Anyone use a relief zipper on a drysuit?

[Mike W]

I am wondering if the relief zipper is a problem underneath the leg straps on a Dakine Fusion, XT, or other seat harness. Anyone tried this combo? I am looking at the Kokatat Meridian and wonder how well it might work for kiting.

[DavidKnight]

I had the same question... how do the zippers/waterproof coating stand up to harness use? I just scored a new Kokatat Super Nova semi-drysuit on clearance from REI for a steal ($150 vs. $465). As of Sunday, there were a couple smaller sizes left at the Bloomington REI. It's called a semi dry because although it has rubber wrist gaskets and fully-attached booties, it has a neoprene/velcro neck gasket (much more comfortable to wear but probably would let some water in on a hard catapult). I think the neck seal is still plenty tight. Mine also has the pee zipper. I've always been a little leary about getting a fabric drysuit- because of the potential for the material to tear and fill the suit with very cold and impeding water. My other cold water suit is a 5/3 mm Promotion Steamer. I think I'll wear my steamer on the big days (sinker board) and the Kokatat on the bigger board days. I'll also don the Kokatat for sea kayaking on Superior (that's what it's marketed for).

I know Steve has previously raved about his Kokatat... despite having to replace his gaskets a couple times. Steve, how's the waterproofing holding up at the harness wear areas? Zippers still dry? Is yours a Goretex fabric or the Tropos fabric? I think you also had a reasonable repair guy who you sent your suit to for gasket repair?

[DavidKnight]

I just tried on my Dakine Slalom Seat size XL over my Kokatat Super Nova to see how the relief zipper aligns with the harness/hook. With the harness on, the pee zipper kind of puckers/bows out underneath the harness hook (or maybe I was just happy to see that the zipper wasn't covered by the harness straps). It might make it a little more difficult to get hooked in while windsurfing but for kiting it really shouldn't be an issue (at least with my harness).

[steveb]

I got my suit before the pee zipper came out. so I just have to hold it.By undoing the chest zip and crouching forward I can pee without taking the suit off.
Brian has one with the pee zip but he uses a waist harness....
I can see a little discoloration caused by rubbing where the harness has been on my suit, but that's all.
Kokatat does repairs and servicing on their suits, it's a fair price. I've had to have gaskets replaced twice they charge about $120 for a full set, at the same time they check the suit for leaks and will retape seams if they need it.
My suits 11 years old, I used it last saturday at Malmo as I wanted to avoid the itch, I wore a light layer underneath and was very comfortable, no water in the suit.The goretex ones are expensive but, they last a very long time. Looking at my suit I'd guess I'm going to get another 10 years out of it at least.

[Dean Rizer]

Steve, I think I understand how you are able to Pee using the chest zip option. Would you mind posting pics?

[steveb]

Dean...have you got a camera with a macro lens?

[esteffen]

I have a Kokatat GFER with the relief zipper and I, also, just tried it on. With my Dakine Speed Seat XT, the straps did not cross the zipper. The zipper did pucker a little, but I think that it would work just fine. I have only used the suit with a waist or impact harness for sailing and I haven't had any issues with the zippers and the harness.

Maybe I just don't know enough about photography, but isn't the macro setting for taking close up pictures of small objects?


Eric

[steveb]

Eric..seems to me you're a photographic expert!

[Futahaguro]

I'm reviving this thread from a Google search because I am researching about Kokatat drysuits. Does everyone on this post still like their drysuit? Have they had any issues with it or have they tried anything else that they like better? How about some thoughts on how well they would work for beginners on water? I can snowkite, snowboard, and wakeboard just fine but I have only been out once on the water so I would probably be floating a lot. Has anyone taken a nice fall in the water, and if so was there much water taken aboard?

Thanks.

[Matt V]

I actually gave away my old Kokotat to a windsurfer around here. I never felt safe in it with the potential to fill up with water. If everything is going good, then a loose drysuit is no problem. If things go wrong, like you get (the suit) cut by a flying line, or death spiral your kite, you could be in for it even more with a suit filling with water. Better to be in a tight neoprene suit that is like a second skin than a trash bag.

I am trying to stay completely away from drysuits and just use 5/4 suits with a oversized shorty on top of them. Also, it helps to have a pair of neoprene workout shorts underneath to keep the sensitive parts warm if your suit leaks just a bit.

[fabrino]

I got the Ocean Rodeo Soul as a xmas present last year..
so far I like it..
(I have got around 20 sesh with it)
pros:
-it stays dry (I have had several time in which i did several minutes of body drag to get back to the board and no leaks)
-quite easy to put on and take off
-easy to move wearing it

-cons. The suit itself is not very warm and when water is cold you need to do some serious layering underneath