A few weeks ago I added a blog post with some information about some kit that I was planning to use for my training and the race. After having been able to test this more thoroughly during my Level 2 Training, I wanted to post a recap of how things had performed
Kit that worked even better than expected:
- I found the UrSuit dry suit really excellent. It was very light, very easy to get into and take off and when I was wearing it I could hardly feel it, it felt really comfortable. It was even easy to use when going to the toilet. I had been worried about the neoprene neck as when I had tested this at home it felt a bit uncomfortable and I was afraid that wearing it all day would be a nuisance but when you are actually wearing it you forget about it in 5 minutes. So really happy with this, an excellent addition to my gear.
Kit that worked as well as expected:
- I still think that merino wool base layers are amazing. I am in love with them, so warm, easy to wear and don't smell at all. I am so happy with them than now I have purchased some mid-layer merino wool stuff to see if it is as good as the base layers.
Kit that worked as well as expected:
- I still think that merino wool base layers are amazing. I am in love with them, so warm, easy to wear and don't smell at all. I am so happy with them than now I have purchased some mid-layer merino wool stuff to see if it is as good as the base layers.
- The Musto Ocean Racer boots are absolutely great. They are so light and comfortable, it really feels like you are not wearing boots. And my feet were never cold or wet. Another piece of kit that I love
Kit that did not work as well as expected:
- The Ocean Sleepwear sleeping bag was really comfortable and warm but it had just one problem: the opening on the top was too wide and it was not possible to close it enough to stop cold from getting into the upper part of my body. I suspect that the problem is that I think I bought one size which is too big for me. I bought the "regular" size which is advertised for people measuring between 1.70 and 1.90m. I am 1.65m tall but I thought "hey, I'd rather have something which is ample enough". I guess that was a mistake. I now need to think if I want to try a smaller size or if I want to try something else
- The SealSkinz gloves that I bought worked in the sense that my hands remained dry but even though they were dry they still felt cold because the glove itself was cold. They did not really feel comfortable. And there was another problem which was that when my hands were wet I struggled a lot to get the gloves in. In any case, I have found that I really do not like wearing gloves when I am working with ropes, winches, etc... I only really use them when I am sitting waiting for some activity or when I am helming. Stef, one of the mates, suggested that in that case the best solution was to buy some mittens as they are what will keep your hands warmer and you don't need finger dexterity when helming. I have followed his advice and bought a couple of SealSkinz waterproof mittens, let's see if they work better.
