Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: Hybrid Dry Suits

Posted By: Craig Bumgarner
Date: Wednesday, 18 October 2000, at 5:19 a.m.

In Response To: Cold weather wear (Mary)

When dry suits first started coming out in the eighties, I bought what I call a hybrid dry suit. It was distributed by one of the European windsurfing companies. Sorry, I can't remember the brand name. It was made from 1/8" neoprene with a sealed shiney outside surface and came in an upper and lower piece with a roll up seal in abdomen region. I used this suit for winter windsurfing and at the time considered it better than the one piece, baggy, cloth dry suits.

The top was a loose fit with dry suit seals at the neck and wrists. There was room for a light sweater and plenty of room for shoulder rotation. The bottom was like wet suit pants, snug fit and had no seals at the ankles allowing a little water in, but not much. I once spent 20 minutes in 30 degree water working on anchor lines (ice laden) for my trimaran without serious discomfort.
The main feature I liked was the trim, compact fit. This was a great asset windsurfing. Swimming was easier and there was less fear of the suit filling up if there was breach in the suit. Getting in an out of it was easier than the "bag suits" of the day. You could also use the two pieces separately which I did on occasion.

These would seem to be good assets in cold weather kayaking as well, but I have not seen this kind suit on the market anymore. All I see are the bag suits. I used the top last year for winter rolling practice and though the seals were starting to go, it worked well.

BTW, the seals on my suit are now fully disintegrated and I am pleased to see from this thread they might be replaceble. The "belly roll" seal is also gone. This is a sheet of neoprene or latex seal material about 12" wide by 36" long. Anyone know where I can get a piece like this? I might be able to get this dry suit back in operation if I can find this part.

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.

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