IrishFreestyle

The drysuit is fantastic when you are going to be sitting in eddies waiting on inexperienced paddlers, getting out and setting up rescue frequently etc. But if everyone in your group is reasonably experienced then there will be no sitting around. (for me anyway!) Constant playing and keeping warm... so you shouldn't need a drysuit. It gets sweaty and cold if you are doing a lot of paddling. I much prefer a wetsuit long john, good quality shortie cag with long sleeve thermal, and if its really cold, another old cag over that again. Add earplugs and neoprene scull cap for the full toasty warm experience.

In short, steer away from a drysuit unless you are going to be doing a lot of paddling slowly, minding and rescue. 

E 

I wud defo go with the drysuit - I use mine playboating and on rivers and it is the bomb!  The best thing about it is that ur thermals stay completely dry  and therefore ya stay alot warmer on the water.  

 Ya not savaing much (or perhaps any) money buying a kag and drypants seperately!

 Defo wudnt go with the neoprene - it restricts ur movement alot and is not so comfy when squashed into a playboat!

I can't say I'll be trying that any time soon in the depts of kerry/ wicklow this winter!

I was just asking because for the last few years I have been using Peak gear either Cags or Cag decks with dry pants when in winter. But after loosing my dry pants and while looking about for new ones I was wondering would I just bit the bullet and go for a dry suit? But i'm not sure if I need it as i have never suffered from the cold etc using my current system.

 Then the next question is which dry suit is the one to go for, the best around seem to be either the Kokat gore-tex or the palm strikline. What do people think?

Adrian

Party on People!

Hey id really recommend the Kokatat Gortex Drysuit.

Kokatat’s supple, high-count nylon, 3-layer GORE-TEX® IMMERSION®Technology fabric is completely waterproof, breathable and durable. This tightly woven fabric is tough as nails, yet quiet and comfortable so you can focus on the experience at hand. Ive being paddling with normal dry tops and pants for years now and just got sick of being half dry.. There was also talk of some movement restriction. But this was not to be. Ive found it to be very comfortable and free with its competition cut under arm design and have found the Gortex fabric to be very good wen freestyling and pushing it that little bit harder on the water.

These dry suits are specifically designed for kayakers — adjustable overskirt with Smoothskin neoprene waistband keeps water out of your cockpit.

• Evolution 3.21 oz. nylon 3-layer GORE-TEX®
• Self draining punch-through neck & wrist neoprene over-cuffs
• Latex gaskets
• Self draining, zippered chest pocket with key lanyard
• Competition cut underarm
• Covered metal tooth, waterproof Optiseal chest zipper
• Dual-adjustable overskirt incorporates "hook & loop" compatible neoprene
• Adjustable bungee drawcord at waist
• Cordura® seat and knee patches, self-draining
• "Hook & loop" adjustable neoprene over-cuffs at ankle
• Factory sealed seams
• Relief zipper
• GORE-TEX® socks

I got mine at I-Canoe.Com and i found them to have good selection in stock.

You guys have too much money!!

Good luck with the drysuit, looks like I wont be changing your mind! 

Personally I would take a wetsuit any day over the drysuit.

One thing you should bear in mind though is that if you do take a swim on a creeky river; there is not much padding in a drysuit. 

Best of luck with your decision.

E 

I was about to ask the same question, combo or dry suit?

I'm currently siding towards the kokatat tropos bibs. So what are people's experiences with bibs, how dry are they? Main problem I can see is the relief zip doesn't come as standard, which could prove to be very annoying!

Either that or this dry suit http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/kayaking-drysuits.html

 anyone used lomo gear before?

Bibs are pretty good and you always have the option of not using the bib and just using your cag when the weather is better. At the moment I know i-canoe have a offer on the whirlpool bibs.

I was going to go for the gore-tex ones and thought I may aswell make the investment in a full suit, just not sure what one to go for is all.

As for not having the padding of a wetsuit incase I take a swim, I'm going to have a PMA and not take that into the equalion at all!

Party on People!

My dry suit is the single best bit of kit I've ever bought. My only regret is that I did not buy it sooner and made do with the always damp dry trousers and dry cag combination for years.

It's no contest, drysuit every time. 

long johns wetsuits are made for swimming, idea is water goes in and body heats water up, lovely..if ya swimming.. If ya kayaking in Irish winters drysuit best thing without a doubt! Saying that had a leaky one b4 and drove me nuts. Got a Kokatat one now and is toasty.

I prefer the full monty option not only do save a small fortune you get to feel the real irish weather! You will find that your paddling will improve greatly as you never wish to have to do a roll and remain upright all the time. Your speed improves as you paddle like a mad man.

Resurrecting the gonads can prove to be somewhat difficult on occasions (i like to use pocket warmers)

hope this can be of some help

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=3kle9XEMPzw 

I would definitely go with the dry suit option if you can spare the expense of having another cag for the summer. As far as what you can do in them? There not just for sitting around idle in, if your doing a river on a cold day then its the best way of staying warm and dry.

I used a Palm Stikine on multiday trips in Siberia and had no problem with the breathability and waterproofness. The material is tough too, reinforced on the ass, knees and elbows which i definitley needed on some of the slides and falls on the bank. I don't know what the kokatat Gore tex one is like, but gore tex are kind of running away with the breathable fabric market at the moment and i think that there are alot of cheaper and just as good or better substitutes out there so just having Gore tex wouldn't sway me.

Do not buy a wetsuit if you plan on doing any serious winter paddling. They are not that warm when they are dry and sod all use when wet. Prone to wind chill and just not comfortable.

Get your self the best drysuit you can afford with a decent thermal layering system under neath.

It will be as good for improving your paddling as a shinny new boat. The less fear you have of a cold water dunking = the more confidence you'll approach stuff = the less chance you'll get that dunking in the first place.

Besides there's a safety aspect that can't be overlooked. It happens to all paddlers in some form at some stage. A swim followed by a walk out or prolonged boat extraction. Why ad hypotermia to your list of woe's.

Never test the depth of the water with both feet.