So Kayakings great and peaceful and as long as the waters calm you can Kayak in pretty much any weather. The only problem can be the temperature.
Wets suits are great and all but as soon as it starts to get colder you really need to upgrade to a Drysuit in order to enhance your experience and not have to worry about getting cold.
Daily Climbing has managed to narrow down the best Drysuits for all purposes and prices to ensure you get a purchase you are really happy with and not an impulse buy you end up regretting.
| Editor’s Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Woman’s Kayak Drysuit | Kokatat Women’s Hydrus Swift Entry Drysuit |
| Best Men’s Kayak Drysuit | O’Neill Men’s Boost Drysuit |
| Best Budget Kayak Drysuit | GUL 2018 Dartmouth Eclip Zip Drysuit |
| Best Kayak Semi Drysuit | Hollis Men’s NEOTEK Semi-Drysuit |
| Best High Spec Drysuit | Ocean Rodeo Ignite 2.0 Breathable Drysuit |
Click to jump straight to each topic.
The Best Kayak Dry Suits Reviewed
Best Woman’s Kayak Drysuit: Kokatat Women’s Hydrus Swift Entry Drysuit
Best Woman’s Kayak Drysuit
Kokatat Women’s Hydrus Swift Entry Drysuit
The Kokatat Drysuit is a great all-round Drysuit for beginners or people who have masted the art of the Kayak.
Created from a waterproof breathable three-layer fabric it’s guaranteed to keep you dry and warm in the colder temperatures.
While the bright blue might be off-putting at first the high visibility is exactly what you want on the water, something that easily stands out from the backdrop.
The outer of the suit is made from a super tough woven nylon which stands up to most abrasions. The outer of the suit is also sprayed with a water repellent in order to ensure maximum dryness.
But what really makes this the best kayak drysuit for women is the middle layer of the suit which utilizes a polyurethane micro-porous coating which means water vapor from the inside of the suit can transfer out but the outer layer cant get in. What this means is the Kokatat Hydrus suit is extremely breathable and doesn’t feel stuffy.
The last feature of the Hydrus is not a necessity but extras are always welcome, each purchase comes with Hydrus 3.0 (3-layer) socks which help complete the suit.
What We Like:
- Breathable Middle Layer – The worry with drysuits is feeling stuffy or trapped in and the middle layer which helps the suit breathe is a great addition.
- Accessibility – The Kokatat Hydrus comes with a built-in drop seat as sometimes your drysuit needs a little more access.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Men’s Kayak Drysuit: O’Neill Men’s Boost Drysuit
Best Men’s Kayak Drysuit
The Boost is constructed of a 3 layer breathable nylon which provides a pretty loose fit.
The nylon outer is made from abrasion resistant nylon so you dont have to worry about any rock scrapes or abrasions damaging the suit.
The O’Neills boost was designed for maximum user mobility and comfort with extra thick latex ankle and wrist seals so you can be assured that regardless of if your fishing on a kayak, or just out for an adventure the suit will keep you dry in all elements.
The suit has 300g of premium Trilaminate nylon and integrated suspenders available in sizes from XS all the way up to XXL you can find a size that will suit you.
What We Like:
- Integrated Suspenders – Helps keep the suit fitting perfectly while doing more active activity’s like kayak rafting or water sports.
- 100% Waterproof – Taped Seams so you can be assured there is no water getting in.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Budget Kayak Drysuit: GUL 2018 Dartmouth Eclip Zip Drysuit
Best Budget Kayak Drysuit
GUL 2018 Dartmouth Eclip Zip Drysuit
While the GUL compromises on the price it sadly has to compromise on a few smaller features to make up the status quo. The Gul Dartmouth is a high-quality drysuit but is lacking some quality of life features like a relief zipper which is something you can easily live without due to the savings.
The drysuit has a 3 layers of fully waterproof fabric and performs well out on the water. The Dartmouth has 100% waterproof heat taped seams and glide skin on the neck and wrist seals.
