Dry Suits- advice needed

Hi All,

I'm interested in buying a dry suit for Kayak Fishing in the Puget Sound. I'm looking for something breathable and sturdy that will keep me safe.  One thought I had was to buy a Dry Top to wear over my waders, but I'm not sure how wise that is.  Would that a be crazy?
On the Dry Suits, I'm a little concerned about the neck being to tight and would prefer not to spend $1,000 on a suit, but will do what I need to do to feel safe and have a durable outfit (I'm pretty hard on gear).
I'm pretty sure I'll end up in the water at some point.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Peter

One of the first things I did when I picked up a kayak was take the advise given here and find some nice calm lake water near shore and practice re-entering my kayak.   This was done with a breathable dry top over breathable waders.   In the 30 seconds from going in to having my butt planted back on the yak, I had little issues with water getting under my gear.   

I am one who hates to wear a dress shirt / tie as I feel constricted having anything snug around my neck.    I was ready to tap out the first time I put a latex seal around my neck.   Was a great relief to find that they are designed to be trimmed to fit.   Once fitted they only feel a little snug at first but soon become nothing I can't live with. 

I picked up a basic slightly used dry suite on ebay for $250 and have seen several others going for that or less. 
 Granted they are not the better breathable design and bladder control will be an issue.   

Peter here are my 2 cents worth. I have been a scuba diver for many years and have spent many hours in a drysuit. I own a OS Systems drysuit for Yakin. Make sure that your suit is large enough that you can get warm cloths underneath it with extra room to move. The neck and wrist seals are adjustable on most quality drysuits so if its too tight you can make it bigger. Just remember that if you make it too big their is no easy way to make it smaller short of having a new seal installed. Make sure you get a relief zipper makes things much easier when needed. My suit has socks attached some have no socks and most folks wear booties with them. I wear old running shoes with my drysuit. A chest zipper is much easier for entry and exit than a zipper on the rear of you back up by your shoulders.  Hope this helps.

I went with a Kokatat T3 Super Nova Angler.  It is considered a "semi-dry" suit because of the neoprene neck gasket.  It has latex at the wrists and built-in booties.  I love it and wear it in all weather, hot and cold.  Firebunker23 is correct on the sizing.  Buy oversize.  I did and I can get a fleece bunnysuit, and another layer of thick fleece under it with no problem and still be able to move around.  It looks a little goofy, but I feel safe.  I keep the neck seal loose and it leaks a few tablespoons of water when my head first goes underwater, but the suit and the PFD keep my head/neck up.  And if I need to, I can tighten down the neck in the water. 

Some folks here have had great success watching the online auctions and used market for dry-suits.

I'd second demonick's recommendation.  I've tried both fully dry and semi-dry suits and really like the comfort, protection and breathability of the Kokatat Angler semi-dry. 

That said, the dry-top/wader combo works very well.  Many of our members have been rocking that combo in both fresh and salt water for years.

-Spot-

another vote for Demonick/Spot recommend,

I had a 2-piece: Kokatat Goretex bibs that mate with a semi-dry topwith the fold-over neck seal.  Worked very well, but a little fussy to get the folds of the bib skirt and top skirt just right.  After my experience with a buddy going over and unable to get back aboard,

http://www.kayakanglermag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=921:near-tragedy-at-point-no-point&catid=73:buzz-bait&Itemid=142



 I went for a Kokatat Goretex Meridian GFE, despite its having a latex neck gasket---I just trimmed it until it was comfortable instead of constricting.  Before getting the Meridian, I had the Goretex lightweight suit with the neoprene neck, but the booties leaked so I upgraded.
   The pee zip is a must, IMHO.  And the booties are great, having warm dry feet is a huge plus.   Knowing that you are safely prepared for immersion in 50-55 degree water is priceless!
   The Super Angler is very reasonably priced, if you buy new you get the great Kokatat warranty.   Goretex is lifetime, I think the Tropos suits are at least 2 year's warranty.  But if there are any problems with the suit (unlikely), they'll show up riught away, suggest you wade out to chest depth and check out the relief zip and the chest seal.
   If you have manly wrists, you'll need to trim about 1/2 inch from the wrist gaskets to keep your hands from swelling up like the Hindenberg zeppelin....but be careful, trim in stages.

   If you have manly wrists, you'll need to trim about 1/2 inch from the wrist gaskets to keep your hands from swelling up like the Hindenberg zeppelin....but be careful, trim in stages.

Shit.  I guess I have girly wrists

   If you have manly wrists, you'll need to trim about 1/2 inch from the wrist gaskets to keep your hands from swelling up like the Hindenberg zeppelin....but be careful, trim in stages.

Shit.  I guess I have girly wrists

 

Well, I was able to get a used Kokatat GFER at Kayak Academy for about $600.  Its in great condition and appreciate all the input.  By the way a new angler version is coming to market in January that will come with a life time warranty.  Thanks again for the input.