Why is OR Pyro $700 vs Oneill Boost $400??

flyin_dutchman · Since 12 Dec 2008 106 Posts LandLocked Stoked

I just got my first drysuit ever, and have tried it once this year. It's the Stohlquist B-POD, which is pretty closely styled to the Kokatat (no gortex) front zip, with built in feet and pee zip. The material is breathable though and I was perfect temp. The neck is a neoprene, not choking latex, and is very comfy!
It is the shiz-nat, and I got it for 268.00 on eBay!Murray's has it on sale for $499. Search around and you can find one pretty cheap? It's a great mid level suit IMO.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

i totally concur the wetsuits are better for swimming. just having fun on gman.

those drysuits are sort of a "bob and swim slow" affair once things have gone south and you're swimming. but death-bag-anchors they're not. they're tough.

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

My Drysuit last year had a major sweat problem but granted it was a $400 drysuit. I lost a seal in it at end of spring and it filled up my legs fairly with water but I still didnt sink. Just burp your suit and were the right size. Don't be baggy. It was cold having my suit fail and glad I wasn't in the water for a long time. Would have sucked if it had happened with no kite attached to me. They are hard to swim in. I always were my pro limit kiteboard float vest when I'm wearing a drysuit just in case, helps out a ton... I used the new Mystic Force drysuit and it worked awsome, I stayed dry and warm for 2 hours with no sweating problems. Can pick one of those up for under $700.

Take care of your gear (kites, bar, lines and suit) and check it out after every use and double check it before going out. Espically in winter were cold is the enemy.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

who knew?

http://vimeo.com/19370203

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

Looks like its designed to be snug and strechy instead of the more baggy deals I've used. Swimming in that one is probably pretty easy.

Nice to see the technology evolving, both drysuits and wetsuits.

Mark · Wed Feb 02, 11 2:54 pm

After hearing all the good things about the Kokatat dry suits, I took the plunge. Retail for $999 got it for $720!!

Bring on the cold biatch!

PDXF · Since 10 Sep 2008 116 Posts Stoked

I bought a cheap used drysuit, too good to be true. I've had to seal many little holes but I stayed warm and dryish. although it isn't gore tex it is worth the $100 I have into it...

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Aside from waxing the zipper, I've heard one should use gasket preserver from time to time. Where is the best place to pick some up? Any other maintenance thoughts?

Mark · Wed Feb 02, 11 6:48 pm

Aldercreek Kayak in Jantzen beach carries a gasket preserve. He also suggested a zipper wax and making sure to wash the suit with fresh water inside and out after being in the ocean. The salt microscopically plugs the Gore Tex.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

only 6 years ago I used a wet suit for the first time , loved it !
I thought a dry suit would be the ultimate then . I bought one for 400 ( Bare ). It was awesome the first time out . I didn't burp it well and when I jumped in the water behind the boat it was keeping me afloat but I was big! what a laugh my daughter and I had . I followed the instructions keeping fresh wax on the zipper and lubed the seals . The second season I was getting wet but spotty , sweat , leaks ? I was not certain which . I was at Nitnat on Vancouver Island and on the far side making a transition but I felt like the wind was dying or ..... Well i looked down and saw my legs from the knees down were very big ! I was filling up and weighed another 100lbs more ! I went back to shore and found the zipper had opened , because I wear a life jacket it didn't fill easily as the life jacket was helping seal it as I wear it over the dry suit . I think I would have been in trouble had I not had the Life Jacket on .
I am scared to use a drysuit now . I was tempted to purchase another like the OR but I'm an hourly worker and cant afford better so 5/4 wetsuit is it and I'll throw a thin shorty on over it if it's real cold like in the spring with some ice still on the lake .
I think the OR or that Kokatat might be the answer though as My old bones don't handle the cold well anymore . Christmas is coming !
JackZ

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

GWTW · Since 11 Aug 2008 24 Posts Gone With The Wind

This is fodder for Myth Busters!

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

Cmon, the idea that "water makes you sink" is sort of crazy. Competitive sailors sometimes wear water vests to give them extra weight without incurring the risk of sinking. (Real life ankle weights).

Yes, dry suits won't work well if they're not maintained. They'll work even worse if their not zipped up.

The kite doesn't fly well if it's not inflated, the car will stop if you don't occasionally put gas in it, blah blah blah

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

I also think some thought should be given to the temperature of the water; not just the weight of it. Most of us are in drysuits due to water temperature. Has anyone ever been in sub 40deg water? It's fucking cold and deadly. Drysuit fails in this water you're dead in minutes. Drowning would be a welcome escape to hypothermia. My point is that if I am in a place where rescue is not immediately possible, a wetsuit under a drysuit is not so kooky. Want to be in your PJs, stay in bed.

Nak · Fri Feb 04, 11 11:18 am

There is no kooky when it comes to what is under your drysuit. It's imperative that you use clothing that maintains it's ability to insulate when wet. If you're going to wear a wetsuit under a drysuit, consider replacing the drysuit with a paddling top and pants. It's amazing how much warmer they make a given wetsuit. (In the air, not much effect in the water.)

Drysuits have a long and enviable record of cold water use in a variety of activities. It's up to each individual to decide what works for them. Some will choose a wetsuit for a given condition, some will choose a drysuit. There are pros and cons to each. The biggest thing to keep in mind is dressing for the swim. It doesn't matter which you wear if you don't have enough insulation to keep you alive if you have to swim.

Last year I ended up in the river for over a half an hour. 35 degree water temp and 20 degree air temp. Other than my hands, I was warm, and I mean toasty warm, the entire time. Yeah, I like my drysuit. But I check the suit, and especially the seals, every time before I go out. I wear an impact vest that doubles as a PFD. I don't go further from shore than I'm comfortable swimming. If I go alone, and yes that's a bad idea, I always have a cell phone in a waterproof bag. Do I take a risk? Yes, but that is part of what kiteboarding, particularly cold weather kiteboarding, is all about. Making an educated decision to take a risk.