Whether it’s for business or pleasure, making travel arrangements and getting to your destination can be stressful. There are different airlines and hotels to contend with, packing lists to create, and schedules of activities to create. The rise of the Internet has led to comparisons between flight costs, hotel upgrades and mini golf courses at the click of a button or the tap of a smartphone screen.
<h3>Use apps like Kayak to compare prices on flights, hotels, and rental cars. </h3>Instead of calling up your usual hotel and asking for a room, see what other offers are available to you. You may be able to get a four star room for a three star price. If you’re wary about booking a flight and losing money when the prices decline, check out Bing Travel. The app will let you know whether you’ll save money (or lose it) by booking at a particular time.
If you’re more interested in comfort than price, SeatGuru can help you find the best seat on the plane. Why sit in a cramped spot where you can’t stretch your legs when, for the same price (or a few dollars more) you can lean back, extend your legs and really enjoy your flight? Since it has a list of which seats are reserved on which flight, you’ll know whether the seat you want is available before you book. Once you’ve got a seat, try using iflybags to see whether you’ll be racking up hefty baggage fees if you bring an extra bag.
If you’re stuck at an unfamiliar airport, GateGuru can make your whole experience more pleasurable. It has a list of amenities like restaurants and stores in the airport. Why eat a $18 dollar stale tuna salad sandwich when you can find a restaurant with above average pasta that’s just out of your eyesight? If you want to purchase a last minute souvenir before you depart, user reviews will help you know which store has the best inventory.
To really keep track of your trip, try TripIt. It syncs to your inbox and pulls out all your restaurant, hotel and car confirmation numbers, then puts them into a list so you know when you can check-in and what information you’ll have to give the attendant. When changes occur in a reservation, it’s updated automatically, so you don’t even have to monitor for changes or worry that you’ll be caught without the correct information.
Use apps like ATM hunter to help you quickly find cash in any situation. Instead of paying pricey fees, you can get directions to a machine that’s compatible with your bank. If you’re wanting to enter a club and don’t have the money, just take a stroll to the nearest ATM instead of frantically asking for directions and searching for banks or convenience stores.
Once you’ve reached your destination, use your phone to translate languages you don’t know. Apps like Google Translate can find out what that sign means or tell you how to ask questions like, “How do I get to a bathroom?” or “Is that waterpark down this street?” Carrying a heavy pocket dictionary can really weigh you down; save the space in your backpack for maps (which can also be downloaded on your smartphone if you’d prefer) or souvenirs—much more fun! Packing may be a pain but mobile application development is looking for ways to make travel books and maps even more convenient.
So before you travel, make sure you have the right mobile apps downloaded to your device. It’ll make the whole experience easier—definitely worth the time it takes to search for the right programs on the apps store.
Author: Laur Niko
For a relatively small island, New Zealand has gained respect from travellers and tourists who take their time off to visit the country. New Zealand has recognition and multiple awards for being among the top 10 most travelled countries in the world. How many places offer the same variety of places to wine, dine and enjoy with peace of mind, tranquillity and absolutely immense excitement. Tours of New Zealand are indeed an adventure of a lifetime.
Travellers who seek adventure with friends or family bonding with will find a perfect place in New Zealand because the country can cater to a lot of activities regardless of its geographical size. One may find a breathtaking escapade in the southern island or enjoy the city lights in the northern part of the country. Amazingly, this island offers exciting adventures that will suite adults, teenagers, elderly and even children.
I’ve selected my highlights of a recent trip, but this is not an exclusive list of the things you can do when you sign up to a tour of New Zealand:
•Coach tour – this is best for those who are more nervous than most regarding discovering the country on your own. Tours such allows a traveller to discover the breathtaking sights with peace of mind and relaxation. Travel companies offer packages that schedules all your tours and books all your activities, accommodation as well as transportation.
