Kokatat - Hydrus 3L vs. Tropos

I've been looking at dry suits lately and have been looking at the Kokatat Hydrus 3L Supernova and the Tropos Supernova. These seem to be geared more towards anglers, especially the Hydrus with the reinforced knees, lap, seat and elbows (and its the angler edition). So besides the warranty (Hydrus Lifetime, Tropos 2yr), what are the differences in material? Quality, breathable, etc?

I have the Hydrus Supernova Angler and from what I understand it is breathable, but not as breathable as goretex.  I've only had the suit since March and haven't experienced anything over low 70s and sunny.  However, I definitely started to get warm in the suit wearing only a base layer short sleeve t-shirt and some bball shorts.  The extra material is very nice in the lap/seat but it is jet black which really heats everything up.  Of course, you could always just jump in for a bit to cool off. . I haven't gotten there yet. 

The suit fits very comfortably and doesn't feel stiff.  I was torn on size initially due to meeting some L requirements and other XL requirements.  I'm almost 6'3" but weight right at 200lbs.  I went with the XL and have plenty of room to layer.  Once you draw the elastic waitband and burp it it feels comfortable.  The extra room in the suit allows me to move around easily and I never feel it pulling or restricting.

The best explanation I've found is here:
http://www.drysuit-repair.com/wp/2013/02/kokatats-hydrus-3l-the-origin-story/

There's original Tropos, a 2-layer fabric.  The next generation fabric was 3-layer Tropos T3, which as near as I can tell is the same fabric as Hydrus and also has the lifetime warranty.  Kokatat is phasing out "Tropos T3", but it is available still from some retailers at a good price right now.

The T3 suits were good, the hydrus suits are better.  Zipper improvement was really good. 

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Thanks for the info. I will check out that link.

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Went to Kayak Shed this morning after messaging D Rock and ended up with the Hydrus 3L. The suit feels great. I will post more once I use it on the water. Derek and another associate (Tom?) were there and I walked in just as they were opening. These guys are awesome. I got to try the suit with a PFD while sitting on a Revo to make sure everything felt right.

Went to Kayak Shed this morning after messaging D Rock and ended up with the Hydrus 3L. The suit feels great. I will post more once I use it on the water. Derek and another associate (Tom?) were there and I walked in just as they were opening. These guys are awesome. I got to try the suit with a PFD while sitting on a Revo to make sure everything felt right.

Nice! I ordered the same suit yesterday. I love dealing with Derek at Kayak Shed. Good dude.
How did the zipper feel? Word is the zipper on they Hydrus is plastic. The previous model was metal. From what I hear the plastic zipper is an improvement.
Did you go with the mango color?

The zipper feels good. Yes it plastic. I did get the mango color. I originally was thinking the canvas/denim colored one, but they didnt have any according to their website and the mango looks good in person.

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The zipper feels good. Yes it plastic. I did get the mango color. I originally was thinking the canvas/denim colored one, but they didnt have any according to their website and the mango looks good in person.

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I am curious about the zippers, I have what should be a late model T3 angler and it has the TiZIP MasterSeal 10 zippers, these have plastic teeth and a silver metal slider, is this what the Hydrus have?  or did they change zipper suppliers?   cheers, roger

The zipper is all plastic, but the pull tab that moves the slider is metal between the slider and fabric pull tab.

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The zipper is all plastic, but the pull tab that moves the slider is metal between the slider and fabric pull tab.

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I still think they are using the same zipper, the pull tab is black plastic, metal wire connection to large silver slider that seems at first seems like it migh be plastic but it is silver pained metal if you examine it closely.

on the Kokatat website, the picture of the new Hydrus angler in Canvas/Denim, the zipper looks exactly like my T3, a MasterSeal 10, same large silver slider and black pull tab.   

TiZIP website confirms the slider for MasterSeal 10 is a "metal compound"...cheers, roger

The zipper is all plastic, but the pull tab that moves the slider is metal between the slider and fabric pull tab.

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I still think they are using the same zipper, the pull tab is black plastic, metal wire connection to large silver slider that seems at first seems like it migh be plastic but it is silver pained metal if you examine it closely.

on the Kokatat website, the picture of the new Hydrus angler in Canvas/Denim, the zipper looks exactly like my T3, a MasterSeal 10, same large silver slider and black pull tab.   

TiZIP website confirms the slider for MasterSeal 10 is a "metal compound"...cheers, roger

You are correct. I looked much closed and yes it is silver painted (feels like a plastic). The zipper still feels good, and I will test it tomorrow evening on the water.

The zipper is all plastic, but the pull tab that moves the slider is metal between the slider and fabric pull tab.

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I still think they are using the same zipper, the pull tab is black plastic, metal wire connection to large silver slider that seems at first seems like it migh be plastic but it is silver pained metal if you examine it closely.

on the Kokatat website, the picture of the new Hydrus angler in Canvas/Denim, the zipper looks exactly like my T3, a MasterSeal 10, same large silver slider and black pull tab.   

TiZIP website confirms the slider for MasterSeal 10 is a "metal compound"...cheers, roger

You are correct. I looked much closed and yes it is silver painted (feels like a plastic). The zipper still feels good, and I will test it tomorrow evening on the water.

that confirms what I have been thinking, that when Kokatat made the final change from last version of T3 to Hydrus, other than the warranty change and colors, there may be very little actual difference in the suits structure and performance....

Here is an upclose pic incase you're wondering.

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That's what my new one has, and I love it.  Be sure to pull really tight at the end!

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