Dry Suit?

davide · 24th May 2009, 06:24 AM

It might be because I am getting older but I am often feeling cold when sailing. Mostly it is is on the beach when having to undress naked (or so) before putting a 4/3 on is annoying. I live in a cold place and in at least one location a dry suit might be justified year around.

So the question is, how about a drysuit? The new one seems easier to deal with, and if they work for kites they should work for windsurf? For example the Ocean rodeo Pro http://www.oceanrodeo.com/kiting/pyro_pro

Opinions?

Roger · 24th May 2009, 10:23 AM

Hi Davide,
I use a Kokatat GFE Drysuit, and I highly recommend them.

http://www.kokatat.com/catalog_pdf/2...009cat_8-9.pdf

They are pricey, but worth every penny.
It's like windsurfing in your pajamas!
Hope this helps,

wiindz · 28th May 2009, 09:12 AM

i dont have any experiance with the kokatat, but the ocean rodeo one is deffinately very good for windsurfing, ive heard many possitive responses to these suits, living in quebec, canada, the rivers and lakes freez over the winter, so if you want a long season, you need a dry suit. haveyou ever tried a 5/4 suit davide? many people around here use those, with thick booties and gloves and a hood in water as cold as 2C, i wouldnt recomend it, but it has deffinately been done! happy suit hunting!

Per · 28th May 2009, 01:55 PM

Hi Davide.
I windsurf in Denmark where it's quite cold in winter (snow and ice), and I use a suit like the one you mention (mine is a Gul, but same principle and you wear a comfortable and warm dress on the inside).
I can highly recommend this kind of suit. Comfort is way higher than a neoprene as it sits like a "pyjamas" as Roger mentioned. Actually I feel less loose when I switch to my 4/3 summer suit.
No problem with keeping body temperature, you can just add extra inner suits. Durability is way higher than neoprene. After four seasons I dont have any tear or wear in mine. My former NP 6/4 winter suit (neoprene) started leaking after three weeks.
The greatest thing is that you can put on your inner suit at home, and you just have to take on the dress on the beach - no naked freezing experience.
I wont't even think about going back to neoprene for sailing in the cold season.

Have fun
;-)
Per

davide · 28th May 2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiindz

haveyou ever tried a 5/4 suit davide? many people around here use those, with thick booties and gloves and a hood in water as cold as 2C, i wouldnt recomend it, but it has deffinately been done! happy suit hunting!

I had a bulky 5 ages ago, no I use a 4/3, that works fine when I put on an extra 1mm top over it. Durability is a concern: last year the 4/3 was snag, but just after a year of use it got looser and water now makes it way through if you fall (lovely sensation).

But mostly I am looking at a drysuit to avoid the "naked on the beach" experience ... call me a wimp but even if the temperature is at the lowest 50 (10 centigrades) I am sick and tired to be wet and naked on the beach.

Per (from Denmark) testimonial is exactly what I want to hear!!

20th June 2009, 01:22 PM

Ocean rodeo pro has an amazing cut and fit but the breathability is lacking. I have emptied 2 litres of water from the ankles, it was sweat. Using UnderArmour as insulation the rest of me was dry. A kokatat breathes but is almost double the price and may not be as durable with respect to crotch seams or outer layer snags. That's speculation but Ocean Rodeo is some tough stuff. Cordura vs. Goretex not too much of a comparison. Mountain climber vs kayaker really. I don't think any kiter has ever died in a OR pro and that is saying something. If your local launch is shale or rock I'd get the OR, if it is sand the kokatat. because it allows you to wear it all day.

24th May 2009, 06:24 AM	#1
davide Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 248	Dry Suit? It might be because I am getting older but I am often feeling cold when sailing. Mostly it is is on the beach when having to undress naked (or so) before putting a 4/3 on is annoying. I live in a cold place and in at least one location a dry suit might be justified year around. So the question is, how about a drysuit? The new one seems easier to deal with, and if they work for kites they should work for windsurf? For example the Ocean rodeo Pro http://www.oceanrodeo.com/kiting/pyro_pro Opinions?

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24th May 2009, 10:23 AM	#2
Roger Dream Team - School Guru Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,060	Hi Davide, I use a Kokatat GFE Drysuit, and I highly recommend them. http://www.kokatat.com/catalog_pdf/2...009cat_8-9.pdf They are pricey, but worth every penny. It's like windsurfing in your pajamas! Hope this helps,

28th May 2009, 09:12 AM	#3
wiindz Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 61	i dont have any experiance with the kokatat, but the ocean rodeo one is deffinately very good for windsurfing, ive heard many possitive responses to these suits, living in quebec, canada, the rivers and lakes freez over the winter, so if you want a long season, you need a dry suit. haveyou ever tried a 5/4 suit davide? many people around here use those, with thick booties and gloves and a hood in water as cold as 2C, i wouldnt recomend it, but it has deffinately been done! happy suit hunting!

28th May 2009, 01:55 PM	#4
Per Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 237	Hi Davide. I windsurf in Denmark where it's quite cold in winter (snow and ice), and I use a suit like the one you mention (mine is a Gul, but same principle and you wear a comfortable and warm dress on the inside). I can highly recommend this kind of suit. Comfort is way higher than a neoprene as it sits like a "pyjamas" as Roger mentioned. Actually I feel less loose when I switch to my 4/3 summer suit. No problem with keeping body temperature, you can just add extra inner suits. Durability is way higher than neoprene. After four seasons I dont have any tear or wear in mine. My former NP 6/4 winter suit (neoprene) started leaking after three weeks. The greatest thing is that you can put on your inner suit at home, and you just have to take on the dress on the beach - no naked freezing experience. I wont't even think about going back to neoprene for sailing in the cold season. Have fun ;-) Per

20th June 2009, 01:22 PM	#6
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Ocean rodeo pro has an amazing cut and fit but the breathability is lacking. I have emptied 2 litres of water from the ankles, it was sweat. Using UnderArmour as insulation the rest of me was dry. A kokatat breathes but is almost double the price and may not be as durable with respect to crotch seams or outer layer snags. That's speculation but Ocean Rodeo is some tough stuff. Cordura vs. Goretex not too much of a comparison. Mountain climber vs kayaker really. I don't think any kiter has ever died in a OR pro and that is saying something. If your local launch is shale or rock I'd get the OR, if it is sand the kokatat. because it allows you to wear it all day.