8 Tips for Choosing a Drysuit for Kayaking - Kayak Hipster

Cold temperatures are coming, and I've been recently asked to discuss tips on choosing a drysuit, as well as features. I believe in a lot of cases it comes down to preference, but here's 8 tips to think about when looking at options.

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[ckrandomness]

Great video, Luke.
I suspect that you will find this quickly becoming one of your most viewed. The drysuit debate and decision is hard for everyone--at least the first time. The cost is daunting. Often as much or more than a person's first kayak. What appear to be minor differences seem to frequently come with major price differentials. Personal comfort options are unique to the individual. E.g., I find neoprene neck gaskets less comfortable than latex both physically and psychologically. Most people assume the neo will be more comfortable--and for many it is. /shrug.

As you noted, the key to the overall decision for each individual will be understanding what their intended use cases will be. If you don't like rolling, stay in protected waters with competent people for rescue/aid, then you can opt for less dry, or less durable solutions if you choose. If you expect to be getting wet from waves or rolls, or doing rescue practices, think carefully about that choice.

Protection from the water for temperature control is the primary thing of course, but I know enough folks--myself included--that have had failures of gear or process (in my case not fully securing the relief zip), that resulted in the rush in of cold water. The secondary risk there is not the cold, but that you now have shifted your flotation if you've taken in significant water. Die-hards out there can grab a friend or two and test out what a flooded drysuit feels like to float/swim/rescue. :)

[joeycmore]

Hi... if I may add to the discussion?; please be aware of "breathability" which was mentioned in the video. Let me emphasize that cheaper dry suits may not allow your body heat to vent which can cause over-heating but also will allow you to get soaked via your own perspiration. This can become an issue once you stop paddling and allow a chill to set in very quickly. Just so you know...

[shoutatthesky]

Such an on point video. Clear and concise, with zero waffling on about stuff we really don't need to know. Thanks so much!

[scottsaulsbury]

Nice video, Luke! Your suggestion at the end to test in actual cold conditions is very important. I took an opportunity this spring to test my suit in water that was hovering around 38-40F, but the air temp was in the high 70s. I jumped in without gloves on and, regardless of how overdressed I was with the suit and base layers, the cold on my hands was enough to chill my whole body, to the point of having "brain freeze" (ice-cream headache). I got out my neoprene gloves and made sure that the cuffs were smoothly over the gaskets and tried again... it made a world of difference. Don't forget about your hands in very cold water, even if the air temp is warm!

[scottsaulsbury]

We learned something new last weekend re: "dry" vs. "semi-dry" suits, and I realize that your mileage may vary, but...
I have a Stohlquist full dry suit (the "Amp"), which my wife tried, but didn't like at all because of the initial feel of the neck gasket. She opted for the "EZ" because she thought it was more comfortable and was assured that it would keep her dry in the case of an occasional dunking.
We set out last weekend in a full-on deluge. It was warm(ish), and calm, but the rain never let up. I had a grand time, but after about 90 minutes or so, my wife started talking about feeling wet and cold. We cut the paddle short and headed back.
As I was sorting gear out at home, I found that her "dry" suit was pretty thoroughly soaked around the neck because of the permeability of the neoprene. She hadn't gone into the water... she'd just been exposed to constant rainfall.
It's winter in the Pacific Northwest, and rain is just what happens. It kind of sucks to find that a "dry" suit isn't up to ongoing rainfall.

[caplinrollin]

I'm a frequent dry suit paddler in cold water and weather. This video is the best guide/info session on dry suits, much better than what most retail sales clerk will be able to provide you. Take Luke's advice about wearing insulating layers under your dry suit seriously. A paddling dry suit, as opposed to diver's neoprene dry suit, is one very thin layer, you need insulation under it. Finally, if you're going to wear a dry suit, wear or carry neoprene paddling mitts and a neoprene hood or cap...you'll need them if you capsize.

[mrfelix]

What a great video, thanks for all the information, very well covered.

[CookingandFishing]

I'm just a kayak-fishing hack, riding a hobie surf board...but this is invaluable information for anyone paddling/pedaling cold water. Excellent video!

[vivrose]

Excellent advice. Thanks for taking the time to make this..

[truenorth]

Good video Luke! I think this is very helpful for alot of people trying expand their kayaking-season. Getting a suit of my own was an important and a hard decision I must admit, very happy with it! (latex gaskets, back/shoulder zipper, pissing hatch). Got a lot of tips from more experienced kayakers. You know what you are talking about and thanks for sharing. Thumbs up from Sweden!

