Re: [Paddlewise] which drysuit...

On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 3:26 PM, Kirk Olsen <kork4_at_cluemail.com> wrote:

>
> This is someone for whom the drysuit will get used in full immersion
> conditions, in areas where there may be ice on land.  Overheating, from
> exertion, is also an issue so a breathable suit is probably necessary
>

I have an NRS  Extreme drysuit with booties but without pee-zip. I bought it
at the NRS store in Moscow, Idaho in their Bargain Loft for $50 because,
according to the label, the booties leaked. I also bought $10 worth of
sealant. This might not be the usual sales price but I've been to this store
several times and it's not unusual to find drysuits for under $300 with some
minor defect or other. I've also bought their hydroskin apparal and a drytop
from their Bargain Loft. Probably worth the gas from here (200 miles each
way but our daughter lived there at the time).

My wife has a Kokatat with booties (and, oddly enough, a pee-zip) which I
bought for her from a craigslist ad. The guy was giving up kayaking. I
bought a bunch of his stuff.

I had a Kokatat two-piece drysuit without booties that cured me forever of
having any drysuit that did not have booties. This is partly because I have
a physical problem bending my left leg completely. Nevertheless, getting out
of the bottoms of that suit required that I round up help.

I've never had a real problem with the NRS suit not breathing well enough
but I don't think I've worn it in air temps warmer than about 70F. So far
the gaskets on both drysuits have never required any maintenance. Zippers
can be stiff on the NRS suit.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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