Hello Everyone
I have just been introduced recently to caving and having been researching it extensively. I am a one of three research students at the University of Minnesota developing a new caving suit funded by a company who has just developed a new fabric called "Super Fabric."
Super Fabric is extrememly cut resistant, abrasion resistant, puncture resistant, and flame resistant. If you want to check it out go to
http://www.superfabric.com.
One of our team members has contacts who have done some caving in the past, and this is where our ideas have developed from. And also from doing research online.
Currently we are looking for input on our design we have developed. We are focusing on caving that involves cold tempertures, mud, and water.
Using the information we found we developed the included preliminary sketch. The base of the coverall style cave suit will be made from a cordura with a waterproof backing. The superfabric (blue dotted areas) we are using is made on a laminated sheet that will be heat set onto the shown areas. These areas we thought to be high abrasion points.
It will be heat set to avoid to much seaming that would cause extreme leaking. We also plan to waterproof all seams in the suit.
The green lined areas at the cuffs and neck will be a neoprene for comfort, sizing issues and for waterproofing the suit. There is also a thumb hole in the neoprene hand cuffs that could be used over a glove or inside a glove.
There will also be waterproof zippers placed in the red lined areas. The main zipper will be a two-way zipper with a velcro flap closure to prevent muddy build up on the zipper.
More waterproof zippers are at the underarms to allow venting when the body becomes too hot.
There are also zippers in the seams at the elbows and knees. These areas have the heat set superfabric on top of the cordura but also will have the option for padding. The padding has the option of being inserted or removed via the zippers.
We understand that cave packs are usually carried in a back pack style but we were also wondering about an additional storage areas. These areas are the pockets on the pant legs and also packs around the ankles that would be optional, being attached by elastic bands. The pant leg also has a elastic band that loops under the foot to keep the pants down in place.
There is also a belted area around the waist. The belt would be looped inside the suit for sizing abilities.
I think I have pretty much gone over everything! Pheww..
We are really excited to get feed back from anybody who has input. Anything will help. We also have some specific questions...
Are there are preferences in colors for the base of the suit? We are thinking of going with red for the ease of visibility in the caves.
We have heard that there are issues in using a harness for repelling when in a coverall style suit. That it restricts movement in the back and crotch area. Any comments on this? We could do a two piece suit.
Is there a better option for the cuff areas other than the neoprene?
Is the pocket on the legs and optional ankle bags necessary? Or would it hinder movement? Is the cave pack enough storage?
Would the option of having removable knee pads not work well? As of now they are not held in place in any way, but there could be elastic straps on the inside of the pants to hold them in place. But would this be uncomfortable or restrictive to use elastic?
Any other comments would be great.
Talk to you soon.
Thanks!
Jillian