Dry vs Semi-Dry Suits

I just received the Kokatat Gore-Tex Legacy dry suit. Looks great, fits great. The one problem is that the gaskets are absurdly tight. The official recommendation is that I "trim" the gaskets until they fit more comfortably.

But i recently found an article saying that for our use case, where you're not planning on rolling all the time like in white-water rafting, the dry suit is mostly a layer of protection, and so you can get away with a semi-dry suit and its more comfortable neoprene gaskets. It might let a little tricke of water in if you flip, but you should be fine.

I've read up on older posts, but wanted to get some advice: stick with my full dry suit, or return it and get the semi-dry gore-tex version? Is a semi-dry suit a lot more comfortable and still safe for ocean anglers?

Thanks in advance, cheers

I'm interested in what folks say because I cannot wear a dry suit due to latex allergies.

I can't really answer your question but I have been wearing a Kokatat Gortex drysuit for more than 10 years.  The neck gasket feels uncomfortable at first but I have found that after a few minutes the discomfort fades.  I never cut the neck gasket or stretch it as some have suggested.  Time just seems to take care of it.

I just received the Kokatat Gore-Tex Legacy dry suit. Looks great, fits great. The one problem is that the gaskets are absurdly tight. The official recommendation is that I "trim" the gaskets until they fit more comfortably.

But i recently found an article saying that for our use case, where you're not planning on rolling all the time like in white-water rafting, the dry suit is mostly a layer of protection, and so you can get away with a semi-dry suit and its more comfortable neoprene gaskets. It might let a little tricke of water in if you flip, but you should be fine.

I've read up on older posts, but wanted to get some advice: stick with my full dry suit, or return it and get the semi-dry gore-tex version? Is a semi-dry suit a lot more comfortable and still safe for ocean anglers?

Thanks in advance, cheers

In the USCG, we used to stretch the neck gasket over a gallon jug and leave it for a few days before trimming.  Trimming isn't so bad -- there should be guide lines for you to follow on the seal itself.  While wrapped around the bottle, you can use an xacto knife to trim.

As for the dry vs semi-dry... I am conflicted.  I have no experience with semi-dry suits but since I go solo and my "shit hits the fan" plan involves me floating alone waiting for a helicopter, I lean towards full-dry.

I have a drysuit, which I love.   However, I do wonder about malfunction (i.e. leaks).  If I have to do it over, I would probably purchase two pieces drysuit, a top and bottom. But if you do with the two pieces, I dont think you can wear a wetsuit inside (I would imagine the thickness of the wetsuit will let the water sip in.  I dont know that for sure, but that's just my theory. 



As far as too tight, I know the tight neck is a big pain as well as health hazard, mine does stretch overtime and you can also follow tedski's advice, pre-stretch.


But I think I am fairly safe with my one piece drysuit. 

I cut both the neck gaskets and arms on my Kokatat dry suit with no issues. When I first put it on it was very uncomfortable.  I left them relatively snug for the oh shit moment possibility.

Been using a semi-dry suit for the better part of a decade and no problems.
Have been in the drink before to fix a rudder issue and when I got back on the yak I was perfectly dry.
Unless you plan on doing white water a dry suit will be fine.

I have the Kokatat Gortex semi-dry, and have taken two kayak classes where we did self, and assisted rescues, and maybe a half a teaspoon of water came in through the neck gasket. After those classes I took two surf zone classes where most of the time was spent under water being pummeled relentlessly by waves. Both times only a tablespoon of water got in, again in the neck area.

Overall I have been very satisfied with the quality, and comfort of the suit. I have been using it almost three years. A while back I noticed a small tear in one of the wrist gaskets. I thought about cutting it out but didn’t. The last time out it tore completely through, not sure if I should send it back or try to glue it.

I have the Kokatat Gortex semi-dry, and have taken two kayak classes where we did self, and assisted rescues, and maybe a half a teaspoon of water came in through the neck gasket. After those classes I took two surf zone classes where most of the time was spent under water being pummeled relentlessly by waves. Both times only a tablespoon of water got in, again in the neck area.

Overall I have been very satisfied with the quality, and comfort of the suit. I have been using it almost three years. A while back I noticed a small tear in one of the wrist gaskets. I thought about cutting it out but didn’t. The last time out it tore completely through, not sure if I should send it back or try to glue it.

Look up NRS wrist gasket replacement kit. 

Been using a semi-dry suit for the better part of a decade and no problems.
Have been in the drink before to fix a rudder issue and when I got back on the yak I was perfectly dry.
Unless you plan on doing white water a dry suit will be fine.

