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Post by Tim Broughton on Oct 31, 2015 20:12:13 GMT -5
www.mythicdrysuits.com/blogs/the-mytholog/14122901-wetsuits-versus-drysuits It looks likely that the flood of imported steel is giving me a 6-12 month vacation starting next month, so lots of time to paddle soon. The fuzzy side to that lolly-pop is lack of appropriate cold-water gear and a tighter play budget. In the past I probably would have just bought one of each untill I found the right combo, but this time Id rather not waste too much money. Is pretty much everyone in fleece and dry suits this time of year? Maybe as you guys write TR's you can include how you're geared up? I guess what I'm wondering per the above link is if a farmer John and a dry top vs dry suit is an option for me? Sizing seems to be a problem. Stuff like that...see y'all soon.
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Chad Bielitz
WVWA FORUM GUEST
Former WVWA Member 2013-2016
Posts: 223
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Post by Chad Bielitz on Oct 31, 2015 21:14:38 GMT -5
Great article! Spot on. Really not much to add except this: if you stay in your boat, your wetsuit will keep you warm and your skirt and dry top will keep you dry. You will be happy. If you swim, your drysuit and layers will keep you warm and dry. If you swim in a wetsuit and dry top, you will be cold and wet, but you'll be alright. Whatever you chose, consider throwing some warm clothes, heat packs, space blankets, snacks, etc in the back of your boat in case of emergency. I have been using the wetsuit and drytop method for a couple years and been perfectly happy. I now have a drysuit and and perfectly happy (and warmer). Even though the drysuit require a bit more maintenance overall, you will have to give some of the same care to your dry top, and you will probably want to thoroughly wash your wetsuit every now and then, and dry it between every use. If you go out two days in a row it really sucks to put wet gear back on. Not an issue with the drysuit.
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Post by Tony Daniel on Nov 4, 2015 11:21:31 GMT -5
Hey Tim I couldn't resist and ended up buying a low budget dry suit from Mythic. It comes to $294.00 I'll let you know how it works out. I think mythic's article is only partially right about how a wetsuit works- a good proper fitting wetsuit does trap water instead letting it circulate continuously in and out of the suit. I know this from first hand experience swinming with a stretched out wetsuit where cold water was constantly leaking in and out of the suit- much colder than a proper fitting wetsuit where a good portion of the water stays trapped. Also there is an initial cold shock to any wet suit before the water warms up. Folks sometimes argue about this stuff. I believe both sides are right (tiny bubbles provide insulation) and your body heats the water up. So avoid an old, compressed stretched out wetsuits- you won't stay warm in one- unfortunately I learned that lesson the hard way years ago.
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Post by Tim Broughton on Nov 4, 2015 12:44:09 GMT -5
No pee zipper?! I was thinking Kiwa at $459, but there's also a Stohlquist EZ in medium for $500. No tunnel on either.
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Alan Leedy
WVWA FORUM GUEST
Former WVWA Member 2015-2018
Posts: 273
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Post by Alan Leedy on Nov 4, 2015 17:07:56 GMT -5
my findings on wetsuits are similar to Tony's, I've used them when surveying West Virginias wet caves where you may be laying or standing in cold water for long periods of time. The trick for us was finding a suit tight enough to trap that layer of water but loose or thin enough so as to not reduce mobility Too much. (A dry suit would be the perfect answer But they simply wouldn't Stand up to a cave environment)If your wetsuit is constantly flowing water through it you will end up very cold fast.
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Post by Dustin Johnson on Nov 4, 2015 19:52:23 GMT -5
No pee zipper?! I was thinking Kiwa at $459, but there's also a Stohlquist EZ in medium for $500. No tunnel on either. My GFE suit has no relief zipper (or tunnel). One less thing to fail and hasn't been an issue. Also don't notice a lot of water coming in around the skirt tunnel and front zipper, even when rolling. I have worn a light paddle jacket over the suit to act as a tunnel on occasion.
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Post by Dustin Johnson on Nov 4, 2015 23:10:28 GMT -5
my findings on wetsuits are similar to Tony's, I've used them when surveying West Virginias wet caves where you may be laying or standing in cold water for long periods of time. The trick for us was finding a suit tight enough to trap that layer of water but loose or thin enough so as to not reduce mobility Too much. (A dry suit would be the perfect answer But they simply wouldn't Stand up to a cave environment)If your wetsuit is constantly flowing water through it you will end up very cold fast. I had an old nylon drysuit (non breathable) I used to wear under my coveralls for caving in water caves and sinking creeks. Coveralls protected it well, but I'd be sweating and soaked underneath to the point I was uncomfortable, albeit warm, and waterlogged from the coveralls. Never felt comfortable in a properly fitting wetsuit. Felt constricted and relatively warm when active, or too loose and cold when I sized up. If I was standing around or slowly moving through an anastomosing channel, I'd get cold fast. Drysuits win hands down for cold weather paddling for me. I layered with a drytop last weekend and rolled twice playing in Riley's hole on the Cherry. I was wet, but fine while paddling, but as soon as we took out, the cold quickly set in. Also, I prefer pogies to gloves when paddling, but it's a good idea to carry gloves should you lose your paddle, have to portage, or are spending anytime out of your boat. Pogies are pretty useless in those situations, especially if you need to perform a rescue in cold water.
