Prelim look at GUL TAW Drysuit

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2017 GUL TAW Drysuit:  I've been needing a larger drysuit -- I'm cutting' you off before you start M. Cabeza, you funny guy!! -- I am an average-sized guy who bought an XXS off the super discount rack at Sierra Trading Post because I could get it on several years ago.  I started my research and wow, new drysuits are pricey.  There's the merely expensive ones that are made of various "breathable" fabrics, and then there are the heart-attack expensive Gore-Tex versions, so I opted for the non-GoreTex flavors.

What I ultimately settled on had to have certain features:

• A Pee zip
• Front zip because I really don't like getting help just to zip my suit
• Attached, breathable fabric feet (no latex, no simple ankle cuffs) because I want total enclosure and protection

I settled on the 2017 GUL TAW Kayaking Drysuit, which I ordered from WetSuitOutlet.co.uk https://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/2017-gul-taw-kayaking-drysuit-zip-pee-zip-inc-fleece-red-grey-gk0149-p-11870.html, and it comes with a full fleece union suit.  The price:  $414 + $19 DHL shipping.  The same setup is available on Amazon for essentially the same price, but chose the UK site because I also picked up a pair of 5mm booties for an additional ~$30 which was in the same $19 DHL box.  For comparison, I looked at a comparable non-GoreTex Kotatat rental suit (no warranty of any kind) at CCK for $600, and that didn't include the fleece.  Let's hear it for the sinking British Pound!

Nice features:

• Attached, storable hood, that has a great adjustable fit
• "Kangaroo pocket w/ water-resistant zips at both ends.  This is big enough to fit a radio and a pair of gloves
• Double-layered, heavy duty knees and sitting backside
• Velcro cinchable ankle and wrist cuffs with drains
• Reflectives
• Internal suspenders with velcroed wallet pocket
• All seals are neoprene skin-side to interior for a comfortable, durable, fit and life
• U-shaped zip is quite comfy, doesn't interfere with paddling, and works fine under my PFD

All-in-all, this is a great drysuit for a fantastic price; I'm really looking forward to getting it on the water.  SIZING:  I'm 5'-8", 150lbs, 30" waist, and I got the Small.  It works well, but is a bit close getting over my hips; everything else fits so well that I definitely wouldn't want anything bigger, BUT make sure that your hips fit the waist size range (my hips are around 32").

Thats a feature rich suit for the price.  Question - How do go about getting repairs done?  What about warranty claims?

great features and looks nice. Looking forward for the OTW review. Can you do a wet test to see if it keeps you dry

Both are good questions/comments.

1)  WARRANTY:  12 mos, postage not covered.  I figured this into my purchase: I'll negotiate the same $20 DHL shipping if need be.

2)  Wet Test:  Hell yes, I will be following up — I hate, hate, hate reviews that are basically "vapor reviews."  Additionally, thanks for noticing that it's actually a decent looking suit; this really bugs me about the incredibly uninspired Kokatats & Stohlquists, never mind the NRS dogs. I'm a professional designer, and I swear this stuff matters. Who in the world wants to look like a freakin' Tele Tubby?


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Both are good questions/comments.

1)  WARRANTY:  12 mos, postage not covered.  I figured this into my purchase: I'll negotiate the same $20 DHL shipping if need be.

2)  Wet Test:  Hell yes, I will be following up — I hate, hate, hate reviews that are basically "vapor reviews."  Additionally, thanks for noticing that it's actually a decent looking suit; this really bugs me about the incredibly uninspired Kokatats & Stohlquists, never mind the NRS dogs. I'm a professional designer, and I swear this stuff matters. Who in the world wants to look like a freakin' Tele Tubby?


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Does the purple model come with a purse?  Good ole tinkywinky...my kids were young once and I was wrapping up my weed habit...but I've seen a few episodes.  Is this the teletubby thread?  Thanks for the drysuit review.

Have you tested it yet I'm looking into getting a drysuit and the price for imported drysuit is nice but I admit I'm not sure of what I'm doing and definitely would like to find something durable

That's a damn nice suit... I will be contemplating purchasing one soon.

That's a nice suit brad, I'm jealous bro 

That is nice. But, it doesn't make you look like Captain Kirk or even Mr. Spock, so I'm not sure it really makes a fashion statement.

