Keeping Dry

Steve509926 · 17 April 2021, 15:53

I know that this topic has probably been done to death over the years, but I thought I'd put my two penneth worth in.

Last year I really enjoyed all my mini exploits on the SIB apart from continuous cold, wet legs. So this year I decided to do something about it, but what? Wetsuit, Waders, Floatation suit, Drysuit? So over the past few weeks I've investigated what would be best for me.

Wetsuit, I've got and I don't think it's particularly suitable for sitting in a SIB for any length of time. When it's wet and your out of the water wind chill plays a part and I find it uncomfortable behind the knees when sitting. Good for swimming, snorkeling and surfing.

The waders I tried were bulky, uncomfortable and made me sweat, but cheap.

Floatation suit, again bulky and I found it very hot, don't think I could wear it late spring, summer or early autumn.

Drysuit. I tried front entry, rear entry, different sizes and different prices! The one I particularly liked and felt really comfortable in, was over £800, but it was primrose yellow! and could I justify paying so much for so few weeks use each year? and would I wear it in the summer months when I know I'd get too hot, but still want to be dry?

I eventually decided to take the plunge (pun intended

) I ordered some kayaking dry pants and dry cag, Yak Chinook and Yak Junga to be precise. Very reasonably priced and appear to be very good quality.
I wore them over the past few days whilst sibbing on Ullswater and I am more than happy with them
Very comfortable, apart from around the neck, which is a little tight but I'm sure it will loosen after time. I did wear layers underneath and I didn't find it hot, but the air temperature was probably only around 6°. Importantly, dry! Very dry, I waded out as far as I could go without floating, went for a swim and not a drop of water got in at the neck, ankle, wrist seals and no water at the waist. I think the only improvement I will make, is to fit/glue some latex booties at the ankle seals to keep my feet dry.
So in conclusion, for my type of use, primarily a fair weather sibber, I think kayak dry pants and dry cag are ideal.
Hope this helps anyone in the same predicament as I was in.

pumpkinking · 17 April 2021, 21:48

Brilliant write up Steve, I’ve been thinking about exactly this topic recently! I think I’ll probably be following your lead!

Wearing shorts and wet shoes is fine for a while but boy it’s chilly an hour later ploughing into a headwind...

Steve509926 · 17 April 2021, 22:27

Thanks PK. If you do go down the Yak route just be aware that the sizes come up small, if you're at the top end of the sizes on their size chart, I'd order the next size up.

Steve509926 · 17 April 2021, 23:57

Hi PK, forgot to mention, Escape Watersports was the cheapest I found for the Yak Junga cag.

Limecc · 18 April 2021, 00:20

Valuable posts Steve. Thanks.

pumpkinking · 18 April 2021, 09:27

Thanks Steve! I’ve bookmarked this for when I allow myself to spend some “pocket money” [emoji106]

treerat · 18 April 2021, 14:14

I use the palm version, a great option when needed.

Brinormeg · 18 April 2021, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumpkinking

Thanks Steve! I’ve bookmarked this for when I allow myself to spend some “pocket money” [emoji106]

Same....wife feels the cold really bad so it was a concern how much it would cost to kit us both out if we become anything but extremely fair weather sibbers. Something like this might just do the trick.

treerat · 19 April 2021, 08:54

I've kitted the daughter out in one of these, same benefits as a palm dry trouser and nicer then a dry cag when not actually getting wet.

https://safequip.co.uk/product/safequip_flood_suit/

Couple of others locally using them too now as they are great value.

As we use coats the top from thee is carried as a spare, but at £115 a great suit that can be picked up at £75 in tier sale now and agin.

Fenlander · 19 April 2021, 09:40

Great write up Steve and well considered choice. Despite going out in some tough sea conditions and on some fairly lengthy outings at times we are not expedition sibbers and do not set out when its due to be cold or raining so perhaps many would consider our clothing fair weather.

My preferred choice has refined over the years to wetsuit trousers and matching neoprene dinghy boots to give me the ability to wade in to near waist height water at launch/recovery... then on top layers of rash vest, T-shirt, fleece, sailing jacket as required... plus a Buff and Musto fast-dry hat. I carry short finger deckhand gloves for any situation where they might be a benefit such as hauling in a running mooring.

Steve509926 · 19 April 2021, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

I've kitted the daughter out in one of these, same benefits as a palm dry trouser and nicer then a dry cag when not actually getting wet.

https://safequip.co.uk/product/safequip_flood_suit/

Couple of others locally using them too now as they are great value.

As we use coats the top from thee is carried as a spare, but at £115 a great suit that can be picked up at £75 in tier sale now and agin.

I tried the flood suit from Northern Diver, which I agree is a good alternative providing you don't go too deep or fall in! The only problem I had with it was size, good leg length = big waist, good waist = short leg length

Steve509926 · 19 April 2021, 10:21

Thanks David, I use neoprene dinghy boots as well. I've also got some neoprene "seal skin" work gloves which have a grip on them, van get a bit too warm though.

Fenlander · 19 April 2021, 14:06

So if you walked into near waist deep water for say five mins would you be 100% dry inside the Chinooks or are they more of a heavy splashproof design?

Steve509926 · 19 April 2021, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

So if you walked into near waist deep water for say five mins would you be 100% dry inside the Chinooks or are they more of a heavy splashproof design?

I was in the water chest high and swimming for between 5 and 10 mins, and I was completely dry.
As I have mentioned, I will be fitting/glueing some latex socks/booties to the ankle seals so that my feet stay dry as well.
You can buy kayak dry trousers with the latex socks already fitted (Peak) but they are nearly twice the price as I paid and you can buy latex socks for about £12.

Steve509926 · 19 April 2021, 15:31

One other thing to mention. Men of a portly figure and ladies with hips and a slim waist may find difficultly getting them on.
I got the same pair for Diane, obviously in her size, and she struggled slightly to get the inner waist band over her hips, but once on found them very comfortable.

Steve509926 · 20 April 2021, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

So if you walked into near waist deep water for say five mins would you be 100% dry inside the Chinooks or are they more of a heavy splashproof design?

Are you thinking of buying a pair David?

Fenlander · 20 April 2021, 18:11

Hmmm not sure... like the idea of them do they do a boot cut slim fit?

Steve509926 · 20 April 2021, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Hmmm not sure... like the idea of them do they do a boot cut slim fit?

Haha

The only reason I ask is, Wetsuitoutlet have sent me an email to say that the Yak Chinook are now £89.95.

Steve509926 · 21 April 2021, 19:22

I've ordered some latex socks to fit to my Yak dry pants.

Does anyone know the best adhesive to use? I've used "Stormsure" to repair things in the past, but is it good enough?

Fenlander · 21 April 2021, 20:05

Stormsure is still holding firm on a small leak on my HP air floor some 2/3yrs on. The left over part of the tube is in the fridge ready for an emergency repair on Mrs F's wellies.

Re the Chinooks sorry to be a bit flippant... really appreciate the heads up. Just checked over my Palm wetsuit trousers and they have a couple of years in them so I'm dithering over buying the Chinooks just now.... but it could go either way.