Polypropylene - Too good to be true?

[kidspot]

I have a Bare Nex-Gen as well and use Expedition weight Polyrpo. Works fine in warmer climates (I've dove with it in up to 84*), and I wouldn't hesitate trying it in water down to the low 60's. I've only dove 1x in 50* water and I added a couple of wool sweaters to the polypro - was fine... might have been fine without the extra actually Nice thing about the NexGen suit is the socks are compressed neoprene, so you get some insulation from them.

Aloha, Tim

 

[Mverick]

I use Expedition poly as a base on all my dives. And still use a DUI200 or 400 or another layer. I just want the poly to wick the moisture off my skin. That's it. Might give some insulation but not much.

I also don't have shorts on under the poly. So the poly touches my skin.

 

[Brandon]

Expedition weight capilene from REI + super lightweight (read: cheap) fleece from Divetank have been keeping me toasty warm here in Unalaska.

Water temps are in the low 40s right now.

You don't need to spend a fortune on undergarments.

-B.

 

[jchull]

I don't have a dry suit, but for skiing, Bergelene from EMS is the best so far. Sometimes they have sales where you can get a pair for $10.

 

[jhawke]

For anything in the 50's or colder I wear both polypro top and bottom's from REI and a double lined fleece jumper from Andy's. My Andy's dry suit has insulated boots - so I am comfortable with just wearing wool socks on top of cotton socks.

The above keeps me warm. I'm interested in trying ice diving (just once so I think I would add fleece vest as well.

For my head I have a 6mm full hood plus 6/3mm gloves. Not sure if I'm ready to get dry gloves or not but I would really like something warmer than a 6mm hood.

 

[seamonkey]

Polypro IS a polyester. Capilene® is Patagonia's proprietary blend of Polypropylene homopolymers, impact and random copolymers, with their own additives to prevent odor retention.

Actually polypropylenes are not polyesters. They are two different kinds of polymers, with different chemistries. Polypropylene has a greater tendency to bind to stink. I don't think you can find a polypropylene fabric with the quality of today's polyester fabrics.

Polypro is a brand of polypropylene. The term "polypro" is often used by some to refer to any sports garment made of either polypropylene or polyester fabric, but I doubt many actually contain polypropylenes anymore.

Capilene is, as you say, just a name brand of a particular polyester based fabric. It differs from other polyester fabrics in its blend of polyesters and its weave. I find it much better than most other brands of polyester fabric, in terms of durability and comfort, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra cost.

Synthetic fleece is also made from polyesters.

Bottom line, make sure your undergarment contains polyesters, not polypropylenes.

 

[Captain Hardhead]

How about plain old sweats that are 50% Polyester and 50% Cotton, with some kind of wicking layer underneath?