Dry Suit??? Ocean Rodeo???

[Eagle]

The Surge GTX fabric is basically the same stuff used in my alpine shell hats jackets pants mitts oversocks etc.  So actually breathes exceptionally well and is perfect for high exertion SUP.  Just got back after a direct comparison to the L6 WB top I wore the other day.  Bottom line the Surge completely outperformed.  L6 for low intensity breathability 9 vs Surge 9.  But L6 for high intensity 1 vs Surge 9.  Clothing layers were exactly the same but bone dry this time vs drenched.  This is how I expected a proper dry top to work.

Did this before Xmas cause an elf informed that "Santa considers any useful comparison like this to be nice and not naughty".  So am still in the nice category.  Haha.  I hope.   

[Eagle]

The L6 was fine last night when used as a shell in cold alpine temps like -10C.  It heated up inside using crampons hiking a peak - but the cooler air seemed to pull the water vapor out much better.  So will using that dry top shell for that sort of thing from now on.  Works ok for that.

[Eagle]

Just got back from a normal 2 mile out and 2 mile back paddle on my AS23.  Air temp was 7C and ocean temp was 5C.  The Surge breathability was around 7.5 or 8 out of 10 this time.  Not damp and soaked -> but just very lightly sweated.  7C air temp is pretty high for that suit.  5C or less is much better - probs 0C is optimal.  Next time will wear a thinner underlayer - since you do heat up a bit whenever the sun comes out.  When in the suit - you actually do not want the sun to come out at all.  Haha.  Will post a few pics later of the switch zip and lock and temps etc for those that may be considering this suit.  Really opens up a lot of days in the winter.  Used my 3mm full finger gloves and they were still a touch cold at the tips - but ok.  Would be interesting to hear some reports of the Ocean Rodeo suits or other dry suits as a comparison.

[Quickbeam]

Hi Eagle,

I’m probably not the right one to judge this on, as I haven’t had my dry suit all that long (I have the Ocean Rodeo “Heat”) and I also haven’t been out with it in this colder weather. I’ve been away for Christmas and my board is in for some minor repairs right now, so haven’t been out at all this month.

Having said the above, one thing I have noticed is that wearing a lighter base layer was actually worse for me. It’s probably due to the fact that I sweat really easily. Any kind of exertion and I’m going to sweat. So what I found with a really light base layer (I had on a light merino wool top and bottom), is that the material was too thin to absorb the sweat. Was fine when I was exerting myself, but when I stopped for any length of time I got cold pretty quickly because the sweat was still on my skin. With a thicker base layer, the material seemed to wick the moisture away from my skin and helped me to stay warm even when I wasn’t exerting myself. Hope this makes some sense to you, but bottom line for me is that I was more comfortable wearing a bit thicker base layer.

I really like the Mysterioso products and have been quite comfortable with the top and bottom combination (http://mysterioso.com/product-tlsz-longsleeve-with-zipper and http://mysterioso.com/product-tul-pant). If you’re interested you can get them at the Deep Cove Kayak  retail store (I have no affiliation with either Mysterioso or Deep Cove Kayak).

[Eagle]

Hi QB - yeah hear what you are saying.  And thanks for that DC link - will check that out.  Just want to try one other option before deciding what will work best for me.  The light sweat was ok but not perfect was all.  In colder air temps it would have been fine as my body temp would have been lower.  Once the sun came out I could feel the sweat condensing a tad as GTX is not super breathable since it is so robust.  Here are the pics I took - for those that wanted to know more about the Surge.  I may have to settle for a touch of sweat - but that is way better than completely soaked.  Lower body was again 100% dry.

[mr_proper]

you don't feel uncomfortable with gloves? I don't like to paddle with gloves und fortunately until now I could go out without.
BTW interesting zipper.

[Eagle]

Hey proper - the neoprene gloves do bug me at first when I put them on.  Because everything is so bulgy and chubby chubby.  Kinda feels like the Michelin man.  But after a few minutes you kinda forget about that and concentrate of technique and having fun on the water.  You do notice the paddle shaft pivot in your bottom hand though - as my grip seems a bit looser for some reason.  But definitely without gloves your fingers would freeze up very quick in the breeze.  And feel burning cold.

