paulhus@euclid.DEC (N. CHRIS PAULHUS DTN 223-6871 MLO8-3/T13) (03/18/86)
The following is a handout that I have used when I give workshops on this topic at GEARs and NEARs. Part II is useful in workshops/interactive. The mail order list should be helpful to all. Any additions? Chris ------------------------------------------------------------- COLD and WET WEATHER OUTDOOR SPORTS CLOTHING 1. Basic Principles A. Cold & Wet weather clothing TASK is similar: 1. Must keep skin dry \ 2. Must provide insulation \ layers starting 3. Must provide wind/water barrier / from inside - only difference / B. To keep skin dry: WICK moisture, do not absorb it. ie: polypropelyne ("poly"), wool, other plastic based. C. Provide insulation: layers of still air - poly, nylon fleece, wool, down, "Thinsulate", other synthetics. D. Provide wind/water barrier: tightly woven or coated fabric. PROBLEM: moisture build-up inside this shell - soaks all other clothing. You must let moisture OUT through this barrier if you - 1. are working hard, OR 2. long duration (over 1 hr) Gore-Tex and similar permeable membrane fabrics are great. The alternative is permeable layers of insulation such as wool, nylon fleece. This is good only for cold weather. Wet weather almost demands Gore-Tex or similar. I advise: demand under-arm vent zippers in jacket! (Do back vents work?) II. Specific Recommendations - see over III. Mail Order Clothing Catalogs Early Winters, 110 Prefontaine Place South, Seattle, WA 98104-9977 REI Co-Op, P.O. Box C-88125, Seattle, WA 98118 Eddie Bauer, Fifth & Union, P.O. Box 3700, Seattle, WA 98124 YAK Works (?), 2030 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 (there must be something about Seattle and wet weather) Moss Brown, 1522 Wisconsin Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007 Campmor, 810 Route 17 North, P.O. Box 999, Paramus, NJ 07652 Eastern Mountain Sports, Vose Farm Road, Peterborough, NH 03458 Sears, Roebuck & Co. Jones Cyclewear, 24 Brown Ave., Lunenburg, MA 01462 Leading Edge, 949 Walnut St., Boulder, CO 80302 Nature Wear (Protogs), 27 Ludy St., Hicksville, NY 11801 Patagonia Mail Order, P.O. Box 86, Ventura, CA 93002