Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: Military Drysuit Review

Posted By: Mike Hanks
Date: Monday, 17 March 2003, at 9:34 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Stiff Drysuit (Terry)

Terry, Brian, Kent, and others,

The DWR helped but did not eliminate the problem. I did not wear the suit paddling because it was sunny and warm, and we just planned on paddling the slough. But, we promptly headed out onto the lake, where there were high winds. Our group had our first unintentional capsize (not me) on the way back, goofing around surfing the waves. Got to practice a resue in COLD Lake Washington. We went back to the Launch site then hit the slough. After we finished paddling, I got in the suit to go swimming.

The suit felt nice and comfy at first. I waded out into the water and felt pretty good, with no real insulation on under it. It started to get a little cold in the legs, and then I felt the fabric stiffening up. The legs got quite stiff, but the arms stayed supple. After I got out of the water and the suit, I realized the suit had a leak. Somewhere near the crotch. I was wet from the waist down, and the suit was stiff in the torso and legs, the arms were fine for a while, but they also stiffened up in time. I think the legs were so bad because they were wet inside and out.

The suit would be fine as an emergency suit under a light jacket or tuiliq, to keep spray off. It would also be fine if you stay dry for most of your paddling. If you are always soaked, this suit may get too stiff to be comfortable, but it could save your life. My suit is a used one with a small leak somewhere, that will be fixed. The new ones will be better, but they will still have the stiffness problem.

Mike

: I was wondering if some type of a treatment might help. Let us know the
: results.
: Terry

Messages In This Thread

Great deal on drysuit
Mike Hanks -- Saturday, 8 March 2003, at 3:12 p.m.

I'm sure the CG will love the commando look! *NM*
Ted Henry -- Saturday, 8 March 2003, at 8:21 p.m.

I Bet He Gets Picked Up As A Terrorist! *NM*
Ian Johnston -- Monday, 10 March 2003, at 2:02 a.m.

Re: I bought one *LINK*
magoo_ns -- Sunday, 9 March 2003, at 9:28 a.m.

OD looks better with a tuilik than mango/cobalt *NM*
Shawn Baker -- Monday, 10 March 2003, at 1:01 p.m.

Re: OD looks better with a tuilik than mango/cobal
Terry -- Wednesday, 12 March 2003, at 9:40 a.m.

Re: OD looks better with a tuilik than mango/cobal
Brian Nystrom -- Wednesday, 12 March 2003, at 11:59 a.m.

Re: OD looks better with a tuilik than mango/cobal
Terry -- Wednesday, 12 March 2003, at 3:18 p.m.

Re: OD looks better with a tuilik than mango/cobal
Brian Nystrom -- Wednesday, 12 March 2003, at 4:12 p.m.

Re: Cheap Drysuit Report
Mike Hanks -- Thursday, 13 March 2003, at 2:13 a.m.

Toe repair *Pic*
Shawn Baker -- Thursday, 13 March 2003, at 11:07 a.m.

Hey! Wasn't that guy in The Matrix ?? *NM*
Bill Price -- Thursday, 13 March 2003, at 12:20 p.m.

That fashion statement says...
Robet N Pruden -- Thursday, 13 March 2003, at 5:24 p.m.

Re: Toe repair
Mike Hanks -- Thursday, 13 March 2003, at 8:22 p.m.

Re: Stiff Drysuit
Mike Hanks -- Friday, 14 March 2003, at 12:59 a.m.

Re: Stiff Drysuit
Terry -- Friday, 14 March 2003, at 11:36 a.m.

Re: Military Drysuit Review
Mike Hanks -- Monday, 17 March 2003, at 9:34 a.m.

Thanks for the feedback, Mike. *NM*
Brian Nystrom -- Monday, 17 March 2003, at 1:02 p.m.

Re: Military Drysuit Review
Terry -- Tuesday, 18 March 2003, at 1:22 a.m.

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