Per Brian Nystrom:
True and there is no way to be perfectly balanced all the time, since
your effort level will likely vary during the day. However, a breathable
suit does a good job of keeping you warm, dry and comfortable. Even when
I had to dress for repeated, prolonged immersion in 40 degree water (for
"teabag" duty in classes), yet still exert myself substantially, I
managed to be pretty comfortable.

For lake paddling, I wear a Kokatat GoreTex full bag with
integral socks. I tend to dress on the cool side and stay close
to shore.

It's the end-all-do-all for comfort/convenience.

But at the end of every workout, the fleece that I wear
underneath it is pretty soaked to the point where it can be wrung
out..

If I'm paddling two hours or so, sometimes I'll stop halfway
through, take the thing off, take a leak, and hang some of my
clothes out to dry for awhile.

Suit isn't leaking in that scenario - it's just sweat.

My experience is that "Breathable" means that if you stand around
without exertion long enough eventually the suit will breathe
itself dry.... but if I'm paddling, I'm sweating faster than the
suite can transpire.
--
PeteCresswell