Wellies / rain boots advice

[paul]

hmm then why do my wet socks / wetsuit absorb water so well?

"Neoprene foam is used in many applications and is produced in either closed-cell or open-cell form. The closed-cell form is waterproof, less compressible and more expensive. The open-cell form can be breathable. It is manufactured by foaming the rubber with nitrogen gas, where the tiny enclosed and separated gas bubbles can also serve as insulation. Nitrogen gas is most commonly used for the foaming of neoprene foam due to its inertness, flame resistance, and large range of processing temperatures."

and

"Neoprene is a popular material in making protective clothing for aquatic activities. Foamed neoprene is commonly used to make fly fishing waders, wetsuits, and drysuits as it provides excellent insulation against cold. The foam is quite buoyant, and divers compensate for this by wearing weights.[citation needed] Since foam neoprene contains gas pockets, the material compresses under water pressure, getting thinner at greater depths; a 7 mm neoprene wet suit offers much less exposure protection under 100 feet of water than at the surface. A recent advance in neoprene for wet suits is the "super-flex" variety, which uses spandex in the knit liner fabric for greater flexibility and stretch.[15][16] A drysuit is similar to a wetsuit, but uses thicker and more durable neoprene to create an entirely waterproof suit that is suitable for wear in extremely cold water or polluted water." ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene )

 

[andrewmcleod]

hmm then why do my wet socks / wetsuit absorb water so well?

There are various factors.

1) most caving wetsuit socks are not very waterproof; they are stitched through I think and in any event if they are not fairly new, they usually have holes/weaknesses in. I've just bought a new pair of Decathlon wetsuit socks (the Subea 3mm ones) and they are fantastic (at least compared to my ones with holes I had in) - I think my feet are either staying completely dry in them (minus sweat, obviously) or flushing is so slow I'm not even noticing.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/diving-shoes-3-mm-neoprene-black/_/R-p-1804 (old model? this is what I had before, good when new)
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/neopr...-3mm-reinforced/_/R-p-1802?mc=8301270&c=black (new model? what I have now)

2) Neoprene is waterproof so won't take in water, however nearly all wetsuits etc. are nylon-lined for comfort. This lining will absorb and hold a bit of water.

3) Wetsuits etc. take ages to dry _because_ they are waterproof. Water can't soak through to the outside to evaporate away in air currents, so any moisture trapped inside the suit gets stuck there. Hence you have to turn them inside out to dry; depending on the effectiveness of the drying room I normally have to turn my wetsuit socks inside-out to dry.

 

[Pitlamp]

Agree those Decathlon socks are grand (once you’ve cut out a million different labels in umpteen different languages, giving all sorts of useless information). The seams are cup stitched (waterproof) rather than that cheap and nasty Mauser stitching, which leaks like an old tea bag.

Cheap muck boots (those wellies where the leg part is made of neoprene) off the possibility of DIY repair of worn neoprene drysuit feet, without the expense of getting a pro repair (along with all the mather and wasted time travelling, twice).

 

[tony from suffolk]

Not sure of the point of neoprene wellies!

They're much more comfortable than the rubber variety, they're lovely & warm in winter, they're much more durable than rubber ones (far less likely to crack). I've a truly ancient & excellent pair of neoprene “Muddies”, alas no longer made, that have been wonderful out here in the rural sticks of muddy Suffolk. SWMBO has a more modern pair which appear to be of similar stature, can't recall the make at the moment, but she'll know. She knows all…

 

[Hunter]

I’ve always erred on the side of cheapness with wellies but recently acquired a pair of Le Chameau’s.
Not cheap but the best fitting and most comfortable wellies I’ve ever had.
I’ve had the Muck Boot neoprene ones in the past but they are generally loose fitting and not particularly comfortable in my opinion.

 

[Wayland Smith]

Muckboots, very comfortable and warm, but expensive. They are great for situations where you are not likely to damage them.
(Size seems to be correct.)

For "almost" indestructible, Dunlop red soles with toe caps. Long-lasting and often available cheap-ish.
Rather heavy to wear and cold.
Generally come at least one size bigger than marked.

 

[georgenorth]

To be taken seriously at Skipton Mart I suggest the Dunlop Purofort Thermo+ https://www.engineeringagencies.co....DjW32fslAeZZYLGh-6OhGqcLTEN4cuhMaAvzjEALw_wcB

They’re ridiculously warm, with unrivalled grip in mud and last forever. They are a bit heavy and quite expensive though. Choose the orange colour if you’re looking to pursue a career working on a trawler.

 

[pwhole]

I have the full safety version of those Purofort+ for non-caving (and occasional work) use, and they are wonderful - although the steel insole does mean your feet can eventually get cold if you stand around too long on frozen ground - as I did in Lathkill Dale last week. Bloody mine historians and their endless observations

 

[alanw]

although the steel insole does mean your feet can eventually get cold if you stand around too long on frozen ground

There is a version with composite toe and sole protetction: Dunlop FieldPRO Thermo+ Full Safety

But HOW MUCH?!

Can be found a lot cheaper on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125775565852

 

[hyweldavies]

I have found these to excellent for general day to day use and found them comfy for 10 mile muddy walks. I favour safety boots with steel shanks as the stiffening of the sole makes them better for walking. More comfy day to day than my standard Dunlop acifort caving boots. The yellow Dunlops were standard issue trawler and dive boat wear in Stromness

 

[Pitlamp]

Steel toe caps are also freezing cold on the tootsies on a motorbike in winter.

As an aside, an old remedy to help mitigate against this is to wear a crisp packet on the end of each foot. The reflective inside acts like a rudimentary space blanket.

 

[LadyMud]

" . . . to wear a crisp packet on the end of each foot"

And do you also wrap a newspaper round your chest, tied with a bit of old string?

 

[hyweldavies]

Steel toe caps are also freezing cold on the tootsies on a motorbike in winter.

As an aside, an old remedy to help mitigate against this is to wear a crisp packet on the end of each foot. The reflective inside acts like a rudimentary space blanket.

I must admit I never particularly noticed that when I had wellies as my motorcycle boots. Admittedly after a caving weekend biking home in my now wet caving wellies was a bit colder

 

[Pitlamp]

" . . . to wear a crisp packet on the end of each foot"

And do you also wrap a newspaper round your chest, tied with a bit of old string?

That's the one!

But that's only needed when the string vest I get sewn into every Autumn isn't warm enough.

 

[shotlighter]

That's the one!

But that's only needed when the string vest I get sewn into every Autumn isn't warm enough.

Flannel vest and long John's soaked in wintergreen & sewn into each autumn. Worked for my Great Grandad!

 

[LadyMud]

Wintergreen?

From wiki: Wintergreen is used for rust removal and degreasing of machinery . . .

Was your Great Grandad particularly rusty or greasy, Shotlighter?

 

[shotlighter]

Wintergreen?

From wiki: Wintergreen is used for rust removal and degreasing of machinery . . .

Was your Great Grandad particularly rusty or greasy, Shotlighter?

Not sure what youre looking at. Its used in linament etc. See also methyl salicylate.

 

[alanw]

Aldi/Lidl have them on offer from time to time for about £20, but plenty of other places sell them too.

On sale from tomorrow, Thursday 7th March for £25
Aldi Neoprene Boots

 

[thehungrytroglobite]

On sale from tomorrow, Thursday 7th March for £25
Aldi Neoprene Boots

looks like I'll be making a trip to skipton!