•Day trips – you may also opt to pre book day trip activities around certain areas of New Zealand, plus you can choose to be with a group of tourists or hire a personal tour guide for you and your family alone.
•Spa – this may sound redundant and boring to some since spa clinics are found all over the world, however, New Zealand offers a spa experience that you will never forget. Look up the excellent chain of Rotorua’s therapeutic spa.
•Enticing and exciting night tours – Tours to New Zealand offers young adults a chance to enjoy during the night with its festivities, music, great food and drinks.
•Cruise – enjoy a ride in a luxurious cruise ship as you set sail to discover New Zealand at its best. You may choose between the different cruise programs that vary from a 2 day to 14 days of luxurious cruise journey.
*Sightseeing and trekking – you and your family can enjoy a half day or a whole day adventure of pure sightseeing with a tour guide to fully enjoy the bountiful blessings that has rained upon New Zealand. You may also see geysers, coastal lines, reserves and other well maintained sights in the country.
Those are some of the many things that you may find when signing up for Tours to New Zealand. It is indeed a beautiful place to spend your most precious vacation time with your family, friends or even just by yourself. Do visit any of New Zealand’s weather advisory to be well informed on the current atmosphere in the country.
Many of the travellers have sworn that September is the best time of the year to visit the country so you may want to take this into consideration. New Zealand and its beautiful scenes are the perfect get away for anyone who’s looking for adventure, excitement and even peace of mind.
Much like adults, when it comes to camping sites have plenty of on-site facilities for kids of all ages, but when it comes to knowing what to take, there’s a long list of items essential to make their camping holiday. If this feels like you’re reading just another kids checklist, it’s not. This list covers all the stuff that kids will need for a break if they’re going on a field trip at school or for an end-of-term celebration with their friends.
Hardware
Aside from their tent, tent pegs, mallet and sleeping bag, they’ll also need a number of other items to ensure that their camping experience isn’t tainted by bad memories or a lack of equipment. A pillow obviously goes well with a sleeping bag, ensuring that your kids get a good night’s sleep, ready for their next activity as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award scheme or field trip.
Lighting
In an emergency, or if it’s dark outside, make sure they travel with a torch. This enables them to find their way back to their tent if they get lost, and can also be used if they’re reading a book. Make sure that they have spare batteries in case.
Clothing
Clothing is also vital. When out camping, there’s always a possibility that your kids could get wet or caked in mud, and having plenty of spare clothes will prove very useful. Wellington boots or waterproof boots will serve to protect their feet from getting wet if the ground is very soft.
Cooking Equipment
If necessary, bring cooking equipment. This usually consists of a stove, fuel to light it and other equipment such as pots and pans. Also, bring cutlery, cups, bowls and plates if they’re staying for a long time.
Rucksack
If they’re out for a long walk during the day, ensure they take a rucksack with them, where they can store any spare clothes, a compass, water and any other equipment they need. This will come in handy if they’re on a field trip.
Entertainment
Another thing to take into account when your kids are going camping without you is entertainment. Let them bring a console such as a PSP, a board game, book, football or anything else that will keep them entertained at night. Also, you’ll want them to be protected from the elements, so insect repellent, painkillers, sun cream and, if they have hayfever, allergy tablets are all things they should take with them.
This article was brought to you by UK camping experts Pitchup.com
You’ll probably never forget where you were when you joyously announced to your clan, ‘Forget Lanzarote – let’s go camping!’ Fast-forward three months, and the horrible truth becomes apparent. None of you have camped before, so, as a result, you are woefully underprepared. However, don’t let that put you off – we’ve compiled a way of making sure that your next camping trip is an absolute success.
Firstly, make sure that a) the tent you’re taking is large enough and b) you’re confident putting it up. In terms of space, you may need to take two tents, so you and the kids can have some space – and some privacy. It’s always worth setting aside an afternoon to pitch your tent in the back garden to make sure you have all the pegs and poles that you need, and that there are no holes. Always leave plenty of time to nip to the shops to purchase a replacement.