Have you tested it yet I'm looking into getting a drysuit and the price for imported drysuit is nice but I admit I'm not sure of what I'm doing and definitely would like to find something durable

I did take it out a bunch of weeks ago on Clearlake, read that as flat, flat, flat, and it was perfect.  In fact, I did stand around a bit in waist deep water at the ramp while waiting for some PB's to clear out -- no leaks of course.  I do like the features a lot (pockets and high collar, internal key pocket, suspenders), the pee zip is key, the accessible main zip is nice for self-access and ventilation.  I'm eager to get it out on the Ocean now that the season is open.

Durability:  I'm a pretty serious outdoorsman and would call this "guide gear" level of materials, except the main zip isn't the heaviest duty YKK brass dry zipper.  That said, compared to the drysuit this replaces, I am willing to accept the cheaper, smoother, YKK dry zipper with the neoprene cuffs in exchange for the other drysuit with the latex cuffs.  The neoprene is more comfy and much more robust than the latex.  The suit's fabric is super heavy duty, and the knees/legs/butt are especially well done -- this matters to me a lot because those are the super high-wear zones, and this suit is the burliest thing I've ever owned.  The burliness is appreciated on those long drifts/soaks in our very cold Bay and coastal areas.

All-in-all, I am totally satisfied with it, and that price can't be beat domestically.

Have you tested it yet I'm looking into getting a drysuit and the price for imported drysuit is nice but I admit I'm not sure of what I'm doing and definitely would like to find something durable

I did take it out a bunch of weeks ago on Clearlake, read that as flat, flat, flat, and it was perfect.  In fact, I did stand around a bit in waist deep water at the ramp while waiting for some PB's to clear out -- no leaks of course.  I do like the features a lot (pockets and high collar, internal key pocket, suspenders), the pee zip is key, the accessible main zip is nice for self-access and ventilation.  I'm eager to get it out on the Ocean now that the season is open.

Durability:  I'm a pretty serious outdoorsman and would call this "guide gear" level of materials, except the main zip isn't the heaviest duty YKK brass dry zipper.  That said, compared to the drysuit this replaces, I am willing to accept the cheaper, smoother, YKK dry zipper with the neoprene cuffs in exchange for the other drysuit with the latex cuffs.  The neoprene is more comfy and much more robust than the latex.  The suit's fabric is super heavy duty, and the knees/legs/butt are especially well done -- this matters to me a lot because those are the super high-wear zones, and this suit is the burliest thing I've ever owned.  The burliness is appreciated on those long drifts/soaks in our very cold Bay and coastal areas.

All-in-all, I am totally satisfied with it, and that price can't be beat domestically.

Thank you for the info! I ended up with a kokatat but they are 35 minutes away and seem to have a wonderful warranty and customer service policy I ended up spending $520 on the HYDRUS 3L SUPERNOVA ANGLER PADDLING SUIT but that's what credit is for 👍

How hard is that thing to zip?
It seems to me you have to reach around yr head to zip it.
That seems to be a problem for me after 3 shoulder surgeries.
The Kokatat Super Nova has a zipper in the front which doesn't bother my shoulders at all.
Looks like a pretty cool suit though.
Looking forward to your 6 month review.

How hard is that thing to zip?
It seems to me you have to reach around yr head to zip it.
That seems to be a problem for me after 3 shoulder surgeries.
The Kokatat Super Nova has a zipper in the front which doesn't bother my shoulders at all.
Looks like a pretty cool suit though.
Looking forward to your 6 month review.

Oooh. Having had 2 shoulder surgeries, I know your pain/concerns WRT the zipper.

That said, it has not bothered my shoulder at all because 2/3 of the zipper is front-accessible. The zip is close to the head, so if you add a short length of paracord or webbing to the zip pull, then you would be able to keep your hands only touching the tops of your shoulders. For me, my range of motion is okay in this situation, problems arise when I have to really extend my reach over my shoulder.

Yesterday, I was at ARW and the suit was perfect during a typical Bay day:  There was a cool breeze, temp was about 60deg, and there was the typical high frequency chop that splashed me quite a bit.  I really appreciated the high storm collar and the generous bicep pocket (~6"x6") that easily swallows my iPhone 6s in its LifeProof case.


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That's a nice looking suit.  Thanks for the info. 

My issue with dry pants and drysuits is my big calves. Can you please measure the width of the calves on the suit?