Drysuit recommendations

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

I'm considering a drysuit for winter kiting, esp foiling . I've looked at the (formerly) Ocean Rodeo style with the jacket looking piece and the Kokatat style. Any recommendations from PNW crew (besides go to la ventana 😎)?

Singlemalt · Since 21 Jun 2015 474 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

OR makes great drysuit. Bundle up underneath, thickest gloves you can handle and warm booties. A hood or warm hat.

You might not have much company out there, be prepared for a long swim. Water temps will be in the 40’s soon, all the way into April.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1765 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Had a Kokatat for years, great suit, best warranty, great company. Sold it and got a OR Heat, can't make a recommendation cuz I've never used it. Guess my cold water days are over. It's an XL and I'm thinking of selling it. I'm 6'2" 190 lbs and fits great. give me a call at the # below if you're interested. I'm in the Gorge, (Carson)

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1839 Posts XTreme Poster

I wing foil at Viento a lot all winter. I have perhaps 20 days in thus far. If it's blown'' I am goin', down to about 30 deg air temp, or so. The Ocean Rodeo suits are brilliant--(they are rebranded Stohlquists).. The over-jacket provides additional wind protection, and the placement of the zipper is super easy to do solo. The issue is I am not sure they are still being made. I am on season three on my OR Soul and just had the neck and wrist gaskets replaced, along with new socks. I get about 60 days in per season in the drysuit.

I wear two layers of thermals, thick wool socks, 7mm booties, 7mm soft scuba hood, and 3 mm NRS rafting gloves. I am tall, thin and prone to be cold. For kiting I used to use 5mm trigger mitts. Mystic makes a really nice pair of those. For gloves/mitts it's a trade off on flexibility vs warmth. Too thick and it messes with grip ---> swollen forearms. Much more of an issue wing/windsurf than kiting though.

I'd take a look at Mark's Heat, and if it fits buy it. Kokatat makes great suits with Patagonia-like customer service. I tried on another brand that was excellent quality, but the zipper is too far down the back and a royal pain to zip solo. Show stopper for me.

I prefer latex neck/wrist seals over the neoprene. The neo seals are more fragile in that they don't like to be stretched. They seal well, but latex seals a bit better. That said, if you use your suit replacing seals is part of the deal, and you can always have a different style put on, so I would not be too concerned about that. Immersion Research in HR does this as does Jerry at Express Dry Suit Repair in Beaverton. Both high quality options. I just had both wrists, neck, and new integrated socks put on by Jerry.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1765 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

I bought a set of wrist and a neck gasket (latex) in case I didn't like the neoprene, but wimped out on the cold water. I replaced same on my Kokatat, came out great, pretty easy to do. From what I understand, the neo outlast the latex. I tended to tear the latex on my Kokatat every season, even using the protectant. Never had that problem with my old school drysuits that used neoprene, but for sure the latex is more waterproof in high speed crashes.

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

tonyobx · Since 12 Aug 2022 15 Posts Raleigh & Waves, NC

I've got a Large OR Soul only used twice taking up space in my closet if that is of interest.
I just don't ride when it gets that cold.

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

Slappysan · Since 13 Jun 2012 309 Posts Obsessed

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1839 Posts XTreme Poster

^^^

You my be correct. I was going off of comparing the two suits a few years ago and they were nearly identical.

rePete · Since 18 Dec 2007 215 Posts Mosier, Oregon Stoked

Mustang Survival bought the Ocean Rodeo line of Drysuits. They had them on their website but now I don’t see them anymore. I ended with this suit after have 3 OR Soul suits. I’m pretty happy with it.
https://mustangsurvival.com/collections/mens-dry-suits/products/hudson-dry-suit-latex-msd201

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

I had the ION Fuse Dry Suit , love the suite, highly recommend. But now I have the Ocean Rodeo, its even better !!!

juandesooka · Since 21 Jan 2014 98 Posts

If you are a tall person, may want to buy one of these
https://harbourchandler.ca/maritime-surface-operations-suit/

they are the leftover stock from when Ocean Rodeo got out of drysuits. Developed for military use. An absolute steal at $299Cdn, or roughly ten bucks US. I am just bummed they sold out of my size.

steveski · Since 17 Aug 2020 30 Posts

shred_da_gorge · Wed Jan 25, 23 5:50 pm

steveski · Since 17 Aug 2020 30 Posts

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

When a leak occurs you have the option to get it repaired with a Kokatat. There are simply no repair services offered for other suits.

You can always get the rubber gaskets easily repaired but I am referring to other leaks in the body of the suit/socks etc.