Food is always something that raises a family’s happiness levels, and a camping trip is no mistake. Make sure that you set off with plenty of foods that are tasty, filling, provide plenty of energy and are (if possible) individually wrapped. Foods such as noodles, wholemeal pasta with sauce, cous cous with pitta breads and ketchup, and fried peppers and onions with rice cakes or boil-in-the-bag rice always go down a treat. Fruit such as apples, bananas and nectarines keep well, and don’t forget the obligatory stash of chocolate bars and cereal bars to keep you going. Long-life milk, tea, coffee and herbal teas are lifesavers, as well as double-concentrate squash and Berocca.
Don’t forget that if it’s rainy, you’ll have to amuse yourselves, so don’t forget to pack books, handheld games, puzzle books and some cards. Many a holiday has been saved by a post-lunchtime game of Uno when it’s tipping it down, so bear in mind that some mornings or afternoons rain will stop play. Come prepared, and you’ll find that you lessen the probability of arguments due to frayed nerves.
The weather can never be depended upon, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Always prepare for rain, storms, showers and thunder. Remember that waterproof clothing is what you need – don’t be fooled into thinking that a thick jumper and pair of new trainers will survive a flash flood. Make sure that the whole family is kitted out – the best hiking socks might seem pricey, but they’ll pay for themselves many times over when you’re out and about, and the heavens open. Staying dry is the one thing that’ll keep your spirits up, so make sure that you safeguard your comfort at all costs.
Finally – remember to choose your spot wisely. Don’t pitch up too close to anyone else, and don’t pitch up anywhere where you’ll a) be in the way or b) you’re too far from anyone else (this will encourage thieves who think your remote position is perfect for them). Ideally, you want to be somewhere sheltered that lets you still be a part of the action.
Vicky Anscombe is a freelance writer living in Norwich who occasionally enjoys the odd camping trip to Cornwall. However, she advises against taking jam because the ants will always find it and spoil everything.
My cycle tour of New Zealand’s South Island was my first cycle tour, and was in preparation for a longer tour in Iceland. I wanted to get to grips with the rhythm of cycle touring – turns out New Zealand was a great place for this!
With four day stop-overs in Hong Kong and Tokyo on the way to and from New Zealand, I decided that hiring a bike out there was the best option, rather than taking my own. With a basic map and a guide book in my bar-bag, I set off from central Christchurch with no real plan of where I wanted to go or what I wanted to see!
It was a hot summer, and the Canterbury Plains were no place for a cyclist like me – long, dusty, straight roads didn’t make for great cycling, and the agricultural land surrounding me offered little in the way of views, and so I headed south as quickly as I could. Things changed quickly, and I was soon riding in beautiful countryside – hills, rivers and the sea accompanied me as I arrived in Timaru.
A general plan was soon created – a clockwise route around the island, taking in the main cities of Dunedin, Queenstown, Greymouth and Nelson, as well as the many natural wonders that New Zealand offers.
I’m a strong believer that cycle touring isn’t just about the cycling – it’s about seeing and experiencing the country too. In Dunedin I took a day trip to see the Korora Penguins – the world’s smallest species of penguin, living in burrows along the sea shores. New Zealand has a surprising array of flora and fauna, and a bike is the best way to see this! Along the Haast Pass you cross through a sub-tropical rainforest – it looks just like a rainforest you’ll see on TV, and even comes with parrots!
New Zealand is an adrenaline seekers’ dream destination, known for its bungee jumps, mountain biking, rafting and jet boating – so of course I also had to experience these! I also managed to fit in a 3 day sea kayak trip in the Abel Tasman National Park, in the north of the Island. This was the most memorable experience of the whole trip – once you’ve got away from all the day-trippers, the deserted inlets and forests were incredible to explore, and the beaches made fantastic camping grounds.
