Hello again, I finally recieved my fall grant for school and having already paid for that tuition my pockets are burning. I am looking at a drysuit for the spring kayaking classes that I teach at the local university. This suit will always be used outdoors, and frequently, at my inlaws lakeside cabin. The "lake" never gets warmer than 60 degrees, while I paddle it from Ice-out to Ice-on. I am leaning towards Kokatat, I have lovingly used lots of my friend's Kokatat stuff for years, never had any problems. BUT, I am willing to negotiate. My question for you, is whether a one piece drysuit (Meridian or Swift Entry) is better than a combination drytop (GTX WAVE) and bibs (Whirlpool Bibs). All openings are full latex. I really want to make sure that I am doing the right thing by ordering the two piece system (with relief zip, knee reinforcements and arm pocket) Are the fold down seals of the top/bib combo just as tight as the full suit? Anyone out there who can vouch for the flexibility of the two piece option? Your help is needed, I have set a deadline for my self to order by this Monday afternoon. can anyone talk me out of it? Thanks for any info, Phil Huck thekayaker_at_yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I just went through the same debate recently. The 2 piece setup although close, is not as good as the one piece. The 2 piece is more versatile but also more cumbersome. I've settled on the one piece, reinforced, no extra zip with latex socks. Good Luck Jed *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> -----Original Message----- > From: Phil Huck [mailto:thekayaker_at_yahoo.com] snip > My question for you, is whether a one piece drysuit > (Meridian or Swift Entry) is better than a combination > drytop (GTX WAVE) and bibs (Whirlpool Bibs). All > openings are full latex. > I really want to make sure that I am doing the > right thing by ordering the two piece system (with > relief zip, knee reinforcements and arm pocket) > Are the fold down seals of the top/bib combo just > as tight as the full suit? > Anyone out there who can vouch for the flexibility > of the two piece option? snip Two piece suits (IMO) are more of a bother putting on and taking off; I recall standing (and waiting) on the river bank many times watching one of my paddling partners "futz around" getting the waist seals right on her two piece dry suit combo, but that's not the reason I chose to go with a one piece Kokatat Goretex drysuit when I went through this same "debate" a few years ago. My decision was formed primarily by looking at the "weak links" in a dry suit - ie. the openings. The fewer the better. Less maintenance required and less chance of failure. (I operate frequently on the KISS theory) Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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