drysuit sizing ?

[Phil Allen]

Ok, need some generalizations. I'm considering a drysuit purchase, and I can't try on all the various makes/models. Looking at the sizing charts, I fall in between most medium/large designations. Height is usually a medium, inseam a small and chest, waist and weight are on the lowest range of large. So the question is, which manufacturers run large, true or small to size compared to the specs? Thanks.

Phil

[Deb Millar]

Hi Phil,

Suz can give you the full sizing skinny on Kokatat, but my husband Bob, who is about your size/build, wears a Large in Kokatat. He is fairly long-waisted and has a 30" inseam.

And, not to set up any type of endorsement or to start a spirited discussion (although I know it's gonna happen ) of what drysuit is BEST, we're partial to Kokatat for quality and fit. Both of us had our 5 and 6 year old suits, complete with relief zippers and booties and sprayskirt overlap, de-laminate this year and Kokatat replaced them with the exact same model, no questions asked.

Hope this helps. Like kayaks, you have to try a few on to see what fits/suits you best.

Deb M

[Bill Gwynn]

I'll second the Kokatat endorsement. I also have a large, I am 5'11" and 175 lbs. It is roomy, but you do want some extra room for movement and clothing layering. Better to have it too big than too small. As Deb mentioned, the warranty from Goretex is lifetime, and Kokatat backs that warranty no questions asked. It may the most expensive suit on the market, but it is the only one you will ever have to buy. I recommend the GMER model, it has, the skirt tunnel, booties, and relief zipper. http://www.kokatat.com/product_detail.asp?code=gmer

[jason]

I would also like to put my vote in for the Kotatat GMER. I wish that I purchased mine a year earlier, I made the mistake of attempting the dry top over wet suit route first.

Kokatat even extended the dry suit to allow it to fit me. If need a custom size it will take a few weeks extra to order.

-Jason

[wilsoj2]

I'm 6' 175 lbs and wear a large Kokatat. I have the Expedition which I like a lot. I am very happy with Kokatat's service.

At the end of July I sent in my dry suit for new gaskets and had it back in two weeks. Kokatat also patched it under the Gore-Tex waranty.

A few years ago, I sent in my dry suit for gaskets. Kokatat determined the Gore-Tex was delaminating and sent me a new dry suit for the price of the gaskets.

[rick stoehrer]

Ok, need some generalizations. I'm considering a drysuit purchase, and I can't try on all the various makes/models. Looking at the sizing charts, I fall in between most medium/large designations. Height is usually a medium, inseam a small and chest, waist and weight are on the lowest range of large. So the question is, which manufacturers run large, true or small to size compared to the specs? Thanks.

Phil

kokatat really is the gold standard, isn't it?

that being said, i have a palm stikine that i am very happy with and that has so far worn pretty well....they have a similar repair/replace policy and it's a relative bargain compared to the full blown kokatat...certainly worth consideration.

i think you can get the kokatat's custom sized if you fall outside their standard size guidelines...don't know that palm offers that option.

personally, i would not be unhappy with either product.

[djlewis]

kokatat really is the gold standard, isn't it?

...

i think you can get the kokatat's custom sized if you fall outside their standard size guidelines...don't know that palm offers that option.

Kokatat will alter to size within limits -- like remove two or three inches from arms and legs. Check with the dealer, or your friendly, local, neighborhood Kokatat rep (hi, Suz) for details.

--David.

[Suz]

Ok, need some generalizations. I'm considering a drysuit purchase, and I can't try on all the various makes/models. Looking at the sizing charts, I fall in between most medium/large designations. Height is usually a medium, inseam a small and chest, waist and weight are on the lowest range of large. So the question is, which manufacturers run large, true or small to size compared to the specs? Thanks.

Phil

Hi Phil,

Kokatat will do +- on the arms and legs by 2 inches. On the torso, you can only change that if you are choosing a model without the tunnel (not the Meridian or the Expedition). That said, it is really your torso that is going to determine which you will fit in. You said that your inseam is short and height is med... that means you have a long torso for your size. If your weight is in the large range, you may be too big for a medium which means you may need to get a large but then that darn inseam means the legs will be too long for you... So in your case, you might benefit from having a large with shortened legs, arms and torso (unless you find that your torso is a really long) and then just the legs and arms.

I will say a proper fitting drysuit is really a good thing. I don't like to size up too much because it will cause you to be too cold - more space in the suit for your body to warm up. It is helpful to try on the large and the medium with no more than two layers of fleece. Personally I use two thin layers but I tend to run warmer than most people. Some people will wear one thin layer close to skin (like a thin wool or capilene) and then a second layer of 100 weight fleece.

If you can't find the two sizes of the style you are interested in trying, let me know and you can borrow one of my demo suits for a test run. I will be bringing dry suits to the Down East Symposium so if you are going there, you can try them on then.

Suz

NE Kokatat Rep

[thief]

there is only so much that Kokatat CAN move their parts...i inquired about a shorter inseam and was tol d that the only bit hey could do was to remove 2"...and that is because there is about that much space where the sock hit the leg....same thing with the arms...they can lengthen and shorten-but cannot move the gasket area....so if you need longer arms your gasket will end up above your wrist....but you wil have alonger overcuff...

i went with Stohlquist who custom made legs for me...an XL suit with a 29" inseam.....they chopped the legs below the knees for me....and sewed them back on again....BEST fit drysuit i have ever worn...

rob

[Bill Gwynn]

kokatat really is the gold standard, isn't it?

that being said, i have a palm stikine that i am very happy with and that has so far worn pretty well....they have a similar repair/replace policy and it's a relative bargain compared to the full blown kokatat...certainly worth consideration.

i think you can get the kokatat's custom sized if you fall outside their standard size guidelines...don't know that palm offers that option.

personally, i would not be unhappy with either product.

I am sure the Palm is a nice suit, but I don't see how it's a relative bargain at pretty much the same price as the Kokatat. (both are $900.00 give or take). Maybe when you got yours the exchange rate between here and England was better.