Perhaps the best day’s cycling I had was crossing the Island, from Kumara to Springfield. At 153km it was a long day, made no easier thanks to crossing Arthurs Pass – at a height of 739m and with a heavily loaded bike, it took quite a while, and a lot of food!
Here are 5 Top Tips if you are planning your own cycle tour in New Zealand;
1) There are loads of great campsites, government run and private. Camping is a great option if you want to travel cheaply.
2) The ice creams are amazing!
3) If you haven’t time to cycle there, a 1 or 2 day trip to Milford or Doubtful Sounds in the Fjordland National Park are well worth the trip. They can easily be arranged from Queenstown and other towns.
4) The brewery tour in Greymouth is fantastic – careful doing it on an empty stomach before lunch though!
5) The long-distance bus services are an efficient way of covering ground if you have limited time and know where you want to go – many will carry your bikes.
Much Better Adventures features local, independent and ethical adventure providers from around the world.
Similar to the game itself, there is more to purchasing a new set of golf clubs than one might expect.
Since not all golf clubs are created equal and with the extensive selection of brands available in the market today, it is impossible to determine which ones suit you and your game.
However, before you get swayed by the endorsement of your favorite golfer or perhaps be persuaded by the marketing spiel of golf club manufacturers, there are some important considerations that you need to look before you start shopping for golf clubs.
Know your golf goals. It is crucial that you are clear about the reasons why you need a new golf club. For instance, if you are taking the sport just as a weekend entertainment, there is no reason for you to waste too much money, time and effort purchasing an expensive set of golf clubs. However, if you are serious about the sport and you are planning to play the game to further hone your golfing skills, then you have to set your sight higher.
Assess your playing level. Before you can identify how much money you are willing to expend and what kind of clubs you should procure, you first have to assess your level of expertise with the game itself.
If you are an amateur, going for cheaper or even used clubs is not a bad option. However, if you are already familiar with the ropes and can be considered as a top brass, it will not be a bad idea to aim for new and expensive clubs.
Consider your budget. As mentioned earlier, golf clubs are not made equal. Some are just superior than the others, and when it comes to price there are a couple of brands that can cost you an arm and a leg.
Hence, you need to understand that the amount of money you are willing to pay for a golf club must be tied to your level of expertise and your dedication to the game. Ideally, a beginner can always start with an inexpensive set.
However, if you really want top-of-the- line clubs, you can always have them as long as you have enough money to spare.
Know your options. You will never run out of choices when it comes to golf clubs. However, do not settle with the first one you see in the store. It is imperative that you do your own research about the options available for you. When doing your research, do not overlook the selection of shaft and club head composition and other important features, as looking at these things will allow you to pick the right golf club for you.
Learn to ask around. Although there are numerous sources that you can refer to in order to find the right store where you can purchase your set of golf clubs, there is probably no substitute for referrals. Friends or colleagues who frequently play golf are the best source of information and can provide you with the base from which you can proceed. When asking around, do not forget to be let them know about your budget, so that they can make recommendations suitable with what you have. Or, if you do not have any people around you who play golf, the best thing you can do is to shop around in stores and compare. This way, you will know where you can procure a golf club or set of golf clubs that does not go over your budget.
Looking for electric golf trolleys online then visit our website where we write honest and un-bias reviews on all the latest electric golf trolleys on the market.
There are many different types of climbing – including snow and ice climbing, bouldering, Via Ferrata and sports climbing.
From rudimentary, cumbersome boots in the early days of the sport, with their hard soles and hobnails, technological advances over the decades have led to the most lightweight, flexible climbing shoes imaginable, with soles designed to grip on any surface.
One of the most innovative breakthroughs in the history of climbing footwear came with the invention of the Vibram sole, a technology based on the technique Pirelli used in their automobile tyres
From K2 to the Vendée Globe
Since then, Vibram soles have been used to conquer the highest mountain peaks in the world, including Everest and K2, and in some of the toughest transoceanic sea challenges like the Vendée Globe and the America’s Cup.
