like a second skin...

In my quest for warm layers for our wet caving adventures, I spoke to many folks who suggested I check into wetsuit and scuba gear. The way it works, so I've been told, is the horrifically freezing cold water gets into the suit...and then warms up and stays warm thanks to good old-fashioned body heat turning it all into an insulating layer.

I set out to my trusty toy store to see what they had available, and as luck would have it they were running a sale. Most of the stuff in my size was full price (boo), save for a lone pair of NRS Hydroskin Capris. I tend toward the shorter end of the spectrum—rather, I sit pretty firmly entrenched at the bottom of it with my staggering 63" of might—so capris suited me just fine.

They've turned out to be pretty perfect for caving AND kayaking, and something akin to "yoga pants for Other activities." The NRS specs say they've got a .5mm neoprene core with a 4-way stretch PowerSpan™ outer layer and some other fancy stuff (coating, lining, the works to ensure you have a quality pair of stretchy pants).

That puts them at just the right thickness to layer under other clothing so I don't ruin them in a cave when I drag my rear end across a breakdown pile, as well as perfect for layering under my shortie or just wearing over my bathing suit on a sunny day.

I LOVE THESE PANTS. They are comfortable, they are stretchy so I don't lose any range of motion, and they are pretty cute for neoprene pants—probably because they are capris. If you can nab them on sale, even better. I bet they'll last me for quite awhile, too. They really *are* like a second skin :-)

Another well-done product from NRS.

Grade: A+++++