[Paddlewise] Dry Tops and Bibs vs Dry Suits: Kokotat

I read with interest the exchange on dry suits on PW and read Ralph Diaz's 
well stated letter in Sea Kayaker on the safety issues.

I thought that I would purchase a Kokotat TecTour jacket to go with some 
Kokotat bibs I got on sale while on a business trip to Chicago.   Not 
having used this type of system before I checked out Kokotat's web site to 
get their instructions on using their system and found their reference to a 
"neo deck skirt" confusing:
 From Kokotat web site:

"Folding The Bib & Top
·       Put on the bib, then the top.
·       Then pull the outer skirt of the top up.
·       Line up the inner skirt with the skirt on the bib.
·       Cinch down, fold like a dry bag upwards.
·       Then put your neo deck skirt on.
·       Ppull the outer skirt back down over it all.
·       Put on your PFD and you'll be dry! "

Next I called Kokotat Customer Service (very good by the way) and asked for 
further explanation.  Their answer paraphrased:

"If you don't use a neoprene tunneled spray skirt over the folds and you 
wet exit and re-enter you will find that all of the twisting and movement 
will cause the top and bib connection to come un-done and you may get some 
water in."

My comment:  This isn't a safe bet without the "neo deck skirt" and could 
come undone during paddling."  I suggested that maybe they need to provide 
a "neo band secured with Velcro" to go over the folds to secure it for 
folks with nylon tunnel skirts.  "The fellow from Kokotat said that was a 
judgment call on my part and that a neo band would work, but probably isn't 
going to happen and suggested buying a dry suit."

Due to the cost (30% of a new boat) I think I will pass.  The type of 
paddling I do doesn't require a dry suit and I thought that should the 
opportunity present itself to paddle in the Pacific Northwest the Top/Bib 
combo would be useable over a greater range of paddling conditions here and 
other places.  I think I will stick with my current farmer john and 
paddling top for the time being.

I don't think it wise to have "FALSE" confidence in a system that isn't 
going to be as secure as one might think.  In this case a dry suit properly 
worn is a far better choice if you can afford it and wearing neoprene 
actually much safer than the top/bib combo though less comfortable.




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