Scarpa began producing farm workers’ boots in Italy at almost the same time that Vitale Bramani patented his first rubber sole in the 1930s, taking the first letters of his forename and surname to create the Vibram brand.
As Scarpa began to change their focus from the agricultural industry to walking and climbing boots and shoes, Vibram were developing a range of high performance soles for a variety of uses.
When Scarpa and other manufacturers began to utilise Vibram soles in their latest models, the ultimate in climbing, hiking and mountaineering footwear was born.
A Personal Tragedy
Bramani’s invention came out of personal tragedy. He had been leader of a mountaineering team which had used thin-sole rock boots for their final assault in the Italian Alps…a decision which caused delays and proved fatal when six of his friends succumbed to frostbite and exposure as bad weather closed in.
The lack of suitable footwear was partially blamed for the accident, and spurred Bramani on to develop a new sole for climbing boots. With the financial backing of tyre magnate Leopoldo Pirelli, Bramani designed a sole which would provide the highest abrasion resistance on the widest range of surfaces, using the latest vulcanized rubber available at the time.
The Carrarmato – ‘tank tread’ – was the first ever rubber lug sole to be used in the manufacture of footwear, replacing hobnails or steel cleats and changing the face of climbing forever.
In 1954, the first successful ascent to the summit of K2 was made by an Italian team wearing Vibram rubber outsoles on their climbing boots. It was the first time different types of sole had been utilized on different legs of such an attempt, with trekking, approach, altitude and high altitude Vibram soles used at various stages of the expedition.
Nicki Williams works for Gear-Zone, one of the UK’s leading online retailers of outdoor gear and climbing equipment.
Packing for your white water rafting trip depends on a few different factors. Will you be packing for a day trip or is this trip going to last for several days? Will the weather and the water be warm or will the weather, as well as the water, be chilly or even cold? Will you be traveling with an outfitter or tour guide, or is this excursion just you alone or with a few friends?
Once you determine the logistics of your trip, packing for a white water rafting excursion becomes much simpler. If traveling with an outfitter or tour guide, some equipment and necessities may be supplied by the sponsor of the trip. Of course, if you are traveling by yourself or with a few friends, you will only have those items you have prepared and packed for the trip.
If you are planning a white water rafting day trip during warm weather, the following items will be needed unless noted as optional. Some items, such as protection for the feet, are necessary. River shoes are perhaps the best choice for this purpose.
1.) Bathing suit or shorts and t-shirt
2.) Sun block and lip balm
3.) Sunglasses with sports strap
4.) River shoes, neoprene footies or old sneakers (river shoes are best)
5.) Extra t-shirt
6.) Waterproof camera (optional)
7.) Energy bars and snacks (trail mix, dry foods)
8.) Sports drinks or bottled water
9.) Dry bag or box (to keep items such as car keys dry in the raft)
10.) Ziplock baggies
11.) Towels
12.) Plastic grocery bags for wet clothing
13.) Hat
14.) Rowing gloves (optional)
If the weather is cooler, pack the following in addition to the above list. Note that the outfitter or tour company may provide some of these items, or may allow you to rent them.
1.) Paddling jacket
2.) Paddling pants
3.) Wetsuit
4.) Drysuit
5.) Neoprene gloves
Remember that cotton clothing is great for warmer weather, but not for cooler rides. If you are traveling with an outfitter or guide, wetsuits and other items may be included in the tour. Check the website for the tour company or outfitter for a list of items they will provide.
