dry suits

Decked Canoes, Open Canoes, as long as they're canoes!

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beereddy
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dry suits

Post by beereddy »

What is more comfortable to paddling in OC, dry suit, dry top and dry pants or neoprens
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yarnellboat
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Post by yarnellboat »

It depends on the water and weather of course. If I don't want to get wet, like in the winter, I wear a drysuit; but if it's a smokin' hot summer day, I prefer neoprene (the water is always cold in BC).

In my opinion, a connecting dry bib and dry top do not seal well enough for open boating. Anything more than a quick, mild swim and you'll be taking in water. Still better than neoprene for cold-weather paddling, but not fully dry.

P.
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Mike W.
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Post by Mike W. »

Dry suit all the way! No bunching in the middle. I just bought a new one with gore-tex socks sewn in. They are WAY more comfortable than the ankle gaskets that my previous suit had :D The socks also make it easier to get the suit on & off. Be sure to get the relief zipper too. That way you don't have to remove your helmet & life-jacket, then take the suit down to your knees & try not to pee in the suit :oops:

I used to wear a wet-suit & had to cut out the backs of the knees to help circulation. It was ok in the boat, but cold when I got out :roll:
ChrisKelly
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Gore-tex is a gift from the GODZ

Post by ChrisKelly »

Gore-tex dry suit, with booties and relieft zipper. I swim in January and can drive home in the clothes I wear under my dry suit.
Chris Kelly
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Post by Paddle Power »

If you want the best protection then get a full drysuit. The best protection may not be required if you paddle C1 (a dry top might do it).

Kokatat suits are very good.
http://www.kokatat.com/

As others said, go goretex with socks and a relief zipper. If you also paddle a C1 then also get a tunnel.

There is no turning back once you go dry....
Brian
http://www.JohnstonPursuits.ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
chuck naill
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I made a mistake

Post by chuck naill »

I would really consider a full dry suit with some good layering peices underneath.

I made the mistake of getting a two peice a few years ago when I was paddling a Spanish Fly. If you take a swim you will be wet.

Since going C boat all the way, I presently like to use my dry top, with a pair of NRS Hydraskin tights. I also use a Mystery long sleeved shirt and other layers as needed. I also would recommend using a Mystery helmet liner for the cold protection and also for the ear protection.

If you really want a two peice, would probably think about those dry bibs.

Chuck
Jim
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Safety

Post by Jim »

Like Chuck- I when I am in a C-1 prefer a dry-top. Just remember, as was posted in a different thread a couple of weeks ago, that the ability to participate in some rescues will be severly limited if you are not wearing a full dry suit.

Have fun out there.
Jim
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Heidi
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palm drysuits

Post by Heidi »

Palm Drysuits is another brand to check out. Here's a recent thread
http://www.npmb.com/cms2/forum_viewtopic.php?4.33302

gortex, booties and relief zip - worth the bucks
Baby Falls-Tellico, TN
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squeakyknee
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Post by squeakyknee »

Mike W.'s suit is pimp!
My top and bottom just don't cut it for rough :evil: swims.or jumping out of your boat feet first.(not a recommend test to do on a 38F day.)
And the ankle gaskets suck to deal with.
Suit for the cold cold months for sure.
I modified an old Whites suit to fit my lanky body(added 3' to the ankles above the booties.
It's not the prettiest suit youve ever seen,but it keeps me dry
Shawn
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go big or stay home!

Post by MotorCityOC-1 »

Gortex drysuit w/ integral booties and a relief zipper fer sure. When I bought my first OC-1 I bought a high end drysuit and I've never regretted it for an instant, despite the fact that it darn near broke the bank. I briefly considered coated nylon and I'm so glad I went with Gortex. A non-breathable drysuit would be a sauna!

Kokatat wouldn't put a drop seat in a mens suit for me- apparently they've never had a Malox Morning :o

If I could do it all again, I'd try to find one with a tunnel gasket/draft tube/whatever for decked boatin'- but not at the expense of the other key features I mentioned.

-K
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Mike W.
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Post by Mike W. »

Hey Kevin, What's a "tunnel gasket/draft tube"?

You bring up another good point about the non-breathables. The 1st dry-suit I ever saw was a nylon one. They guy called it his "personal sauna". It was nasty. At the end of the day he'd stick a couple of fingers in his ankle gaskets to let the sweat pour out :-? Man, that was just nasty. You never regret buying the best.
billcanoes
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dry suit

Post by billcanoes »

Mike

Most dry tops have an internal and external layer fromthe chest down. the internal layer goes down, then the skirt, then the external layer- OC! dry suit don't have the extra layer- which is fine but if you use it in a c1, then it goes suit -then skirt, so there is nothing blocking the water from dripping down the skirt/drysuit- you still are dry, but the inside of the boat gets some extra water.

I hope I explained this properly.


I had an expensive drysuit, but it wasnt breathable, so I sweated inside of it, which ended up making me cold. Now I just have the drytop and hope I dont swim, or need to assist in rescues. I took a safety course last year, which stated, dress for the weakest member in the paddling party. Usually it's me :)

Bill
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???

Post by MotorCityOC-1 »

it's one of them thingys what pulls down over the top of yer sprayskirt tunnel...

I seen one in a pitcher once
riverright
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NRS dry suits

Post by riverright »

Don't mean to hijack the thread...

But has anyone had any experience with NRS Extreme Dry Suits? Its made out of 420 denier, 3 layer TriTon. Anyone know the material, can comment on its breathability?

I too want to avoid the all Nylon suit and the "personal sauna". Just wondering if the NRS suit is a cheaper alternative to some of Kotatats, stohlquist,etc.

What do you think,

Brad
chuck naill
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NRS

Post by chuck naill »

You can take anything that NRS sells to the bank. Good, solid, well thought out peices of equipment.

IF money where no object, and that being seldom the case, I would have an NRS drysuit. They have some discounted right now and are giving away boaters bucks toward purchased for next year.

Chuck
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