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We offer dry suits for sale and rental all year round. Are you planning to roll or paddle kayak in colder weather conditions? With a dry suit, you can extend your paddling season for as long as you like. If you are unsure which model suits you best, feel free to contact us at 08-740 05 05 or butiken@langholmenkajak.se. If you happen to be near our store, you are of course welcome to come in and try them on, and we will help you choose the right dry suit.
If a wetsuit extends the season, you could say that a dry suit gives you a year-round season – you can even wear it against rain in summer. It is easier to put on and take off than a wetsuit, and you have plenty of room for wool base layers in winter. The suit itself is not insulating, but it keeps you completely dry if you end up in the water. So remember to wear something underneath if it is cold, and before fully closing the zipper, you should squat down to force out as much air as possible.
There are dry suits designed for sailing. Despite sailing sometimes being quite active, these are often far too sealed for paddlers, as they are made for sitting still. In a kayak, you are constantly moving and quickly get warm. Therefore, breathability is of the utmost importance for kayak paddling, and you do not want to get soaking wet – from the inside! Bring a change of base layers – if you have pushed hard to be first to the coffee break, you will hardly be bone-dry, no matter how good the suit's breathability is.
This is mainly about choosing the right size – the vast majority of suits on the market are remarkably flexible once you have put them on. But make sure it is large enough that it does not pull tight at the shoulders. And remember that you need room for your base layers.
If you know you will be in and under the water frequently, for example if you work as a self-rescue instructor or practice rolling, then you should definitely choose a latex neck gasket. Just trim the gasket to fit your neck so you do not feel choked.
For more normal paddling, even in rough weather and in winter, you can manage with a neoprene neck gasket. It is not quite as 100% waterproof as a latex one, and if you end up in the water, a few drops might get in. But there is no risk of you getting chilled. A neoprene neck gasket is perceived by many as more comfortable and less tight around the neck. It is a bit easier to pull over the head, and it is also less likely to tear than a latex gasket. At the wrists, however, you should always have latex.
There are suits that have multiple zippers, sometimes even on the back. Others have so-called relief zippers at the bottom.
Keep in mind that the more zippers, the greater the risk of leakage: every zipper must be waterproof and fully closed. It should be sturdy and have a proper T-shaped handle. If it is on the back, you must have someone else help you to make sure it is properly closed. A long diagonal opening is usually sufficient for getting in and out smoothly.
Pockets for keys, phone, etc., are practical. They should of course be completely waterproof. Reinforcements on knees and seat extend the suit's lifespan. Fabric tabs over the latex wrist gaskets and at the feet for warmth. There is often an adjustable waist skirt that covers the top of the spray deck and prevents water from entering the cockpit.
Some suits come with a hood. Keep in mind that the hood protects against wind, not water. On the contrary, it risks collecting water if you end up in the water. We recommend instead some form of separate headwear, such as a wool hat. Just make sure to have a spare on hand in case it gets wet!
A dry suit is, as the name suggests, a suit that keeps you dry. The dry suit retains heat relatively well, but it is important to have suitable base layers to get the maximum effect, such as wool base layers. In a wetsuit, water seeps into the suit and is heated by the body, and with the wetsuit's insulating properties, the warmth is maintained. If you are winter paddling, the dry suit is the best option due to its ability to keep you completely dry and warm. Although a wetsuit can keep you warm if you end up in the water, you risk quickly cooling down when you get back into the kayak.
Water column is a unit of measurement used to assess the waterproofness of a dry suit. The higher the water column, the higher the waterproofness. A dry suit typically has a water column of at least 10,000 mm, meaning the material can withstand a certain pressure without water penetrating. Northkayak's dry suits Valkyria and Inuit have a water column of 20,000 mm.
A dry suit can last for many years if used and maintained properly. One way to extend the lifespan of your dry suit is to wash it regularly. It is important not to use chemical products that can damage the material – mild soap and water work perfectly fine. Store the dry suit in a dry, dark place and avoid direct sunlight to reduce the risk of UV damage. Avoid pulling or tearing at the neoprene neck gasket or wrist gaskets more than necessary when putting on or taking off the dry suit, as this can cause wear and damage.
Even though a top-quality dry suit lasts a long time, its performance will gradually deteriorate over time, so it may become necessary to replace it after a number of years.
