Drysuits 2020! O'Neill or Promotion?, Or ???

cgoudie1 · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 10:29 am Post subject:

I've got a 4/3 heat seeker flashbomb, that's never been tried in the water.
It's hard to get on and off, but it can be done. We'll see if I can tolerate
that, but not this next week, cause it's gonna be warm here.

-Craig

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20880

I agree that integrated hoods are warmer, but I'm not alone in disliking them. They're even a dealbreaker for me. I swivel my head full right and left MANY times per reach because I'm making ant tracks at full speed in crowds, so the resistance got tiring even when I was much younger and couldn't hear my neck turning.

I pretty much eliminate water intrusion (and warm my carotids and inner ear) with a neoprene or fleece neck gaiter.

BritishSteve · Joined: 18 Apr 1997 Posts: 17

This is a very interesting discussion, as I have been pondering getting a replacement for my very old (2000) Bare Dry-suit. This has been a great suit, and although I have replaced the latex seals many times it still works. I took a fairly long swim in 38F / 38F after breaking a mast, and apart from the unpleasant experience of being slapped in the face by the cold water, I was fine. Plenty of room under the bag for multiple layers if needed. I thought you could spray the bag top to re-waterproof? I recently purchased the promotion Storm 5/3 wet-suit, and with the advantage of being able to zip it myself, and the addition of a 2 mm neo top, I was able to sail in conditions about 45F. Anything colder I find everything gets brittle and I have had a couple of sails rip, and also I can't keep my hands warm?!?

donwh · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 139

BritishSteve Wrote:

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20880

Do it the same way the manufacturer does it: Nikwax. They make a variety of spray-on and wash-in products that do a good job on GoreTex and other waterproof fabrics.