Appropriate salt water clothing

Up till now i have been wearing my waders on the kayak and i noticed on the last outing that they were tight on my knees.  I am contemplating getting some type of dry suit or two piece outfit.  What do you guys/gals recommend. what do you ware?  Where do you shop?  The NRS catalog came in the mail today and they have some great stuff but i have no experience with this type of clothing.  I do work outside year round so  i am familiar with all the top brand of fishing gear/crabbing gear/construction gear, but non of this is going to cut it when i fall on to the water.  So one piece or two piece outfit?  what ore your thoughts?

cheers all.

I like my kokatat angler.

You will find that thevKokatat SuperNova Angler is really popular here.  I got mine at Outdoorplay.com. 

Get a dry suit if you can afford it.  NRS or Kokatat, and a few other brands are the standard.

Waders and dry top are a good second place.

I like my kokatat angler.

I'm biased but I do too.   

Honestly though, They're pretty reasonably priced, have a neoprene neck so you don't get choked out and they sport a relief zipper.  The material isn't as breathable as goretex but enough so that you'll be damned comfortable. 

http://www.kokatat.com/t3-supernova-angler-paddling-suit-men.html

-Spot-

Ok so sound like dry suit is the way to go.  now what do you layer with?  Is anyone using Hydro skin?

I have a Mustang Survival Rescue drysuit. Anything breathable like the Kokatat angler, or the Stohlquist EZ. Both of these have the neoprene neck and cuffs. I wish my suit had that feature.

Wobbler

Ok so sound like dry suit is the way to go.  now what do you layer with?  Is anyone using Hydro skin?

Synthetic or wool long underwear of some sort with moisture-wicking ability is the way to go IMHO. Hydroskin is neoprene ok ok "terraprene" or w/e so its not going to breathe nearly as well as previously mentioned fabrics.

For me it depends on the air temp. Right now it's typically a pair of heavy gym pants and a short and long sleeved under armor shirt, or add a fleece jacket if it's a bit cooler. During cold weather I have a fleece union suit that goes over a pair of under armor base layers, and then the layers just keep adding up depending on what I think will keep out the cold. whatever you layer, it should should be synthetic. If it does get wet it'll maintain at least part if not most of it's insulating properties until you take off the drysuit and evaporation takes over.

I've got the Mustang Survival MSD575WR. I think it's got the most comfortable neck system out there and all the kevlar makes it really  rugged, too. Professional grade stuff.

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/professional/water-rescue-drysuit?division=professional

I can probably find you an unused demo model for about $650, they list around $1000-1200.

iHop

Whatever you layer, it should should be synthetic. If it does get wet it'll maintain at least part if not most of it's insulating properties until you take off the drysuit and evaporation takes over.

I have gone almost completely away from synthetics and to Merino Wool. The stuff is flat out awesome! stays warm when wet, either water or sweat, and doesn't stink to high heaven like synthetics after a day of wear. Also remember to avoid the cotton underware. In the event that you get soaked it will suck heat directly away from your core.
Good socks are also important and you don't want your sock, drysuit, shoe combination to be snug either that will just limit the circulation and make your feet colder faster.

I have gone almost completely away from synthetics and to Merino Wool. The stuff is flat out awesome! stays warm when wet, either water or sweat, and doesn't stink to high heaven like synthetics after a day of wear. Also remember to avoid the cotton underware. In the event that you get soaked it will suck heat directly away from your core.

Interesting stuff. Will have to check that out.

I have gone almost completely away from synthetics and to Merino Wool. The stuff is flat out awesome! stays warm when wet, either water or sweat, and doesn't stink to high heaven like synthetics after a day of wear. Also remember to avoid the cotton underware. In the event that you get soaked it will suck heat directly away from your core.
Good socks are also important and you don't want your sock, drysuit, shoe combination to be snug either that will just limit the circulation and make your feet colder faster.

+1 Merino Wool is where it's at!  It's a bit more expensive, but it's possible to find deals on it.

You will find that thevKokatat SuperNova Angler is really popular here.  I got mine at Outdoorplay.com. 

True dat.  I got mine at Outdoor Play too.

I have a NRS Union Suit, a pair of HEAVY military surplus poly long johns, a HEAVY fleece upper, a long sleeve poly tee, light synthetic hiking pants, and a couple of pairs of smart wool socks.  About the least I wear under my Kokatat at any time of year on Puget Sound is the union suit, the hiking pants (so I can be seen in public without the dry suit), a pair of light socks, a pair of smart wool socks.  On top of the dry suit goes the NRS Cross 4 booties and the PFD.  In real cold weather the longsleeve poly tee, then the union suit, the long johns, the hiking pants, the fleece upper, light socks, 2 pairs of smart wool socks with a heat pack in between, booties, PFD, Glacier gloves, and a Glacier full hoodie.

Since REI replaced its heavy fleece under things with that worthless waffle crap, I guess the future holds merino wool as a fleece replacement. 

Any suggestions on sources of merino wool?  Particularly "heavy weight". 

For those interested, Smart Wool is 77% merino wool, 22% nylon, and 1% spandex.