IMHO, semi-dry is clearly the better option for kayak fishing.

On a slightly different note...

I had a Kokatat GoreTex semi-drysuit that I wore for several years. Last time I sent it in, it was unrepairable, and they said they'd send me a new one for free--different model, since they no longer make the one I had. Well, it took almost all summer to get the new one, and even after it arrived, I haven't used it. In the past, I would've said that a (semi) drysuit is a much better option than a wetsuit, but I now see the advantages of the wetsuit. Among other things, I find it way, way easier to avoid overheating (or freezing) when wearing a wetsuit. Removing (or adding) layers in a drysuit is a serious PITA, and I hate to overheat on the water. That's not a problem with a wetsuit. And, if you consider worst-case scenarios, I think a wetsuit might come out on top from that perspective too...

I have the Kokatat Gortex semi-dry, and have taken two kayak classes where we did self, and assisted rescues, and maybe a half a teaspoon of water came in through the neck gasket. After those classes I took two surf zone classes where most of the time was spent under water being pummeled relentlessly by waves. Both times only a tablespoon of water got in, again in the neck area.

Overall I have been very satisfied with the quality, and comfort of the suit. I have been using it almost three years. A while back I noticed a small tear in one of the wrist gaskets. I thought about cutting it out but didn’t. The last time out it tore completely through, not sure if I should send it back or try to glue it.

I order my replacement wrist gaskets here for my Kokatat Goretex Angler drysuit. I use a medium size gasket.  Great quality and price.  I've changed plenty wrist gaskets on my own.
https://expressdrysuitrepair.com/shop/ols/products/pair-latex-wrist-seals-small

I have the Kokatat Gortex semi-dry, and have taken two kayak classes where we did self, and assisted rescues, and maybe a half a teaspoon of water came in through the neck gasket. After those classes I took two surf zone classes where most of the time was spent under water being pummeled relentlessly by waves. Both times only a tablespoon of water got in, again in the neck area.

Overall I have been very satisfied with the quality, and comfort of the suit. I have been using it almost three years. A while back I noticed a small tear in one of the wrist gaskets. I thought about cutting it out but didn’t. The last time out it tore completely through, not sure if I should send it back or try to glue it.

I order my replacement wrist gaskets here for my Kokatat Goretex Angler drysuit. I use a medium size gasket.  Great quality and price.  I've changed plenty wrist gaskets on my own.
https://expressdrysuitrepair.com/shop/ols/products/pair-latex-wrist-seals-small

Thanks for the link. I'll give them a call to see what the turn around time is for a factory repair if it seems reasonable I may just send it in.

Mark - if you send it in to Kokatat they give the suit a full going over for any other leaks, delams, etc. They are a top notch company. That being said, the do-it-yourself replacement isn't that bad. I'm about to do a wrist seal on one of my suits.

Cheers,
Brad

Wow, lots of good info on semi-dry suits here.  I admit I fully expected more water to get in to them.  I have to battle this confidence borne from blind experience of true dry suits and realize that when I'm getting overheated, I cannot just go 40 knots to cool off!  Maybe I'll change my target suit to the semi dry. 

I had a Kokatat GoreTex semi-drysuit that I wore for several years. Last time I sent it in, it was unrepairable, and they said they'd send me a new one for free--different model, since they no longer make the one I had. Well, it took almost all summer to get the new one, and even after it arrived, I haven't used it. In the past, I would've said that a (semi) drysuit is a much better option than a wetsuit, but I now see the advantages of the wetsuit. Among other things, I find it way, way easier to avoid overheating (or freezing) when wearing a wetsuit. Removing (or adding) layers in a drysuit is a serious PITA, and I hate to overheat on the water. That's not a problem with a wetsuit. And, if you consider worst-case scenarios, I think a wetsuit might come out on top from that perspective too...

I typically wear 2-3 wool/wool blend bottom layers and 2 merino wool top layers and optional synthetic soft shell jacket under semi-drysuit depending on weather observations/forecast. With decent breathability and wool,the clamminess factor is greatly mitigated and body seems to decently self-regulate/adapt for temperature. I do soak my hands/feet/legs over the side if things start to warm up for cooling effect. On the rare occasion, I jump in and float next to the kayak for a minute for immediate cool down. For inshore waters, it's nice to beach, explore, lunch, stretch, take a leak, and remove/add top as conditions dictate. For a wetsuit to be truly more effective than a dry-suit in worst-case scenario, that would entail wearing both top and bottoms I would suspect that most people do not do? ...and if full wetsuit is worn, immobility, stank, and energy expenditure would be trade-off vs. the dry.