I’ve been on a three-year mission to find the perfect drysuit. But given the classic dilemma:
Durable, lightweight, affordable … choose two.
I soon recognized that I was looking for two suits: 1) A dry and durable suit for my swiftwater and ice rescue courses, and 2) A lightweight and affordable suit for remote packrafting.
I only considered fully-dry suits, as opposed to semi-dry suits with a neoprene rather than latex neck gasket. I acknowledge that semi-dry suits are a great choice for a lot of ‘packraft-as-hiking-accessory’ trips. I’ve always preferred latex gaskets because I’m typically seeking whitewater and its good friend: capsizing.
1. Dry and Durable
I teach swiftwater and ice rescue courses in Alaska, which means that I spend a lot of time in cold water. Part of my role is to play the patient in scenarios: stuck on a rock in the river or hanging onto a tree with the lower branches cut out—highly abrasive positions. I’ve had to wait, immersed, as long as 15 minutes for my rescue.
My favorite staged rescue was hanging onto a tree in the water (strainer scenario) facing downstream, arms over the tree, legs under, mouth at water level. One of the rescue party was able to work his way down the tree toward me from shore, but his weight pushed the tree deeper into the water, and me with it! I had a big grin as my head went under water … curious to see how long it took the rescuer to notice what was happening to me (note: we had prepped the site and I could let go and swim to safety at any time if needed). I ran into the rescuer earlier this year and all he wanted to do was continue apologizing for dunking me. Lesson learned … keep eyes on the patient!
All this to say … a truly dry suit makes my job much more enjoyable.
Requirements in order of priority:
- Truly dry
- Durable
Cost doesn’t make the list … I’m using these suits for work and can justify paying top dollar.
2. Lightweight and Affordable
I’m looking for a second suit to solve a problem in the packrafting community: Packrafters paddling remote waters without a drysuit because A) they don’t own one (too expensive) or B) they don’t carry the suit that they own (too heavy). I can relate to both of these from my early years as a packrafter. And I believe that not having a drysuit has been a preventable cause of several packrafting deaths. My target was to find a suit for under $500 that weighs two lbs or less.
Requirements in order of priority:
- Cost
- Lightweight
Durability wasn’t on the list … I hate the carbon footprint of disposable gear, but if a suit is ‘good enough’ for a few remote trips, it could significantly reduce the paddler’s vulnerability and save lives.
The candidates
I tested the top models from NRS, Kokatat, and Immersion Research. I’ve also casually surveyed 100+ course participants/year about how their suits are holding up.
I included a few wildcards: a non-breathable suit and three breathable suits direct from China. As best I can tell, there are two manufacturers available via Alibaba, and I tested suits from both. This video provides a thorough analysis of why the direct from China suits are more affordable, and not in a good way.
Listed weights are what I measured when listed with the size of my suit. Weights that I’m pulling from online searches are indicated with a question mark. Prices are as-of 2024. Note that fabrics and construction quality on each model can change from year to year.
The best Dry and Durable suit
1. Immersion Research Devil’s Club
- $1,399
- 3.75 lbs (L)
- immersionresearch.com
Test results:
- After 8 days, a leak developed in a foot seam. It was very easy to repair with Aquaseal and never needed repair again.
- After 20 days, another leak in a foot seam. Another very easy repair.
- Still completely dry after two years of hard use!
The Immersion Research Devil’s Club has no competition. It was incredibly refreshing to find a suit that could withstand my work—what a relief to know that I’d be dry at the end of the day. The foot fabric is so thick that I stopped wearing neoprene oversocks.
My measured weight is 0.5 lbs less than the IR listing. This might be a difference between 2022 and 2024 models.
2. NRS Extreme SAR GTX
- $1,395
- 4.31 lbs (L)
- nrs.com
Test results:
- Day 2, damp crotch. No obvious source of leak.
- ~14 more days, no other leaks, and dry crotch unless subjected to high water pressure.
I really wanted this suit to work out. It has knee pads! Drooooool. And external pockets!
I assume the durability is great. The issue, as best I can tell, might be that the fabric has a lower water pressure tolerance than the Devil’s Club. That, or the stitching around the crotch leaks. The dampness is not a wear and tear issue. If your time in the water doesn’t involve clinging to a rock and waiting to be rescued, then this is a great suit.
