Dry suit recommendation?

Hi there, obviously with me being a new player in the kayak fishing sport I want to be safe. I am keying In on what saltwater safety gear I will need. Is there such things as a breathable dry suit or just neoprene? Are there specific makes or models that are better for fly fishing? Can I get away with a pair of breathable waders with a jacket? I need to hear from some guys with first hand experience. Cheers Ed

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Ed, all of your questions have been asked and answered many times.  If you'll search the forum, you'll find all the answers.  You could also look at the rules for this year's Oregon Rockfish Classic (ORC) where minimum safety and survival gear for competitors is listed.

There are no special requirements for a dry suit or a wetsuit for fly-fishing.  What works for one style of fishing works for all styles.  One member even uses the same dry-suit for spear fishing and for fishing with a rod and reel.

You cannot "get away with" waders and a jacket.  Waders and a dry top perhaps, but if you don't use a wetsuit, the basic concept is to keep water from soaking your base/thermal layers and reaching your skin.

But please, search the forum first, and if all of your questions aren't answered, ask again.

There are a lot of excellent discussions of exposure gear options on this forum.  For example, check out the recent thread at http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17805.msg191761#msg191761 .  My opinion, as stated in that thread, is as follows:

I have used one-piece dry suits for whitewater kayaking, kayak fishing, and snorkeling and speargunning for many years, and I know that a one-piece drysuit with latex gaskets will keep me dry if I end up in the water.  For example, after five hours of snorkeling in a one-piece drysuit, I can drive home in the clothing I was wearing under the drysuit.

I have used dry pant/dry top gear on many long multi-day whitewater kayak trips, and for kayak fishing, and I know that a two-piece drysuit arrangement will keep me dry in the rain, it will keep me dry if I get splashed by waves, and it will keep my feet and legs dry when I turn sideways in a sit-on-top kayak and hang my feet in the water.  But I believe that a two-piece drysuit arrangement will not keep me dry if I end up in the water for more than a couple of seconds.  It's going to leak, my clothing is going to get wet, and it may take on enough water to make it difficult for me to climb back onto a sit-on-top kayak.

So I use two piece dry-suits when I want to stay comfortable in bad weather, cold water, wind, and waves, but I don't use two-piece drysuits if there is any significant chance that I could end up in the water.  If I think I might end up in cold water, I wear a one-piece drysuit.

And I consider dry suits to be much more comfortable than wet suits, and would not choose a wet suit for kayak angling in any conditions.

the first time that I jumped into a cold lake (48F) on a cold day, wearing my drysuit (Kokatat Super Nova Angler), to practice self recovery, it became immediately clear what a critical safety item it is.   cheers, roger

https://youtu.be/h2gTZPhVE-g?t=1m25s

As someone who has worn wetsuit no safety gear waders with jacket and waders with drytop(I lived to tell about going in the drink with waders and jacket in 68 degree water). A dry suit is the way to do it. If you can afford one it's worth every penny.


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If you can afford it, get a Kokatat Gore-tex model. The Front Entry and the Meridian are the cheapest. Google them and you can find close-out deals.  Why do I suggest these?  Lifetime warranty.  I purchased one in 2009 and have used it for everything from kayak fishing to sitting in a duck blind in pouring rain. Kokatat will patch all the little holes you put in it for $25 plus shipping.  I would send mine in every couple years.  This year, I sent it in to have the neck gasket replaced after I tore it and to have the holes I put in it from hooks and fins patched. It was going to cost about $100. They inspected it and I got an email saying the Gore-tex was delaminating and so they are currently sending me a brand new dry suit for free. Well, technically for $75 because they let me upgrade to the Meridian.

If you are looking at other brands, be sure they offer repair services, as well. I would hate to drop $600 on another brand and put a hook into it the first day only to find out they refer you to a local repair shop to get it fixed. There are some that do, but for the $25 Kokatat charges, you will be paying about $120 for the same service.

Hi there, obviously with me being a new player in the kayak fishing sport I want to be safe. I am keying In on what saltwater safety gear I will need. Is there such things as a breathable dry suit or just neoprene? Are there specific makes or models that are better for fly fishing? Can I get away with a pair of breathable waders with a jacket? I need to hear from some guys with first hand experience. Cheers Ed

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Q: Is there such things as a breathable dry suit or just neoprene?
   A: Yes, most commercial drysuits are breathable.  There are several breathable materials used for these with GoreTex considered the most breathable.

Q:  Are there specific makes or models that are better for fly fishing?
   A:  So far as I know, there are none designed for flyfishing but Kokatat does make a drysuit specifically designed for kayak fishing.  The Kokatat Angler paddle suit incorporates a heavy cordura material in the lap, crotch and butt to mitigate hook and fin penetration.  It also has a neoprene neck for all day comfort (instead of the latex neck used on true "Dry"suits).  To accommodate fly fishing, I'd suggest simply getting a size big enough to accommodate winter underlayers (standard practice).  This will give you enough room to move your arms over your head with ease.

Q: Can I get away with a pair of breathable waders with a jacket?
   A: Not for the ocean or any cold water environs.  You could use a pair of waders and a drytop with a good cinching closure at the waist.

