Wetsuit options

[Rev. Coyote]

I'm in need of cold weather gear for spring canoe trips (whitewater). I'm looking at a farmer john style wetsuit. Who makes a good one?

I looked at "drysuits," and that's way crazy expensive, so not an option.

Any help, thanks.

Rev. Coyote
Dagger Ovation

[soitgos]

There are lots of good options, some very expensive. The problem is, they fit very differently. We have a number of different brands in our rental program. The best for the money have been the NRS. You can get them in 3 and 5mm and a proprietary thin one called Hydroskin. I think the 3mm Farmer John is only about $100. I don't like zippers. They eventually pose issues. They have lots of different options. You might start with their website: www.nrsweb.com.

If anyone ever needs a rental wetsuit or drysuit, you can contact me at soitgos2001@yahoo.com. I work with a college-based program, but anyone can rent from us.

[tanya]

Here is where I got mine.

http://www.joediveramerica.com/

What do you want the suit for? Make sure a Farmer John will work for what you are going to do before you dish out the cash.

[Rev. Coyote]

Here is where I got mine.

http://www.joediveramerica.com/

What do you want the suit for? Make sure a Farmer John will work for what you are going to do before you dish out the cash.

Whitewater canoeing. I have a Dagger Ovation outfitted w/saddle and thigh straps.

[tanya]

Here is where I got mine.

http://www.joediveramerica.com/

What do you want the suit for? Make sure a Farmer John will work for what you are going to do before you dish out the cash.

Whitewater canoeing. I have a Dagger Ovation outfitted w/saddle and thigh straps.


That sounds sexy. Can I see a photo of it. :haha:

[soitgos]

I'm a firm believer in a drysuit for cold water boating, but if you are going to go with neoprene, I think a 5mm farmer john is the logical choice, along with an appropriate top of some sort and splash gear. Gives you some flexibility. My problem is always staying cool enough, yet you need the protection in case of a swim. Especially considering you have a canoe. Not sure how serious you're going to get, but if you're going to do class 3, you are certainly going to get wet. Lots.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
steve

[soitgos]

Here is some great information about cold water paddling:

http://www.capital.net/com/nckayak/nck_safety_p4.htm

I was on Marsh Creek/MF Salmon in May of 2003 when two people died, mainly due to inappropriate dress in 42-degree water. Fortunately neither was on my trip. We were all in drysuits. Even though there were three flips and one other swimmer, we had no serious situations.

Steve

[Rev. Coyote]

I'm a firm believer in a drysuit for cold water boating, but if you are going to go with neoprene, I think a 5mm farmer john is the logical choice, along with an appropriate top of some sort and splash gear. Gives you some flexibility. My problem is always staying cool enough, yet you need the protection in case of a swim. Especially considering you have a canoe. Not sure how serious you're going to get, but if you're going to do class 3, you are certainly going to get wet. Lots.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
steve


Thanks so much for the guidance. Yeah, I plan on class 1-3 springtime trips in my open boat. I'm kind of a luddite -- even when I paddle yaks, I only use half the paddle.

So tell me -- what drysuits do you like? I just looked at the $800 price tags and backed away.

[Rev. Coyote]

Here is some great information about cold water paddling:

http://www.capital.net/com/nckayak/nck_safety_p4.htm

I was on Marsh Creek/MF Salmon in May of 2003 when two people died, mainly due to inappropriate dress in 42-degree water. Fortunately neither was on my trip. We were all in drysuits. Even though there were three flips and one other swimmer, we had no serious situations.

Steve

Terrible stuff. I've done guide work (sweep) and ALWAYS carried fatwood in my drybag to make a quick hot fire shoreside. That and a flask of bourbon make a spill almost pleasant!

[soitgos]

Well, I have one of those $800 Kokatats that scared you. It's been a great investment. Makes winter boating possible. We rent NRS Extreme drysuits. They are about $475 retail. Kokatat makes one that is about $400. You can see those on the NRS website. There may be others. Get one with breathable material, either Gore Tex or a proprietary knock off. Then you can just put as much fleece on under the drysuit as you need.
Steve