Article courtesy of PumpupBoats.com - Inflatable boat guides, mods, how-to articles.

Kayaking Drysuits open up new horizons, as they allow for year-round paddling and fishing even during the cold months of winter. They are a true game-changer for passionate kayakers.

I started winter kayaking several years ago, it is an awesome hobby that is hard to stop once you start.

Having tried many drysuits during the years (rentals and own), in this article, I will give my opinion on the best drysuits you can use for kayaking. Also, I will explain how they work and what you need to look out for if you buy one.

Let’s jump right in.

Best drysuits for kayaking in 2020 (reviews)

Here are the best mid-range and high-end kayaking drysuits that will keep you dry all day long.

Kokatat Gore-Tex Front Entry

This is my top pick for the best winter kayaking drysuit. It is a front-entry suit made out of 5.8 oz. 3-layer Gore-Tex, which is the most reliable drysuit material. It keeps you dry of external water and still releases your own perspiration.

As with most of Kokatat’s drysuits, you can customize the Front Entry by adding any of the following features:

• left or right shoulder pockets
• entry zipper cover
• reflective tape on the arm
• internal suspenders, which make it more comfortable when you are walking around with the top off around your waist.

These extras can really add up though. The base price of the Kokatat Gore-Tex Front Entry is $1,080, but selecting all of these options adds $500 to the final price.

You can even customize the exact fit of the inseam, sleeves, torso, drysocks, and gaskets. This will add another $300 to the price of the suit though.

Perhaps the only big complaint I have with this suit is that it does not have a sprayskirt tunnel.

The extras included in the base model of the Kokatat Gore-Tex Front Entry drysuit are:

• Made out of Gore-Tex material
• Reinforced seat and knees
• Relief zipper for men, or drop seat for women
• Neoprene coated latex seals for increased tear and UV resistance
• Fabric drysocks
• Adjustable wrist and ankle
• Bungee drawcord at waist
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Sizes S-XXXL

All Kokatat drysuits are water tested at the factory before being shipped out.

---

Kokatat Hydrus 3L Meridian

The Meridian is another very popular Kokatat drysuit. This suit uses Kokatat’s Hydrus 3.0 fabric, which is a 4.57 oz. 3 layered fabric. It keeps water out perfectly, but not as good at breathability (letting your sweat exit the material) as Gore-Tex. This is noticeable when you get a lot of sun.

Hydrus fabric is probably the best on the market after Gore-Tex. I would say Hydrus performs at around 80% of Gore-Tex in terms of breathability and it is 100% as waterproof.

By the way, this suit can be purchased with the 3.21 oz. Gore-Tex fabric as well, but it is $400 more expensive. The 2 models are otherwise identical. The Hydrus 3.0 version cannot be customized, but the Gore-Tex one can.

You don’t really need much customization of this suit though, as it has a lot of extra features that make it ideal for winter kayaking, even in whitewater.

This suit is available in both men’s and women’s versions, with the later having a dropseat instead of the relief zipper.

The main features of the Kokatat Meridian are:

• Reinforced seat and knees
• Sprayskirt tunnel
• Relief zipper
• Self-draining, zippered chest pocket
• Neoprene coated latex seals for increased tear and UV resistance
• Fabric drysocks
• Adjustable wrist and ankle
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Sizes S-XXL

If you want a lot of features but can do without Gore-Tex, the Kokatat Hydrus 3.0 Meridian is a good choice.

---

Kokatat Gore-Tex Idol

Kokatat’s Idol 2 piece dryuit is made of 3.21 oz. Gore-Tex. The advantage of 2 piece drysuits is that you can use the 2 parts separately as a dry suit, dry top, or pants. They are also easier to put on/take off.

This suit incorporates the company’s SwitchZip zipper system, which creates a totally waterproof seal between the top and bottom parts of the wetsuit.

This is a pretty big deal, since other 2 piece drysuits that have a foldover connection between the top and bottom parts aren’t perfectly waterproof if you’re in the water for a long time.

