Suit to Replace Bare Polardry

[donwh]

My buddy is looking for a new drysuit after 10 years in an O'Asis. What is the consensus for a suit here in the northeast US to sail in the cold, including the winter.
Anyone try the O'Neill Assault Hybrid Drysuit?

http://www.the-house.com/onhyb06bnzz-oneill-drysuits.html

It looks like the same style (baggy upper) as the Polardry.
Promotion? Neil Pryde?
No Kokotats please. Won't fit the budget, I'm sure.

Don

[Gerda]

I bought a Bare Polar Heat last year through Phil at Inland Sea. As I recall in a comparison with similar baggy top, neoprene bottom suits the Bare Polar heat used thicker neoprene. The following link describes it as 5 mm.http://www.shuswapsnb.com/ I don't recall thickness of Oasis and can't seem to find it in description of suit at any of websites I tried just now.

Also, it seemed that although the Polar Heat was "unavailable" they still would provide one, I guess as special order.

So far I have been pleased with the suit, especially the loose fit in the arms, tight just at the wrist seals, and the ability to wear just a shirt under the top when the air is not so cold, or the warm fleece when it is cold.

HBR

[isobars]

[npiankov]

Why no Kokatat? You don't have to go for the Goretex version, which is really expensive. The standard Kokatat works very well and costs around $400 (used to be about 370 a couple years ago) which is less than you'd pay for a Bare ($450+?). I really like the Kokatat bag for 2 reasons: front zipper (those Bare guys ALWAYS beg for help with the zipper across the back) and ability to wear regular pants/jacket under the bag (I don't have to undress when at the beach!). I was very happy with it and the durability has been pretty good too. I had to replace some of the seals every 50 sessions or so, but that's cheap and easy to do by yourself. I am sure other drysuits also require the seals to be replaced. The zipper has held up just fine and I had no rips in the bag after 4 years of frequent and pretty hard sailing (I am into freestyle, so was learning Vulcans, loops etc with it).

My suit is getting somewhat worn now and I am thinking that I would get another one next year. Definitely the Kokatat, especially that they've now upgraded their "cheap" suit to the semi-breathable fabric. Very very happy with it.

[feuser]

[jedwards]

I have the ONeill hybrid and think is the best dry suit out there. Breathable, so it doesnt overheat, dry so you can layer underneath and stay toasty, and the seals are neoprene so you dont have to replace them every year or so like the Bare silicone seals. Those Bare seals suck.

[Kjensen]

Look up Ocean Rodeo drysuits. I bought one last year. Expensive but well worth it. Designed for kiters. Front zipper and bone dry. Just add fleece underneath

www.oceanrodeo.com

a couple of other guys use them in Duxbury

[scooper]

I'm thinking about life with no more Bare Polar drysuits too. Has anyone tried the OS System drysuits? I like all the choices they give you. I definately want it breathable, with attached dry socks and maybe a relief zipper too, but I could go with the economy model with those added options.

I'm still trying to decide on the front zip. I've been using my wifes Kokatat front entry drysuit for a temp replacement for my busted Bare, and I find it difficult to operate the front entry by myself. Maybe it's just because it's small on me? I have a trick for my rear entry suit that makes it very easy to zip and unzip by myself as long as my truck is there.

On the other hand the O'Neal Hybrid is the safer suit and it's much cheaper.

[JRuffus]

you guys are in the stone ages.

Buy a new Winter surfing suit. incredible flexible and warmer than you need. 6/5/4 with a built in hood. cheaper, warmer, more flexible...and they do NOT restrict the forearms like they did 10 years ago. i use an Excel Interlock 6/5/4 and it is incredible... toasty warm and comfy down to 20 degree ai ar 38 degree water.

[feuser]