Neoprene?

[gnashwalker]

On a recent early spring trip, we got talking about paddling gloves. My buddy said he would never wear neoprene, because it leaks and once your hands get wet and cold, they stay wet and cold.

So I looked down and pointed out my neoprene wet suit booties. I had gotten them from my sailor brother for Christmas.  Buddy says, « hope they work. »

They didn't. Once my feet entered the icy stream … yeah, the shoreline eddies were iced up an inch thick … they were cold as ice and didn't warm up much past barely tolerable the rest of the day. I was glad to get them off and warm up my dogs on shore.

They don't offer any impact protection, either.

Would high boots work? One of my buddies wore thigh-high rubber boots open at the top. I remember the incident on the Miramichi a few years back when a veteran salmon fisherman drowned when he couldn't shuck his water-filled bib suit in deep water.

I guess I'll invest in rubber hiking boots with a watertight top. Any suggestions?

[fraserdw]

Army boots, the desert pattern, covered in mink oil. If you need higher protection add sctoch guarded gaiters.

Also there are gortex socks (both new and army surplus)that can be used with sneakers or boots.

[robertjohnneish]

try wearing %100 wool socks under the neoprene. IT makes a big difference. I wear ploypro longunderwear and top as well. When wet it still helps.

[ryanward10]

So skip the neoprene completely, it's what I did. I use a two piece drysuit from MEC, the pants and top interlock with one another and while under extreme conditions you may get a small amount of water seeping in, all i've ever felt was cold while in the water, and then warm the instant I get out. The confidence i've gained by not worrying about the odd swim has changed the way I paddle, and i'm happy to jump in the water to grab somebody's boat or gear if required. As the weather warms up, I leave the pants at home and the top acts as my rainjacket.

I've got an older version of this top:

www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442635432&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302885989

And these pants which double as waders for fishing in the summertime:

www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442629230&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302885970

Not the cheapest solution I know, but it beats the hell out of the neoprene i used to use. I admire the toughness of those of you who go with neoprene and/or a change of clothes, but i've experienced enough hypothermia in my short paddling career already.