Hello fellow paddlers, I'm posting this to two lists to maximize the response so my apologies up front to those who get this twice. I am now in the process of shopping for drysuits for my wife and myself and I'd like to invite input regarding options. My intent is to go for Gore-Tex, front closure units with relief zippers, most probably from either Kokotat or Stohlquist in high visibility colors. Right now I am unsure of the best (for me) choice regarding sewn on socks or booties I know I pretty much want to stay away from just having the latex gasket at the ankles and, so, I believe that gives me three choices of sock/bootie material: A. Latex B. Neoprene C. Gore-tex Please correct me if I'm wrong. Before I go shopping, I'd like to get a little more information about these choices, so I'm asking folks to let me know what they use and the pros and cons they have found with their set-up. I also have questions regarding the material itself, for example: 1. I understand latex socks since I believe them to be just sock shaped devices made of the same material as the conventional wrist and ankle gaskets. I would expect that using these socks would involve getting them oversized and wearing polypro and wool or pile socks underneath and a conventional (perhaps oversized) kayaking bootie over. Is this right? 2. What are neoprene socks (booties?) like. When I think of neoprene I think of what I call conventional kayaking shoes (either high or low) made of rather thick neoprene and generally with a rigid sole. Are the drysuit neoprene socks like this? Would you just wear insulation under them and not need to wear anything over them to protect them (like a bootie) or are they more like a sock? 3. I have a pair of SealSkinz socks which I think are probably similar to Gore-Tex. Is this true? If so, I would expect to use the Gore-Tex socks in the same way as the latex. True? So folks, as you can see, I don't know much about dry suit socks. Please fill in the blanks so I can be a better informed shopper. Thanks, Bill Leonhardt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bill Leonhardt wrote: > > Hello fellow paddlers, > > I'm posting this to two lists to maximize the response so my apologies up front to those who get this twice. > > I am now in the process of shopping for drysuits for my wife and myself and I'd like to invite input regarding options. My intent is to go for Gore-Tex, front closure units with relief zippers, most probably from either Kokotat or Stohlquist in high visibility colors. > > Right now I am unsure of the best (for me) choice regarding sewn on socks or booties I know I pretty much want to stay away from just having the latex gasket at the ankles After years of struggling with the ankle gaskets, I finally decided to have socks put on. I just got the suit back (it needed a neck gasket as well). I have yet to use it but clearly socks are better than the ankle gaskets. I have found that worse than even the tightest neck one. Mine are of latex since that is all that Stohlquist offered me (at least that is what I was told). The downside of the latex is that it supposed to be fragile and won't last long (latex never does). But, from another listserv, I have heard from users of latex who indicate that even if it punctures, if you have your foot in a neoprene bootie, you effectively are keeping out water. And so even worn out latex should be reasonably okay. My choice would have been neoprene if I could have gotten it as it is tougher and repairable and quite long lasting. The latex feels cold to the touch and so I know I will need to wear a good insulation between me and it as well as, of course, wearing neoprene shoes. I don't know if my regular neoprene shoes are big enough for all of that. I will experiment soon to see. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bill, I know you weren't asking about this, but when you decide on features for your wife's drysuit, she might be interested in the Kokotat drop seat. I have one in mine and it's fantastic! It provides quick and easy relief (there's no graceful way to write this, is there?) People warned me that it wouldn't be comfortable for paddling, given the big smile of a zipper running around the rear, but it has not been a problem. I have never been aware of the zipper paddling (only when I get out of the boat and someone asks me what's the deal with my dry suit). The only issue I've had is that the zipper can be tough to pull open by myself (and that's been good for laughs too) but I suppose that can happen in the front relief zip too.... Jody > >From: Bill Leonhardt <WJLeonhardt_at_bnl.gov> >Subject: [Paddlewise] Drysuit socks/booties > >Hello fellow paddlers, > >I'm posting this to two lists to maximize the response so my apologies >up front to those who get this twice. > >I am now in the process of shopping for drysuits for my wife and myself >and I'd like to invite input regarding options. My intent is to go for >Gore-Tex, front closure units with relief zippers, most probably from >either Kokotat or Stohlquist in high visibility colors. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Bill, I received my GTX sock equiped Kokotat suit last spring, just in time for the summer. Since I haven't had the suit all that long, you'll need to frame my experience in that perspective. I went through the same kind of research before I got my suit and the GTX won. They are thin, flexible, easy to get on and off and (so far,) absolutely water-proof. Since they are light enough of a fabric I don't need to buy any additional footwear. I always wear some kind of fabric sock beneath mine to protect the GTX from bodily oils, but I doubt it is required. The socks come oversized and in a tube-style cut, so your foot just slids right in. Pull up the excess while you put on your footwear and Ta Da, Done. Any kind of sewn-in sock or booty is subject to puncture or tears but there are enough ways to repair if a problem like that surfaces. The best part about any one of these solutions is the ability to keep your feet truely dry. I often take a quick swim before the paddle to expell air from inside the suit. Much to the chagrin of my non water-proof socked mates, who would never do such a thing since they would then have to endure cold/wet feet for the rest of the day. Best of luck with your choice. Either way it will be hard not to exceed the performance of ankle gasketed suits. Good Luck! Jed In a message dated 1/17/01 12:38:02 PM, WJLeonhardt_at_bnl.gov writes: << 1. I understand latex socks since I believe them to be just sock shaped devices made of the same material as the conventional wrist and ankle gaskets. I would expect that using these socks would involve getting them oversized and wearing polypro and wool or pile socks underneath and a conventional (perhaps oversized) kayaking bootie over. Is this right? 