Adjustable neck seals on dry suits

What about going the other way?  I have a feeling that the latex neck seal on my dry top won't last me more than another tow years or so max.  I was wondering if I could replace it with a neoprene neck instead.  Thoughts?

What about going the other way?  I have a feeling that the latex neck seal on my dry top won't last me more than another tow years or so max.  I was wondering if I could replace it with a neoprene neck instead.  Thoughts?

you could, but then technically you don't have a "dry" top anymore. It's just kind of part of the deal. I replace mine every 1.5-2 years.

I use a mcnett product called "seal saver" that is a latex lube that keeps them from drying, cracking, then tearing, and also makes them stretchier so they don't strangle the neck as much.

the other thing that will kill gaskets super quick is sunscreen. it disolves latex...makes them get all gummy.

you could, but then technically you don't have a "dry" top anymore. It's just kind of part of the deal. I replace mine every 1.5-2 years.

Right, clearly.  I'm just sick of dealing with the neck gasket being so friggin' uncomfortable.  I'm willing to trade some water-tight integrity for some comfort.   

Dude I hear ya. I just got Kokatat bibs for that reason. 95% of everything I do in a boat the dry suit is overkill.  There's no technical reason why you can't put a neo gasket where a latex had been.

Why not keep your dry top and pick up an inexpensive splash top?

Go with the neoprene.  Latex is great for your wrists but not really necessary for you neck.  I have used my neoprene neck gasket going on 3 years and very very very little water gets in when I wipe out in the surf, maybe a teaspoon or two at the most.   Heck I sweat more than that on a long pedal.

Sure its not a 100% dry suit but for 99% of daily offshore fishing trips who cares.  I would rather be comfortable on an all day trip than feel like I'm being strangled by a midget and quit early.

Go with the neoprene.  Latex is great for your wrists but not really necessary for you neck.  I have used my neoprene neck gasket going on 3 years and very very very little water gets in when I wipe out in the surf, maybe a teaspoon or two at the most.   Heck I sweat more than that on a long pedal.

Sure its not a 100% dry suit but for 99% of daily offshore fishing trips who cares.  I would rather be comfortable on an all day trip than feel like I'm being strangled by a midget and quit early.

I've noticed that some neo gaskets are dryer than others. Standard neo like on the kokatat angler suit does very little to keep water out, Alternatively the rubberized neo like on the stholquist suits (like the NRS Mystery material) is very dry, but not as loose on the neck. The problem I've had with the adjustable neo gasket on a suit is that the suit is always ballooned with air. I burp the suit, then the air comes back in. When I hit the water, that air blows out and forces the adjustable neck open and I guzzle water in.

Dude I hear ya. I just got Kokatat bibs for that reason. 95% of everything I do in a boat the dry suit is overkill.  There's no technical reason why you can't put a neo gasket where a latex had been.

Why not keep your dry top and pick up an inexpensive splash top?

Certainly been strongly considering that.  Yeah, it doesn't really make sense to have a latex neck seal on a drytop anyway.  Whenever I've dunked in that setup, a little water seeps in through the waist anyway so who cares about the neck being totally water tight?  Oh well, lessons learned.  At least I didn't pay anywhere close to full price for it. 

What I'm really wondering is generally, what the process is to actually do it(stick a neoprene neck where a latex one is).  Do they even sell neoprene replacements like they do latex ones?

Dude I hear ya. I just got Kokatat bibs for that reason. 95% of everything I do in a boat the dry suit is overkill.  There's no technical reason why you can't put a neo gasket where a latex had been.

Why not keep your dry top and pick up an inexpensive splash top?

Certainly been strongly considering that.  Yeah, it doesn't really make sense to have a latex neck seal on a drytop anyway.  Whenever I've dunked in that setup, a little water seeps in through the waist anyway so who cares about the neck being totally water tight?  Oh well, lessons learned.  At least I didn't pay anywhere close to full price for it. 