3. OS Systems
- $685
- 2.9 lbs (L)
- ossystems.com
Test results:
- ~10 days, no leaks
I got this non-breathable gem from eBay. It has a bulky cut and no frills, but is both durable and dry. The non-breathable fabric is not as much of an issue as I expected, probably because I am working in cold water and not as aerobic as I would be paddling. My suit lacked a relief zipper, but that’s all it would take to put it on regular rotation.
4. A random suit from China, LKVER
- $352.99
- 3.16 lbs (L)
- alibaba.com
Test results:
- 4 days without any leaking, and then I wore some holes through the thigh while hanging onto a strainer in the scenario described earlier. Repaired with Aquaseal.
- ~14 days, slightly damp but no obvious leaks.
This direct-from-China suit is made of heavy-duty material with reinforced zones. The fit is … entertaining:
I’m pretty darn good at wading into rivers because I do it a lot: I demo wading techniques in class all summer and frequently use the techniques on personal trips. I was surprised at my poor progress demonstrating a solo wading technique wearing the suit for the first time. I thought, “Wow, I really misjudged the current … I expected to make it much farther than this.” Back on shore, I realized that the problem was the crotch of the suit hangs much lower than what I’m used to, and was catching more of the current in shallower water. I call this my Hammer Pants suit. If you don’t know the reference, here is a learning opportunity.
But there is real potential here. I would size up, to limit strain on the seams. And you aren’t really going to know what you will get until you get it. But for the cost …
5. Kokatat Meridian
- $1,499
- 3.43 lbs ?
- kokatat.com
Test results:
- 30 minutes, holes in knees.
- 1 day, damp ankle and butt.
- After factory repair: still damp, especially at the knees.
The bottom of the list? Seriously? I was surprised too. I had only owned Meridians up to this point, this was my fourth. True, they never lasted as long as I hoped, but I assumed that was normal. To be clear, the holes in the knees were absolutely my fault. But the NRS and IR suits would not have developed holes with the same use.
I rushed the suit to Kokatat for a factory repair job in time for my teaching season, but it remained damp. My impression is that the fabric can withstand even less water pressure than the NRS suit, meaning that I’ll get wet through the fabric any time I’m perched on a stationary object in strong current.
The bummer is that the Meridian fits me the best. I love the fit and that the fabric is supple. I’d love to give Kokatat another shot, but not with the $1499 price tag.
The best Light and Affordable suit
1. Kokatat Swift Entry (Hydrus 3.0)
- $849
- 2.75 lbs?
- kokatat.com
Full disclosure … I’ve never worn this suit! This recommendation is based on feedback from course participants. The Swift Entry is the most popular suit that I see in class and it is the primary suit for many packrafters.
At < 3 lbs and $850, I believe this is the best weight/price ratio for a high-quality suit. And for a not-so-high-quality suit? Read on…
2. Direct from China!
- $217, $370
- 2.44 lbs (L), 3 lbs (XL)
- One from Xiamen Yuelei Sports Co and one that from a shop I can no longer find on alibaba.com.
Test results:
- Six days without leaks.
- Day 7: catastrophic seam failure at crotch.
I purchased two basic suits, basically Swift Entry knock-offs, and had very high hopes. The price and weight are amazing and the fabric seams to be pretty good. But the build-quality is a potential deal breaker.
One of the suits held up during several multi-day trips but then the crotch seams blew out catastrophically when moving from a standing to kneeling position. The second suit is still in good shape, but given its similar construction, I don’t trust that it will last.
The other issue is that all of the direct-from-China suits have strange cuts … long torsos and short legs (the Hammer Pant suit), or long legs and tiny feet. Tight shoulders. I can make this work, especially by sizing up, but it isn’t ideal.
So, this becomes a math problem. Which will last longer: one Kokatat Swift-Entry suit or three direct-from-China suits? Based on what I hear from course participants, I’m going with the Kokatat option.
Disclaimers and notes
I have no relationship with any of these brands.
I wasn’t able to test all suits in similar conditions.
I only tested 8 suits.
I’d like to be told that I missed a better Light and Affordable option.
I’d like manufacturers to send me more suits to test. 🙂
I’d like to spend less time clinging onto rocks and trees in glacial rivers to earn my paycheck.
