how come none of the brands make drysuits anymore ? I know there are the loose/baggy style. I have one..a Kokatat, which I like, but not to many or any traditional drysuits. I remember years ago...many years ago..... Oneil used to make a drysuit called the 'Oasis" I think . And there were others.

But I dont see any today....or no shops seem to carry anything ????

Wetsuits are pretty good nowadays and thinner wetsuits can hold more bodywarmth.
I used to wear a drysuit in UK winter for kitesurfing (enclosed feet) and one issue I found is that when inside the water the suit would get quite painful at the feet from the water pressure. additionally the air would get compressed up and form a sort of bubble on top of the suit which would make you very non-manouverable while in the water.

The nice thing was that if it wasn't too cold you could just wear your normal clothes underneath - doff the suit and get back in your car.

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skyking1231 said..
how come none of the brands make drysuits anymore ? I know there are the loose/baggy style. I have one..a Kokatat, which I like, but not to many or any traditional drysuits. I remember years ago...many years ago..... Oneil used to make a drysuit called the 'Oasis" I think . And there were others.

But I dont see any today....or no shops seem to carry anything ????

My main problem was the seals ... Last one was an Ocean Rodeo, that was bulky but toasty but I had to change deteriorating rubber seals roughly every 18 months ... nightmerish ... maybe seals got better but my O'neal 5.5 is as toasty and much less bulky

Zhik makes a good one (zhik.com/us/adult-performance-drysuit.html) but for our purposes with modern neoprene a good 5/4 or 6/5 will be nearly as warm and much safer. My front-zip Excel 4/3 is good down to 40? and pretty easy to get in and out of

Probably safer, depends on your spot and how fast you can swim back in case of a problem.

I used a shortie (1/1) under a 4/3 regular wetsuit. Though my older 4/3 was great about keeping water from entering at the neck, the newer one was terrible.

A kayak jacket fixed that problem with a good hood. It was an almost dry suit at that point.

Never too much trouble swimming fully equipped. Problem was eyeballs, and regular balls, not so used to ice baths then!

A kayak dry top over your wetsuit is a game changer for winter comfort. That's what we do on the west coast of Canada when the air starts hitting 5c or less.

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Grantmac said..
A kayak dry top over your wetsuit is a game changer for winter comfort. That's what we do on the west coast of Canada when the air starts hitting 5c or less.

Brand preference?

I use a C-skins rewired 6/5, hooded, when it gets cold here in Sweden. I have used it down to -3?C without any issues with body-warmth.

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Paducah said..

Grantmac said..
A kayak dry top over your wetsuit is a game changer for winter comfort. That's what we do on the west coast of Canada when the air starts hitting 5c or less.

Brand preference?

Kokatat, but that's because they are local. NRS is another good brand.

I like the idea of a kayak jacket, have you got a link or picture of one you use ? Sometimes a ware a thin rain coat on a boat in the summer and it's amazing the difference it makes to any wind chill.

I've just seen the brand you use .

Unfortunately prices have gone insane on those. I buy them used, thankfully a lot of people kayak here.

Winter gear is so important here up north, Estonia.
I know kiters used to go out in dry suits, probably still do once it gets below certain C. At least prolimit seems to make some still.

As for myself 6/5 wetsuit does well, Xcel because of the good fit. Impact vest on top takes off some windchill.

Mittens are the biggest problem. There's a good mitten from Prolimit, with thicker outside and thin grippy material on palm but their biggest size is for small hands. And same with most of the brands. Couple of brands make tall enough wetsuits but nobody makes the mitten to complete the package. Open palms do fine down to 6C.

Best boot so far O'Neill Heat, 5mm and 7mm. It has nicely rounded toebox and thicker sole. Thin sole is gone with one winter. And it has nice round toe box. Some boots have glued on bits around toes with vertical edges that rub against straps until start peeling.