I think you'll be amazed how much softer newer versions of neoprene than the stuff you've been using. The new entry systems also do a good job of keeping water out.

The newer suits may not be as durable but are a heck of a lot easier to get on and off (I do seem to remember you wrestling with your suit on occasion).

For those whom money is no object, the Gore-tex drysuits get rave reviews, too.

I bought my first O'Neill Oasis drysuit (size L) in early '92 at "Go with the Flow" in Roswell and used it extensively until 2001, putting up with the annual "shrinking" problem. I sold it on consignment in Hatteras for $50, despite some neoprene aging in places.

I got a great deal on a new one (size XL) in 2001, and although I think it is still a very good suit, the size doesn't work for me - it's just too long and snug for my short, plump body. They are also a lot of work to get on and zipped up.

I plan to sell it soon and am now considering one of the loose fitting dry suits (remember the old Ronny Rollover?). Several guys on Cape Cod are using loose suits and swear by them (windsurfers and kite-boarders). Some are loose just on top (Bare) and others are loose top and bottom (Rip Curl, I think??). They seem to offer much more freedom of movement and the fleece liners look real comfy on those frigid days.

I'll research wet/dry suits on the web and check sizing charts for each brand and model before deciding, because I need an XLS (S = short), which is not widely available. I'm not overweight, I'm just undertall!!

I'd really like to try one of these new loose suits for a change of pace. Perhaps a diet would help, but.........

try
Promotion it is in the gorge they have a huge selection when it comes to size
and design

Here's the most popular one here in the west:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?vcat=REI_SEARCH&stat=7889&langId=-1&s
toreId=8000&textQuery=kokatat
http://www.kokatat.com/products.htm
There are a couple from (I think) the UK, and another from Canada,
http://www.mtiadventurewear.com/Products/Paddlewear.htm
this is all I can find right now:
http://www.palmequipmenteurope.com/acatalog/river_running_suits_pants.html
Wright

-----Original Message-----
From: Glenn [mailto:glenngjr@a...]
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 11:38 PM
To:

Subject: Re: Wetsuits some more, Goretex?

OK, that was twice in one day I heard or read something about a
Goretex dry suit. Where can I get more info? More than one brand
available?

Glenn

--- In

, "Mike's Van"
wrote:
> Of course, that's moot now that I've gone Goretex. WOW, what a
difference.
> Twice the warmth at 1/2 the weight, 1/4 the apparent restriction,
and 5x the
> versatility. For surfing, though? Probably not.

see ya!

I love my bare polar dry, it is absolutely the best suit i have ever worn
its toasty and comfortable.

I wanted to resurrect this thread and see if anyone has current advice on dry/semi-dry suits. We had some conversation around the fire at the ShredFest but nobody mentioned brands, models, or specific preferences.

So.... what do the experienced cold weather sailors recommend?

I have used many and the Bare polar dry is by far the best

I've never tried a Bare Polar Dry suit but from what I've heard everybody likes them, especially when it's very cold. But, they are alittle bit pricey.

I think one of the most common suits around here is the basic Neil Pryde 5/3 Series 5000 Semi dry suits. While probably not as warm as a Bare Dry suit, it costs a good bit less, and when sailing in super cold weather, it seems core body tempt isnt the problem, it's mainly the hands and feet that do you in. Alot of us wear a thinner hooded vest with it which keeps that cold water off your neck and from going down your back. Also, when it's not super cold but you need to wear something, the Pryde suit doesnt roast you. And finally, since it fits tighter, it's one of those BUFF suits, it's what I wear. :roll:

Good boots, gloves and a hood(ed vest) are a must.

Gene

Check out Gene's Consignment Shop. He has a four year old O'Neill Oasis II drysuit, size XL, in excellent condition for $110.

All this talk about dry suits got me to thinking how old my 'warm suit' (a 4/3 steamer) is. So I did a little surfing on the web and found the Bare Polar Heat Dry on sale at Isthmus Sailboards for $299, regular price was $410. I couldn't resist so I now have one on order.

Chuck Painter

$299, i might order a spare at that price..

Chuck,

Thanks for the info on the sale at Isthmus. I ordered a BARE Polar from them and have already received the shipping notice.

Lee

Lee, you're welcome. We are now guaranteed to have a mild winter with all this neoprene on the way.

... Chuck.

The BARE suit arrived already, and only $11 shipping. Great service from Isthmus.

XXL seems to be the right size for me (6'-3", 230lbs), but I couldn't be much taller. I may need to come up with an auxillary blood supply for my hands and head though. Those seals are tight.

Let me throw my $.02 in on this from the perspective of a regular cold-weather windsurfer on our area lakes and as a 6 year old LOCAL/REGIONAL dealer. (Sorry I missed the "action" on this thread while on my annual customer's trip to the OBX last week.)
I have had dealer status with BARE, Neil Pryde, North, Pro-Limit, and Promotion. I sail down to "85" degrees --combined air and water temp, as long as it's sunny after the cold front goes through.

