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Looking into getting a drysuit. I don't know anything about em so I'm asking you guys. What should I look at when choosing one? Doesn't have to be fancy, just want it to keep me dry, warm, and last a while. Any recommendations or advice would be much appreciated.

Dave

CurlyFries wrote:Looking into getting a drysuit. I don't know anything about em so I'm asking you guys. What should I look at when choosing one? Doesn't have to be fancy, just want it to keep me dry, warm, and last a while. Any recommendations or advice would be much appreciated.

Dave

I suggest Kokatat, but others have had success with Stohlquist Palm and PeakUK. Given that you're in Ontario, and probably paddling Hwy 7 in the spring, Elora, etc, then having a relief zipper is a good idea. Personally, I wouldn't buy one without.

Gortex is nice to have. I know some women who own a suit with other breathable material, and they say it is ok. When the water is near freezing and the temps just above that, don't expect much from Goretex or anything similar. It is much better than the other option: non breathable drysuits. Those are saunas and it is hard to stay warm with all the moisture you collect in them.

Level 6 makes a sturdy looking suit, but most of the people I know who bought one eventually sold it and got a Kokatat.

Don't forget Immersion Research. I love my DoubleD. Breathes well, feels really sturdy, looks great. I dig it.

What I am hearing so far:
- Gore-tex/anything else breathable is the way to go
- Relief zipper is nice to have
- Lots of good manufacturers out there

I really want one with built in socks too.

Does a relief zipper really make a big difference? With a front zipper it doesn't look like it would be a huge inconvenience to not have it. The extra hundred or so is a bit of a deterrent. I just spent all of my money on a new boat

Thinking http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=22502 looks good. Meets my criteria so far.

Thanks for the replies so far!

Keep them coming

a lot of new paddlers think kokatat is too expensive and buy another brand, only to turn around and buy a kokatat a year later, when they discover the truth about their suit that was such a killer deal. not sayin there aren't other good suits. I just won't ever know. because as long as kokatat keeps up their quality, fit and service, there's no reason to go anywhere else.

and yeah, whatever brand you get, make sure it's a breathable fabric.
Relief zips are nice, but not mandatory. especially for an open boater with no skirt to deal with.

There are some pretty serious quality issues with Level 6.

The relief zipper will save a lot of wear and tear on the main zipper.

Honestly dude, spend the money... you won't regret it.

Not trying to be a wise guy here, but use the search function on this list. You will come to realize that Kokatat GMER with gore-tex socks is the way to go. I fought the price issue for years. Just didn't want to spend the money. Then when I had it I realized what a D.A. I had been all along.

Yea I tried the search function, didn't find much. And come on, its nice having people reply directly to your questions. We all like to talk about paddling and paddling gear anyways?


Thanks for the input everyone

At first I was thinking that the Kokatat Tropos 3 (T3) Swift Entry would be a good choice, but it doesn't have socks so its a no-go.

Looks like the T3 Meridian is the best choice so far. Looks perfect except for the fact its not gore-tex. Is there a huge difference between gore-tex and T3? Looks like the exact same suit, just different fabric?

Dave

Lighter zipper on the T3 suits.

Most people who know about these things say the Tropos suits are mainly for touring paddling. I pretty well agree with what Larry said. The Kokatat Goretex suits are the best money can buy and worth the price. I've had mine since 2007, and it's still going strong. I sent it back to Kokatat this summer for a 'tune-up' -pressure test and (a lot of) patching ran something like $20. If you get one, you won't be disappointed.

I've been very happy with my Stohlquist - breathable, socks and relief zipper at a good price. It seems well made to me. The feet are comfy and make suiting up quicker and easier. The relief zipper is really nice, too.

I'm the coldest open boater on the water - I'm wearing my drysuit when absolutely no one else is - like the middle of August if the river is a cold one like the Nantahala...buy a Kokatat - they last, keep you dry, and te factory backs up their product. Relief zippers? Well - my 52 year old bladder loves a relief zipper...

i have a kokatat drysuit that was made in 1992 .... it leaks now and kokatat cant do anything about it because of the age (they wont even put a price on resealing it) .... that said if i could afford one i would get the Kokatat Gortex suit ... with the relief zipper and booties

CurlyFries wrote:Yea I tried the search function, didn't find much. And come on, its nice having people reply directly to your questions. We all like to talk about paddling and paddling gear anyways?


Is there a huge difference between gore-tex and T3? Looks like the exact same suit, just different fabric?

Dave

pretty sure the warranty is not as good on the tropos fabric, but don't quote me.

and yeah, the search function is boring.

I got my drysuit made by O.S. Systems. They were great to work with and can adjust the suit to your dimensions. The suit itself is burly and has neoprene shin and knee guards built in. I like the fact that it's made in the USA by a small, personable company.

http://www.ossystems.com/surface/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh, and dry feet is a game-changer.

Winter paddling on 1 hour creek runs; relief zip whatever. Spring paddling on all day river trips: I think I'm gonna be mighty happy I spent the extra dollar.