-Mark-

In situations in which the water is warm and it is unlikely that you will end up in the water, if you want to go with a two-piece dry gear setup, or you want to just wear waders or dry pants, I think that dry pants with dry socks, such as the Kokatat Tempest 3L Hydrus dry pants, are better than waders, for the following reasons:

1. If you are a guy, when wearing waders, in order to take a whizz while sitting in your kayak, you'll need to take off your PFD, take off any dry top you are wearing, take the suspenders off your shoulders, and pull the waders down far enough to pee into a funnel. Dry pants don't go up as high on your body, and they don't have suspenders, so you can just pull them down enough to pee without taking off your PFD or any other clothing.

2. Dry pants made a good seal against your stomach and waist.  Nylon waders fit loosely, and will wrinkle and bunch up under their waist belt, which creates places where water can get in.  Furthermore, if you end up in the water, the portion of nylon waders which is above their belt will scoop up water, which will then slowly drain down under the belt.

Q:  Are there specific makes or models that are better for fly fishing?
   A:  So far as I know, there are none designed for flyfishing but Kokatat does make a drysuit specifically designed for kayak fishing.  The Kokatat Angler paddle suit incorporates a heavy cordura material in the lap, crotch and butt to mitigate hook and fin penetration.  It also has a neoprene neck for all day comfort (instead of the latex neck used on true "Dry"suits).  To accommodate fly fishing, I'd suggest simply getting a size big enough to accommodate winter underlayers (standard practice).  This will give you enough room to move your arms over your head with ease.

that is the one I have, Super Nova Angler (with relief zipper, a must have), material is Kokatat's version of breathable multi-layer fabric (generic goretex)...very comfortable, quiet, and light.  I have worn mine for as long as 7 hours at a time and not been in a hurry to get it off at the end of the outing, only time I get hot is when it is really sunny and over about 70F...I started bank fishing steelhead early this year and was planning to wear it instead of chest waders if there was going to be big rain while I was out...cheers, roger

I have the same model as Rodger. Easy to move in and the Cordura is great if you go crabbing or have big spiny fish in your lap. Plus 1 for front entry relief zipper and kokatat.

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Drysuits are designed with space for underlayers check the fit to see if you really need to go bigger. The extra material is annoying if the suit is too big.

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Q:  Are there specific makes or models that are better for fly fishing?
   A:  So far as I know, there are none designed for flyfishing but Kokatat does make a drysuit specifically designed for kayak fishing.  The Kokatat Angler paddle suit incorporates a heavy cordura material in the lap, crotch and butt to mitigate hook and fin penetration.  It also has a neoprene neck for all day comfort (instead of the latex neck used on true "Dry"suits).  To accommodate fly fishing, I'd suggest simply getting a size big enough to accommodate winter underlayers (standard practice).  This will give you enough room to move your arms over your head with ease.

that is the one I have, Super Nova Angler (with relief zipper, a must have), material is Kokatat's version of breathable multi-layer fabric (goretex)...very comfortable, quiet, and light.  I have worn mine for as long as 7 hours at a time and not been in a hurry to get it off at the end of the outing, only time I get hot is when it is really sunny and over about 70F...I started bank fishing steelhead early this year and was planning to wear it instead of chest waders if there was going to be big rain while I was out...cheers, roger

The Super Nova Angler is a great suit, but it is not Gore-tex, it is Hydrus 3L.  I have used both, and Gore-tex breathes better IMHO. The good thing is the Super Nova Angler has a limited lifetime warranty. Which again is why I prefer Kokatat's products. They stand by them and they are made in America.

Drysuits are designed with space for underlayers check the fit to see if you really need to go bigger. The extra material is annoying if the suit is too big.

When you buy a drysuit, get it big enough so you can put on enough layers of clothing so you can kayak and fish in comfort when it's snowing, and there are chunks of ice floating in the water.  A drysuit which is a bit baggy is not annoying.  A drysuit which fits so tightly that you can't put on enough layers to keep warm and comfortable is really annoying.

Q:  Are there specific makes or models that are better for fly fishing?
   A:  So far as I know, there are none designed for flyfishing but Kokatat does make a drysuit specifically designed for kayak fishing.  The Kokatat Angler paddle suit incorporates a heavy cordura material in the lap, crotch and butt to mitigate hook and fin penetration.  It also has a neoprene neck for all day comfort (instead of the latex neck used on true "Dry"suits).  To accommodate fly fishing, I'd suggest simply getting a size big enough to accommodate winter underlayers (standard practice).  This will give you enough room to move your arms over your head with ease.

that is the one I have, Super Nova Angler (with relief zipper, a must have), material is Kokatat's version of breathable multi-layer fabric (goretex)...very comfortable, quiet, and light.  I have worn mine for as long as 7 hours at a time and not been in a hurry to get it off at the end of the outing, only time I get hot is when it is really sunny and over about 70F...I started bank fishing steelhead early this year and was planning to wear it instead of chest waders if there was going to be big rain while I was out...cheers, roger

The Super Nova Angler is a great suit, but it is not Gore-tex, it is Hydrus 3L.  I have used both, and Gore-tex breathes better IMHO. The good thing is the Super Nova Angler has a limited lifetime warranty. Which again is why I prefer Kokatat's products. They stand by them and they are made in America.

If you have the $$$, Kokatat will let you custom order a goretex suit (for maximum breathability) and add the cordura bottom half.  There are about a dozen different options you can pimp your suit out with.

Here's a link to the custom suit ordering site: https://kokatat.com/custom/

Even if you don't have the $$$ it's fun to daydream and put together your custom suit online.    As you update, the image of the suit changes.

Here's the one I have on order:

I thought about doing that. I would love it if you could get the safety yellow for the top.