Paddling Pants
 

I'm looking for te best buy in paddling pants. The ones from NRS look
good,, but I am wondering if I really want to spend $75. Am I better
off with just some nylon pants, and maybe some long-underwear when it
gets cooler? Same thing with the splash-tops, what is the best way to
go? Same thing with footwear. Do I get the NRS paddle wetshoes for
$39, or do I find a cheaper dive shoe?

Choices, choices. I know that any one of these items are not too
expensive on their own, but I am trying to make up a whole set for my
wife and I, so my costs are doubled.

Thanks

Are you a whitewater paddler, a sea kayaker or a recreational paddler?
Knowing what kind of paddler you are and about how often you will be getting
wet will help decide on what kind of gear would be best while staying on a
budget.

Courtney

"ssss" wrote in message
...
I'm looking for te best buy in paddling pants. The ones from NRS look
good,, but I am wondering if I really want to spend $75. Am I better
off with just some nylon pants, and maybe some long-underwear when it
gets cooler? Same thing with the splash-tops, what is the best way to
go? Same thing with footwear. Do I get the NRS paddle wetshoes for
$39, or do I find a cheaper dive shoe?

Choices, choices. I know that any one of these items are not too
expensive on their own, but I am trying to make up a whole set for my
wife and I, so my costs are doubled.

Thanks

Recreational paddling, quiet, slow-moving creeks.

Same thing with footwear. Do I get the NRS paddle wetshoes for
$39, or do I find a cheaper dive shoe?

I've also been trying to figure out what I should be using for
footgear as the conditions cool down. I'm also a recreational
paddler. Mainly I'm trying to figure out how to keep my feet dry
getting into the boat. It seems to me that a higher boot would be
more practical for this -- any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Joanne

(remove 'tastyspam' to reply)

ssss wrote:
I'm looking for te best buy in paddling pants. The ones from NRS look
good,, but I am wondering if I really want to spend $75. Am I better
off with just some nylon pants, and maybe some long-underwear when it
gets cooler? Same thing with the splash-tops, what is the best way to
go? Same thing with footwear. Do I get the NRS paddle wetshoes for
$39, or do I find a cheaper dive shoe?

When the water gets cold, you need immersion protection for your entire
body. It's not just about keeping a little splash from soaking your
clothing. Dry tops with dry pants or one-piece dry suits are the best
protection. Wetsuits work to an extent, but aren't as comfortable or as
adaptable to varying temperature conditions.

Footwear is less critical and most dive shoes/boots work quite well.

You could easily go with wearing a splash top with some splash pants and
some polypro underneath to keep warm if you're confident you won't flip over
and you're on flat water or slow moving water. You could do anything from
rain pants that bunch at the ankles to the pants made for paddling like
Perception's. The same goes with a top. I think you'd be more comfortable
with the paddling clothes though since they're made for this sport. I feel
that a dry top and all of the top end paddling gear would be over kill for
what you're doing. If you were out on the ocean or paddling any kind of
rapids I'd recommend it. If you want to keep your feet completely dry look
into getting the Gortex socks and wear some booties over them. If a little
water doesn't matter much then some booties with some wool socks would be
fine or socks from Thorlo or Smartwool for instance. These socks will wick
the water away from your feet and keep them warm. I would definitely bring
a drybag with some extra clothes in it just in case you were to flip though.

Courtney

"ssss" wrote in message
...
Recreational paddling, quiet, slow-moving creeks.

Reef boots ($33 cdn) and river pants ($? fast drying) from Mountain
Equipment Co Op)
___________________________
Sincerely,
Carey Robson
www.CanoeBC.ca


"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
news:jHb_e.7080$%L4.6742@trndny02...
ssss wrote:
I'm looking for te best buy in paddling pants. The ones from NRS look
good,, but I am wondering if I really want to spend $75. Am I better
off with just some nylon pants, and maybe some long-underwear when it
gets cooler? Same thing with the splash-tops, what is the best way to
go? Same thing with footwear. Do I get the NRS paddle wetshoes for
$39, or do I find a cheaper dive shoe?

When the water gets cold, you need immersion protection for your entire
body. It's not just about keeping a little splash from soaking your
clothing. Dry tops with dry pants or one-piece dry suits are the best
protection. Wetsuits work to an extent, but aren't as comfortable or as
adaptable to varying temperature conditions.

Footwear is less critical and most dive shoes/boots work quite well.

Re footwear, do you want to keep your feet dry or just warm? A thick
pair of poly sox in neoprene booties will keep them warm enough, even
if they get wet. (I'm assuming that as a "recreational paddler" you
won't be out in the kind of weather some of us crazies paddle in). To
keep your feet dry, go for a pair of knee high mukluks. NRS makes some
nice ones, also Chota. These start at about $69, though.

Steve

You have some great information.
Dare we ask where you are??? What part of the world.
Water Temperature, air temp, reliability of the weather all dictate
what you wear.
Yesterday I was in full polypro with dry pants and a serious spray
jacket as we ducked around the coastline playing in surf. The precvious
week I was in sweat pants and a cotton shirt in a pond doing likely
what you are planning. ( footwear , Old sneakers )
My dry suit cost about $1,400.00 Canadian . If you are in the North
Atlantic that is needed ( It is at Kokotat for repairs right now too )
..
If you are comfortable and know you will not ruin expensive cloths in a
swim you are likely fine.
You can dump a tonne of cash on kayak stuff and need in in some
locations but I wear regular cloths and a PFD when I am doing what you
are suggesting.
What ever yo wear ask youreslf " Can I Swim in this.. ??? "
You should be fine.
Oh . Have fun!
Alex
http://pages.ivilage.com/mcgruer.com

Paddling Pants
 

I'm in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area. Most of my fall/winter?/spring
paddling will be done in flat, calm, slow moving water. I've never
flipped over yet (at least not on purpose). I was in the Niagara
River today (far from the Falls) and it too was calm. Just wondering
how far to take this clothes purchase.


The last poster, are you from NewFoundland? I just love Great Big
Sea.