Advice on Drysuit/top

[gfitzge7]

I could use some advice on a good drysuit to get. I have been using shells and pants previously, but would like a good suit to stay completely dry in all situations. I do not want to spend much, and yes I know the good ones are pretty expensive. I do no mind getting a used one. Trying to stay under 400. Trying to get it sometime between now and Feb. Thanks

[turboturtle]

Free advice n my two cents worth. Save more money! Do you want a dry suit or one that just claims to be dry. Shop around, find one on sale or something. When you skimp to much, it shows. Is a cold creek where you want to be leaking. Not trying to push any particular types but I've been 100% satisfied for the last fifteen years with OS Systems surface water suits. There surface water section on the web site was under construction the last time I was on. Good luck! T.T.

[Chester]

Keep looking for one used (Boater Talk, eBay, etc.), go breathable fabric if possible, and get one with a relief zipper (or plan on paying for putting one in). Built in GoreTex like booties are great, but doubt you'll find all that for $400. I sold my Stohlquist GoreTex for $450 and it was in great condition, without booties. Remember gaskets can be replaced, just figure for the added costs.

[Zach]

NRS has some for around $400 (tropos not gore-tex) but if you get the cheapest one without a relief zipper, plan on getting one installed. I think booties are optional if you're going cheap, but a relief zipper is really mandatory.

[Crane]

Kokatat is making a Tropos model now with a semi-dry neck gasket in the under-$400 range. It won't meet the "dry under absolutely all conditions" test, but it would probably meet a "pretty darned dry almost always" test. If you don't have to roll a lot, semi-dry gaskets are really a good choice... particularly if comfort is important. I've used a semi-dry IR jacket for several years & have been really pleased with it. My next dry-suit will probably be one... if my full-blown Kokatat every gives up the ghost... which doesn't appear to be happening any time soon. A gore-tex Kokatat dry-suit with a relief zipper was the best $800 I ever spent... until I sent it back to have gore-tex booties added. They are worth the extra money!!

[iYak]

I know that dry suits are the best but they are expensive. I've been using a breathable drytop and drypants for the last several years and have really liked it. I was beat down good a couple of times in Stone Ground on Little Mill at high water and had to hmmm, uh, exit my boat prematurely, and I stayed dry.

I have the Stolquist drypants and they are bomber.

A step up from the drypants would be to get bibs with a relief zipper and a good drytop.

[tominknox]

I bought a palm torrent a year and a half ago and couldn't be happier. relief zipper and installed booties for a little over $400. Got it from gavin at alabamasmallboats.com back when they had a sale. Its not Goretex but it keeps me 99.9999% dry and I can wear it anywhere from 75 degrees down to about 30 degrees. Used it plenty with snow on the ground and plenty when its warm. Friend used it in BC and said he's gonna get one.

Only thing I would change on it if I could would be metal zippers instead of plastic, but the zippers are self healing and have held up really well.

BTW, a decent drysuit will change everything about paddling. It extends your season to virtually year round and really keeps you comfy in bad conditions. Combo of a good drysuit, pogies, and a skull cap will let you boat just about anytime the water flows.

[turboturtle]

Found a medium Stolquist on Mountain Buzz for a hundred and a half.
Ck here http://www.mountainbuzz.com/swap/showcat.php?cat=20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There is also a Palm for sale in the same forum. Neither of which has relief zips built in.

I've got what I like to refer as, "A hundred dollar dry suit, six hundred dollar relief zipper". One of few items whos value is more than worth it's weight in Gold. T.T.