For overnight trips, you will need to include camping gear. When planning an overnight kayaking excursion, you must pack what you normally would include for a normal camping trip. However, everything must be able to fit into the kayak. Be sure to pack all clothing and gear in waterproof bags. Garbage bags and Ziplock bags are ideal. The following list will assist you in planning an overnight white water rafting trip:
1.) Tent
2.) Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
3.) Camping pillow
4.) Camping chair
5.) Flashlight
6.) Camping knife and tools
7.) Thermal safety blanket
8.) Matches and lighter
9.) Firestarter
10.) Ziplock and garbage bags
11.) Dry box or bag
12.) Batteries, extra batteries for any electronic devices
13.) Cellphone
14.) Maps and compass
15.) Backpack
16.) Water tablets or water purifier
17.) Spare paddle
18.) Rope and duct tape
19.) Life jackets for everyone
20.) Extra undergarments
21.) Extra shorts, pants, windbreaker, rain pants
Remember, on an overnight white water rafting trip, you will need to bring food and cooking equipment for camping. You may want to forgo the cooking stove and cookware and opt for cold food, such as sandwiches, and dry food, such as trail mix, that you can pack in the cooler.
1.) Cooler and ice packs
2.) Camping stove (optional)
3.) Cookware
4.) Water – about 2 gallons per person
5.) Extra energy bars
6.) Meals
In addition to the necessities, you may wish to bring a few recreational items to ensure that you fully enjoy the trip. Consider bringing binoculars, a video camera, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, and books.
White water rafting is one of the most exhilarating and exciting sports that can be done alone or in groups. If you love communing with nature interspersed with exciting rides over fast-moving waterfalls, white water rafting is the sport for you. White water rafting trips may be taken year-round. However, remember that the chances that you will get wet are almost 100% so consider the temperature of the atmosphere, as well as the temperature of the water, when planning your trip.
Pete Wise is a rafting fanatic and works with Wilderness Aware Rafting doing Content Creation. Wildernes Aware is the leader in Colorado White Water Rafting and employs the most exhaustively-trained guides in the country. Check out their Royal Gorge Rafting trips as well. If you liked the article, follow Pete on Twitter: @MySEOHeadache
Healthy Food
While on the course, you should keep a selection of healthy, non perishable snacks in your golf bag; granola bars, dried fruit, packets of seeds or nuts. If you can take a small cool bag, it’s a useful place to store water, sports drinks, fresh fruit and frozen yoghurt. (Of course, this only works if you don’t then purchase a bacon butty halfway round the course). Try to avoid drinking beer while playing – it dehydrates you and adds to the flab. Plenty of us like a pint and a pie at the 19th hole, but if you switch to a glass of wine and a baked potato, you’ll be getting a great saving in both fat and calories.
Sun Protection
A round of golf typically takes a few hours, and during the summer, that’s a lot of UV exposure. To protect yourself, get a spray sun cream, a pair of sunglasses, and a hat, preferably light coloured to reflect the sun’s rays. Drinking water can help protect from heat exhaustion and dehydration. Wearing light, loose fabrics, and covering your legs and arms can help when the sun is at its worst – during midday and early afternoon. That said, a moderate amount of sunshine has been shown to improve mood and give you an easy source of vitamin D – so don’t be scared of a bit of sunshine.
Prevent Injury
Warm up before golf, and warm down, make sure to stretch your legs and shoulders properly. Try to avail yourself of your clubhouse showers – the hot water will refresh you and soothe sore muscles. Make sure your clubs are suitable for you – if possible get your clubs custom fitted by a PGA pro. Lessons can help you avoid many of the common mistakes first timers make (which leave them with muscle strain, aches and pains).
Equipment
There are a lot of ways to cut corners in golf; ball retrievers, electric golf trolleys, golf carts and people to help you carry your equipment (caddies). However, if you’re trying to get fit, it might be better to rethink your golfing habits. You can ditch your caddy and use a pull trolley, or carry a pencil golf bag, to carry your own equipment and improve muscle tone. Forgoing the golf cart means a healthy long walk of at least a few miles (be sure to buy some decent golf shoes to protect your feet on the way). All this adds up to a pretty healthy dose of cardiovascular exercise.
