Drysuit - recommendations for a noob

HI,

This is a great site and I am learning truckloads.  I am just starting to get into the Kayak fishing and will mostly be hitting the sound around the Gig Harbor area.  Safety is important so I will be investing in a drysuit.  What information can you give as to what you prefer and why.  Entry level and affordability are important to me.

What brands etc. should I look for and which ones should I avoid.  I am mostly searching craigslist and hoping to get something used.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I am very happy with my decision to bite the bullet years ago for a Kokatat T3 Super Nova Angler.  They have updated the fabric.   Relief zipper is a must.

Those things are sweet.  I suspect they are rarely on craigslist and yikes $500.  More saving required.

I picked up a USIA dry suit earlier this summer, I had it special ordered at astoria scuba and kayak (FYI great people ) and I love the thing ... I personally think for the $$$ you absolutely can't beat it, plus their made in scappoose so if you have any issues it's easy to get it fixed

Did you have a relief zipper put in it?  Seems like that is pretty vital and it doesn't look like they offer that standard on any of the USIA paddling suits.

Go try some on and get a rental to try it out first.

Do you know anyone who rents them in the Gig Harbor area?

What about the Farmer John wetsuit option?  Sure seems a lot less expensive.  Anyone go that direction?

Anyone use any Mustang Survival gear/drysuits?  I'm looking into getting one of theirs...great quality.

Kokatat Angler is a good setup. Now that I have the leak zipper they need to put a scupper hole right in front of me so I don't have to aim over the side.

Did you have a relief zipper put in it?  Seems like that is pretty vital and it doesn't look like they offer that standard on any of the USIA paddling suits.

Yes it does have the relief zipper, I just had to request it

Anyone use any Mustang Survival gear/drysuits?  I'm looking into getting one of theirs...great quality.

I have a Mustang dry suit and love it!

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

Anything by Kokatat is hard to go wrong with.  Get Goretex if you can afford it.  If not their new Hydrus fabric which replaces the Tropos those of us with T3 Angler suits have is supposed be a worthwhile upgrade.

I have a Kokatat Hydrus3L and it rocks! Yeah dry suits cost a little bit, but they are worth it. Outdoor Play and Kayak Shed offer discounts to us if you ask them on the suits.  Go try one on and you will see why they are worth the cost.

I have the Hydrus 3L angler suit also and I really like it. Its $515 with the discount at outdoorplay or kayakshed. Has a lifetime warranty.

A relief zipper is an essential feature on a drysuit if you may ever have to pee while out on the water, and a highly desirable feature if you want to be able to pee on shore without getting halfway out of your drysuit. You will be much more comfortable if you get a drysuit made of Goretex or some other breathable fabric, as it greatly reduces the amount of condensation which builds up on your clothing.  And if the weather and water are cold enough to justify wearing a drysuit, they're cold enough to justify getting a drysuit with attached socks or booties, which will keep your feet warm and dry even though they're sitting in puddles of water in the footwells of your sit-on-top kayak.  You can layer up as many pairs of socks as is necessary to keep your feet warm.  Once you have used a drysuit with attached socks or booties, you'll never buy any other kind.

Be sure to get a dry suit which is big enough to wear over several layers of sweaters, pile, or other insulating clothing.  If you buy a drysuit which fits snugly, you'll be very sorry when you try to bundle on extra clothing for some cool-weather kayaking.  With enough clothing under your drysuit, and appropriate gloves, you can paddle in comfort even when it's snowing, or when there is ice floating in the water.