Would my camping clothes that im looking for be a comfortable choice for canoeing?

Question

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MonfGrOgg0o
The same clothes as the guy in the back of the canoe, the blue shirt and the blue life vest with pockets and a collar, plus a pair of 6 inner button jeans for Y-back non-elastic tan suspenders with brown leather ends, a blue on outside, tan on inside reversiable poffy down vest. You think thats a good combination for warmth, comfort, funtion, safety, and all around chapness.

the reason i went with a down vest instead of any other jacket is because a jacket would restrain your arms, and it would be much harder to paddle, and a down vest is best because its comfy, doesn't restrain, keep you warmer than a fleece vest. And if your gonna ask about the suspenders, and poke fun at me for looking like a lumberjack, well, i can't have my pants fall down, suspenders asure that definatly.

And it is about late november in michigan, so for all the clothes i said, yes. I know that a down vest is heavy, but a jacket would be worst. plus, i would wear my life vest at all times, so the pants and vest won't kill me. Everything i wanted is good for a reason. the shirt is for my arms to be warm, the jeans for my leg, the suspenders are so the pants dont fall off, the down vest is for warmth and anti-restraint, and the life vest is for just in case. everything works, and hopefully the down vest won't get wet. And will be very hard for it to get wet by paddleing, since most of it will be covered by the life vest.

Certainly someone has to make a few good points about these clothes, the only way my down vest could get soaked is if i fell out, and it could dry with in a couple of hours, all i would need to do is dry off very, very well, and the dampness will dissapear with my body heat. wet jeans won't give me hypothemia, only if they are wet with ice cold water for hours. and for the last time, this will be in cold months, not in the summer. please, from now on, please post good coments on this topic. And i dobt that wet jeans, boots, suspenders, shirts, and a down vest could over power a very exalent life vest and swiming about 30 feet.

So you said that by paddling my down vest will get soaked, even if i paddle like these guyshttp://youtube.com/watch?v=MonfGrOgg0o&mode=related&search=, this isn't whitewater, not even a drop of water would get on my vest, with the exception of falling out, tipping over, and jumping out because of wolves. do some reseach before you critizize me, ok.

Answer 1

No.Cotton is always bad choice if there's any possibility of getting wet. There's an old saying in hiking "cotton kills" A down vest is also completely useless when wet.

Answer 2

You don't say where or when you're going. If you are canoeing in the Summer or early Fall months, forget all that stuff about long pants, suspenders, long-sleeved shirt, wool hat, and especially the down vest. It will be too warm during the day for any of that stuff. Shorts or a bathing suit and a t-shirt will be enough. At night, you might want to have warmer clothing, but you'll sweat far too much at other times of the day. And, if the down vest gets wet, as it will when paddling, It won't dry thoroughly until a few days after you get home again. If you tip the canoe wearing it, it will weigh far more waterlogged than safety and common sense allow.
Your question makes it sound as though you want to look like a model while in the outdoors. Don't try it! You will NOT be comfortable!

Now that you've provided the information that your trip is in November in Michigan, I'd have to say that you should get a good dry suit for yourself so you can stay warm. Those "city-boy clothes" you want will be fine for the campfire at night, so be sure to pack them into a waterproof container (NOT just a plastic bag) and enjoy them. Why would you think that wearing a down vest with a PFD over it would not restrain you? And, it will still get wet no matter how hard you try! There will always be some splashing while paddling and switching sides, not to mention the water itself sending up wave droplets occasionally.

Answer 3

Comfortable??? yes....right up to the point you flip the canoe then watch how quickly the jeans drag you under with the weight of water. Unless you are sure to be wearing your pfd. Down is utterly worthless when wet. for a top go with capilene by Patagonia. It is my favorite top. ...warm as can be and dries in 0.2. I have taken water over the front of my kayak and the shirt was dry on the inside in 2 min. no joke. It's ability to wick water away is amazing. Of course I am guessing you are doing this in cool weather hence the Down vest. So another option is wool. yes it is very heavy when wet but it looses non of its insulating qualities when wet. Pants...go with something thin like a hiking pant in a synthetic. Not as warm but if you wear some capilene long undies underneath then you should be just fine.

and its very stylish as well

Answer 4

I've been an outdoor adventurer for almost 40 years, many of them as a guide and outfitter and have taught many people how to equip themselves for comfort and safety. Yes, the previous answers have it right -- the outfit in that ad is about as dumb as you could possibly come up with for canoeing. Jeans are an absolute no-no in the woods and on the water. They will get soaked almost immediately and never dry. They are also too binding for such activity (don't believe me? Take your soaking jeans out of the washer, put them on and try to ride a bike. And button-fly? You've got to be kidding!). Down-filled anything is worthless for water sports. A bag of wet feathers is neither fashionable nor warm. You don't have to spend a lot of cash or look un-stylish. You could get most of what you need at Target or any sporting goods department. I've picked up great-looking gear at thrift stores, as a matter of fact. A pair of baggy swimtrunks or cargo shorts (made of nylon or polyester, NOT cotton) and a polyester long sleeved t-shirt or thermal underwear top (you can push up the sleeves) is a good base. Wear an old pair of nylon and mesh (not leather) athletic shoes or sport sandals with acrylic or wool cushioned socks (again, NO cotton). Add a pair of lightweight nylon blend long cargo pants and, if you are camping overnight, pick up a cheap pair of polar pile warm up pants for wearing on cool evenings. The only cotton you might take would be if you are paddling in hot weather -- then a long-sleeved lightweight cotton shirt with a collar can be useful to protect your arms and neck from sunburn and, if you soak it and wear it, it will keep you cooler. Add a zip-front polar pile jacket or pullover, a couple of cotton bandanas plus a nylon or poly windbreaker. Add a baseball cap or brimmed fishing hat, wraparound sunglasses and you be stylin', dude.

If you wear that outfit in the dumb commercial all the cute girl paramedics in the rescue squad will be mocking you when they have to airlift you out with hypothermia.

Answer 5

I am very experienced in canoeing. You want lightweigth clothing that covers all your skin. It is easy to get a sunburn in a canoe, but you don't want to get hot. Remember, you will be wet anyway, so don't worry about that. Knit pants with a light colored long sleeve shirt. Also a wide brim hat is good. Be sure to get a pair of aqua shoes. They are about $5. ...and wear socks with them or you'll get blisters.