Dry Suits Gear Review

Gore-Tex Front Entry
KOKATAT
(800) 225-9749
www.kokatat.com

Manufacturer’s Statement: “Totally waterproof, extremely breathable, durable. Our drysuits will not only keep you 100 percent dry, but they are uniquely patterned to comfortably move with your motions as you paddle.”

General Comments: Kokatat’s front-entry drysuits have set the industry standards since they first entered the market in 1990. Their deservedly popular GFER model (with relief zipper and Gore-Tex socks) uses a supple (read: quiet) Gore-Tex Evolution fabric that’s waterproof, durable, and breathable, while allowing perspiration vapor to escape from the inside. Seat and knees are Cordura reinforced, adjustable neoprene over-cuffs and collar are standard, and the metal-tooth front-entry zipper is guaranteed waterproof to 20 feet.

Comfort Factor: Each of the testers remarked on just how comfortable this drysuit was to wear both on and off the water, in large part due to Kokatat’s use of articulated patterning and underarm gussets to achieve maximum freedom of movement. An adjustable bungee waistband and inseam gusset design allow a good fit and increased comfort for many different-sized bodies. Reviewers also admired Kokatat’s ability to customize drysuits with hoods, pockets, reflective tape, socks, and relief zippers to fit the needs of a paddler.

Bang for the Buck: You get what you pay for, and with this drysuit you get one of the industry’s best.

Price: Unisex S-XL, $830 (includes relief zipper and Gore-Tex socks).

Radiator Drysuit
BOMBER GEAR
(970) 259-1571
www.bombergear.com target=new>www.bombergear.com

Manufacturer’s Statement: “Full-on, paddlers’ drysuit made of Toray™ three-ply waterproof breathable material. This fabric was specially developed, tested, and refined for paddle sports, and has a unique, quiet, soft hand and outstanding durability.”

General Comments: Designed as much for kayakers as open boaters and rafters, the Radiator has an outer waistband tunnel that locks onto the spray skirt to seal water out of your boat. Other features include a heavy-duty waterproof/breathable fabric, reinforced seat and knees, a tunnel-type gasket protector system with reflective piping, arm and thigh pockets, and waterproof nylon zippers with handy toggle pulls.

Comfort Factor: For kayakers with spray skirts, the Radiator is a solid choice. The waistband tunnel functions exactly as it should, keeping water outside your boat where it belongs. However, all this extra material proved to be a tad cumbersome and bulky for our open-boat reviewers, who preferred a more streamlined fit. Some testers liked the nonadjustable tunnel-type gasket protectors on the neck and wrists; others said they made getting in and out of the suit somewhat more difficult. The Radiator supplied to testers came with a relief zipper, which for all the male reviewers was put to good use more than once. Unfortunately, attached waterproof socks are not also available as an option.

Bang for the Buck: The Radiator is a good pick for kayakers who want a full-on, beefy drysuit at a reasonable cost.

Price: S-XXL, $598. Optional relief zipper available.

Larry Rice is a contributing editor for Canoe & Kayak. He reports that the last time he didn’t use a drysuit while paddling whitewater was in Costa Rica, and only because he would have been laughed at if he had.