Getting my first drysuit?
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10236
Printed Date: 10 May 2025 at 6:47am
Topic: Getting my first drysuit?
Posted By: horton
Subject: Getting my first drysuit?
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2010 at 8:35pm
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So I'm finally looking into getting a drysuit, and I think it might be either a Palm Stikine, Whatever the new Level 6 one is, or a Kokotat (preferably a Meridian). Obviously, spending less money would be awesome, but I'm wondering if it's not worth it just to pony up and shell out the cash for the Meridian? Any thoughts?
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Replies:
Posted By: up4air
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2010 at 8:40pm
I recently got a used Kokatat from Kayak Academy and am pretty happy with it. I've been told this brand is one of the easier ones to fix when you need to replace a gasket.
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More water, please.
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Posted By: PowWrangler
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2010 at 8:56pm
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You could go with other brands and probably do ok, but you might as well pony up and buy the Kokatat. You'll use it almost year round in the NW and it's worth it.
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Posted By: James
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2010 at 9:38pm
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i figure i will mention that the DT REI has a kokatat meriden with pzip and tunnel for like 400 in the used area. it will need new booties but it is a great deal if it fit. it is like new
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Posted By: SOPBOATER
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2010 at 10:15pm
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I have owned both the kokatat and the palm. The palm is a very nice suit for the money. The kokatat is a very nice suit period. I currently boat the kokatat most of the time and pound OP brush in the palm.
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Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2010 at 7:41am
I recommend Kokatat or OS System suits. They are generally more expensive, but they are worth it in the long run. Not just because they are quality suits, but because they are made in America on the west coast...and do their own service at their shops. So when you need repairs you can send them in and get work done by the people who made the suit, often repairs are covered by warranty too, so all you pay is shipping. With most other brands, they are made overseas with no domestic service, so if you need to have repairs done you are either SOL or paying high repair costs from Rainy Pass.
Also you can get used Kokatat suits from Kayak academy if you want to save some $$$.
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2010 at 10:13am
Posted By: franzhorner
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2010 at 11:21am
Kokatat and Kokatat only. Also get the booties and the relief zipper. The relief zipper will extend the life of your neck and wrist gaskets. A wise man told me once to NEVER chince on gear. The goes doubly for a dry suit. You get what you pay for. I'm on my second dry suit in 10 years of paddlling. A new one every 5 years seems to be about right for my frequency of use. I also get new neck and wrist gaskets about every 2 years. I get an average of 80-90 days in a year and I'm hard on my stuff. My old dry suit is now my back up. If your gasket blows at the put in there is no time for repair but there is time to change into another suit....
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MORE RAIN PLEASE
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Posted By: Hisdudeness
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 2:09pm
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i am very pleased with my maridian. kokatat will replace the gaskets, pressure test it and repair any pinhole leaks for around $100... great service and well worth the money
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Posted By: baysel
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2010 at 12:36am
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