3. I have a pair of SealSkinz socks which I think are probably similar to Gore-Tex. Is this true? If so, I would expect to use the Gore-Tex socks in the same way as the latex. True? >> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Bill I tried to respond toyou on the NYCKayker list, but when I switched to "reply," all that was left of your message was the first line. But on PW it was all there. I really don't understand computers!!! We both have KoKatat Goretex suits - Bob's is the regular weight and mine is the lightweight. I've seen the newer KoKatat suits, and they seem to a different weight, soemwehere in between. It's my understanding that there is now only one weight. We both have the cordura reinformcements, which I recommend. The new suits have more cordura than the oler ones. Also, Bob has the relief zipper, and I have the drop seat. I strongly recommend the drop seat for Patty. I've known a few women who had the relief ziper, but it doesn't seem to have been generally successful. I fretted about whether to get the drop seat or not - I was worried about how watertight it would be and how it would fit into the boat. Neither is a problem. It's very hard to open, and I usually require help - but, hey, I have clothes on underneath. (Incidentally, we both wear one piece, drop seat, polartec longjohns under the drysuits. That, with polartec socks and a midweight polypro shirt is usually plenty. My intent is to go for Gore-Tex, front closure units with relief zippers, most probably > from either Kokotat or Stohlquist in high visibility colors. > > Right now I am unsure of the best (for me) choice regarding sewn on We also have the latex socks. Your description of them is pretty good. I have a pair of one-size-larger-than-I-usually-wear booties to wear with the drysuit. With one pair of polartec socks, feet stay toasty. And dry. And you don't have to deal with tight ankle gaskets. The neoprene are lighter material than your booties - actually, the sealskinz socks are probably closer to thte neoprene socks than to the Gopre-tex, but the socks are heavier. Again, my understanding is that the newer KoKatat suits will have only one type of sock - I'm not sure if it's Goretex or cordura, but it's pretty hefty, but pliable. Should work very well. > socks or booties I know I pretty much want to stay away from just > having the latex gasket at the ankles and, so, I believe that gives > me > three choices of sock/bootie material: > A. Latex > B. Neoprene > C. Gore-tex > Please correct me if I'm wrong. > > Before I go shopping, I'd like to get a little more information > about > these choices, so I'm asking folks to let me know what they use and > the > pros and cons they have found with their set-up. I also have > questions > regarding the material itself, for example: > >It's a great investment, though. I have to admit, that even though I've accused my druysuit of trying to kill me (latex neck gasket!!!), it's been a very good investment.And if we remember to put the 5 gallone windshield washer jugs in the necklines for a few days before the first wearing of the season, they don't even try too hard to kill us. > > Thanks, > > Bill Leonhardt Joan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
volinjo_at_juno.com wrote: > [snip] Again, my understanding is that > the newer KoKatat suits will have only one type of sock - I'm not sure if > it's Goretex or cordura, but it's pretty hefty, but pliable. Should work > very well. In response to what Bill L. wrote: > > socks or booties I know I pretty much want to stay away from just > > having the latex gasket at the ankles and, so, I believe that gives me > > three choices of sock/bootie material: > > A. Latex > > B. Neoprene > > C. Gore-tex > > Please correct me if I'm wrong. Gettin' on this thread kinda late (been in Florida ... more later about that), however: 1. Kokatat will provide booties in any of the three varieties Bill details. 2. The Gore-tex option is a good one. I acquired a dry suit from Kokatat so-equipped, and after three outings, I am convinced the Goretex is the best choice for me. Durable enough, and feet are dry dry dry. Latex and neoprene (if thin) will tear more readily than Goretex, and are more difficult to repair. You can get Goretex repair material in kit form from REI (and others). Only problem with the Goretex is it tends to bunch up inside my paddle shoes, so I have to go with a thin sock. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 1/27/2001 11:01:05 PM Eastern Standard Time, dkruger_at_pacifier.com writes: > . Latex and neoprene (if thin) will tear more readily than Goretex, > and are more difficult to repair. For what it's worth, I've had my neoprene booties in my Kokatat for a few years, walking around parking lots and down to put-ins more often than I should have, and see no wear on them at all. My only concern is that they are the large size, and I have to wear three pairs of heavy socks to fill them up and keep them from ker-flop, ker-flopping all over the place (my shoe size is normally 10). And I've got very small cockpits, so they really fill up the foot room with all that volume. (From a quick check, medium would have been a better size for me.) But I'm still concerned about the relative fragility of the neoprene, and would opt for Gore-Tex, as well, if I had the need to change the booties. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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