BARE has had a near fanatical following among those who insist upon utter, total dry-ness underneath. That devotion has waned a bit, at least in our climate, over the last 3 or 4 years. Customers told me they simply got tired of doing maintenace on the seals and replacing them. (Yes, unless they have changed the technology in those Polar suits, you have to do maintenance on the seals. This really is not a big deal. You lubricate the pliable material a few times during the season and last time you use it at end of season.) I know I had to order the seal kits several times for repalcements . Perhaps they have improved the wrist and neck seals in some way and this is not necessary anymore. If not, I still actually have a couple of those kits in stock when you need them. Anyway, I am convinced by what many have said that BARE is the driest suit out there, if that is critical to you. And you can wear whatever you want underneath it, I guess. That price leeo45 and crpainter got, I can vouch for it being an excellent deal.

ProMotion makes a suit of unsurpassed quality. The price is typically very high, relatively speaking. American made. They specialize in difficult fits and I usually go to them when that is an issue.

What do I use? Neil Pryde. Same suit Gene mentioned. Their top-of-the-line wind-rated Series 5000 Apex 5/3 semi-dry with the new "E3" (or "E2") entry system is "da bomb", in my opinion. Much easier to get in and out of - no big deal at all, really, with the midi-zip entry system. Made specifically for windsurfing and kiteboarding with reinforcements in crotch for harness straps and on knees for climbing on boards non-skid surface. Upper arm extra room for the windsurfing stance. Super lightweight for a 5/3. Super comfortable (but, my personal fit is right in the mddle of one of the sizes). No neck-squeeze issues since you customize the neck seal from both sides each time you put it on. Very stretchy, pliant materials. Super warm with amazing heat-retention technology. Yep, some water comes in, but very, very little with the new entry system with internal flap behind the zipper. That little bit of water has never been an issue for me. It doesn't seem to make me cold in any way and I don't mind getting damp when windsurfing. Warmth and comfort is what matters. I wear a tight-fitting fleeces shirt underneath in the coldest weather and last year, I swear to you, I did not get "body cold" one single time. Not the least. I guess the real test is that when I do 5 hour "marathon" sessions when it's nukin'-- typical for me -- I don't even think about the suit at all. No issues in any way. It's out of my awareness. (OK -- except when I have to pee. You can't urinate in these titanium suits, so I think about it then... and that thought is how nice it is to be able to easily get the top of the suit on and off unassisted.)
In the past I've sold up to 25 suits a year, mostly all on close-outs, and this suit was typically about $245. But, hardly any close-outs this year so it's "in-season" pricing on most sizes. (Neil Pryde only has the Small on the close-out list, but I have a XXL and a L 4/3 convertable Steamer on hand, as well as a lady's medium 5/4 dry duit.)
If you've read this far -- doubtful - -but if you have, be aware that Whitecap has Neil Pryde winter boots and pull-over hoods in stock and can get Okespor easily. (They finally came down in price, some.)
Support you local dealer, if you can. Thanks

Chuck Hardin , Whitecap Windsurfing, 706-833-WIND

As a former Bare owner, I will second what Chuck just said. I got sick of replacing the seals on my Bare suit! I think I had bad luck, but geez it seemed like they were always wearing out on me -- and when that happens the suit is completely usless. I also did not find the suit any dryer than the Neil Pryde and O'Neil suits I have had.

On the other hand, the Bare suit is hands down the most comfortable drysuit I have ever had though!

hey lee

You probably already figured this out but the neck seal has these grooves where you can cut it down to be more comfortable but be careful and cut one at a time until it feels right, cut too many and it might leak a bit.
If you condition the seals once every couple of months they will last a lot longer and wax the zipper too and it will make it alot easier to zip and unzip.

BTW.... those suits you crawl in through the neck are really comfortable but are the biggest pain in the butt when your tired and wet and trying to get out of them at the end of the day

my 2¢

Neil Pryde actually does not offer a zipperless suit anymore. The suits I am referring to are the 2004 and 2005/6 semi-dry models with the short, 8" zipper that goes down from the neck in the back, with a flap inside the suit "behind" that zipper (between the zipper and your skin) that pretty much isolates your body from water seepage at the zipper. These suits are designated "E2" in 2004 and "E3" in 2005 and 2006. THis much-improved entry system really completely corrected the on-and-off issues related to these suits. (Especaily not making it such an ordeal to take it down halfway to release your morning coffee.) As a dealer, I hate to sell "problems" and "issues" that will come back to visit me. For a snug style suit, these 5/3 semi's are the ideal full suit for this climate, in my opinion.