Let's Talk Dry Pants

[Ate My Lunch]

I am currently in the market for a pair of dry pants.

I'd like to spend between 100-200 dollars.

I'm looking at a pair of NRS Freefall Dry Pants listed at 159.99

Pretty much, I want to get the most Bad-A dry pants I can find that are within my price range. (preferably in the lower end)

[RomanLA]

I'd spend just a little more and get Kokatat Bibs. They'll keep you much dryer than pants. I looked at a few sites and was only able to find the tropos material...no clue how well it works. They're on sale at CKS for almost the same price as the dry pants you were looking at though.
http://www.coloradokayak.com/Kokatat-Tr ... gory=18141

[okieboater]

I picked up a pair of Palm breathable pants with sewn in footies. I think their version of GoreTex look alike. Got them on sale a year or so ago based on a BoaterTalk post recommendation. Have used them quite a few times and they have worked well. Have not taken a swim so cannot vouch for their total waterproofness yet but mated with my Kokotat dry top, I feel pretty secure. In fact, have not worn my dry suit since I got this setup. In really cold boating conditions a dry suit is the way to go, but for most of the cold weather I feel comfortable boating in these days, this dry top / footed pants works for me. I know there is some chatter on dry pants with sewn in feet being a safety issue, with mine pretty secure inside my dry top and skirt tunnel I am ok with it. I have a pair of regular dry pants with latex around the ankle and they are ok in warm weather but I feel the latex cuts off circulation a bit to my feet during colder weather conditions.

The tropos material might be improved. I had a early version of Kokotat Tropos dry suit and it did not work at all for me. This was several years ago. I am a big fan of Kokotat but will not spend the money for their Tropos material until I get feedback that it has been improved a bunch.

If Kokotat offers their GoreTex in a footed paddle pant, I would save up and buy a pair as I think their gear is top notch.

[RomanLA]

If Kokotat offers their GoreTex in a footed paddle pant, I would save up and buy a pair as I think their gear is top notch.

They have them on their web site, but I couldn't find any for sell, so I'm guessing they're pretty pricey.

[Ate My Lunch]

Looking at Kokatat T3 Tempest Pants w/ built in Socks for 172.00

Seems like a pretty good deal?

[Dannyboy]

Just my two cents worth... I've noticed that instead of sandwhiching all the layers of inner tunnel, outer, skirt, and waist of pants (which actually works great as long as you don't swim). I pull the pants up high, and roll the top of the drypants and inner tunnel together (rolling DOWNward) as you would a dry bag, then pulling my skirt tunnel up over the roll, then pulling down the outer jacket shell down and cinching the belly bands tight directly over the roll. Pay particuler attention to the roll in the small of your back! Its the most likely leak spot from leaning forward, and can be done perfectly with the help of a friend. I hope this helps someone as much as it helped me!

[okieboater]

way back when, I had the roll waist setup for a dry pants dry top combo. And, it worked pretty good. Pain in the back side to deal with for me tho.

This last setup with the Palm dry pants with footies, has a high waist. I just pull my Kokotat dry top down over the pants. Insert the spray skirt between the bottom openings of the dry top and have had remarkably low seepage. I say low because zero problems so far. I have waded around and stumbled around in deep water, so far have not taken a really good swim in it so it probably is not bomber like a real deal dry suit.

Not saying this combo works for every body but it sure has worked well for me. To the point I rarely take out the full dry suit.

No way this top/pant combo can beat a real dry suit in frigid weather, but the simple hi waist mate factor of the palm pants and standard dry top bottom is a pretty cheap and easy to deal with option for most of the time I want to be out on the water.

[fzburk]

If you want some basic paddling pants at a very economical price, check out the Immersion Research website. They have an outlet called Industrial River and Surf. The link is below.

http://outlet.immersionresearch.com/#ec ... ort=normal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've always found their quality good for the price.

I've also got some Kokatat Tropos Whirlpool Bibs that are very comfortable, breath fairly well, and have stood up to about three years of use so far.

http://www.kokatat.com/activity/sea-kay ... b-men.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mark

[Shep]

It is not my intent to start a flame-war, but there is at least one known incident of bib-style drypants filling with water and contributing to a drowning death. I know the drypants + drytop is a much cheaper combo than a full drysuit, but that is of-course the safest option. If you do decide to have a big hole in the middle (i.e. separates), I would opt for non-bib pants, which will be easier to escape.

Paul

[mgood]

I'll start the flame war. Do the dry pants. Don't do the bibs. It's more money for almost no difference.

Bottom line- if you swim, in either pants or bibs, then you will get water in between your layers. Why pay more when the end result is the same?

I've got NRS dry pants and I'm a big fan.They'll take a beating getting scraped on rocks.

If you don't swim, then it doesn't matter anyway.

[RomanLA]

If you don't swim, then it doesn't matter anyway.

There's nothing like wearing shorts on a cool day to really make you wanna roll!