Neoprene's closed cell structure works for immersion/water sports by body
heat warming the trapped moisture. Yes hard to put on once wet, worse is
how it begins to smell from being ever-wet. Over enough time the oils in
perspiration oxidize or rancidify. Paddlers have all sorts of secret
Neoprene can work well, but the danger is you get wet from perspiration,
since it doesn't breathe. Wet isn't a problem per se, but if you get cold
from being wet, that is another story. Of course you'll be cold and wet
without proper gear too...
The biggest problem I had with my neoprene
As a cold weather cyclist in Maine in the 80's, with Minnesota and the
Appalachian mountains more recently, I'll add to the OP's revelation
regarding neoprene that a set of neoprene pogies (or bar mitts) on the
outside, coupled with wool gloves on the inside, gets me through everything
from 40
This by the way, but here in usually very dry ABQ, NM it has been raining
off and on for a few days and the humidity during my afternoon ride was
over 70% which mean that 45*F + wind felt much colder than at 35%. But a
wool jersey + a wool + nylon cycling jacket kept me over-warm (those wool +
Whoops, mean to add that I've never experimented with neoprene on a bike,
it is curious thing and I wonder about the ability to be warm at the 30
degree rains. I've done some scuba diving and there were special tricks to
keep yourself feeling warm, namely peeing in your wetsuit... There was
Acclimation is a big help. Coming out of winter in Wisconsin (gets to -20
F), a 30-40 degree rainy commute this time of year is not as bad as it is
in the fall. I recommend cold showers to get used to the feeling ;).
You should have something on the outside to at least block the wind. This
That is a great idea. The rain/air would exchange heat far less than the
ocean, so I would imagine that even if you are wet underneath that you
would remain quite toasty.
Toshi
On Mon, Mar 20, 2023 at 8:32 PM Jason Fuller wrote:
> That's interesting, I might give some a shot this spring. I
That's interesting, I might give some a shot this spring. I get the feeling
that much colder than low 40's would be too cold for most Neoprene options
but I don't really know. Usually when it's 45+F I am pretty happy with wool
and a shell that's at least waterproof enough to keep the majority
