C-Forum

I love my Kokatat drysuit but that neck gasket tears me up. I stretch the neck out with a large sauce pan a couple days before wearing but it still rubs like crazy. What do you guys do to help this situation?

stop shaving

Do you have any allergy to Latex?? If yes, I don't think there is a lot you can do!?!

I've stretched mine for 2 weeks on a cookie jar a bit bigger than my neck, paddled with it and stretched it again. 303 will also soften it up a bit.

try pulling the gasket down on your neck closer to your collar bone. Thats what I do and it seems to help. It should still seal properly. You can also, as a last resort, trim the gasket down from the top, a little at a time, until it fits better. But once you cut, you can't go back.

No allergies. I don't shave that low on my neck and I would call it something liked chapped lips except it's on the neck. Maybe I can stretch it some more and solve some of the problem.

Rub some baby powder or talc on the inside of the neck gasket each time before you go paddling. It'll at least help until you get wet.

Shep

I have always trimmed mine to get comfortable. Very careful, one ring at a time, brand new razor with the gasket lightly stretched out on a coffee can. I try for one continuous cut around the can.

Try it on, cut another ring if you still turn blue. You can always fill up a tub of water and test for water tightness. A drop or two leaking by when submerged is fine. A few drops of wet won't kill ya.

As long as you make a clean cut the gaskets will last a long time. I've had some last 5+ years. If you leave a ragged edge, it won't last long.

IMHO stretching the crap out of the latex will stress it out and result in premature failure.

303 several times a year will help as will a rinse of the inside of the gasket after each use to remove body oils. Sunscreen is also a bad idea.

i bet it's some kind of allergy. a gasket that's too tight will just strangle you!
try the talc. it works for one guy I know..
303 makes it slick so that might help too.

Elgotto, Try a product called Body Glide... found at Hibbette Sports.They sell stuff for athletes. The most wonderful product i have ever used.

D-Caption Hope this helps

Thanks for the help. I'll try the powders first then if that doesn't work I will consider cutting the gasket.

Now that Body Glide has been mentioned, I think it's a great suggestion. It should last longer than the talc too.

KY works to prevent the rash and does not harm the latex gasket. Of course, you need to be secure enough to be seen carrying a tube of that stuff in your boating tub/bag.

Same principle as the talcum powder, I'm pretty sure - dry latex grips your skin too well, and the hair follicles get all tweaked from the gasket pulling the skin every time you move your head. Talc or KY both make the gasket slide without compromising the seal.

And I'll echo the trimming recommendation for initial comfort and durability. That's why the gasket has those rings molded into it in the first place - they're trimming guides.