Most of all – enjoy!
Article by Helen, marketing golf bags and more at Golfbuyitonline, an online golf equipment shop.
When the weather is windy or the water is a little on the cool side for white water rafting, wetsuits are the way to go. Today’s wetsuits take advantage of the most advanced fabric and stitching options to create a suit that can keep you warm, wet, and happy. However, with the hundreds of wetsuits available by dozens of manufacturers, choosing the perfect suit for you can get a little overwhelming. We’re going to go over some tips you can use so you know when you’ve found the perfect fit.
First, let’s talk about the options. There are several categories that affect wetsuit fit and performance, but we’re going to focus on three general ones—stitching, closures, and thickness.
Stitching and Why it Matters:
Overlock stitching is durable but not watertight. Overlock stitching is meant to weave a small amount fabric into each stich, having each loop fall over the other. Because of this structural difference, the seams on a overlock wetsuit is raised. Having a seam in the wrong place can be the difference between having a great day on the river, and walking home duck-footed with a raw spot between your thighs.
Flatlock stitching is also not watertight, and because the strands of thread stitching the wetsuit together lie side by side, it is easy to get between them and fray. The biggest complaint about flatlock suits are because of their stitch, they seem to have the biggest holes in the suit, and is the least watertight. A wetsuit relies on trapping water against your skin to warm it, and a flatlock suit will keep you pretty cold. However, a flatlock wetsuit is really light, and because of the stitch has no raised seams, you could relax in a flatlock wetsuit all day.
Blindstitching is the most expensive, and preferable type of wetsuit stitch. The way blindstiching works is that a flat lock stitch is then sealed with a strip of neoprene and another stitch is bound on top of it. This makes the wetsuit completely water tight, and keeps you the warmest of all suit types. The only drawback to blind stitching is that the seams point inward. Many experienced wetsuit owners know that you can pay some extra cash to get a no-seam blind stich, but for the weekend warrior, this isn’t worth the cash.
The Wetsuit Closure:
Most wetsuits come with a back zipper for a closure; when referring to a closure we mean how you actually get the wetsuit to stay on your body after you have squeezed into it. The thing to remember is that a zipper is going to create a really rigid seam and fold point in the suit. For example, a back zipper is going to make kayaking more difficult, because rotating a two-sided paddle requires you to pinch your shoulder blades together, and you can rub raw at that point.
The second type of closure is the shoulder zipper. I personally prefer this type of zipper, as it is the least likely to create a pinch point for most water activities. The only real issue you’ll find with shoulder closure suits is when you start to swim. The arm or arms that have zippers won’t stretch, and you’ll find that wetsuit moving around as you extend your arms to paddle forward. This causes a lot of water to come into the suit, and will make you cold in low temperatures.
The last type is a no-zipper suit. These are for the truly hardcore; as if you have any body hair at all, expect the neoprene to completely rip out about 5% of all the hair on your body. The benefit to these suits is not only no stiff points, but they are completely waterproof as long as you have a good stich. These suits are for those that are not deterred by cold water, and want to really get wet!
What sort of Thickness do you need?
The thickness of your wetsuit really comes into play when you are spending more time in a very cold environment. For example, there are tons of people that like to come raft in Colorado during the spring melt. During that time, the water can get as cold as 40 degrees, and unprotected you would start to see symptoms of hypothermia in less than 20 minutes.
In that case, a thick wetsuit with great seams will help keep a thin layer of warm water around your body. Remember though, that a thick wetsuit needs to be purchased a little bigger than most wetsuits, as you will run into a lot of issues with mobility and even breathing if the suit is too tight.
Pete Wise is a Contect Creator working with Wilderness Aware Rafting. They have been leading Colorado White Water Rafting tours for over 10 years, and only hire the best guides to take their clients down the Arizona Salt River. If you liked the article, follow Pete on Twitter: @MySEOHeadache.
