Does anybody own a 'KOKATAT'- Gore-Tex Front Entry Drysuit? This is KOKATAT's most popular Drysuit with the waterproof Optiseal Zipper 4.4Oz polyester 3-layer Gore-Tex laminate. My questions concern: (1) how convenient are the front (optional) crotch zipper works (for bladder relief-men & women)? (2) how reliable and comfortable is this suit and is overheating a problem on the Pacific Coast line? (3) Is the full Dry Suit better or equal to the 'Farmer John" combination with a Gore-Tex TecTour Anorak 2.1oz ripstop nylon 3-layer Gore-Tex laminate? (4)Now the full wet suit is waterproof to thirty feet (not that I intend to go diving) is there much or anyleakage with the farmer John combination? Does anyone own a high end Stolquist Gore-Tex Drysuit and can you offer any opinion and do they offer a front crotch zipper for bladder relief? Thanks, Philip *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>Does anybody own a 'KOKATAT'- Gore-Tex Front Entry Drysuit? >This is KOKATAT's most popular Drysuit with the waterproof >Optiseal Zipper 4.4Oz polyester 3-layer Gore-Tex laminate. > >My questions concern: Philip: Glad to see the article appear about dry suits. There are some new fabrics available now... one coming from Germany. Anyone with experience about this? Also.. I understand the dry suits can be "tailored" with custom "relief zippers" etc. Who has done this? Thanks Robert *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
philip wylie wrote: >Does anybody own a 'KOKATAT'- Gore-Tex Front Entry >Drysuit?(snip) >My questions concern: (1) how convenient are the front >(optional) >crotch zipper works (for bladder relief-men & women)? completely convenient for men, a significant number of women use it with plastic "feminie funnel", but not "convenient" for others. kokatat offers a drop seat option which is very convenient to use, some people find the dropseat zipper an annoyance when sitting in your boat >(2) how reliable and comfortable is this suit and is >overheating a problem on the Pacific Coast line? if you like to practice your roll overheating is not a problem even in midsummer(aka rotary cooling). if rolling is not your cup of tea there was a discussion of neck rings a while back to allow ventiltion in warmer weather >(3) Is the full Dry Suit better or equal to the 'Farmer John" >combination with a Gore-Tex TecTour Anorak 2.1oz ripstop >nylon 3-layer Gore-Tex laminate? i'm interpreting this as meaning a farmer john wetsuit with the anorak over it. if so, no, this does not approach the full dry suit in either comfort, nor, more importantly, cold water protection, as the drysuit will, with appropriate insulation underneath, keep you warm and dry in all water temps. the anorak does not have a neck gasket, so while keeping you dry in rain and splash, will allow water inside if you roll or wet exit. prior to getting my drysuit i used the wave drytop with a farmer john, worked fine for rolling and surf, with a little seepage into boat past skirt, but as noted above, not really a survival outfit in cold water >(4)Now the full wet suit is waterproof to thirty feet >(not that I intend to go diving) is there much or anyleakage >with the farmer John combination? see Does anyone own a high end Stolquist Gore-Tex Drysuit and can you offer any opinion and do they offer a front crotch zipper for bladder relief? Thanks, Phil *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I have had one for two years and use it all the time in the pacific northwest. Used it for the two day 40 mile San Juan Challenge. I have a choice of wet suit F.J. and the gore Dry suit I always go for the dry suit. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 08:53:01 -0700 >To: Philip Wylie <pjwylie_at_planet.eon.net> >From: pid_at_mec.ca (Product Information Department) >Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] DRY SUITS >In-Reply-To: <355AF369.94DF6598_at_Planet.eon.net> > >Hi Philip, > >I bought a Kokotat Gore-Tex Drysuit several years ago for some arctic paddling I did. It was generally too warm for summer paddling in the Pacific Northwest, unless you're going to roll as a whitewater paddler does to cool off. Great for winter paddling in the Gulf Islands, the campsites are way less crowded in January. >Anyway a couple of suggestions: >The standard relief zip is awkward to use in the boat, though possible. I'd have considered the vertical zip but bear in mind the previously posted comments re chafing, plus I'm sure it's subject to more stress. > >Since I have something in my body chemistry that tends to dissolve latex (you have no idea how inconvenient this can be) I took my drysuit to a diving shop and had them replace the wrist and neck seals with the neoprene seals used on diving drysuits - more durable and a better seal. At the same time I had them install soled neoprene "booties" directly to the feet. Result, hopping out of the boat for landings is a more pleasant experience (thought you do need more room under the deck. > > >Happy Paddling > >Philip Torrens >"The opinions expressed in this posting are not necessarily those of my employer, or indeed, of any sentient being." > >(I't > >At 07:36 5/14/98 -0600, you wrote: >>Does anybody own a 'KOKATAT'- Gore-Tex Front Entry Drysuit? >>This is KOKATAT's most popular Drysuit with the waterproof >>Optiseal Zipper 4.4Oz polyester 3-layer Gore-Tex laminate. >> >>My questions concern: (1) how convenient are the front (optional) >>crotch zipper works (for bladder relief-men & women)? >> >>(2) how reliable and comfortable is this suit and is >>overheating a problem on the Pacific Coast line? >> >>(3) Is the full Dry Suit better or equal to the 'Farmer John" >>combination with a Gore-Tex TecTour Anorak 2.1oz ripstop >>nylon 3-layer Gore-Tex laminate? >> >>(4)Now the full wet suit is waterproof to thirty feet >>(not that I intend to go diving) is there much or anyleakage >>with the farmer John combination? >> >>Does anyone own a high end Stolquist Gore-Tex Drysuit >>and can you offer any opinion and do they offer a front >>crotch zipper for bladder relief? >> >>Thanks, >> >>Philip >>*************************************************************************** >>PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >>Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >>Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >>Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >>*************************************************************************** >> **************************************** Mountain Equipment Co-op 1655 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6J 1K1 Tel: 640-732-1989 Fax: 604-731-6483 email: pid_at_mec.ca Visit our website at: http://www.mec.ca ***************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> I have had one for two years and use it all the time in the > pacific northwest. Used it for the two day 40 mile San Juan > Challenge. I have a choice of wet suit F.J. and the gore Dry > suit I always go for the dry suit. I mean no offense by this, but if my memory serves me correctly, you looked pretty hot and miserable when you came out of the water on the first day. I too did the San Juan challenge (what a great race!) and didn't wear anything but nylon shorts and a polypro shirt. I might add that 90% of these racers were dressed similarly. I can't imagine how you drysuit types can paddle hard at a race pace without dieing from heat exhaustion. Dressing for immersion is a vague term. You don't need to dress for a long immersion. You only need to dress for an immersion lasting the time it takes you to get back in your boat. If you practice your rolls and other self rescues in rough conditions, then you can dress for the air temperature knowing that you'll be back in your boat before you get in trouble. Of course, If I flipped and became hoplessly separated from my boat, I would die without a dry suit (and proper insulation underneath). This is a remarkably rare event and I suspect the risks I'm taking are tiny compared to the dangers I go through driving to the put in. by the way, I don't realy expect to change anyones mind on this issue -- in fact I was really hesitant to enter into this discussion. I just wanted to make sure the "non-drysuit/wet-suit" voice was heard in this discussion. --Tim P.S. Its bound to come up, so let me say it now and get it over with. In white water or surf-play where I know I'll be spending lots of time in the water I wear a wet suit or a dry suit. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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