About that zipper.  My guess is that it is 99.5% watertight already without it bolted down.  The bolt cap just allows it to be screwed down and 100% dry no matter what.

[mrbig]

47 miles in December inside my Pryde Lucifer! I wear some ancient Patagonia base layer fuzzies, two pairs of wool socks and - shout out to A10 -  8 ml Excel boots two sizes too large. When I can't manage a dock start I use my Explorer Ugh Boots. Two longest runs almost six miles. Nice to have the info from the Garmin.

We did have an interesting encounter with a seaplane landing at dusk. 185 HR elicited a call from my device specialist. Be afraid, be very afraid!

My Starby '15 Race is not a good ice breaker, but the Bluefin busts through if necessary!

A couple of surf sessions here and in RI. Heart monitor a little jiggy, but like Lazarus am very alive!

Happy New Year EVERBODY!

[mr_proper]

the neoprene gloves do bug me at first when I put them on.  Because everything is so bulgy and chubby chubby.  Kinda feels like the Michelin man.  But after a few minutes you kinda forget about that and concentrate of technique and having fun on the water.  You do notice the paddle shaft pivot in your bottom hand though - as my grip seems a bit looser for some reason.  But definitely without gloves your fingers would freeze up very quick in the breeze.  And feel burning cold.

Ah ok, if you have wind then you need gloves. Here we have less wind and so it is not a problem without gloves. Today -2 degrees celsius and completely warm hands.

About that zipper.  My guess is that it is 99.5% watertight already without it bolted down.  The bolt cap just allows it to be screwed down and 100% dry no matter what.

I think, this construction is for safety reason. So the zipper couldn't go open in surf or white water. I have just the zipper without this and it is 100% dry (tested with a lot of swims ;-))

[Eagle]

Found the magic formula to keep sweat to a minimum today for high intensity even with the sun out in 3C with breeze.  Basically is the same as what I wear to run in the winter.  ie. not much.  Just a light tee and super light arm sleeves and light running tights.  No fleece.  All super breathable light polyester designed for running.  And went to my trusty GTX ski gloves with fleece liners and all was good with the GTX Surge.  But any low intensity paddling -> fleece underlayers would be fine.  Unfortunately this is always way too warm for my use. 

[mr_proper]

What a pretty board ;-)
Are you satisfied with the position of the second handle?
I'm think about if and where I should position him best.

[Eagle]

You know it proper.  The extra handle helps sometimes to control the board in the wind on land getting to and from the water.  So has some use - but is quite limited.

[Eagle]

Have used the Surge GTX a few times now.  And it is crucial to wear running gear breathable underlayers so you do not overheat.  There was zero sweat again at maximum exertion in 1C air temp today.  Did a 2 mile up and 2 mile DW in our Arctic outflow breeze.

Once you start paddling you do warm up pretty quick if your exertion is moderate to high.  But even with GTX ski gloves though - it takes about 15 minutes to heat up your fingertip extremities - because the cold breeze gets wickedly cold.  The positive is they do heat up which makes everything all good.  So the Surge passes the sweat test and is 100% recommended.  Zero sweat which makes this semi-dry suit the perfect outerwear for cold paddling SUP.   

[robcasey]

I hate drysuits. Wore them for years kayaking (had 2 kokatat meridians). Tested the Ocean Rodeo, nice but still a neck gasket.

There's many waterproof 'wet' suits available that will do the same job as a drysuit except no gasket around your neck, and if you get a hole, you're still good. Not so on a drysuit.  And more affordable.  Easier to swim in and u can boost your heat with a polypro or similar top under, or hooded vest over.  Main brands have good options. My RipCurl Flashbomb 5.5/4mm is 100% dry aside from ankles and arm cuffs. 

[Eagle]

Yeah - def latex neck gaskets not that great for SUP.  The Surge uses a "neoprene" neck with a drawcord - super comfortable comparably.

Fantastic at 0C -> but starts to sweat up when temps rise to 5C under full exertion over 5 mi.  Otherwise is an excellent piece of kit.  Have used mine about 10x and have no issues wearing it.  Conversely - despise my sweaty neoprene gear.  Have not worn that in years.