[explorermike]

This is another really informative and excellent video. A dry suit is such a big investment. It is good to have a well informed video like this. By the way, I really like your T-Shirt "Say No to Wet Exits" Ha! Great.

[PeteLovesPixels]

Thanks for the great advice once again. I am currently preparing for my second season of kayaking. I took the plunge last week and purchased a drysuit and upgraded to a high end pfd. One thing that I have found over the years is that when purchasing expensive gear, no one really regrets buying quality. I have researched the living daylights out of drysuits. The cheap stuff is just not worth it. I agree that close outs and sales are the way to go. Great discounts can be had on discontinued/noncurrent and previous year leftovers. I have found in other activities that when buying budget gear that eventually you upgrade to the good stuff and in doing so waste money on the initial product that was purchased with the intent to replace in time. I've replaced enough entry level stuff over the years to know that I'm better off just to bite the bullet and buy the good stuff in the first place or worst case the best stuff I could afford at the time if there was an immediate need. If I can't afford something right away, I'll take the money for the entry level item and bank it. Then save until I can get what I want rather than use the credit card. It can take a little longer to get some things but the satisfaction with the product is always worth it. This is especially true for me when it comes to anything to do with safety. When riding motorcycles I subscribe to the idea that you can't spend too much money on safety gear. I'm learning that following that idea for kayaking is a good one. Thanks again for all the great advice and videos. Keep up the good work. My sole purpose for getting into kayaking was to get to better locations for photography. I'd love to return the favor in sharing knowledge so if you ever need photography advice feel free to drop me a line.

[pedroarias]

Amazing!! Really helpful and detailed! Thank you very much :)

[aerozg]

Most paddlers don’t really need a $1300 Kokatat or Helly Hansen arctic expedition type survival dry suit. There are far more affordable options like Palm, Typhoon, Gul or Nookie at €500 range here in Europe, with all the bells and whistles, some of them even come with a full body neoprene thermal underlayer included in the package. I have the Palm Atom and it’s brilliant, i paid €582 for it, brand new over at wetsuitoutlet shop. It’s perfect. What are your thoughs on drysuit vs wetsuit, could you do a video on that? Great video, subscribed and following! Greetings from Croatia.

[paulbouchard]

Great info. So much info presented so efficiently. Thanks.

[ianham]

Thanks for the comprehensive list of considerations. We bought our first SUP last year (a touring model that didn't have great initial stability), so we were spending a fair bit of time in the water in Seattle. That was cold in June, OK in July, fine in August but by September we had to be done. Just bought SUP #2 in mid April and just had to take it out. Stayed close to shore. Great stability until a boat wake hit me broadside and I took a swim in 49 degree water with no protection. Lake Washington and the Puget Sound are amazing paddling opportunities. But, they are super cold much of the year. So, it seems like something will be needed--either a wetsuit or dry suit. As I looked at dry suits, I saw all these knobs on them. Took me a few videos to figure out that there are diving dry suits and like "surface" drysuits. The diving ones get air blown into them so they don't compress at depth and lose their thermal protection if I understood correctly. Whole new world. It needs an infographic. One more note--being a big guy entering into these sports is a tough gig. If anyone else is in that position, I'm finding Kokatat has a L King size that will accommodate larger paddlers. Thanks again for the video. Great stuff.

[cilami]

Very instructive video. I am in Puerto Rico and practice kayak fishing. I installed a sail in my kayak to get to relatively distant fishing spots, and usually spend 4-6 hours (wet) during each fishing trip. My question is... what is the best way to keep me dry and do not suffocate in this tropical climate? TIA for any comments and advice. Miguel.

[trishschofield]

New paddler here. Thank you 😊 for this information video 😘

[Bhamlunker]

Thanks Luke! This is perfect timing...I am considering getting a dry suit from santa...just circling the wagons...I also do a fair amount of fitness paddling on a surf ski in addition to touring...and I have opted to start off with neoprene wetuits for fall and early winter here in the south east US, but by mid to late December, I know I will want a dry suit if I am to keep paddling even in my relatively protected waters....the dry suit will allow me to take on some kayak camping trips when air/water temps really make things crazy. One thing that keeps me scared of camping in fall/winter/spring is the thread of relatively low temps AND rain....a dry suit would make staying dry and warm exceedingly easier while you setup camp. I do not yet get opportunities for lengthy touring...and am in-land so no waves much, so I may try and find a good bargain suit as a starter...

[pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

I like the idea of a front zipper, if getting off a kayak for a nosey around an island or a break from sitting in the kayak, the front zip can be opened and the top part pulled over the head to the back, the sleeves can be tied together at the front to cool off and just get some air.
I think this would work better than the back zipper.