drysuit

knuckledragger · Since 01 Aug 2010 14 Posts

Wondering about opinions on trying a 2 piece kokatat dry suit for kiting. I got it when I was kayaking.
I'm always cold this time year, even in the 5.4 wet suit. No problem if I don't spend anytime in the water but makes me too conservative for true fun.
Also anyone found booties that don't make it so hard to grab the board?
Any other ideas?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

http://www.cleanlinesurf.com/products/Patagonia-R4-Hooded-Chest-Zip-Wetsuit.html

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Well if you don't mind getting wet in your drysuit...

I think you should look at more of dry suit aimed at kiteboarding, windsurfing, or the like. A suit perfectly suited for kayak use will probably not hold up when you impact the water, or take the abuse of the harness from kiteboarding. Especially since the legs/waist are typically not being thrashed around by water and gear as much sitting you do while in a kayak. Kayak gear also isn't built for getting dragged through the water trying to get back to your board or being bounced off the water as you accidentally loop your kite close to the water...

Nak · Tue Jun 12, 12 4:05 pm

If you're cold this time year in a 5-4, your wetsuit sucks. Sorry, but just saying.

I'm a huge fan of dry suits, but as we're getting into this time of year they're too hot. When you're out of the water and air temperatures up, you'll sweat too much even in a Gore-Tex suit. Your best bet will be a good wetsuit for this time year. When it's colder, a Gore-Tex Kokatat suit is the best there is.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Nak, I wasn't meaning to dis Kokatat, their great. But as far as a two-piece, it may be a bit more prone to failure. At least with the abuse I would put it through. Very Happy

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

There is no such thing as a two piece drysuit.

Drytop+drypants+kiteboarding=wet/ cold/ sucks

Plus, when you crash and get drug the water will just rip the seal between the two apart, soaking you and making it worthless.

Get a better wetsuit. If you're cold in a 5/4 right now, its the crappiest wetsuit ever.

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

dude im with you on the drysuit concept! im gonna check out the mystic force suit when i pass through SF on the way north. im thinking that ones pretty legit.

i want that lucifer but im not sure about swimming in big surf or even river swell with that thing, on the occasions i venture out of the flatwater.....

Nak · Tue Jun 12, 12 5:31 pm

knuckledragger · Since 01 Aug 2010 14 Posts

Thanks everyone. Anybody want to buy a 2 piece drysuit Very Happy

Looks like Patagonia's the way for the cold wussies.

Nak · Tue Jun 12, 12 5:51 pm **Re: drysuit**

wylieflyote · Tue Jun 12, 12 6:17 pm

If you want a dry suit that will stand up to extremes of cold, durability, and designed for kiteboarders. You can't go wrong with to ION Fuse drysuit. I had the Lucifer in 2009 which unfortunately was a year they had a bad lot of Goretex. Mine leaked. and now I don't trust Goretex. NPX is a great company because they gave me %100 refund after a full winter of abuse. I got the ION, and from the first hour out in 45 degree air/water I have always been toasty. For me it feels like snugly pajamas against the skin, and you're ripping swell off the Washington Coast in December. It is made with 3mil closed cell foam.
I don't work for, or represent any company.

knuckledragger · Since 01 Aug 2010 14 Posts

Now that sounds promising. Thanks!

Deapblu · Since 23 Jun 2008 27 Posts Portland

I have a 1 piece dry suit and its great for the colder months...one thing you have to be weary of though with dry suits (at least the non-neoprene ones) is that if you do get a tear or leak, you end up in big bag of water. Its not only cold, but can make it difficult to swim or maneuver. If you get a leak, get in right away! Just something to be aware of.

As far as being cold, my old dive instructor used to use re-usable heat packs in his wet suit to keep warm on deep, cold dives. They are pretty cheap (especially compared to the cost of a dry suit) and you can keep reusing them almost indefinitely. Here is one I found on Amazon, but you can look around for others.

http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Re-Heater-Instant-Heat-Pack/dp/B0016SMISW

Pretty much to use them you flex a metal disc in the pack and it triggers an exothermic reaction in a super-saturated solution in the pack (did I mention my dive instructor was also a chemistry teacher?). To recharge you just have to boil it for a while and the crystals turn back into liquid. They also work great for camping/skiing/ etc.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

I picked up one of these from Promotion suits and have never been cold.

http://stores.wetsuit.com/-strse-153/SURFING-WETSUIT-FULLSUIT-6-fdsh-4/Detail.bok

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

Another good option this time of year is the Neoprene over jackets. I wear one when I teach sitting on the jet-ski and it saves my bacon for sure. (disclaimer: I do rep for Underwave and we make one). There are several companies making them right now. Underwave, Hyperflex, NPX, ION, all good. I would recommend looking for one that has drain holes in the wrist and waist area, as well as a harness hook hole. Also look for the smooth skin outer. They seem to cut the wind the best.