This suit is super durable as well, with Cordura fabric present not just in the usual knees and seat, but the completely below the waist and over the shoulders.

The extras of the Kokatat Idol are:

• 2 piece drysuit
• Durable with lots of Cordura reinforced parts
• Reinforced seat and knees
• Sprayskirt tunnel
• Relief zipper
• Self-draining, zippered sleeve pocket
• Neoprene coated latex seals for increased tear and UV resistance
• Fabric drysocks
• Adjustable wrist and ankle
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
• Sizes S-XXL

Save 10% with this discount code at checkout on OutdoorPlay.com:
AV10

---

Level Six Empreror 3.0 Ply Drysuit

The Emperor is a loose fit, rear-entry drysuit made out of a durable 3 ply material that the company calls eXhaust 3.0.

It has reinforcements all over the suit, and the material itself is thick as well. This is as tough as they come, meaning you can safely go whitewater kayaking/rafting during winter in this drysuit.

All the toughness makes the Empreror the bulkiest drysuit in the list.

The extra features of the Line Six Empreror are:

• Reinforced seat, knees, elbows, forearms
• Double tunnel waistband for a watertight seal around your sprayskirt
• Relief zipper
• Articulated stitching which allows more freedom of movement when paddling
• Dry socks
• Fleece lined hand warming chest pockets
• Latex gaskets covered with neoprene to protect against tears and UV
• Several pockets
• Emergency whistle
• Lifetime warranty against defects (not wear and tear)
• Sizes XS-XXL

If you are looking for a durable drysuit, the Emperor should be your pick.

---

Stohlquist Amp Drysuit

The Amp is a budget-friendly drysuit by Stohlquist, a reputable brand. It has a relaxed fit and is a front-entry suit.

It uses their 4 Layer Twin Sensor fabric to keep water out, and air in. This fabric is on the thick side, meaning it is durable and provides a bit of warmth as well.

The Amp is totally waterproof, you can swim in it for as long as you want. It is not as breathable as Gore-Tex though, so if you are a very sweaty type, you should go with a higher-end fabric.

This suit comes in 2 cuts for both women and men. It has a relief zipper on both the men’s and women’s versions.

The extras of this suit are:

• Reinforced seat and knees
• Sprayskirt tunnel
• Relief zipper
• Arm pocket (not waterproof)
• Neoprene coated latex seals for increased tear and UV resistance
• Reflective accents
• Fabric drysocks
• Adjustable wrist and ankle
• 3-year warranty
• Sizes S-XXL

Overall, you get a lot of good things at a very good price with the Amp drysuit.

How do kayak drysuits work?

The first drysuits were used by divers, but drysuits specialized for kayaking and water sports have been available since the 2000s. They are different from dive suits though, allowing for more freedom of movement and comfort.

Modern drysuits use advanced materials and seals (gaskets) at the ankles, wrists, and neck area to keep water from entering the suit. At the same time, they are breathable, meaning they let your sweat exit the fabric.

High quality drysuits will have the following features:

• Neck gasket – Latex seal to keep water out around the neck opening. Can also be made of neopreme, but Latex is better at staying dry. The seals are flexible and comfortable.
• Wrist gasket – Similar to the neck gasket, keeps water out around the wrist.
• Ankle gasket – Just like the neck and wrist gaskets, the ankle seal keeps water out around your foot.
• Entry zipper – Waterproof zipper for putting the suit on. This is a front-entry suit, but there are back-entry suits as well.
• Relief zipper – When mother nature calls, this makes things very convenient. Women’s drysuits have a dropseat. Just unzip and go.
• Reinforced knees/seat– Reinforced patches to strengthen the suit in areas of high friction.
• Dry socks – Optional extra, but worth it. Dry socks are made of the same material as the suit itself and are permanently attached to the suit.

Drysuits are quite amazing when you think about it, since they:

• Keep the water out, even if you go swimming in your drysuit.
• The best drysuit fabrics are breathable, meaning they let your sweat out (but don’t let the water in).

You can paddle for hours, go swimming, and still be completely dry at the end of the day.

