Re: [Paddlewise] summer wear revisited

> It seems that a goretex drysuit is going to be necessary. Goretex so  
> that I can use it in the summer and drysuit because it is... dry.
> 
> Kayak Academy ( http://www.kayakacademy.com/  and the FAQ page http:// 
> www.kayakacademy.com/drysuitfaq.html#ten ) has a lot to say about  
> drysuits and highly recommends ( and sells ) Kokatat and it's much  
> cheaper sibling Tropos. I've heard the name Palm and NRS as well.
> 
> I'm trying to keep the pain of this purchase under $500-ish, but I  
> don't want to end up with something inferior. I don't plan on doing  
> any Arctic exploration, mostly lake and sea around the Northwest. I  
> tend to think that the models with neoprene neck gaskets are not  
> going to do the trick because I plan on rolling and doing self rescue  
> practices frequently. So probably the Kokatat Super Nova wouldn't  
> work for me.
> 
> There is also the cheaper route of going with bibs and dry top. I'm  
> not sure if this is a flexible set up ( a good thing ) or inferior to  
> a drysuit ( a bad thing ).
> 
> Any recommendations on these or any other products I've missed? Your  
> comments are appreciated!
> 
> Paul Montgomery


In addition to the Reed-Chillcheater products that have been 
mentioned, there is also another British company, Ravenspring, who 
make a nice drysuit. Not Gortex, but breathable. I have one, now 
three years old and still looking like new (although I only wear it 
in the early spring and late fall), and I have two friends who also 
have ones that are a few years older and still in good shape. They 
ship the suits over to N. America for a reasonable charge (I think 
you can chose between expedited shipped for a slightly higher fee or 
surface shipping to save a bit.)

They do custom fits at no added charge (or at least, they did). Send 
in your measurements and they determine whether a "standard" size 
will fit or whether they need to make one up to fit. Same price. They 
do charge extra for relief zippers and/or integral booties.

    www.ravenspring.co.uk/system/index.html

HTH,
-- 
  Darryl
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