Picking a dry suit.

So I can't say its been an easy path even getting to this point, but I could certainly use some more input on picking a dry suit to extend my sailing season. At the moment my front runners are Gill and Henri Lloyd. My budget is something around $600 (A.K.A. my tax return). I think the biggest hurdle I am facing is a general lack of knowledge. Every brick and mortar store within 150 miles that could sell me a dry suit does not stock them, and employees aren't knowledgeable enough to answer questions. The closes't store, which is a 3 hour drive north to Traverse City, MI isn't a seller of either Gill or Henri Lloyd.

My simplest questions:

• Neoprene gaskets or Latex? Latex sounds like the best option to prevent water from entering, but a lot of the sailing dry suits I think go with Neoprene
• Back zipper vs Chest zipper? What would be the best option for solo entry and exit. I want to be able to go for a solo sail after work
• Ankle gasket with wetsuit boots vs dry suit socks built in? Whats best for comfort and warmth? What do you ware over built in socks

Also, what sets the different suits apart? I have looked online at Gill, Kokatat, Gul, Henri Lloyd, Ocean Rodeo, Mystic Gear, Neil Pryde, and probably others but I can't really tell much of a difference between them. Not even their own manufacture's websites have detailed information about their suits. Included suspenders? Gasket type? pockets? socks? Honestly the only thing that I can say pushes me in any which way is towards the Henri Lloyd because I like the red color.

Your feedback would be so appreciated.

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Catamaran Racing Association of Michigan - Marketing Officer
USF18 - Social Media Manager

2010 NACRA Infusion
2004 F18 Hobie Tiger - SOLD
Hobie 16 - BREAKPOINT - SOLD

I,m hope to give you some answers

I have a gull drysuit and my wife a Gill

My first Gul drysuit started leaking a bit so i,m now using a new different type Gul drysuit untill they a a new gul drysuit is availible ( i reclamed and waiting for a new one )

My first Gul drysuit has a horseshoe zipper and a relief zipper and its easy to put on and to zip
The one that i now use has a diagonal zipper in the front ,and is a" bit"more difficult to put of ,no problems to zip open and close

The one my wife use has the zipper on the back easy to put on and of ,the only difficult is to open /close the zipper

The suits have all latex soks , we were normal soks inside (also protection from "sharp " to nails ) and a pair of neoprenesailing shoe,s one size bigger then our summer barefoot one,s

The other head and hand gaskets are from neoprene ,i think they are a bit comfortble than the latex ones

And we were a fleece overall under them ,and when it,s warmer a sweater ,and a legging or a jogging trouwsers

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F18 Hobie Wildcat sail nr NED 066 & NED 1111
F18 Hobie Tiger sail nr 973 sold
Hobie 16 sail nr 104195 sold
470 sailnr NED 560 sold