Re: Fatal rain

From: Jeff <jakyer_at_...>
Date: Sat, 06 Dec 2003 21:27:25 -0000

> wrote:
>
> Actually, wool keeps most of its insulating properties when wet,
> which is why woolen mittens and socks were so popular (and I can
> attest that a double layer of wool mitts, even when matted with
snow
> and half frozen, still work reasonably well). And of course, wool
> comes from Heler's sheep. Some furs still work fairly well when
wet
> I think, but I know less about those.

Quite right. I swear by my parka with its wolf-fur trimming. Nothing like it for keeping that little puddle of still, warm air around your face when its -40. But if it gets wet, most animal furs tend to matt as they are not as oiled as they would be on a live critter.

And even live critters seek shelter - even the water-loving otters and beavers tend to stay out of the bonechilling cold snaps (eg, they stay in the water or in their dens).  

> It is other cloth, which for heortlings pretty much means linen and
> maybe occasional imported cotton, that becomes useless when wet.
> Which basically just supports the typical heortling view that
nothing
> beats a good wool cloak, etc.

Linen, when wet, its a terrible insulator. Cotton as well.

I'll stick to my good, Mostali constructed gortex.  

Jeff