Oversuits and wellies

How do you wear your oversuit?


  • Total voters
    95

Babyhagrid

Well-known member
A divisive argument has broken out in my club about how oversuits should be worn in relation to wellies. The sane ones believe that an oversuit should go over the top of a welly whilst the traitor faction believe they should go inside. So we decided we should gather more data from more cavers.

If people could vote using the reaction emojis. Thumbs up for outside and a sad face for inside.

Thank you
 

smelin

Member
A divisive argument has broken out in my club about how oversuits should be worn in relation to wellies. The sane ones believe that an oversuit should go over the top of a welly whilst the traitor faction believe they should go inside. So we decided we should gather more data from more cavers.

If people could vote using the reaction emojis. Thumbs up for outside and a sad face for inside.

Thank you
you're delusional, inside wellies forever!
 

Custards

Active member
So do Australian / New Zealand cavers have the same debate but in regards to tucking their gloves into their oversuits? Ya know 'cause they're upside down and all...
 

liltom

New member
A divisive argument has broken out in my club about how oversuits should be worn in relation to wellies. The sane ones believe that an oversuit should go over the top of a welly whilst the traitor faction believe they should go inside. So we decided we should gather more data from more cavers.

If people could vote using the reaction emojis. Thumbs up for outside and a sad face for inside.

Thank you
The so called traitor faction just have an amazing sense of style and a practical method of not destroying an oversuit
 
This seems like a weird thing to say, but my calves are large enough that they fill my wellies tightly. I couldn’t fit the oversuit in if I wanted. Surely this is just personal preference? I’m struggling to see any practical difference (your feet will get damp either way).
 

CavingForLemons

New member
A divisive argument has broken out in my club about how oversuits should be worn in relation to wellies. The sane ones believe that an oversuit should go over the top of a welly whilst the traitor faction believe they should go inside. So we decided we should gather more data from more cavers.

Was going to give a detailed and well-written arguement but YOU'RE JUST WRONG!! We thought better of you.
Sincerely, the cavers of Cambridge xxx
 

tomferry

Well-known member
If you’re wading and have them inside it can cause a massive vacuum and fill the suit up with water. I had this happen at the weekend and going up the ladder I was full to my knees . No chance of avoiding it this time as the ladder was in chin deep water . Never again always outside from now on .
 

wellyjen

Well-known member
Right up there with big endian versus little endian boiled egg opening.
Inside every time. The only reason there isn't a commandment banning oversuits on the outside of wellingtons is that neither had been invented when Moses was chiselling.
 

mikem

Well-known member
Outside with kneepads over the join in shallower walking size caves, as then very little water gets in (same can be done with inner tube - no use in really deep water, as prevents it draining).
 

PeteHall

Moderator
Always outside.

I've never had to retire an oversuit because the ends of the legs are tatty, never! I'm not sure why anyone would worry about this.

The main issue is that if you tuck your oversuit in, it might look more stylish, but as soon as you crawl in mud, sand or gravel, your welly tops act like a shovel, filling your boots with all sorts. Not only is this annoying and uncomfortable, forcing you to stop more regularly to clear them, but it also causes your socks to wear out quicker. So in terms of gear preservation, it's counter-productive.
 

pwhole

Well-known member
Sadly AV suits are too narrow in the ankle to go over many wellies - the Site ones I use (Screwfix) are just too wide at the top to comfortably make it. I have managed it, but then getting them off in freezing conditions was so arduous I ended up falling on my arse in the snow. So my choice is entirely determined by which suit I'm wearing at the time. Tip to AV - make your oversuit legs wider!
 

Roger W

Well-known member
I'm sure this has been debated on here before. A long time ago.

I rather think Pete Hall's argument above - that kne's welly tops can act as scoops in muddy or gravelly crawls - carried a lot of weight then.
 
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