jwhipple Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 (Guys, please just move along ...) I'm starting to seriously consider getting a new drysuit, and am kinda confused about the relief zipper choice. Had initially assumed I'd get a dropseat, but I seem to recall that some of you actually prefer the men's zipper placement, though I don't remember why. Anyway, I'd love to hear your experiences and opinions as to the pros/cons of each. (And if you'd rather not share this in, ahem, public, please feel free to send me a message.) Thanks! Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Linda can give you some insight on drop seats. If you don't have her email address, give me a shout and I'll send it to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmkilroy Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Hi Judy, I have used both types of dry suits and definitely prefer the drop seat. Before purchasing a Kokatat with a drop seat I had heard some issues with sitting on that big zipper (absolutely not an issue, it's positioned too high up). The main issue to contend with is making sure the zipper is well lubed for ease of opening and closing--behind you. If it sticks and you're trying to work the zipper pull behind you it can be a little frustrating. Just keep it in good working order. The other issue is when carrying boats with a buddy. I have raked my (cold) hand on the zipper and that hurts, I just try to carry the boat above the zipper. I still have my Palm which was very cost effective. Even with a front relief zipper that I had added the cost of suit was about a third of the cost of a Kokatat. Sometimes things worked out well, sometimes not with the front relief. My recommendation is a suit with the drop seat. I am not aware of other companies out there that make this other than Kokatat. I have to say Kokatat makes a superior product and has worked very well for me. Feel free to email me if you have additional questions. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suz Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 (Guys, please just move along ...) I'm starting to seriously consider getting a new drysuit, and am kinda confused about the relief zipper choice. Had initially assumed I'd get a dropseat, but I seem to recall that some of you actually prefer the men's zipper placement, though I don't remember why. Anyway, I'd love to hear your experiences and opinions as to the pros/cons of each. (And if you'd rather not share this in, ahem, public, please feel free to send me a message.) Thanks! Judy Judy, My current suit has both a LOWERED front relief zipper and a drop seat. It was a customer order that was a mistake in that customer only wanted the front relief zipper. I thought this would be great for women to see both. March 27/28 I am busy and won't be paddling so if you want to borrow the suit to give it a whirl, you can. Just give a shout. Pros/cons - Front relief zipper - less expensive than drop due to shorter zipper, easier to unzip as it is in front. Cons - can only use it to pee. Problem is that unless you are proficient with a Go-Girl, FUD, Shewhee, the funnel can overflow and the only place for it to go is down your leg:) Don't ask me how I know. Rear Relief Zipper - Can take care of business with this one - both 1 and 2. I never notice the zipper with this suit. Some women tell me that they have sat on the zipper - when I explore further, it seems it was a friends too big drysuit which caused the zipper to hang lower on their body. Properly fitting, not a problem. A handful of women have mentioned that they can feel the zipper end when in their boat. I think if worn properly and the waist is at the waist, then the zipper is behind your widest part of the hip and then shouldn't be touching... Suz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grl Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I have found the drop seat zipper to be an issue sliding in and out of a tight ocean cockpit on SOFs and for this reason prefer the lowered front zip. Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob budd Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 If Dee were reading this she would say she has difficulty using the freshette because something in her head won't let her pee while she (feels) she has her pants on. Based upon this and other accounts the freshette appears to be an acquired skill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suz Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 If Dee were reading this she would say she has difficulty using the freshette because something in her head won't let her pee while she (feels) she has her pants on. Based upon this and other accounts the freshette appears to be an acquired skill. I agree with that also. Definitely good to practice at home in the shower prior to using within the drysuit if one wants the drysuit to remain that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Judy I hate my dropseat - I find it hard to zip and unzip even when lubed properly I also find it impossible to get in the right umm "position" once unzipped. If I bought a new drysuit I'd probaby go with a front zip. But the other women here seem to like drop seats, so maybe I just have bad aim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Millar Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 With the exception of my first Kokatat dry suit, which was a no-front-zip man's, I've always had the "frownie" zipper. I've never run into any problems with exiting, entering, being uncomfortable when sitting, or zipping mine up (although I always make sure it's well waxed and carry waxing material with me). While I'm contemplating a front zip in addition to the rear zip on my next dry suit, I've not found any issues with the rear zip model, so I'd probably not mess with what's been a good thing. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwhipple Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Hi Brian, thanks for responding! I don't seem to have Linda's email, so I'd be great if you'd email it to me at winterunderscorehill at hotmaildotcom. Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwhipple Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Thanks to all of you for your input! I have a better sense of the variables now, and (as with everything kayaking), the bottom line seems to be personal preference. (And a lot of practice ...) Suz, thanks for your offer to try your drysuit (hmm, would get to try both types of zippers at the same time). If my schedule works out that I can take you up on your offer, I'll get in touch with you! Thanks again, all, Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lallen Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Hi Judy, I have the Kokotat with the drop seat and like it. My suit is relatively new, so I do sometimes have difficulty opening the zipper without some assistance. If I keep the zipper well waxed this is less of an issue, but as it wears off it sticks again. The only other difficulty I have is getting my spray skirt on over the zipper on the drop seat-my spray skirt is snug and gets caught on the zipper. I've thought about getting another spray skirt with a different type of opening to solve this issue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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