuits with sleeves, but I have never tried one.
I know that Keith W. and many of the kayak surfing regulars give a big "thumbs up" to wetsuits made for board surfers.
I think they might be great for strenuous paddling/surfing, but question their effectiveness in cold weather while paddling more moderately.
Like the NRS Women's Venus Suit?http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2610&pdeptid=1163
Thanks for all the good ideas and info. I have an excuse to go shopping.
Fuzzy rubber long sleeved shirts are a nice addition to a farmer Jane/John - but I do love my dry suit :-)
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