It has additional padding on the seat and knee panels as these tend to be what wear first on dry suits so its good to reinforce these areas.
GUL have also contoured the body panels to prevent snagging and reduce windage.
What We Like:
- Durable – Seat and knee have been given additional padding to prevent wear and tear.
- Great Price – Outdoor sports can be expensive so its great to save some money where you can.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Kayak Semi Drysuit: Hollis Men’s NEOTEK Semi-Drysuit
Best Kayak Semi Drysuit
Hollis Men’s NEOTEK Semi-Drysuit
So if you don’t like the look of the clunkier drysuits and don’t mind getting a little wet then the Hollis Neotek semi-drysuit might be the choice for you.
Semi-Drysuits are somewhere between wetsuits and drysuits they usually have special materials around the neck, wrists, and ankles to reduce the flushing effect of warm water being washed out by the cold water entering the suit.
The Hollis semi-drysuit has a “lavaskin” inner that helps make the suit pretty comfy to wear along with a G-lcok front zipper and internal bib.
But what’s great about the suit is the pockets featured on both legs which allow for easy storage or waterproof items. Along with the pockets, the Hollis suit also features a hood which is always a welcome addition.
All of the joints and seams are double glue sealed to ensure the suit a long-lasting life.
What We Like:
- Storage – Pockets are are always useful and welcome when kayaking or diving.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best High Spec Drysuit: Ocean Rodeo Ignite 2.0 Breathable Drysuit
Best High Spec Drysuit
Ocean Rodeo Ignite 2.0 Breathable Drysuit
Some people just want the best of the best and Ocean Rodeo ignite ticks all the boxes.
This high tech hybrid is designed to be a drysuit and gear for foul weather.
While it might sound like a strange combination but the more you think about it the more it makes sense. Both environments need clothing that keeps the water out and keep you dry.
The Ignite offers a 100% dry mode when all zips are done up but sometimes this might leave you feeling hot or stuffy between sessions, so during the down time you can swap to what ignite call standby mode. standby mode is where all zips are undo which allows much more ventilation in the suit.
Pockets, Removable Hood, integrated dry socks along with reflective piping, wader waist belt and tons more the features of the ignite just go on and on!
What We Like:
- Feature Packed – With so many added extras and features I don’t even have room to list them all.
- Integrated dry sock – No one likes wet feet.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Other Worthy Mentions
These are ones that didn’t quite make the cut as one of the top picks, but are still interesting enough to be worth a look.
SEAC Men’s Warmdry 4mm Neoprene Dry Suit
A great High-density 4mm neoprene drysuit designed for recreational water sports or divers. It might be overkill for Kayaking but its a great pick if your planning to get into other water-sports
- Semi-rigid boots
- Fabric storage bag, hood, hose and straps included
Level Six Emperor 3.0 Ply Drysuit
Exhaust 3 ply waterproof breathable nylon made from British latex complete with relief zipper and full neck wrist and ankle seals. Another great pick for a kayak hobbyist.
- Integrated exhaust 3 ply socks
- Adjustable wrist over gaskets
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you wear under a drysuit?
While drysuits do seal out water you really dont want go full birthday suit inside one. The best materials are ones that insulate when went as your own perspiration will be a factor. The best materials are polypropylene, pile fleece and wool but never cotton.
How long does a dry suit last?
If properly maintained and looked after a drysuit can last up to 10 years but for most cases I would expect the suit to last 5-7 years if not cared for properly.
How tight should the neck of a dry suit be?
The neck seal should be as low on your neck as possible and should feel very snug but not tight. if you are new to the suits sometimes out of water the seal can feel too tight so be sure to try it in water before making a decision.
Do you need a dry suit for kayaking?
You dont require a drysuit to kayak the same way you dont require a fork to eat. However it does make the whole experience alot more enjoyable when you have the correct tools.
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