Is the "Palm" Dry suit worth the money?

I saw a bunch of guys wearing dry suit from Palm at GS4 and was wondering what the pro's and con's were. I have seen them on line for $250-$350 and would like to purchase one if the get a decent review.

This is the suit in question:
http://www.campmor.com/palm-silver-semi-drysuit.shtml?source=CI&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=39293

I was looking at those but they aren't a drysuit more like a spray suit, if I going to wear someting that cofining it better keep me dry if I dump.

Designed for use by those that need protection from the spray and wind of waterborne activities but don't need full immersion protection

$300 & semi-dry?     

I have one and its great for really bad wx. It has latex/rubber gaskets at the wrists plus a velcro closure over that. I have fully dunked my arm into the water and nothing gets in. The neck area has a high 'turtle neck' neoprene collar that has a rubberized ring at the top. It's crazy snug (so much so I stretch mine over a ball). As far as I am concerned its water proof. If I am in the water over my head for more the 30 sec's the lack air is going to over ride any "water trickled in" issue. A few things to note...It has a relief zipper!!! Its really, really warm. I wear some long underwear and hunting socks and have never been cold. My rule is if the sun is shinning (or may be) I don't wear the Palm. If its a cloudy, foggy, crappy day then I wear it. I am 6"3 200lbs and I got the XL.

very pleased with the suit....

Thanks for the responses,
I would really like to get more reports from those who have purchased this suit.
The add says semi dry but the Neopreen seal at the neck would make it watertight.
I will probably just buy it and try it in the pool so others have a solid review.
Any more input is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Eric

Thanks for the responses,
I would really like to get more reports from those who have purchased this suit.
The add says semi dry but the Neopreen seal at the neck would make it watertight.
I will probably just buy it and try it in the pool so others have a solid review.
Any more input is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Eric

I know james/stormscrambler has it as do others. You are welcome to try mine the next time we hook up. As you noted the 'weak' point would be the neck. But considering how tight it is and it would be the highest point when in the water. I can't see much water (if any) making it in. I am sure others will poo poo it. But its safer then waders and tempest pants (and I have both of these set ups as well)

These are the Palm drysuits that were sold at discount at the AOTY awards right?

I believe so,
Any body try to test the waterproof capacity by entering the water and checking for leaks.
I was cold on Sunday at GS4 and the guys with these seemed much more comfortable.
I have ordered one and will give a compleat review after I test it with a good swim and a few total submersion's.
Whish me luck,
Eric

These are the Palm drysuits that were sold at discount at the AOTY awards right?

Never heard about that, Pat. Maybe I was too busy talking.

it is not a  dry suit but a quick immersion suit cause of the neo neck instead of the latex gasket, it is warm and the best thing is in the morning you dont have to put on a cold wet wet suit, and i am going to use it for river fishing, and it has the piss zipper.

Do you find the neck seal to be discomforting??  I do on my paddling jacket is why I ask.

Do you find the neck seal to be discomforting??  I do on my paddling jacket is why I ask.

Yeah Al that is my only 'complaint' I actually store mine with a tupperware bowl shoved into the neck that keeps a bit stretched out. So its comfortable all day. But its still pretty friggin' snug. I can imagine rubber rubber gasket may be even less comfy...

I can imagine rubber rubber gasket may be even less comfy...

I actually think that the latex gaskets are probably more comfortable than the neoprene collars.

I have had a Kokatat full dry suit for about three years and find that it's very comfortable at both the neck and wrists.  At first the neck gasket was uncomfortable because I was too afraid to trim it properly.  It is a cone like tube with increasingly smaller circumference as you get to the free edge.  There are circular rings on the latex to guide trimming.  At first I was afraid I'd over trim it and then it would leak.  So it was uncomfortably tight. But after talking to the vendor I bought it from, I eventually trimmed off two rings and ever since it's been very comfortable to wear.  Once I put it on I never really think about it until it's time to take it off.  I think the neoprene collars probably rely on more tension to maintain the seal.  But the latex gasket only has tension along the leading edge that's up against your skin, the rest of the collar, being a wider circumference, really doesn't compress around the neck.  It allows your head to move freely without feeling any binding at the neck.

One of the things I really like with the dry suit over a wet suit is having warm dry feet!  But it definitely changes your attitude toward the weather.  I actually most like paddling in cool weather--55 to 65 degrees is perfect.  It's still OK to the low 70's but above that and you can overheat if you have to do a lot of paddling.  People complain that the Prowler 15 is a wet ride, but on warmer days, I really like the extra cooling that it provides.

Yeah I am hoping the neoprene will relax a bit with use. I agree I actually kinda look fwd to some cooler days (or at least I don't dread them.

I bought one at the aoty event and have no complaints.
The first time I used it was at Aaron's rigging/surf class through MBK
I didn't have all the zippers and ankle straps properly secured so I had a leaking issue during the self and assisted rescue portions of the class. After lunch I discovered my errors and closed it up properly.
I took several dunkings during the afternoon (surf entry and exit) session of the class and did not experience any leakage. Granted I was wet from the earlier mistake but once I sealed everything up it worked fine.