keeping dry

Ive been doing my homework and Im very close to picking what seems to be the right dry suit for me.
but
During my search I looked into some other possible options and was curious if anyone here has had any experience using dry gear/semi-dry gear with a neoprene neck gasket and really been maytagged.
how semi-wet were you?
I tried one on and it was just so comfortable I needed to investigate a little more.

The other option I looked at was a kokatat bib with a bomber jacket so Im curious if anyone is using this type of combo and how bomb proof it is.
I like the idea of being able to wear one without the other if conditions, and the boat, permit.

I got one of these
http://www.stohlquist.com/dyn_prod.php?k=&p=STO56501

Very comfortable. The first few times out the neck left you feeling like you tied your tie too tight. I don't notice it now. I've not been "in" the water with it yet, but spent all day with much of it raining yesterday (and others) and was dry at the end of the day. I wear a polypro dive skin with polartek thermals over that beneath it. I haven't been cold yet, until yesterday loading my yak in pouring rain w/o my PDF on. My next step is to investigate liners for it. I've also been comfortable when the sun comes out ... another big consideration.

In addition to the neoprene neck and relief zipper, the "footies" on this suit are a nice. More like plastic tube socks, they fit comfortably into foot gear.

I got mine new on eBay for ~$350(?). I checked, but that listing is gone.



Ben

Thanks Ben
That is the same suit that I tried on and I couldnt get over how comfortable it was.  Im concerned about the semi-dry neck gasket since Im only able to get 1 suit and will try to use it for all kinds of water. If I was buying a suit just to fish with I wouldnt have left the shop without it. Nice choice and you cant complain about that price.
Ill most likely be going with a level6 latex gasket suit and suffer the grip, but Im still looking.

FWIW, they claim the neck is as "dry" as the latex variety. Did someone at the shop give you the impression that wasn't the case? I was going to test it out with lessons at MBK in the spring, but if it's less dry than advertised, I'd like to know.

Thanks

Ben

ps -- I'm curious, what will you use it for other than kayaking/fishing?

No it wasnt at the shop, but friends have told me that they wouldnt trust a neo gasket to keep the water out. But they hadnt used one.

I still enjoy goofing around in moving water but I keep getting older and the water just keeps getting colder. Hoping to use the suit for everything from SUP in the winter to high country creeking.
I also enjoy riding waves but im not very good, so Ill need a solid seal.