Non Breathable Waterproof Trousers

Drascomber

Drascomber

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 Jan 2006
Messages
382
Location
Surrey England
Visit site
Hi folks,

Anyone know where I could get some totally and permanently waterproof (i.e. non breathable) trousers with a two way zip fly and ideally in red to go with my breathable jacket?
 
You could try looking for Guy Cotton Penfret trousers or other kit available at commercial fishing type shops. GC used to have a retail shop in Plymouth but that has closed down, they are now based in Liskeard. I think they mainly deal with the trade but it would be worth giving them a ring on 01579 347115. Buying in France might be an attractive option if you ever get over there; that is what I shall try if my old SplashDown kit ever wears out.
 
Dont bother i have a pair now redundant. whenever i wore them i came out of them extremly wet even in dry weather due to condensation. bite the bullet and get breathable ones.as did I. having wasted good money on the non breatable suit.
/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
When I was after the same as you, I went to the Henri-Lloyd shop at Clarks village in Somerset. I bought a pair of breathable trousers for £50 and have been very happy with them ever since.
Allan
 
Just noticed that Compass were offering a pair for 39 quid (dark blue). Regret that my catalogue is a 18 months out of date, so it may not be the case now.
 
I know fishermen wear them, but as far as I'm concerned the only way to go is with breathable. Even the bottom of the range Mustos are only £80. Obviously just how much you spend on your oilies depends on the sailing you do, but being wet at sea is a complete arse. Potentially dangerous too.
For what it's worth, that's my opinion.
 
Well we went 'back' from the sooper dooper Southern Ocean's a doddle gear to Guy Cotten PVC and much prefer it. Our 2nd mortgage poser gear was so heavy that we very rarely wore it and then bought lightweight suits as well, which ended up as the most used option, even though they leaked. The heavy stuff too took so long to dry, especially the furry lined bits, that it was a real PITA to wash off the salt and dry enough to put away without spreading mildew everywhere.

We bought Guy Cotten suits and can hose off any salt, shake them and they are quickly dried enough to put away. We get a little condensation inside in summer yes but really no more than we did in the gulp expensive ones. Fishermen use them in the depths of winter (ever seen Dangerous Catch on Discovery?) so I don't understand the comment about being wet is dangerous, cold and wet to them would really be a killer.

As always just an opinion, not an order.
 
About 12 years ago I went to a talk at a Sailing Club by Mr Musto himself at which he explained why they didn't use Goretex - then the only "breathable" stuff available. Apparantly it didn't work if you A. sat down or B. got salt on it. I wonder what has changed?
 
Robin,
Fishermen use non-breathable gear because it is tough, effective and cheap. So much I agree with. The primary difference between a fisherman and a sailor, vis a vis foul weather gear, is that the fisherman is working hard all the time and then has the option to dry clothes once steaming home whereas the sailor will work up a huge sweat and then sit still maybe for hours on end in the cockpit. It is very easy to get cold in this, common, scenario.
My statement that I consider it to be potentially dangerous to get wet on a small yacht is based on the following: having worked up the sweat in your non-breathable foulies, you sit down in the cockpit. You have been at sea for, say, 20 hours, and had little to eat and probably not enough fluids. You are tired, slightly de-hydrated and now wet. In an hour you can add cold to the list of problems. It is dusk, the weather is not too bad, but a long night of coastal sailing (shipping rocks etc) lies ahead. As you get colder, the inclination to go below and cook a good meal, drink some water and get warm wanes. You stay on deck getting colder and more miserable. Is this a good environment for the cold, tired head to make good decisions? It is hard enough after a day or more at sea in coastal waters, without adding to the problems. i have suffered all the above and it is experience of this which lead me to buy, admittedly expensive, Gore-tex oilies. I would not argue that I have made perfect decisions ever since, but I have oft noted how much more willing I am in attending to things if I am warm and dry.
In conclusion, it really depends what your sailing is as to what kit you use, but for me, as a single-handed offshore sailor, breathable is the way to go.
Cheers,
Nicki
 
Nicki
I totaly agree with you.I will never again choose to wear nonbreathable oilies.The difference in comfort is impossible to ignore.
I once put my breathable trousers on over wet jeans,wich is the wrongest thing you can do,and a few hours later, when I took them off the jeans underneath were bone dry.I believe that says it all.
 
I know the experience. Another thing is, have you ever noticed how wet the bits of the jacket under your life jacket straps are? Also my current Mustos are 7 years old with about 10000 NM to their credit. that includes a two hours on two hours off 2 handed round Britain and Ireland race, so many, many donnings and sheddings. MPX not HPX so i can only imagine how strong the HPX stuff is.
I'm sold.
Nicki
PS I know 'donnings' and 'sheddings' is linguistically dodgy, but you get my point.
 
Hi Folks,

Interesting discussion but at great expense I already have breathables. Unfortunately they are not waterproof. The jacket is tolerable but the trousers are not and I see no point in worrying about condensation when your entire lower half is soaked right through to the skin from rain and spray.

I also need to be able to pee without taking my jacket and life jacket off - hence the double end zip requirement. I can see no information about the nature of zips on any of the Guy Cotton seller's web sites. If that is the only appropriate brand I shall have to give a couple of them a ring.
 
My Guy Cotten bib & brace bottoms have no zips. There is a large fold in the waist area that press studs over, when released it makes the top very baggy so it can be pulled down against the elastic of the braces. It is perfectly possible to pee without removing the jacket and one other advantage of shiny PVC is that if the wind blows it back, it doesn't soak in /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. Ours are in white, similar to the pic below.
41-2.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top