Another Drysuit Option

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:14 pm

I was talking to Peter Noreen down at Midwest last night about drysuits. He's getting some sweet ones in that are 100% breathable and moisture wicking, have a front entry zipper and actually dry because of a thin attached sock instead of a leg cuff. He said he never has to wear anything more than a thin pair of long johns underneath.

The Ocean Rodeos are nice, though hundreds of dollars more and they aren't 100% breathable.

shoot him any questions you have.
pnoren@midwestmtn.com

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:53 pm

I'm sure the ones he's talking about are the kokotat drysuits?.

While they are expensive they are worth the money as a one time investment, mines 7 years old and still 100% dry. The goretex breaths so you don't get wet from sweat. But $6 to 700 bucks you have to be creaky enough to want the best cold weather gear but they quite probably are the best without spending 1000's on a deep diving suit.

If it's the suits I think they are and you want DRY, I can't recommend them highly enough, Kokatats after sale service is also very good.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:53 pm

Actually these are similar but not Kokotat. The company is Palm. They cost about half as much and provide a lot of the same features.

And yes if you have the $ the Kokotat suits are top of the line.

did you get the one with the Relief Zipper? Nice feature.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:59 pm

The relief zipper came out the year after we got our suits...talk about obsolete.
What a stroke of genuis that feature is.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:30 am

Here's a link to the suit: It is the Classic. Midwest will sell them for $350

http://www.palmequipmentusa.com/acatalog/dry_suits.html

darlene · Post by **darlene** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:49 am

Wow, the suggested retail is $499 & Midwest is selling them for $350?

Darlene

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:33 pm

Yeah, it must be the power of their relationship with the manufacturer. I know they sell a lot of kayaking gear.

That has always been the plague of wind sports. The numbers are just never high enough to provide big discounts and stay in business.

I can't wait to check these suits out. As I've mentioned I've tried every drysuit over the years. None have ever been completely dry, though many are warm none the less. The challenge with all suits is that your body creates too many channels that seals can never seal. Flex your fingers and look at your wrist. The tendons make some nice channels for water to travel up. Same with your Achilles near your ankle.

A truly dry suit means you can wear less underneath, not have all that wet clothes in your vehicle and just stay warmer.

I'm psyched to try this suit.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:52 pm

I have a suit very similar to the Palm Classic you guys are discussing...made by another paddling company, Stohlquist.

http://stohlquist.com/dyn_prod.php?k=29473&p=STO56133

Mine has the integrated latex boots that I wear neoprene booties over the top of and stay *completely* dry. and FYI, with the diagonal chest zip you can relieve yourself pretty easily w/o taking the suit off...just takes a little hunching over and careful aim...saves a few bucks as that is an extra feature.

Obviously the standard concessions apply...stay completely dry and very warm, but no insulative properties if punctured and definitely slows you down swimming after gear in case of a separation in the water. Not sure with my limitted experience in Duluth that I would take a baggy suit out in the waves, but Mille Lacs and locally it has served me very well.

Uffe · Post by **Uffe** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:26 am

Tighe, I would love to have one of those. I am looking for a new warm suit, I don't have a full dry suit right now but will buy one this fall. How would you say it would compare with the BARE dry suit? I would use mine for windsurfing mainly. Not being familiar with the store "Midwest" could you get me the contact info for Peter Noreen down at Midwest?

Thanks a lot, hope to see you guys at the crossing again this year..

- Uffe
USWE 22

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:05 pm

Peter's email is: pnoren@midwestmtn.com
Comparison to the Bare. The Bare is half neoprene and half loose. The Palm is completely loose. The Bare is a great suit as well. The Palm suit has attached socks to keep even your feet dry and warm. The Bare has a rear zipper which can be tricky if you're riding solo, the Palm's zipper is in front (better for peeing too). Both are very rugged, the Bare has lycra over the neoprene on the bottom for wear resistence. The Palm has a lifetime warrantee on the materials and workmanship. The seals on both are replaceable. The Palm is easier to get in and out of. The biggest difference is that the Palm is Breathable. This means that like Goretex, any perspiration will be moved from in to out so you won't get clammy. It probably gives the suit a bit more range. Good polypro undergarments will do this on the Bare as well, though you'll most likely just end up with the outer most layer being damp.

I think you'ld love either suit.

As I said I have not tried this suit yet. I am just getting testimonials from others. I have always wanted the Kokotat Goretex suits, but could never drop the $600+ to get into one.

Midwest should have them in when you cruise through on your way to the Crossing. May want to stop by and check them out.

SCOTT RIDOUT · Post by **SCOTT RIDOUT** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:13 pm

Ocean Rodeo Pyro Pro the only way to go, don't settle for less!!!

Uffe · Post by **Uffe** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:15 pm

Sweet Tighe, I will have to check one out for sure. Thanks for the contact info... If I get one I almost hope it will be a cold crossing this year.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:30 pm

yeah the Ocean Rodeo Pro looks sweet. Not 100% breathable but it does have breathable panels. Like the looks of it as well. Just a bit pricy for my tastes.

They are also coming out with a surfing one that is a bit more form fitting. Not that I have a form that should be fit though.

Uffe · Post by **Uffe** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:45 pm

The Ocean Rodeo Pro does look cooler, but I think they both would keep you warm until the water freezes.

I would spend my $200 I would save on the Palm Classic and spend it on some other gear...

I emailed Peter Noren and I am stopping by to try one out on my way up.

Guys, thanks for the tips again....

LAKAWA Rocks...
- Uffe
USWE 22

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:12 pm

The soft drysuits are great because they are as warm as the layers you wear under the suit. So with a breathable suit I've worn a T shirt and a pair of shorts under my suit in 70 degree weather when dressing for cold water around Bayfield area etc.Layer up with polypro and you'll hardly feel a thing in the water when there is ice on the lake.
The negative with the suits is in the water they wrinkle, the wrinkles offer resistance to the water when you swim and cause drag. An amazing amount of drag. For this reason the baggy suits work great for kiting because unless something goes wrong we don't really swim very much, but for windsurfers when you have to do a quick front crawl to catch up your board a baggy suit may not be the best solution.
Just a heads up.

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