Stohlquist bpod T dry suit questions

Just pick up one of these guys on sale, anyone here use the bpod T?

This is my first dry suit and the neck gasket is a bit tight. I am hesitant to cut the gasket, but if it really bothers me, what implement should I use to trim?

All the other gaskets feel fine and it feels great besides the neck. Should I just wait for it to stretch out while wearing for a few hours?

Thanks

-Micah

Lots of people use a bowl. Do a search, there are a few effective techniques. The hose breather ring for cooling off is also probably a good thing to have before you need it.

Use a razor ... or something equally sharp.
I have heard that you can trim the seal while still on your neck for a perfect cut. But the trick is doing it in the mirror .....

Ok thanks for the tips.

I tried to search for the "hose breather ring" but got nothing on the forum. Would you mind explaining what this is to a dry suit noob like me?

Edit ... Please don't try cutting it with the seal on your neck!

I would trim 1/4 inch from the edge of the gasket, then try it on and see how tight it is.  YOu want it sorta snug but not constrictive, so that in the event of a head-first capsize, you might ship only a few drops of water, maybe 1/4 teaspoon.

But before cutting----  stretch the gasket over a metal bowl, something with about an 18 inch circumference (assuming your neck is less)!!), leave it overnite and see how it fits in the AM---that might suffice.  If it still feels like your exwife's hands are slowly slowly squeezing your life out, get some good scissors and trim 1/4 inch at at time.  You can alwys make another cut, but if you cut too farm you gotta replace the gasket, so go slow.

I wear a B-pod too, and it seems like the neck on my suit was considerably tighter the first time or two I wore it. It's about as comfortable as I imagine a watertight seal around my neck could be now, and I haven't trimmed it at all. You might want to give it a couple wears if it's not totally unbearable.

[quote author=micahgee link=topic=6271.msg65598#msg65598 date=

I tried to search for the "hose breather ring" but got nothing on the forum. Would you mind explaining what this is to a dry suit noob like me?
[/quote]

I did a search and can't find it either, but some guys fit up some hose the kind they use for soda fountains, put a plug in it and wear it like a puka shell necklace to hold the gasket off ya so it breathes when your underway on sunny warmer days. I know there's a few pics on here someplace. Don't listen to me though I wear "waders of death" and a splash top.

Was just on the Stohlquist site, and it says that they will replace the neck gasket for free. A larger gasket might be your answer.

you can always look up  our founder, polepole, in the member list, then click the link that says " show posts" and scroll thru them. go back to about febuary i think it is.  Allen was his gracious self and shared the gasket stretch and the relief ring he uses.

also search function for "dry suits", and by brand name. might find it faster

[quote author=micahgee link=topic=6271.msg65598#msg65598 date=

I tried to search for the "hose breather ring" but got nothing on the forum. Would you mind explaining what this is to a dry suit noob like me?

I did a search and can't find it either, but some guys fit up some hose the kind they use for soda fountains, put a plug in it and wear it like a puka shell necklace to hold the gasket off ya so it breathes when your underway on sunny warmer days. I know there's a few pics on here someplace. Don't listen to me though I wear "waders of death" and a splash top.

I believe this is what Lingbanger is talking about.  OS Systems used to make them.  They may still, I don't know.  I bought the last two at Next Adventure a few years ago.  They sold them two me both for the price of one, since I was the only person in years to ask about them.  They were gathering a lot of dust.




They would be real easy to make out of tygon tubing and connectors from Home Depot.  I absolutely love it.  You put it on before the drysuit, then work it up the gasket til you are no longer choking to death. 

-Craig

thanks for answering my noobish questions 


I took an unintended swim about a month ago, my outwear wasn't up to the challenge and I have been thinking about em full dry suits ever since...

Update:

 After some stretching and taking on/off over a few days, the suit feels much more comfortable. I do not feel strangled anymore. I'm glad I did not try to cut or trim the neoprene neck gasket. It seemed wise to get a comfortable fit before you get out on the water.

I'm amazed how comfortable I am in a full dry suit sitting at my computer. With a conventional wetsuit I'd be sweating and super stiff. I am definitely jumping on the dry suit bandwagon.

A quick google search on the bpod came up with mostly very positive reviews. As my first dry suit, I am very happy with it

I've been really happy with mine as well. I started noticing a few damp spots after being well used for over a year, but Stohlquist has already agreed to repair it under warranty. Just been waiting for the weather to break before I was stuck without it for a few weeks.

For my drytop latex gasket, I just keep a big plastic Folgers coffee can in it while it is stored. 
Keeps it stretched out nicely.