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I can't speak to the NPX suit, I know their wetsuits are good... that said... I just bought an Ocean Rodeo Soul because I HATE wetsuits

For the past 5 years I have had the OR pyro and I prefer that to the wetsuit because:

More flexibility, easier to flex, move around, etc.
Easier to put on and a LOT easier to get off.
Warmer
Dryer

The only down side has been that they can get a bit warm inside if the outdoor temp is too warm. I'm in SC and at times the winter temps can be 60, even 70.

I just spoke with someone I know personally at Ocean Rodeo and the word is that the 'breath-ability' of the soul is leaps and bounds ahead of any other dry suit on the market, and also much better than the old Pyro (which wasn't too bad actually). My OR friend told me that you can wear it right up until 'shorty season'.


I'll update after I have ridden in it a few times.


PS: Ocean Rodeo has been making dry suits, including military grade and commercial diving suits, so they have the dry suit experience over NPX.

I have been using the Ocean Rodeo Soul Since last Fall and it is a great Suit!

I have been using "Bag Style" dry suits for over 20 years (feeling old writing that) and for me its the way to go as I like the Light weight, freedom to move, ability to layer and being able to put on a warm dry suit as opposed to to wet chilly neoprene the next day.

The soul is very comfortable and easy to put on and take off inside my van. I use the hood occasionally, but will usually just use a neoprene beanie
Very easy to Zip up by yourself which is really nice.
I put my harness over the jacket and not under as it can be with the design. I personally find my harness stays in place better this way and is easy to adjust when needed.

Got a nice session in here on Cape Cod on Saturday Jan 26th, air temp high 30's low 40's. Water temperature really cold, Ice chunks and slush on the ocean and I was very warm with 6mm boots and 1.5 mm gloves. I attribute my hands and feet being warm to the fact that I was able to double layer fleece under the suit which kept my core very warm. (almost too warm).
Took a few pictures of me in the suit floating in the slush.
While I would prefer not to ride in the Cold cold water, the Soul makes these winter sessions very enjoyable and not just getting out to say i got out!

I like the idea of a drysuit, but I've yet to really experience the magic. I am a little paranoid of the "body bag" horror stories of drysuits failing in surf. However, I've yet to hear one of these tales for the Soul. Maybe the 2nd layer has avoided most of these potential disasters (fin cuts, barnacle slices, etc). No news is good news!

I got a 2nd hand SurfDry, to try it out. I like the idea of the wetsuit outer layer, so if the drysuit fails, you will still have some protection. But I don't think it breathes well or at all ... by end of a session, I am slightly damp from sweat...and while not as wet as a wetsuit, being damp defeats the purpose...the superman / clark kent quick change, peeling off outer layer and returning to work.

For wetsuit, I use an xcel infinity, which is incredibly flexible and very well sealed...after an average kite session, I quite often will have no water in it, basically same dampness as the SurfDry. So not really much advantage to the drysuit....hassle factor of 3 layers vs 1; though one benefit is putting that fleece layer in the washer and dryer.

Anyways, the thread is about the Soul ... I have no user review to pass along, but I look forward to trying one out sometime soon. The lack of disaster reports make me more willing to "take the plunge".

kitesite_capecod wrote:I have been using the Ocean Rodeo Soul Since last Fall and it is a great Suit!

I have been using "Bag Style" dry suits for over 20 years (feeling old writing that) and for me its the way to go as I like the Light weight, freedom to move, ability to layer and being able to put on a warm dry suit as opposed to to wet chilly neoprene the next day.

The soul is very comfortable and easy to put on and take off inside my van. I use the hood occasionally, but will usually just use a neoprene beanie
Very easy to Zip up by yourself which is really nice.
I put my harness over the jacket and not under as it can be with the design. I personally find my harness stays in place better this way and is easy to adjust when needed.

Got a nice session in here on Cape Cod on Saturday Jan 26th, air temp high 30's low 40's. Water temperature really cold, Ice chunks and slush on the ocean and I was very warm with 6mm boots and 1.5 mm gloves. I attribute my hands and feet being warm to the fact that I was able to double layer fleece under the suit which kept my core very warm. (almost too warm).
Took a few pictures of me in the suit floating in the slush.
While I would prefer not to ride in the Cold cold water, the Soul makes these winter sessions very enjoyable and not just getting out to say i got out!

Wow. That picture is definitley worth a thousand words!

juandesooka wrote:I like the idea of a drysuit, but I've yet to really experience the magic. I am a little paranoid of the "body bag" horror stories of drysuits failing in surf. However, I've yet to hear one of these tales for the Soul. Maybe the 2nd layer has avoided most of these potential disasters (fin cuts, barnacle slices, etc). No news is good news!

I got a 2nd hand SurfDry, to try it out. I like the idea of the wetsuit outer layer, so if the drysuit fails, you will still have some protection. But I don't think it breathes well or at all ... by end of a session, I am slightly damp from sweat...and while not as wet as a wetsuit, being damp defeats the purpose...the superman / clark kent quick change, peeling off outer layer and returning to work.

For wetsuit, I use an xcel infinity, which is incredibly flexible and very well sealed...after an average kite session, I quite often will have no water in it, basically same dampness as the SurfDry. So not really much advantage to the drysuit....hassle factor of 3 layers vs 1; though one benefit is putting that fleece layer in the washer and dryer.

