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A few layers of the microfibres
provide exceptional thermal
insulation. 500 x magnification
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Nature provides excellent examples of perfect thermal insulation in the form of natural down or fibres. Thinsulate™ insulation builds on these
principles and combines them with state-of-the-art microfibre technology.
C Bear use Thinsulate™ to produce garments with exceptional thermal insulation coupled with durability and easy
care.
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C Bear realises that the most important factor in a
dry suit package is the quality of the undersuit. The drysuit will keep you dry but does not offer the full protection necessary for true warmth and comfort. The construction of the insulation plays
a large part in the thermal protection provided.
C Bear has always chosen to use 3M's Type C Thinsulate. This is limited to a fleece which wicks any moisture, preventing skin
cooling This works best when next to the skin. This is why the fit of the undersuit is so important in this equation, optimising the comfort factor.
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AP4 250gm Thinsulate Insulation
Type C undersuit as used by Gavin Newman
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C Bear uses three weights of Type C Thinsulate, CS100 for sports diving, CS200 for deepdiving, and CS250 for extreme
diving.
We chose Type C for scuba diving because it retains the maximum thermal value under pressure. The microfibres used are 10 times smaller than fibres of
other synthetic insulation, and therefore trap more air. Type C retains insulating ability in damp conditions by allowing moisture to escape, drying quickly and easily. The lack of bulk reduces the
need for excess lead for buoyancy control.
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C Bear chooses to laminate Type C Thinsulate to to other fabrics as tests show that this process is up to 30% more efficient
at retaining warmth than quilting.
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