[Paddlewise] More on Drysuits

David Seng wrote:
> 
> I agree with the point about a relief zipper - I regret not having one
> in mine!
> What makes it more difficult for you tall folks to get the ankle gaskets
> off?  I'm 5'7" and also do not enjoy pulling the latex ankle gasket over
> my heels when I'm done paddling.  Funds permitting I'm planning on
> having Kokatat replace them with neoprene footies later this year.

My coated drysuit is about 8 or 9 years old (has had gaskets changed). 
I don't have a relief zipper but I do have the next-best-thing.  It is a
Stohlquist suit.  Their suits (at least mine) have the zipper coming
down into the pelvic area as opposed to the Kokatat drysuits on which
the zipper comes to just the waist and angles off to one side.  Before
buying my Stohlquist dry suit, I sat in a double Klepper in the old
Union Square store wearing the drysuit and went through the dry run
motions of relieving myself when no one was looking.  The zipper came
down far enough for that purpose even in a seated position; many a time
since then, I have taken advantage of this out on the water using a pee
bottle.  The zipper situation was one of the reasons why I opted against
the Kokatat dry suit at the time.  I don't know why they don't sew in
the zipper differently so it can be used for relief.

While it is a pain to get the ankle gaskets off at the end of the day, I
guess I have developed a knack and can do it inside my minivan with no
problem.  Or maybe a higher threshold for discomfort.

Back to Goretex for dry suits.  It would be great on multi-day trips
compared to coated ones because of the wet insulation situation.  For
day trips it doesn't matter much which one.  Goretex has been known to
fail as Peter C. pointed out in his posting about his Goretex hiking
jacket suddenly leaking like cheesecloth.  But its advantages are too
much to ignore.  Still my coated one seems to be working fine and I will
stick with it.

I am waving a white flag on the Goretex dry suit skirmish.  I'll even
use a Goretex cloth white flag.  :-)

ralph diaz


-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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