Anyways, the thread is about the Soul ... I have no user review to pass along, but I look forward to trying one out sometime soon. The lack of disaster reports make me more willing to "take the plunge".

As I said, I have been using Bags for many many years and selling them for the same. I have only heard of a couple minor problems that people have had with them. I am not saying that there has never been a big failure, but i do not know of one that i can source.
I did stick a surf fin into the thigh of another brand drysuit during a failed strapless jump. It went through the suit and a bit into my leg.
I only knew it happened because i could feel a bit of cold water. water did not pour into the hole, the suit stuck tight to my legs due to the water pressure and very little water got in. Needless to say I didn't spend any more time in the water then I had to and headed back to the beach.

juandesooka wrote:I like the idea of a drysuit, but I've yet to really experience the magic. I am a little paranoid of the "body bag" horror stories of drysuits failing in surf. However, I've yet to hear one of these tales for the Soul. Maybe the 2nd layer has avoided most of these potential disasters (fin cuts, barnacle slices, etc). No news is good news!...

Figure out what your winter sessions will be if that is a concern. In most cases, in the winter we keep closer to shore and are much more likely to be kiting with people. If you are going to be doing some true expedition where a leak would be catastrophic, get yourself a neoprene dry suit. But most likely, you're going out in the winter to score some water time and the risk of a catastrophic suit failure putting your life at risk is pretty minimal.

The OR suit material is pretty durable, the multiple layers in the Soul upper body will certainly protect you further. Of course always inspect your suit for any damage before a session. That's true with all your gear...be extra cautious when kiting in cold conditions.

Ok, here is the ugly then...
1o/ way too much material so lots of drag
2o/ pee zip is useless and one more thing to check befor you head to sea...and it looksvrediculous
3o/ the soul is harder to put on than the last one I had (pyro pro?)
4o/ the hole for te hook is ALWAYS useless: does not work with seats, is not centered so pulling on material and if you unhook, you lose your hook inside the coat...So put your waist on top.
5o/ this suit is not warmer than anything else, you just need to dress wisely underneath
6o/ the hood does not drain...

THERE IS NO SECOND LAYER, the top is single suitbattached to the bottom ans a piece of useless fabric hanging from there to make it look like a coat and hold the useless central zipper. Tha zipper should be on the side or angled like what Ion did tonallow the hook hole to be centered. Must beva good suit, just too many after thoughts
Conclusion, I bought another brand.

since I'm bored and you made a list....

flipper231 wrote:Ok, here is the ugly then...
1o/ way too much material so lots of drag

sort of true. the SurfDry definitely felt a lot sleeker and I'd feel better swimming or body dragging in it. but the soul isn't awful...just not wet suit sleek. it is a slimmer cut then most baggy drysuits, though, which helps a lot.

flipper231 wrote:2o/ pee zip is useless and one more thing to check befor you head to sea...and it looksvrediculous

wrong. the pee zip is black, the pants are black, you don't even notice it. and who cares.... it is awesome!!! (Getting out of a drysuit to pee is a pain in the ass) with the pee zip i drink water to stay hydrated as i normally would cuz the pee is a non-issue. it IS another thing to check before you go. can't disagree with you there. but if you leave it open...you'll know right away.

flipper231 wrote:3o/ the soul is harder to put on than the last one I had (pyro pro?)

I guess "your mileage may vary." I don't see how it could be any harder. Maybe different and if you get used to one thing change always takes some getting used to.

flipper231 wrote:4o/ the hole for te hook is ALWAYS useless: does not work with seats, is not centered so pulling on material and if you unhook, you lose your hook inside the coat...So put your waist on top.

Yup. If it doesn't work for you, you always have the option to put the harness on top. For me, with a waist harness. It works fine. It isn't perfectly centered but everything slides once you start kiting anyway (kite pulls the harness one direction on one tack and a different direction on the next.) No big deal.

flipper231 wrote:5o/ this suit is not warmer than anything else, you just need to dress wisely underneath

mostly agree with you here. it IS a little warmer than a standard one layer baggy. That is because there is an extra layer up top. they are not insulating layers but just having more material, traps more air and I think it is a bit warmer. you are right, though, layer accordingly.

flipper231 wrote:6o/ the hood does not drain...

when i kite with the hood down it is a jug of water every time i wreck. this surprised me since they sold it as a self draining hood. then again, i think they mean if you kite with it up. i don't do that. i should just take the hood off (it is removeable)

The upper suit IS 2 layers, by the way. Look at this GIF if you don't think it is. The upper coat layer is stitched over top of the lower black dry suit layer.

I like it.
It's not perfect, but is the best kite drysuit I have ever tried.
I used to have the SurfDry and that was the best to ride in but sucked to put on and I'd freeze my ass off between sessions. The Soul is pretty sweet. Well thought out. I never wanted a parka style drysuit, but I think OR just looked at the market and saw everybody else making them...so figured the demand was there. Everybody wants the pants/coat look instead of the CG Survival suit look. <shrug>

+1 what the Captain said!!

+2... I love mine I will have an Ignite this spring but it is almost the same with some more harsh weather features.