Very timely email.
We are Traversing Gates of the Arctic national Park via pack raft this summer, and both of us will be using the swift entry dry suit.
However, I’ve been toying with the idea of making my own, super ultralight, almost single use dry suit out of some thing like 30 D ripstop nylon. The same material that MLD uses in their mid’s for example.
My basic calculations are the a suit like this would weigh around 1 pound once you added all the gaskets, seam seals, etc.
It would certainly not be that durable and you would have to be able to repair it, probably frequently and maybe expect some type of catastrophic failure if you got into trouble. However, I think the option of something like this would be incredibly compelling, and would also be fairly cheap.
Sounds like a cool project! But the fact that Alpacka stopped pursuing making their own ultralight suit is a little worrisome to me.
I have used Kakotat breathable suits, non breathable dry suits of forgotten brand, two piece suits, and am now using LKVER direct from China custom ordered dry suits.
I won’t use a non-breathable suit again – too cold, too much conductive heat loss in glacial waters. Let alone heat loss after it is removed and you are standing in sweat damped clothing with high evaporative heat loss.
As an older paddler, I find the US brand dry suits too tight with an over emphasis on “stylish” looks. Trying to put them on standing on a rocky surface is just too difficult, and because I’m not a gymnast, frankly not safe. It could end my float if I fell onto the rocks while trying to get a leg into a suit built for “pretty boys.”
2 piece suits are great for quick on/off and use in relatively calm water. Especially if one uses the better fitting, drier, under $90, and easy to put on lower not sold as a paddling suit.
I will order more LKVER. Yes, one suit has leaky feet, which I’ve chased with aquaseal, but I think is simply a less waterproof fabric as you noted.
Ordering a direct from China suit is best done with direct communication. I was shocked at how much the maker wanted to talk about before the order. And their English was fine. I was able to order the extra wide, large loose fitting and easy to put on suit that I wanted. Fully custom fit, unavailable from any US seller I’m aware of.
Now that I know how to place an order, my next LKVER will be simpler and lighter. No added pockets, zipper flaps, neoprene over latex, or silly kayak skirt. I only wish I could order it in ultralight breathable fabric. Thinner, strong, less susceptible yo wear and tear. . . . Like the ripstop gortex Kakotat used long ago.
Hello, I am the manufacturer of LKVER from China. First of all, I would like to thank you very much for your support and use of LKVER’s dry kit. I just saw this review about our product now, and I think it is a very authentic and helpful review. I have also seen your new requirements and I am very grateful for your recognition of our services. I will carefully remember your evaluation, and at the same time, our product has upgraded with new technology, which will make it more wear-resistant than the previous product. If you have new ideas and suggestions, you can communicate with us via email, and we will accept your feedback and make adjustments. Any product requires customer testing so that we can continuously improve and produce products that satisfy you. Finally, thank you very much for your evaluation.
Rans
For an ultralight DIY drysuit consider the 1.4 oz, 10D, waterproof breathable fabric from Ripstop by the Roll. It is possible to heatseal the seams with wpb tape, but aquaseal or the seam tape ripstopbytheroll.com sells is likely simplest.
Then try to Google images of the early two oiece dry suits Alpacka offered for design ideas. Kakotat made them. But they weren’t “pretty,” so didn’t sell.
Fabric is expensive!
As a data point, my 2024 Kokatat Swift Entry Hydrus drysuit is 2lbs 5oz in a large. This latest model has neoprene overcuffs on the neck and wrist gaskets and the simple Velcro cuff at the ankle.
Any chance you’ve found the perfect packrafting shoe? I’ve been looking for an option for longer backcountry trips and I’m going back and forth between having a dedicated hiking boot and a dedicated water show, or one that can do both.
Brilliant question! There are rumors that Salomon is designing a packraft-specific shoe! But just rumors.
Most of my peers where something like Salomon trail running shoes … good tread, lightweight, drain well. Water shoes aren’t very durable and hiking boots are so darn heavy when soaked.
My current go-to is the Hoka Speedgoat. I love the heel cushion but they aren’t very durable.
I can confirm the Salmon Packrafting shoe that’s coming spring ’25. I’ve tried on a pre-production pair, and it’s sweet.
