I want to buy a drysuit so I can kayak all year round but I am having trouble deciding what type to get. Has anyone tried some of the newer styles that have neoprene neck gaskets rather than latex? If so how good are they at keeping the water out if you do get soaked or try to do a roll? I am thinking about possibly the Kokotat Tropos or maybe the Stohlquist b-POD. Any preference or should I just spend the extra money for one of the normal styles since I live in southeast Alaska and if I need it I am going to really need it. Thanks for your advice.

Mark

I ended up buying a Stohlquist b-POD because it seemed to be the best suit for the price. I have used it twice so far and am fairly happy with it. When the sun has been out and I have been pushing it the moisture has built up a bit, but it dries out quickly when I slow down and take it easy for a while. I haven't jumped in the wated with it on yet, but the neoprene neck gasket seems to be sturdy enough to keep out the ocean. I'll wait till the weather warms up to give the suit a real test.

Mark

I just purchased the Kokatat semi-dry suit myself. It hasn't shown up yet (only ordered it today). I'd be interested in comparing experiences once I get a few rolling practices under my belt. I was leary of the latex neck seals on traditional dry suits as I tend to overheat pretty easily. Plus, the price is really good. Hopefully it was money well spent; time will tell.

I purchased a Kokatat Tropos (sp?) dry suit a few years ago when they first came out. The only neck gaskets available on this suit at the time was the more comfortable neoprene. I tried using it on my WW boat and discovered that after about the second roll I had almost a pint of water in my suit. I imagine that if I was only going to use the suit in my Sea Kayak, which I seldom need to roll it would be fine but I would not want to be wearing it at sea in the spring, fall or winter when a pint of water inside my suit might make me very uncomfortable. I tried to have the neck gasket replaced by the mfg with a latex gasket but at that time they did not have the necessary tools to do that. The mfg (Kokatat) through my local retailer (Kittery Trading Post) was very accomodating in moving me up to a Gore Tex GFE drysiut which I am extremely happy with. Roll all day in either boat and not get wet AT ALL. A little uncomfortable around the neck at first but well worth it on your first roll. I might add that the Tropos suit is extremely user friendly with the addition of the footsies and a relief zipper as standard equipment. makes for an extremely comfortable suit for people that use the suit strictly for paddling but will be doing their rolling session without the suit on.