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markc
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

Hi,
being a new member I would be interested in peoples views on what to wear when the water is 'above critical welly depth'.
Would waders be a good idea or should I just keep a change of clothes in the car and get wet!

Mark

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ben88800
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

wet socks for water that is not to deep but above welly level and achange of cloths in the car

jagman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

Personally I just get wet
Neoprene socks help for prolonged immersion but at least wear wool socks, they stay warm even when wet.
Trousers that stay reasonably light when wet.
If your going neck deep for a long time most prefer wesits but I've never needed to,depends on how much you feel the cold I guess.
Some materials get very heavy when wet, I once made the mistake of wearing a fleece jacket whilst pushing my way up a water filled pipe, it was like a lump of concrete haning round your neck in minutes.

Barney
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

This is a big question, and you will get very different answers.
If i am going somewhere unknown, i will usually wear wetboots, which look a bit like trainers with a built in wet sock, then i can get wet and change in the car.
If its somewhere with a known depth of water, or over CWD, i will wear waders. However, on 2 occasions now i have gone beyond wader depth, and the extra weight with all the water makes it very difficult to walk, and potentially unsafe. Rolling onto yor back to empty them just soaks the rest of your upper clothing.
So then, prepare to get wet, unless you know the water depth (but bear in mind water levels fluctuate) then dress appropriatley. 🙂

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration

17 years ago

Hi MarkC, as Barney says, you'll get different answers to this, and perhaps how happy you are getting thoroughly wet depends on how far you have to drive home after an explore. I tried waders once, but they were cumbersome and made moving around in the dry areas hot and awkward :(

So these days it's wellies all the time for me; if it goes above CWD then I get wet 🙂 Tend to drive home damp/wet from local mines, change of clothes if it's futher away. Can't comment on wet socks as I've never used them, but they sound like a good idea.

Wet suit for prolonged immersion in anything over waist depth water is a good idea too.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

I'm a firm believer in wetsocks, whether I expect the water to go over welly depth or not. A fleece undersuit stays reasonably warm once you get out of cold water, although I've found a wetsuit is warmer whilst immersed. I have tried waders worn beneath my undersuit, but I'd only do this if I knew the water wouldn't overtop them - as has been mentioned, if the water gets into them you're stuffed for getting it out. Having said that, there is at least one mine in Derbyshire I wouldn't now go into with anything other than waders on, namely Long Tor mine (aka stinky sough), which no longer drains properly thanks to the water board reconstructing the entrance - some storm drains from the A6 feed into it, so it's pretty stagnant.... 😢

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!

sparty_lea
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

I hate wellies, they fill up with water then either you've got to keep emptying them or when you're crawling about and your feet get higher than the rest of you it all runs up your back.

Short boots, wetsocks and clothes that drain quickly.

There are 10 types of people in the world.

Those that understand binary and those that do not!

Moorebooks
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

My preference is wellies with wet suit socks - but if you are immersed for long periods then you should consider the full cavers route and go for a furry undersuit and PVC outer -

Bernie's in Ingleton would give you the best deal curretnly on this

Mike

Wormster
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

Hokay From the feet up:

Knee lenght wetsocks and wellies.
Longjohns*
thermal top*
Furry
Boilersuit**

* replace with wetsiut if VERY wet.
** replace with warmbac if VERY wet.

Oh yes and of course have a "ditch bag" with a complete cahnge of dry clothes in your vehicle, so if it all goes pants at least you've got something to cahnge into afterwards

Better to regret something you have done - than to regret something you have not done.

Manicminer
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

#10

I have used Neoprene chest waders in some mines. I go fishing sometimes so there's a pair hanging in the shed.

Gold is where you find it

Dark Prince
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

#11

I'vs used chest waders twice underground and although i kept dry i felt very restricted. As has been said before:

Warm, thick socks
Decent wellies
Lightweight trousers, not jeans

Some plastic sheet and/or car seat covers are a good idea as well if you forget your change of cloths!.

DP

Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

#12

For water from knee to waist depth, standard gear for me is:

long wetsocks
wellies, (rubber boots if you hate draining your wellies all the time)
furry undersuit
oversuit

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

Captain Scarlet
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

#13

I usually grease me body all over with vaseline to keep out the cold, then a size large heavy duty bin bag (black of course so no one can see me) for repelling water, self draining bootees fashioned from car tyres (good grip for climbing too !) and finally, my good old faithfull motorcycle helmet, one of those with the leather flaps for keeping the ears nice & warm :thumbsup:

STANDBY FOR ACTION!!!!...

Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

#14

Don't forget the studded spanking paddle...

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

ben88800
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

#15

Would love to see the looks on some walkers face as you get ready to go underground