On Friday, January 25, 2002 3:31 PM, John Nitrox wrote:

Snip)
>          I hope it's a new technology and an improvement over the Fathom
> polartec that I got a few years ago.  It is 87% Antron nylon and 13% Lycra
> with a fleecy interior.  The sales pitch was that it was as warm as a 3mm
> wetsuit.  I got an XXL one which easily handled my girth but was painfully
> uncomfortable in the vertical direction.
(snip)

>Please keep us informed on how this works out for you because I'm
> sure a lot of the older, plumper folks on the list are interested.

A courier delivered it a few minutes ago, so I guess tomorrow morning will
be test-time!  I've got the XL version.  It fits snugly and - like a lycra
suit - has stirrups and thumb tags for donning ease when worn beneath
another suit.  It's a trilaminate construction: lycra, polyurethane (to
counter wind-chill), and a plush - rather than a fleece - polartec lining.
(In fact, with the exception of the plush lining, it's not disimilar to my
SSA bi-laminate suits - one of which appears to have shrunk considerably and
that I'm hoping to grow back into!) :-)

It features a narrow spine pad and the seams are all double-lock stitched
and lay flat against the inner fabric.  The front zip is a YKK and features
a material flap beneath it to reduce the risk of pinching flesh or
inadvertently plucking out chest hairs. :-)

The material is called 'Aqua Shell' and among the features claimed for it
are:
Warmth of 2.5mm neoprene; windproof; comfortable, non-restrictive fit; odour
and itch resistant, (that's going to be an assett!); neutral buoyancy; and
machine washable.

Best of all - it's black! :-)

Hopefully this one will stand up better to the rigours of diving than the
ones that you and Chuck mentioned.  If it don't, I'll be sure to let you
know!  :-)

I might not be the best looking bloke in the water tomorrow, but I'll be one
of the smartest dressed - and I've even got a new pair of fins that TUSA's
asked me to test-drive! :-)

Strike