[net.cycle] Cold-weather suit design

ken@ihuxq.UUCP (ken perlow) (05/01/84)

--
Au Nguyen thought the design of my cold-weather suit might be
of general interest, and I agree.  So here goes:

It's four pieces--pants and top of heavy GoreTex, a sort-of
sweater made of Thinsulate between two pieces of rip-stop
nylon with a turtle-neck style collar and cuffs that are like
on a sweatshirt, and a pants insert also thinsulate between nylon.
This design permits use as a rain suit in warmer weather.  It also
has an integral hood--very close fitting over the head--which
I had put on so I could use the thing as foul-weather gear
when sailing.  The hood only gets in the way riding.

The outer top has raglan-type sleeves (like a sweatshirt), so
the only seams are those (diagonal from neck to armpit) and
then down the sides.  Front and back are each one piece.  There are
two waterproof pockets (Velcro closures) on the front.  The bottom
has a draw string.  The sleeves are about 1" too long so that there's
enough slack to get a tight seal around the gloves.

The pants outer has side seams (outside only) and a crotch seam.
The waist has elastic in back and a draw string.  The legs are about
3" too long when standing, so that they are not too short when in the
riding position.

As you can tell, I don't sew, so I don't know what specifications would
be really significant.  I can forward requests, however, to the maker,
who is about start her own full-time business doing this sort of thing.
The garment is so warm that I only need the pants liners below -10F,
and the top with liner keeps me so warm that I rarely use the pants at
all above 20F unless it's snowing.

Au wanted to know about comparisons with particular brands.  I don't
know, because this thing is the only cold-weather suit I've ever
had on.  I haven't wiped out in it either, although the heavy GoreTex
seems to be quite abrasion-resistant.  This suit was only Sharon's
second attempt, so the price of $250 is significantly lower than
what she'd do for you today.  But if you're interested, I'll pass it on.
-- 
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