DIVING AND SNORKELING IN MOUNTAIN RIVERS AND LAKES HAS BECOME MY PASSION.
Many years I have been waiting for the right conditions to create the true winter atmosphere in Austrian Alps. That day came in January 2017 after three weeks of deep freezing temperatures and lots of snow fall. When driving around Attersee I noticed a violet fog hanging over the surface and blue shades all over the place. A sign of really cold weather. My car showed –22°C .
The road is lined by high snowdrifts making it almost impossible to find a place to park.
Before I get out of car I need to make a plan how to get dressed as quickly as possible without losing too much heat. Now is when the material quality of all layers matter more than ever before, but most critical is the effort you expend just to kit up! The X-mission does a great job here. Light, precisely sized, easy to put on – it offers the right dose of support. Once I am dressed, I feel like I’m ready to go skiing rather than diving! Nice and warm base and mid layer, combined with ultra-light X-Mission gives me the feeling that I can take bath in the snow. Wading through waist high snow feels like nothing! It warms me up before the 0°C water hits with striking force. Using the thick mid layer Polar Extreme, dry gloves and a thick hood is a must here.
Another great feature of X Mission is its maximum water resistance. The same feature that results in quick drying after the dive, has another effect in freezing cold conditions. After I get out of water, the suit freezes immediately. However, thanks to its water resistance the pieces of ice fall like glass off the suit after a few seconds. The result is that I am ready to wade through river bed to the next deep chamber in almost dry X-Mission.
When back after 4 hours of intensive snorkeling in winter conditions I am confident enough to say, that without proper equipment this would not be possible. Light, warm and functional. There is nothing I would improve on the X-Mission. ~ Martin Strmiska
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE X-MISSION
