I'm looking for some advice on how to best get into and out of a drysuit. I just tried my Rodeo Soul for the first time yesterday and I want to make sure I'm doing all I can to not F-up the latex seals. Also, as I am new to these I was wondering if the neoprene boots, gloves and headgear will hurt the latex seals?
Thanks in advance.
Drysuit - Best ways to get into and out of your Drysuit
-
virk0918
- Rare Poster
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:08 pm
- Local Beach: Sylvan Beach
Seneca Lake
Owasco Lake
Sodus Point Beach
Southwick Beach - Favorite Beaches: Dorado, PR
Hatteras, NC - Style: Freeride/ Freestyle
- Gear: North NEO 7
North EVO 10
Duotone Rebel 12, 15
North Juice 18
Duotone Jaime 139
North Gonzales 142
North Spike 162
2017 North Click Bar
2017 North Trust Bar - Brand Affiliation: None
- Location: Upstate NY
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
-
nothing2seehere
- Very Frequent Poster
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2014 3:25 pm
- Kiting since: 2012
- Weight: 72
- Local Beach: Calshot, Hayling, Meon - Southcoast UK
- Gear: Duotone Rebel, Evo SLS, Flysurfer Soul/Peak, Ocean rodeo jester, Airush Ultra, shinn boards
- Brand Affiliation: None
- Has thanked: 205 times
- Been thanked: 297 times
Re: DRYSUIT - Best ways to get into and out of your Drysuit
Avoiding the obvious will see you just fine for getting on and off (avoid anything that might cut or tear the seals - like long fingernails). For me only the heel seals are really tight to get on as obviously your feet are much fatter than your ankles. I try and hook a finger under the entire seal so I can ease it over my foot as a technique. I have heard you can stretch the seals by leaving a round object like a bottle/can in for a few hours but have never tried as the fit is comfortable when fully on.
If you kite at a stony spot then take a spare car mat to change on so you don't accidentally puncture anything.
No problems after 2 seasons with a OR Heat drysuit using wet boots and gloves and a hood. Its more the oils on your skin that I believe damage the seals. For me, wearing gloves keeps the oil inside the gloves. I try to coat the seals with the conditioning agent twice a year (once mid season and then again at the end of the season after a thorough wash ready to put away for the summer.
My only criticism would be that the water repellent coating (DWR coating) doesn't seem to last all that long and I haven't yet found a re-coating substitute that lasts more than about 20 minutes. Got a new substance to try this year though ...
If you kite at a stony spot then take a spare car mat to change on so you don't accidentally puncture anything.
No problems after 2 seasons with a OR Heat drysuit using wet boots and gloves and a hood. Its more the oils on your skin that I believe damage the seals. For me, wearing gloves keeps the oil inside the gloves. I try to coat the seals with the conditioning agent twice a year (once mid season and then again at the end of the season after a thorough wash ready to put away for the summer.
My only criticism would be that the water repellent coating (DWR coating) doesn't seem to last all that long and I haven't yet found a re-coating substitute that lasts more than about 20 minutes. Got a new substance to try this year though ...