This is a comparison of the three most common clothing systems for canyoning and river tracing in Taiwan: classic Power Stretch fleece, Finetrack water layers, and neoprene. Each set of clothing offers a different set of advantages and disadvantages which affects body-heat management.
Power Stretch
Power Stretch, made by Polartec, is a stretchy fleece material that has been used by river tracers in Taiwan for decades. It is preferred by some for its ability to lightly insulate while submerged and quickly dry off once out of the water. For longer river climbing routes which involve a lot dry climbing and hiking, Power Stretch has a better chance of drying out compared to neoprene. It is also the cheapest option.
Pros
- quick-drying
- breathable
- cheap
Cons
- instantly saturates
- highly water absorbant
- COLDEST in water
Finetrack
Finetrack’s hybrid water layers like the Flood Rush and Rapid Rush blend the warmth of neoprene with the drying power of Power Stretch. They are quick-drying and breathable which prevents excess moisture from remaining near the body, and reduce convective heat loss. One advantage of Finetrack over Power Stretch is that these middle layers are coated in their own DWR, preventing instant saturation upon immersion.
To be most effective, these middle layers should be combined with FInetrack’s proprietary inner layer, Dry Layer Warm. Dry Layer Warm is a thick mesh-like next to skin layer coated in DWR. It’s purpose is to transport moisture to the middle layer prevent moisture from returning to the skin.
The Finetrack system excels in routes where the water is colder but there is a generous amount of hiking as well. Finetrack is slightly more expensive than Power Stretch because of the need to buy and wear several layers at once.
Pros
- quick-drying
- breathable
- DWR prevents instant saturation
- high utility for wet hiking
Cons
- moderate water absorbtion
- more expensive than Power Stretch
Neoprene
Neoprene wetsuits are the best choice for canyoning and river tracing routes with consecutive pools and where submersion is unavoidable. When dealing with prolonged cold-water immersion in gorges, or on waterfalls, neoprene provides more warmth than either option above. Neoprene varies in cost, fit, and dry time. Generally, fast drying neoprene will be the most expensive option of all three systems. That being said, Taiwan actually manufactures many of the world’s wetsuits and it’s not expensive to get a custom-tailored neoprene wetsuit.
Pros
- WARMEST in water
Cons
- slow-drying
- not breathable outside of water
- uncomfortable for hiking portions
Conclusions: Power Stretch vs Finetrack vs neoprene
Finetrack is likely the best option for year-round river tracing on a budget. The Flood Rush system also works for canyoning in Taiwan during the summer months. As you expand to cold water gear, buy a thicker 5/4mm wetsuit for winter river tracing and canyoning.
For more information on river tracing and canyoning equipment, read the River Tracing Equipment Guide.