Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: Buy the goretex drysuit

Posted By: Bruce
Date: Wednesday, 18 October 2000, at 12:25 a.m.

In Response To: Buy the goretex drysuit (Ed K.)

: I tried to avoid what I thought was a high price for a drysuit ($700), and
: spent $120 on a farmer john wetsuit and $200 on a goretex paddling jacket.
: While the wetsuit works, it is tight and you feel clammy inside, and hot
: if not in the water. I finally broke down and bought a Kokatat goretex dry
: suit with relief zipper and it is the best equipment investment I've made.

: No matter what the weather, you feel safe and comfortable, and if you want to
: go out in the winter, you know you have the right equipment. And in Fall
: and Spring it still is my first choice.

: If you really are hooked on kayaking, figure it will last 10 years---that's
: just $70 per year for comfort and safety---a small price to pay. (I just
: bought a pair of levis and a sweater and that cost over $100!!! Or a movie
: and restaurant for two can easily cost $80 and is no where near as much
: fun as paddling for an hour on a crisp fall day!!! Buy the
: drysuit.(Kokatat seems to have the best design for women, too).

I agree with Ed here. If you do (or plan to do) any cool weather/cold water paddling, go with the Goretex. Its an investment no doubt, but worth it. If you doubt that you'll use it, or that its worth the cost, try the other options before you buy. Shops in my area (Oregon) rent wet suits. Do some wet exits & rescue practice in cold water w/ a wet suit (not fun!). To save $$ look for sales (I bought mine at 20% off at a local dealer's annual sale) or for used dry suits... try George Gronseth Kayak Academy- he sell off his "fleet" occasionally and looks to have some good deals: http://www.halcyon.com/kayak/gronseth.html (no I don't work there).
Good luck!

Messages In This Thread

Cold weather wear
Mary -- Monday, 16 October 2000, at 12:01 p.m.

Re: Cold weather wear
Shawn Baker -- Monday, 16 October 2000, at 2:07 p.m.

Re: Cold weather wear
Robert Woodard -- Monday, 16 October 2000, at 9:00 p.m.

Re: Cold weather wear
Frank -- Monday, 16 October 2000, at 11:45 p.m.

Re: Neoprene hoods
Shawn Baker -- Tuesday, 17 October 2000, at 10:59 a.m.

Re: hoods
Lee -- Wednesday, 18 October 2000, at 11:15 p.m.

Re: Cold weather wear
Martin Glader -- Tuesday, 17 October 2000, at 4:30 a.m.

Re: Cold weather wear
Shawn Baker -- Tuesday, 17 October 2000, at 11:44 a.m.

Re: Cold weather wear
Martin -- Tuesday, 17 October 2000, at 1:26 p.m.

tried them all
Randy Kanuff -- Tuesday, 17 October 2000, at 4:55 a.m.

Buy the goretex drysuit
Ed K. -- Tuesday, 17 October 2000, at 12:30 p.m.

Re: Buy the goretex drysuit
MT -- Tuesday, 17 October 2000, at 5:07 p.m.

Re: Buy the goretex drysuit
M. Hamilton -- Tuesday, 17 October 2000, at 6:12 p.m.

Re: Buy the goretex drysuit
Brian Nystrom -- Tuesday, 17 October 2000, at 6:39 p.m.

Re: Buy the goretex drysuit
Bruce -- Wednesday, 18 October 2000, at 12:25 a.m.

Re: Hybrid Dry Suits
Craig Bumgarner -- Wednesday, 18 October 2000, at 5:19 a.m.

Best solution??still available
Randy Kanuff -- Wednesday, 18 October 2000, at 2:54 p.m.

Re: cold weather ware
Rod Estvan -- Wednesday, 18 October 2000, at 2:58 p.m.

Re: Cold in Southern California?
Don -- Wednesday, 18 October 2000, at 9:58 p.m.

Re: Cold in Southern California?
M. Hamilton -- Wednesday, 18 October 2000, at 11:06 p.m.

Re: Cold in Southern California?
Greg Stamer -- Thursday, 19 October 2000, at 10:43 a.m.

Re: Cold in Southern California?
M. Hamilton -- Thursday, 19 October 2000, at 6:07 p.m.

Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board is maintained by Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks with WebBBS 5.12.