-----Original Message----- From: Sisler, Clyde [mailto:Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com] Sent: Monday, November 23, 1998 2:14 PM To: 'Paddlewise' Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] FW: 303 substitute? > So how many times did you go out paddling while choking and gasping for air before you felt comfortable with the neck gasket? <g> I think I might try the coffee can trick first. < It felt better in less than an hour. However, I think the gasket tightens up again a little when it has not being used for a while. > Are the booties an add on or something separate? If they're separate, do they go over or under the gaskets? If they go over, what would I need the ankle gaskets for? If they go under, how am I going to get my foot through the gasket? I don't have little feet. < The booties replace the gaskets, and thus are a semi-permanent part of the dry suit. BTW, the booties come in different sizes. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
The first time I tried on a dry suit in the store, I put my foot through the wrist gasket! I have a large head (7-3/8) and a large neck for my body size, and when I first put on my Kokatat dry suit, I could feel my face turning red, but I found that the gasket stretched sufficiently with normal use, and now I don't notice it. One thing I recommend when trying on a dry > So how many times did you go out paddling while choking and gasping for air before you felt comfortable with the neck gasket? <g> I think I might try the coffee can trick first. suit is sitting on the floor and going through a full range of paddling and bracing motions to make sure it doesn't constrict anywhere. I went from a medium to a large size after doing that. > I did that and it felt pretty good. I don't really plan on paddling in cold air temperatures so won't need lots of clothes underneath. My main concern is really cold water, less than 50 degrees. I think fleece sweat pants type things and a fleece shirt or sweater is about all I'd wear underneath. A winter windbreaker and PFD is all I think I'd wear outside in my worst case scenerio. I also have small feet (6.5 EEEEE), but I still find the latex booties make it much easier to put the suit on, as well as allowing me to wear socks > Are the booties an add on or something separate? If they're separate, do they go over or under the gaskets? If they go over, what would I need the ankle gaskets for? If they go under, how am I going to get my foot through the gasket? I don't have little feet. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
For latex seals use a combination of baby shampoo cut with water 50/50. this doesn't leave a residue like silicon and won't affect putting on new seals in the future. Put this combination on the seals before you try to slide thru the seal and again use it to get out of the suit. I use this for my drysuit seals with great success. Put a little on the inside of the seal and rub it together, then slide your hands and feet in. When finished for the day, pull the wrist seal off your wrist just enough to get some of the solution inside the seal, slide it around on your wrist or ankle, then slide your hand out of the the seal. This makes taking the suit off a real breaze. Good luck. Ed C. -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Holst <CHUCK_at_multitech.com> To: 'Paddlewise' <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Monday, November 23, 1998 1:23 PM Subject: [Paddlewise] FW: 303 substitute? > > -----Original Message----- >From: David Seng [mailto:David_at_wainet.com] >Sent: Monday, November 23, 1998 11:25 AM >To: 'Paddlewise' >Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] 303 substitute? > > ><snip> > >Part of the "wrestling match" issue with your dry suit is probably also >technique - it took me a while to figure out the most effective way to >wriggle into my drysuit. By all means - stretch those gaskets - I used >a coffee can to stretch the neck gasket on mine; before finally >resorting to a little bit of careful trimming.... > >One thing that I'm going to investigate when I next have to replace the >ankle gaskets is switching to a latex "footie" - might keep my feet >warmer and drier and also alleviate the problem of trying to fight my >feet through those gaskets - I have small (size 7.5) feet, I can't >imagine what it's like for folks with big feet<g>. > ><snip> > >Dave Seng >Juneau, Alaska > > >************************************************************************** * > >The first time I tried on a dry suit in the store, I put my foot through >the wrist gasket! I have a large head (7-3/8) and a large neck for my body >size, and when I first put on my Kokatat dry suit, I could feel my face >turning red, but I found that the gasket stretched sufficiently with normal >use, and now I don't notice it. One thing I recommend when trying on a dry >suit is sitting on the floor and going through a full range of paddling and >bracing motions to make sure it doesn't constrict anywhere. I went from a >medium to a large size after doing that. > >I also have small feet (6.5 EEEEE), but I still find the latex booties make >it much easier to put the suit on, as well as allowing me to wear socks for >extra insulation. However, the latex really should be protected from sand >and grit by neoprene or other overboots. > >Chuck Holst > >*************************************************************************** >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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 98-11-23 15:15:22 EST, Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com writes: << > Are the booties an add on or something separate? If they're separate, do they go over or under the gaskets? If they go over, what would I need the ankle gaskets for? If they go under, how am I going to get my foot through the gasket? I don't have little feet. >> In Kokatat's suits, the neoprene or latex booties replace the ankle gaskets. They just slide on over your thermal layer --- we all <do> know that you have to have a good wicking thermal layer on under the drysuit, don't we? Otherwise, it just keeps your hypothermic body dry for the SAR guys. Not to offend the intelligence of this list with this obvious remark, but we did lose a paddler in New Jersey about three years ago --- was wearing a brand new drysuit with a bathing suit under it. Dry but just as dead. Saw Mountain Surf's (Friendsville, MD, <www.mountainsurf.com>) new Malden Mills Polartec 200S four-way thermal stretch "Sasquatch Skin" liner yesterday on a break during a round trip to Ohio; the new suit has a unisex elasticized waistband and a dropseat for pitstops without disrobing. Nice touch. Nice stuff. About $120 --- might be on sale. Another two side comments on drysuit seals: a little --- the operative word being <little> --- talcum powder on the ankles or wrists makes getting those seals on much easier. And a fresh shave makes the neck gasket last a good deal longer. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:53 PDT