What I'm really wondering is generally, what the process is to actually do it(stick a neoprene neck where a latex one is).  Do they even sell neoprene replacements like they do latex ones?

I've never seen neo ones for sale, but I did see a "how to" article in sea kayaker a while back explaining how to put neo gaskets on in place of latex. I would think the process is identicle. aquaseal will bond it.

The dry tops are only really dry if paired with a spray skirt on a closed deck boat and you roll rather than swim. If you swim you are wet. Alternatively paired with bibs or waders they're dry-ish. failry pointless if you're using a SOT though.

The dry tops are only really dry if paired with a spray skirt on a closed deck boat and you roll rather than swim. If you swim you are wet. Alternatively paired with bibs or waders they're dry-ish. failry pointless if you're using a SOT though.

Oh, duh.  That makes sense.

Is it a kokatat top? if so it has the neo already, you'd just have to remove the latex gasket.

It's an Extrasport.  It seems that removing the whole gasket might not provide the fit I'm looking for.  Actually, it looks like taking a good one or two inch ring off the top might make it just what I'm looking for.  The latex won't be too loose and I can strap it down with the fabric/neoprene/velcro over the top. Hmmm.....

Go with the neoprene.  Latex is great for your wrists but not really necessary for you neck.  I have used my neoprene neck gasket going on 3 years and very very very little water gets in when I wipe out in the surf, maybe a teaspoon or two at the most.   Heck I sweat more than that on a long pedal.

Sure its not a 100% dry suit but for 99% of daily offshore fishing trips who cares.  I would rather be comfortable on an all day trip than feel like I'm being strangled by a midget and quit early.

I've noticed that some neo gaskets are dryer than others. Standard neo like on the kokatat angler suit does very little to keep water out, Alternatively the rubberized neo like on the stholquist suits (like the NRS Mystery material) is very dry, but not as loose on the neck. The problem I've had with the adjustable neo gasket on a suit is that the suit is always ballooned with air. I burp the suit, then the air comes back in. When I hit the water, that air blows out and forces the adjustable neck open and I guzzle water in.

In regards to the adjustable neo neck I assume you are talking about a wrap around and Velcro style that gets blown open when burping? The Mustang neck is an over sized 2-ply neo seal. A bungee cord is run in the front and around and back out the front. Sweatshirt style. The clip the hold the cord in tethered to the suit so when you pull the cords the seal tightens. The bungee allows the suit to burp and reseal while staying fairly dry. I think I am going to try a shower test to see how water tight it is with out having to dunk myself.

yes the velcro adjustable ones. I'm not a huge fan, mostly because they make me look like I'm 400lbs b/c it's always full of air. The velcro just doesn't hold it shut.

I imagine if you had a big neck, this wouldn't be a problem.

It's an Extrasport.  It seems that removing the whole gasket might not provide the fit I'm looking for.  Actually, it looks like taking a good one or two inch ring off the top might make it just what I'm looking for.  The latex won't be too loose and I can strap it down with the fabric/neoprene/velcro over the top. Hmmm.....

you can definately trim it down, and try some seal saver too, it makes all the difference in the world. My issue with neck gaskets is when they don't stretch easy enough. seal saver makes them stretch easier, and the guy strangling me just got a little weaker.

That being said, I'm totally sick of neck gaskets right now and will be sporting the bibs for everything except cold rough ocean, surf, and WW.....places where I know I'll end up swimming. The bibs are pretty cool because they have a tunnel built in that you can shingle with a top to get a dryer option than waders.

Most of the time I wear a dry suit for the socks. I mostly don't want to get mucky and wet when launching....and that does not require a neck gasket. I don't like pants with socks because water dribbles down my crack.....so bibs it is!

My dry suit came with a latex neck gasket that you trim to fit.  I'd try it on to check the feel and fit, then trim a small ring off the top of the gasket.  It took about 4 times, but the feel is much friendlier and appreciated.  It worked well at the Willy Dino tournament we just had, and though it hasn't been huli tested yet, I'm confident the gasket will seal well.  The relief zipper is also a life saver.