DRYSUITS! Must have by Team Paddler, Mike Darbyshire

Cold and clear makes for some amazing paddling conditions here in Vancouver but with the cold comes a whole new level of preparedness.

The only way to stay warm, dry and most importantly safe is to get yourself into a drysuit for winter paddling.

I have tried paddling in cold weather wearing just about every combination of gear and for me nothing beats a good drysuit.

Here's my pro argument followed by some responses to common anti-drysuit arguments.

PROS:
If you fall in the water, you can get back onto your board and still be dry underneath.

Reduce the cold water shock you feel when you hit the water.  See link:
http://beyondcoldwaterbootcamp.com/4-phases-of-cold-water-immersion

When you get onto your board to start your paddle you don't have to get your feet wet.

Mobility will never be as good as not wearing the suit but mobility in a drysuit is WAY better than a wetsuit

After your paddle you can take off your drysuit and get into your vehicle fully clothed. No more akward barefoot, towel, freezing in the parking lot situations.

If you paddle two days in a row your drysuit will be dry the next day....or even later that same day.

You will stay in better shape because you will get out on the water more often during the winter.

You will practice your skills during the winter because falling in the water practicing buoy turns isn't such a big deal.


CONS:
Price: Yes drysuits are more expensive than wetsuits but once you get one you will never go back and your comfort and safety are well worth the extra dough. Talk to anyone who purchased a drysuit and I promise that none of them regret spending the money.

Overheating:  Yes, when compared to non-immersion gear you will get warm with a drysuit on.  Sometimes you might even get too hot while you paddle.  Cooling off is never hard.  Just a quick dip into the water and you can bring your temp down and keep on paddling.  Overheating may also occur if you purchase a lower quality suit.  Gore-tex suits provide the best breathability and will reduce heat and moisture build up.

I am a little bit partial when it comes to my brand of choice but I have a lot of experience with Kokatat drysuits and I believe they make the best suits on the market.

Kokatat suits are durable, breathable and full featured.

My suit of choice for day paddles or short fitness paddles is the Kokatat Lightweight Goretex Suit. This suit is the lightest weight and most breathable suit in the Kokatat line. It features Gore-tex socks which is a must have. They keep your feet warm and dry and allow you to wear whatever socks you want underneath. This suit also has a neoprene neck which isn't fully waterproof but is much more comfortable to paddle in and will still keep most water out as long as your not spending long periods of time with your head under.
http://kokatat.com/products/paddling-suits/gore-texr-lightweight-paddling-suit-men-radish-gray.html






My suit of choice for bad weather and expedition paddling is the Kokatat Expedition Suit. This suit has it all.  Pockets, socks, durable exterior and a hood.  Kokatat is also the first company to allow online personalization and customization of your suit.  Check out the website and play around with the GIZMO customizer.  This allows you to custom tailor the suit to your size, choose your fabric options, select your pockets and features and most importantly colour.

I ordered my suit earlier this year and its been great so far.  I went for a conservative blue and black colour option but I am most pleased with the custom fit.  After plugging in my measurements, my custom suit is a medium suit with a couple inches added to the arms and legs.  This makes for a slimmer fitting suit that has enough length for me. In the past I have been using a Large suit which was quite baggy in the legs and torso.

Get onto the Kokatat website and play around with a custom suit for yourself!
http://kokatat.com/products/custom.html

Drysuits for winter paddling are a must have and something I would never be without!

Kokatat Drysuit Gizmo is HERE!

If you have not heard, check out what Kokatat has been up to and then head to our site to check out the new Custom Drysuit Gizmo!

 Domestic manufacturing allows Kokatat to expand custom dry suit program online

ARCATA, CALIFORNIA, February 26, 2013 – Kokatat is offering paddlers the opportunity to create and purchase their very own custom GORE-TEX® dry suits with the launch of a new online tool.

Affectionately referred to as GIZMO, the online tool lets customers easily design and personalize their own custom, made-to-order GORE-TEX® dry suit.

“With our factory in Arcata we have the unique ability to build and test all our dry suits one at a time,” said Jeff Turner, Kokatat sales and design manager.  “Our custom suit pod, comprised of sewing, sealing and inspection technicians is prepared to respond immediately to a new custom order.”

Each customized GORE-TEX® dry suit will be individually constructed in Kokatat’s Arcata, California facility to the consumer’s specifications of colors, features and sizing.  Once an order is placed through a Kokatat retailer the custom suit, made to Kokatat’s exacting standards, will be ready for shipment in three to four weeks.

“For a long time we’ve offered custom dry suits, but with GIZMO we’re putting the design right into the hands of paddlers around the world,” added Turner.

Kokatat is offering customization of three of the most popular dry suits in the industry: its GORE-TEX® Expedition, Meridian and Front Entry dry suits.  Once the suit model is selected, visitors are taken through a detailed step-by-step measuring process to ensure proper sizing with the ability to lengthen or shorten as required.

The final step of the program lets customers mix and match from over a dozen different colors and add custom features including pockets, hoods and reflective tape to complete their one-of-a-kind dry suit.

To complete a design customers must create a Kokatat.com account so designs can be saved for future review or to order from an authorized Kokatat retailer.  Once a design is completed and saved, an email is sent to the customer with a unique reference number and a copy of all the design details.  Armed with the finalized custom design customers can contact their local Kokatat retailer to process the order.

While primarily targeted to consumers looking for a one-of-a-kind dry suit, the simple measurement application will also be useful for Kokatat dealers to quickly identify the best size for their in-store customers.

About Kokatat water sports wear: 


Kokatat has been manufacturing paddling gear in Arcata, California for more than 40 years. At a time when many technical apparel brands were moving manufacturing offshore, Kokatat continued to invest in infrastructure in the United States. Kokatat founder Steve O’Meara was committed to the development of the finest and driest paddling apparel in the world and recognized the need to control and continually evolve the development of our dry wear. In the early days, Kokatat worked closely with W.L. Gore & Associates, makers of GORE-TEX®, to refine the sewing and sealing techniques required for full immersion suits and tops. Today, our hands-on approach to manufacturing continues to set the standard in paddling apparel. Into the water with Kokatat!  Please visit www.kokatat.com and follow Kokatat on Facebook and Twitter “@kokatat”.