When do you need a drysuit for kayaking?

The temperature of the water you paddle in will determine whether you need to wear a drysuit or a wetsuit. When the water temperature drops below 60°F (15°C), wearing a drysuit is recommended.

Here is a chart to show you at what temperatures you should wear a drysuit for kayaking.

How to choose a kayaking drysuit?

If you’re new to drysuits, here are their most important characterisitcs and features you need to be aware of before buying one.

What materials are drysuits made of?

The main fabric

The fabric of a drysuit is made of laminated layers of nylon. It needs to be durable, as it will be put out to a lot of friction during an average kayak trip. The fabric also needs to be breathable, so it lets your sweat out through the material but doesn’t let water in.

As you can expect, there are huge differences in material quality and funcionality!

The best material for drysuits is developed by Gore-Tex. After decades of research and development, their material is the best in the industry. GoreTex is 100% waterproof and 100% breathable, so you stay dry of your sweat even on sunny days.

Hydrus 3L, developed by Kokatat, is almost as good, but is cheaper. Stohlquist and Level Six also make good fabrics, but again, they are not as breathable as Gore-Tex though.

Fabric manufacturers coat the nylon with water repellent chemicals, but the result is lessened breathability, especially with low-grade fabrics. They might keep water out, but you will get damp from your own perspiration and become a big plastic bag of sweat.

Seals (aka gaskets)

The neck and wrist gaskets of kayaking drysuits are made of either neopreme (like wetsuits), latex, or silicone:

• Neoprene is not 100% waterproof, it will let a bit of water in when you turn your head. It will also stretch with time. Some people find neoprene gaskets comfortable, some don’t. It’s a matter of preference.
• Latex is my preference, it is more comfortable for me. It seals better than neoprene, but being rubber, it is prone to UV deterioration. You should treat it with 303 UV protectant every so often.
  Latex has a rather short lifespan. A latex seal is not going to last more than 2 years, it will tear from use. Neoprene lasts longer than latex.
• Silicone is UV resistant and very comfortable, but it tears easier than latex.

Zippers

Drysuits can come with either metal zips or plastic zips. Metal zippers need maintenance against rusting, while plastic zips do not (because plastic doesn’t rust).

Loose or tight-fitting drysuits

The fabric of a drysuit does not stretch much, so they need to be slightly baggy for a comfortable fit.

When you shop for a drysuit, you will notice that they are labelled as loose fitting, medium, or tight fitting.

Loose fitting drysuits let you layer your undergarments more effectively, as there is more room in the suit for multiple layers of thermal protection.

Tight-fitting drysuits are less bulky, but don’t allow for as much layering as a loose-fitting model. However, if you’ll be paddling in milder weather and water, a tight-fitting drysuit will be OK.

Medium fitting drysuits are somewhere in between, as you might have expected.

But with that said, if you can only buy 1 drysuit, I think it should be a looser one. You can layer your clothes if you go out in the cold and still move around comfortably.

Entry type

With respect to entry method, there are 3 types of drysuits:

Is a front vs rear entry drysuit better?

It’s a matter of preference. For example, I like front entry wetsuits, since I find it easier to put on and zip. Also, I can unzip it and leave the top hanging around my waist when resting without it being in the way.

If you are a man and your drysuit doesn’t have a relief zipper, a front entry suit is more convenient for when you have to use the bathroom.

The opposite is true for women. If there is no built in drop seat in the suit, a rear entry suit is more convenient for women.

Warranty and serviceability

A drysuit can cost upwards of $1000. It may even be more expensive than your kayak!

Look for drysuits that have at least a 3-year warranty against manufacturing problems, such as failing seals and leaky zippers.

The warranty does not cover wear and tear though, so you need your wetsuit to be serviceable. Gaskets need replacing with time, or you may puncture the suit. Unless you want to buy a new wetsuit every few years, it is important to buy a brand name model.

Kokatat is great at honoring their warrant. You can send the suit to their factory, and they will repair or replace it. The process takes 1-2 mont