cheap insulation

[Hawkeyegregg]

Looking at the price of keeping warm in my dry suit has made me a little sick. Searching around for options I discovered that you can buy thinsulate fabric. Utilizing dear mom's sewing skills I could have 420 weight thinsulate underwear for about $60. Has anybody else done this? Am I crazy?

 

[SteveAD]

the main reason I like "real" drysuit undies is the jumpsuit design. separate shirt-pants can ride up causing "equatorial chill" unless you are an expert tailor trying to DIY a jumpsuit will be a significant challenge. if you want to insulate on a budget go to EMS/REI and buy appropiate weight polartech pants-jackets-vests and mix and match as necessary. I even DIYd a sort of jumpsuit by sewing a vest to the waist of a pair of pants.

 

[jjckfc]

Ha! "equatorial chill". I like that - do you mind if I use it

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Are you crazy? Well it depends on how good mom's sewing skills are. There are lots of patterns out there, here is a link for a childs snowsuit pant that a good seamstress may be able to alter.
Good luck!
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[AlanDeep]

I saw a guy in San Diego who wore his Levis, a flannel shirt, and a windbreaker with his drysuit!

 

[SwimJim]

I saw a guy in San Diego who wore his Levis, a flannel shirt, and a windbreaker with his drysuit!

If he was diving a neoprene suit, he probably could have gotten away with it. Especially in San Diego where they don't have a thing called cold water. Heck, I used to wear a jogging suit under my Unisuit all the time in temps down to about 40. Of course, I'm part Viking so that may explain a few things.

Jim

 

[jonnythan]

Depends a lot on the thickness and grade of the Thinsulate.

What kinda fabric is it?

 

[jonnythan]

the main reason I like "real" drysuit undies is the jumpsuit design. separate shirt-pants can ride up causing "equatorial chill" unless you are an expert tailor trying to DIY a jumpsuit will be a significant challenge. if you want to insulate on a budget go to EMS/REI and buy appropiate weight polartech pants-jackets-vests and mix and match as necessary. I even DIYd a sort of jumpsuit by sewing a vest to the waist of a pair of pants.

300 weight fleece is not even close to sufficient in Northeastern waters... and, besides, a 300-weight Polartec top at EMS run about $100 by itself in the store brand. 300-weight Polartec bottoms, if you can find them, are about the same.

 

[Hoosier]

Yeah... Listen to what Jonnythan is saying. He is a real expert on this matter as a former part-time employee at the sport shop.

Check out his previous posts. It will give a lot of info...

 

[cummings66]

300 weight fleece is not even close to sufficient in Northeastern waters... and, besides, a 300-weight Polartec top at EMS run about $100 by itself in the store brand. 300-weight Polartec bottoms, if you can find them, are about the same.

In our 37 degree water a 200 weight fleece garment if comfortable for me, but why would it not be there? Is your water that much colder?