Folks --
Time for me to replace my old Kokotat. It's had something like 18 years of heavy use, and was the less expensive non-Gore Tex version that I bought cheap 'cause it had a hole in the neck gasket. It's been to Kokotat a few times over the years for patches and gaskets. But it's time to say goodbye.
(What do you do with an old leaky drysuit?)
So what are people's experience with the current crop of drysuits out there?
The Gore Tex Kokotat runs $1080. It's made of great materials and has a great guarantee. Kokotat has great service as well. But by the time you've paid for shipping both ways for a free repair, you've added $70 to the price.
That noted, competing drysuits, perhaps of lower quality, come out at almost half to two-thirds the cost.
What are people's experiences with other drysuits? Are these other drysuits dry? If so, for how long? Do the plastic sippers hold up? Does the cloth wet out/wear out from contact with the kayak frame? Are they worth the lower price?
Opinions sought and helpful!
Thanks in advance.
-- Dan Segal.