NorthWest Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing => Product Discussions => Topic started by: bad lattitude on August 07, 2009, 01:31:22 PM

Title: Looking for feedback
Post by: bad lattitude on August 07, 2009, 01:31:22 PM
Any of you have any experience with the Kokatat Gore-Tex Front-Entry Dry Suit with Relief Zipper and Socks that REI sells?

I'm looking for a dry suit. Why?

I have reason to believe my waders are leaking.
I want to start playing in the surf.
That dang ocean is COLD!

Any feedback on this or any other dry suit is welcome.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: steelheadr on August 07, 2009, 01:32:55 PM
I'm going for their Tropos material SuperNova angler dry suit soon. Either way, it's a great option. It's nice to be warm, dry and able to pee...  ;)
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: Madoc on August 07, 2009, 01:33:07 PM
I'm looking at the same suit.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: polepole on August 07, 2009, 01:33:36 PM
I use that one.  I love it.

-Allen
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: steelheadr on August 07, 2009, 01:55:49 PM
How much are they selling it for?

Allen,
If the prices are close, would you go with the Gore-Tex or Tropos? The features are nearly identical.

Jay
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: polepole on August 07, 2009, 02:01:29 PM
I sweat a lot, therefore chose the Goretex under the belief that it breathes more.  The tropos felt a lot heavier to me.

-Allen
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: bad lattitude on August 07, 2009, 02:06:57 PM
$899, but the 15% off coupon is always available for signing up for their stupid e-mail list.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: ZeeHawk on August 07, 2009, 03:25:30 PM
Yeah, Gore is a lot more breathable. If you are a warm bodied person and have the scratch go for it.

I use the SNA and I love it. Was about 75 yesterday on the water and I was sweaty but doable. I'm a warm bodied person too so it may have something to do with it. Under 70 it's a dream. Plus the SNA had a cordura lap. Comes in handy w/ spiny fish and hooks. For the ultimate in temp regulation check out the Tempest jacket/pant combo.

Z
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: Fishesfromtupperware on August 07, 2009, 03:32:04 PM
Any of you have any experience with the Kokatat Gore-Tex Front-Entry Dry Suit with Relief Zipper and Socks that REI sells?

What are relief socks :dontknow:

 :laugh:
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: steelheadr on August 07, 2009, 03:41:55 PM


Back under the stairs Wali...

 :violent1: :violent1: :violent1: :violent1: :violent1: :violent1: :violent1: :violent1: :violent1: :violent1:
Any of you have any experience with the Kokatat Gore-Tex Front-Entry Dry Suit with Relief Zipper and Socks that REI sells?

What are relief socks :dontknow:

 :laugh:
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: bad lattitude on August 07, 2009, 03:56:23 PM
Relief socks help the little piggy that goes wee-wee-wee all the way home.

Actually, I just cut/pasted the name right from the website and didn't notice the humor in it.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: jself on August 07, 2009, 04:23:12 PM
Any of you have any experience with the Kokatat Gore-Tex Front-Entry Dry Suit with Relief Zipper and Socks that REI sells?

I'm looking for a dry suit. Why?

I have reason to believe my waders are leaking.
I want to start playing in the surf.
That dang ocean is COLD!

Any feedback on this or any other dry suit is welcome.

I use that suit it's the bomb. REI is selling old style with velcro closure on neck & wrists over the gaskets. It's still a good suit, but the neoprene punch through over the gasket is a little less annoying.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: jself on August 07, 2009, 04:24:32 PM
it's a relief zipper for peeing and g-tex socks. both recommended.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: demonick on August 08, 2009, 08:09:15 AM
I use the Kokatat T3 Super Nova Angler with relief zipper and socks and love it.  I've worn it in air temps from 55F-90F.  Unlike Zee I run a little cold and with a poly fleece long sleeve and poly fleece long johns I am comfortable up to about 70.  Above that it's just a long sleeve poly tee and light pants.  Keeping head and feet warm or cool is key too.  I wear smart wool socks under, and booties over the dry suit.  If you get too warm trail your hands and/or feet in the water.  Got a bunny suit for colder weather.  

Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: craig on August 08, 2009, 11:58:20 AM
I like mine. Nanook sold it to me on my B-day at Alder Creek.  You get 20% off on your B-day.  Most expensive B-day present to myself ever.  I should do it more often ;D
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: Madoc on August 08, 2009, 03:18:24 PM
Okay, I just dropped a bunch of dough on the NRS Mission drysuit.  I figured the downtown Portland REI had on instock, it fit me, I'm a fanboy of eVent, and I get a substantial REI dividend back.  Suit was $849.00, and I should be getting about 10% of that back in dividend, which means I basically bought the suit for about $780.00.  Not cheap, but then, if it lasts 3 years or more, it is worth the investment.

I'll post a gear review about it shortly - I'm hoping the magic seaweed surf report is right about conditions tomorrow off Cape Kiwanda, so it may get a workout tomorrow am.

I have a mountaineering jacket made with the eVent Pro ripstop fabric, and have worn it from last November through now.  It vents really well in my experience, better than the jackets that I have made of Goretex - the jacket is a 3 layer eVent laminate, and it outperforms, in terms of comfort level, my 2 layer Goretex paclite shells.

Anyone have advice on getting a head full of long hair through a latex gasket?  That was the only difficult part - not ripping my hair out as I was trying to get my head through the neck gasket.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: bad lattitude on August 08, 2009, 05:00:02 PM
One of the EE's at REI told me that a new 20% off coupon is coming out soon. If you can wait until then on the dry suit, I'd return the one you have and buy it in a month.

Another option is the Labor Day sale coming up. Starts the last Friday in August. Use "Live Help" on REI.com and ask them if your suit will be on sale.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: squidgirl on August 08, 2009, 05:37:31 PM
Madoc... cut it off..   ;D  i have a dry top i get into and i gtried on a dry suit at Back Packer Supply.  My suggestion is just to pull it back into a pony tail. I do when i got out on the Yak to keep it out of my Eyes.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: INSAYN on August 08, 2009, 06:02:29 PM
Glad I don't have to deal with that.  My hair has been slipping off the top so I just buzz it to 1/4" all the way around.  No problem-o with latex and my hair.  Latex and the choke hold is another story.  :-[
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: bad lattitude on August 08, 2009, 06:21:46 PM
As for the hair...what about wearing a toboggan as you put on the suit?
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: craig on August 08, 2009, 06:50:16 PM
put it in a bun ;D
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: INSAYN on August 08, 2009, 09:17:37 PM
As for the hair...what about wearing a toboggan as you put on the suit?

Shave it!   
Dries quickly. ;D
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: jself on August 08, 2009, 10:39:34 PM
Man, I just realized I have the meridian, not the front entry. Front entry is much less expensive. I could have beaten/matched that price on a new one for you I think :(
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: craig on August 08, 2009, 11:00:05 PM
Quote
Shave it!   
Dries quickly.

Thats what I finally did.  I was just too excited and couldn't wait for my bald spots to merge in to one Pangea-like bald spot  :-\.
Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: INSAYN on August 09, 2009, 09:59:32 AM
Quote
Shave it!   
Dries quickly.

Thats what I finally did.  I was just too excited and couldn't wait for my bald spots to merge in to one Pangea-like bald spot  :-\.

Going bald is a great excuse to just buzz it all off. ;D
This time last year I was dealing with glasses or contacts, and morning hair.  Not no more! 
Post Lasik and a run with the clippers, my out the door time just dropped to under a minute.   :icon_thumright:
 

Title: Re: Looking for feedback
Post by: squidgirl on August 09, 2009, 10:52:43 AM
Insayn. i got my out the door time in less then 5 minutes and i am a girl. i have thought about the short to almost no hair. but most men prefer some hair on there Ladies.  ;D