Funny … I stopped hearing from the design team so assumed they scrapped the project. They must have just got tired of me being hard to schedule with!
Have you tried the Salomon’s yet? I’ve now done one Canyonlands packraft/hike trip, a Deso-Gray, a local three day, and half a dozen day paddles in the S/Lab Waterways, and they’re great. Very cool sole design – partly the same sole/tred as the Speed Cross (great hiking traction), with a really nice rocker and traction at the heel that works really well on steep, loose hillsides. Whatever rubber the “water” part of the sole is made of is excellent – far better in water wet rock traction than my Astral Brewers. Great fit, enough volume to be comfortable over neoprene socks in the drysuit, but enough “snugging” when you tighten them to not move around while your hiking. My only gripes are that it’s a little tough to stuff all of the quick lace cord in it’s little pocket, and that the pull tabs at the back are a little short and skinny which makes pulling them on a little tougher than it should be. Otherwise for sure the best running shoe style packrafting footwear I’ve tried.
I still haven’t seen the Salomons IRL.
I’m wearing the La Sportiva Canyoneering shoe this season and am so far very impressed. HUGE upgrade from my NRS Storm boots. But it wouldn’t be the right boot for walking trips.
Thanks for all the good info! Any thoughts on Mustang’s new neck seal design? I haven’t sewn one in person yet, but looks interesting.
I’m not familiar … will be on the lookout!
Thanks for writing this up! I realize you were only looking at suits with neck gaskets, but I have one of kokatat’s semi-dry suits, the supernova that I like a lot for trips where weight matters – it is only 1.8lbs. The material is pretty thin, so I only use it on trips.
Excellent- thanks for the data point! I’ve been curious.
I got a Kokatat 2-piece switchzip 2-piece semi dry Surge 8 years ago. My needs changed a bit and I had a local shop install a neck gasket. It has worked and held up really well despite a lot of use and abuse, including canyoneering. I really like the Swtchzip configuration. It weighs 2.75 lb (medium). It’s getting close to needing to be replaced and I only have 2 gripes: 1. It is no longer in their catalog and I assume it’s not available, and 2. I sent it back 2 years ago to be leak tested and repaired. They sent it back with about half the small leaks fixed and when I called them they were pretty snarky and insisted it was the shtty patches that I had done that were causing the ongoing leaks. They told me I could start over, pay again, and send it back again. I was able to figure out a way to test it and found that was not the case, eventually fixing the remaining leaks myself (ugly and time-consuming but so far durable after 40ish more days). I lost a lot of respect for Kokatat – The Swift Entry suit still looks like a good replacement option and their quality still sounds good, but their customer service has earned a solid zero stars from me.
Impressed after using some in an Antarctica kayaking trip in 2017, bought a Kokotat Goretex drysuit 2019 . I was sorely disappointed. After three packraft meetups it started leaking (I bought it due to a torn cuff gasket just before the events). I thought it was sweat, then did a simple test by simple immersion for 20 minutes against another drysuit – a Helly Hansen ocean racing suit I bought 2nd hand. Yep, it was leaking. So I sent it back and it was repaired with 80 patches. Patches even in areas note expected for high wear. My take is that the material is too thin, in the sun it is translucent. In the quest to get lighter, durability has been sacrificed. The materials are thinner than my alpine Goretex garments. I made a comment in one forum and was lambasted: there are a lot brand loyalists out there. It gets that way too with packrafts, how dare I mention that Alpacka inflation valves leak without a cap screwed on tightly !
Fab review, Luc! Do you have a fave for wild ice?
I can’t fit the drysuit socks in my skates! Maybe when my current suit wears out … I could cut off the socks.
If I were going to purchase one for skating it would be semi-dry, neoprene neck.
I still have my Alpacka ultralight. Use it and abuse it and repair it all the time. If anyone wants to sell an old one – let me know. They are perfect for Adventure racing and the fast and light and mostly grade III/IV- stuff I am into these days!
have you tried the PALM SAR suit? or any experience with it?
I haven’t seen many Palm suits, never tried one on.
I have the new IR SAR suit and it is pretty sweet. Not as thick a fabric as the Devil’s club, but padded knees, internal(!) and external pockets, suspenders. No tunnel. It is my go-to for teaching this summer, so I’ll know more about durability soon.