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Post by The Stehman Family on Nov 5, 2015 18:44:53 GMT -5
Is a relief zipper or skirt tunnel really that big of a deal? what are the thoughts? I ve never owned a drysuit ,but I'm thinking about it.Seems to me, it all depends on the level of paddling we're doing?'
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Post by Don Beyer on Nov 5, 2015 19:07:04 GMT -5
Yeah, I guess the level of paddling we're doing DOES relate to the need for a relief zipper. Haha.
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Post by Dustin Johnson on Nov 5, 2015 22:56:14 GMT -5
I've noticed a psychological phenomena when putting on my non relief drysuit. As soon as I put it on, I get that "I gotta pee!" feeling. I can usually get past it, but if the need arises, it takes all of a minute to get out of the neck and wrist gaskets. Not a big inconvenience in my opinion. And again, the extra zipper is just one more thing that can fail or leak. Another nice thing about Kokatat is that they can will add a relief zipper to the suit down the line if you want it (for a fee, and other companies may too).
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Post by Tim Broughton on Nov 6, 2015 9:19:08 GMT -5
I still get pretty nervous on a PFD...
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Post by Woody Davis on Nov 7, 2015 19:42:29 GMT -5
Hopping on one leg trying to get your head out of the neck hole... Then a qt of wiz accumulated at ankle seals.. ?? Sounds like at first urge you better head for shore... LOL
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Post by Tony Daniel on Nov 7, 2015 21:07:31 GMT -5
okay words of wisdom from a total wimp, go low volume in stream size - go one level below where you currently boat, if you're a class 4 boater then go 'class 3. Wear a dry suit with plenty of insulation, enjoy the ride/time, save the big dog stuff for may and june, its about getting out not going big in nov. jan. and feb. ! Wear a dry suit- damn the water is cold! Wetsuits are for college kids, drysuits for real/old boaters- no room for wannabees in winter! Go expensive or freeze your ass off! Best $400 youll ever spend regardless of pee zipper! Better than a new boat and more important! My two cents but that ain't worth sh##! Boat a boat with holes and a leaky drysuit, but wear a drysuit! Stay safe!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2015 6:46:47 GMT -5
What you guys need is adult diapers under those dry suits. Then relief zippers won't be an issue.
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Post by Woody Davis on Nov 8, 2015 6:58:49 GMT -5
glad I read this one.. Some good advice and when the time comes I don't think I will cut corners on this one.. The better suits seem to have a lifetime warranty ,, diaper thing isn't a bad idea either.. Haha
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Post by Tony Daniel on Nov 8, 2015 9:28:48 GMT -5
Depends....
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Post by The Stehman Family on Nov 8, 2015 11:58:52 GMT -5
Where can I buy 303? Are there different types for specific applications. Does it go by other names or manufacturers?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2015 12:15:38 GMT -5
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Post by Tim Broughton on Nov 8, 2015 16:26:43 GMT -5
Why in the world did Stolquist have to call their fleece liner "bunny suit"?!? Makes me think of Ralphie in The Christmas Story.
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Post by Chuck Brabec on Nov 8, 2015 17:40:28 GMT -5
Maybe the original had bunnies on it...
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Post by Tony Daniel on Nov 8, 2015 19:45:30 GMT -5
They've been called bunnysuits as long as I can remember. Never owned one, to cheap- fleece pajamas from Walmart is what I use My pants are too long so I hike them up for an Erkle look- now that's stylin'.
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Post by Tim Broughton on Nov 8, 2015 20:22:52 GMT -5
Maybe I can get jammies with sewn-in feet, that way they won't ride up.
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Chad Bielitz
WVWA FORUM GUEST
Former WVWA Member 2013-2016
Posts: 223
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Post by Chad Bielitz on Nov 8, 2015 20:39:15 GMT -5
I see what you did there...
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Post by David Partridge on Nov 8, 2015 20:42:16 GMT -5
I have a yoda onesie that seems to work well with mt drysuit
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Post by Woody Davis on Nov 8, 2015 20:52:19 GMT -5
Maybe I can get jammies with sewn-in feet, that way they won't ride up. An adult onezy ? haha
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Post by Dustin Johnson on Nov 8, 2015 21:27:43 GMT -5
I smell what you did there... Fixed that for you.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2015 6:46:11 GMT -5
Tim, get out a nice thick pair of wool sockies and tuck your jammie legs inside. N.
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Post by Tim Broughton on Nov 9, 2015 21:42:48 GMT -5
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Post by Dustin Johnson on Nov 9, 2015 22:11:01 GMT -5
Out of stock I wear my IR fleece union suit a lot in the winter, sometimes just around the house. Thanks to that link, I'm searching for a pink panther costume. I could alter the tail with some tubing, and probably get rid of the depends if I wear it backwards!
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Post by Tim Broughton on Nov 10, 2015 16:24:35 GMT -5
Ok, next question. I can def see the benefit of a union suit, but I also like the idea of wearing a two pce fleece liner for added versatility. Is that just gonna separate and bunch up leaving me unhappy and cold in the middle?
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