when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

How do you deal with relieving yourself?

When I go out for a paddle, I usually go for several hours. During this
time, I can get out on the shore, and do what I need to do.

With a wetsuit, its even easyer.

Am I right that I have to peal off all the layers to do what is nessisary?
Any other options besides dehydration?

Thanks

Micheal

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

Per Micheal Artindale:

Am I right that I have to peal off all the layers to do what is nessisary?
Any other options besides dehydration?

Some dry suit makers offer what they euphemistically call a
"convenience zipper".

Basically a fly - but done horizontally with a dry suit zipper.

I got one on my Kokatat because people who knew said it was a
"must have".

Personally, I wish I'd saved the money:
------------------------------------------
- One more potential point of failure

- Another zipper that one can forge to zip
or not zip completely enough.

- Using it on the water? *Bad* idea IMHO...
so we're back to pulling out on land. At
that point, the advantage of a diagonal chest
zipper over a horizontal shoulder zipper
become apparent. I *really* like the
diagonal chest zipper. Can't figure out
why they're the exception rather than the
rule.
-------------------------------------------
--
PeteCresswell

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

Micheal Artindale wrote:
How do you deal with relieving yourself?

When I go out for a paddle, I usually go for several hours. During this
time, I can get out on the shore, and do what I need to do.

With a wetsuit, its even easyer.

Am I right that I have to peal off all the layers to do what is nessisary?
Any other options besides dehydration?

Thanks

Micheal

Despite Pete's comments to the contrary, I consider a "relief zipper" in
a dry suit to be a must-have item, along with booties and a double
tunnel. I find that the diagonal chest zipper is not positioned properly
to easily be used as a relief zipper and unzipping entirely can be a
chilling experience on a cold, windy day. Everyone I know who owns a dry
suit feels the same way and those who've owned suits without relief
zippers have either had them added (~$100) or replaced their original
dry suits with suits with relief zippers.

Buying a dry suit without a relief zipper is like buying a
non-breathable dry suit; it's a mistake you make once.

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

Per Brian Nystrom:
Despite Pete's comments to the contrary, I consider a "relief zipper" in
a dry suit to be a must-have item,

I should have been clearer: I'm definitely in the minority on
that issue.

Everybody I know who has a relief zipper swears by it. I guess
that's why they have chocolate and vanilla....
--
PeteCresswell

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

Brian Nystrom wrote:

Despite Pete's comments to the contrary, I consider a "relief zipper" in
a dry suit to be a must-have item, along with booties and a double
tunnel. I find that the diagonal chest zipper is not positioned properly
to easily be used as a relief zipper ...

Depends on the design.

The diagonal chest zipper *is* well positioned for male relief purposes
on a the MTI Palm Sidewinder drysuit. Picture he
http://theboatpeople.com/atr_riverwear.html#Drysuits

Data point: my Kokatat relief zipper leaks. I know because I paddle
and IK and get a lot of water splashed into my lap.

But I still recommend Kokatat due to their excellent repair service.

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

Per Bill Tuthill:
But I still recommend Kokatat due to their excellent repair service.

A lot of people do - and I might too.

But, based on experience, I wouldn't recommend them for their
after-market alteration service.

On my custom suit, they got the belt tunnel way too high - so the
crotch is halfway to my knees when it's cinched. This becomes a
problem when you get dumped. The legs vacuum bag to your bod
and, if the crotch is too low at that moment you cannot drop into
a squatting position. You have to lay back in the water to get a
little air in there and wiggle around until you can get the
crotch back up where it belongs. It's also a problem when
windsurfing/water starting.

I was perfectly willing to pay to have it lowered, but they
didn't want any part of it.
--
PeteCresswell

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

On Aug 26, 6:37 pm, "Micheal Artindale"
wrote:
How do you deal with relieving yourself?

Until I had a "pee zipper" installed in my drysuit, I never realized
how many rapids I paddled with a full bladder!

John Kuthe...

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

On Aug 27, 1:27 pm, Bill Tuthill wrote:
Brian Nystrom wrote:

Despite Pete's comments to the contrary, I consider a "relief zipper" in
a dry suit to be a must-have item, along with booties and a double
tunnel. I find that the diagonal chest zipper is not positioned properly
to easily be used as a relief zipper ...

Depends on the design.

The diagonal chest zipper *is* well positioned for male relief purposes
on a the MTI Palm Sidewinder drysuit. Picture hehttp://theboatpeople.com/atr_riverwear.html#Drysuits

You needn't pay an extra $250 to $300 upcharge for a Goretex version
because Palm's are made of a breathable tri-laminate hybrid fabric that
called XP100 with an excellent rip-stop characteristics.

Three grammar errors in a single sentence? Why do I doubt the
professionalism of "theboatpeople"?

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

On Aug 27, 10:05 am, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
Per Brian Nystrom:

Despite Pete's comments to the contrary, I consider a "relief zipper" in
a dry suit to be a must-have item,

I should have been clearer: I'm definitely in the minority on
that issue.

Everybody I know who has a relief zipper swears by it. I guess
that's why they have chocolate and vanilla....
--
PeteCresswell

The absolutely invaluable benefit of the relief zipper is this: It is
human nature to avoid going to a great effort or putting oneself to
great discomfort, and stripping to the waist to take a leak is a
measurable effort and quite uncomfortable in cold weather (uhhhh,
which is when you would be wearing a drysuit). The easy way to
accomodate human nature, then, is to avoid drinking so you won't have
to go to that effort and discomfort to take that leak. A likely
consequence of that solution is some measure of dehydration, and
dehydration, if it becomes severe, can be dangerously -- if not deadly
-- debilitating in a wilderness situation in cold weather.

So: if you don't get a relief zipper installed, be sure to keep
yerself hydrated, even though you know it will be a pain in the butt
when you need to pee.

-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
Richard Hopley, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

Oci-One Kanubi wrote:

http://theboatpeople.com/atr_riverwear.html#Drysuits
You needn't pay an extra $250 to $300 upcharge for a Goretex version
because Palm's are made of a breathable tri-laminate hybrid fabric that
called XP100 with an excellent rip-stop characteristics.

Three grammar errors in a single sentence? Why do I doubt the
professionalism of "theboatpeople"?

Well yes, the Boat People are originally rafters
and rafters are not as well-educated as kayakers or
(especially) open canoeists.

In "Snake Eyes," a good novel by famous Canadian writer Margaret Atwood,
I found 11 spelling or grammar errors, but that was over ~ 200 pages.
However she had both editor and publisher!

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

On Aug 26, "Micheal Artindale" wrote:
How do you deal with relieving yourself?

When I go out for a paddle, I usually go for several hours. During this
time, I can get out on the shore, and do what I need to do.

With a wetsuit, its even easyer.

Why? (Maybe I don't want to hear)

I don't know why but some people need to **** every hour while others
only a few times a day,

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

"Davej" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Aug 26, "Micheal Artindale" wrote:
How do you deal with relieving yourself?

When I go out for a paddle, I usually go for several hours. During this
time, I can get out on the shore, and do what I need to do.

With a wetsuit, its even easyer.

Why? (Maybe I don't want to hear)

I don't know why but some people need to **** every hour while others
only a few times a day,


I am of the former. I did not know about the relief zips and wondered how
people could go so long, or did they use something like a pair of Depends...

I will spend the extra for a relief zip

Micheal

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

Per Oci-One Kanubi:
It is
human nature to avoid going to a great effort or putting oneself to
great discomfort, and stripping to the waist to take a leak is a
measurable effort and quite uncomfortable in cold weather (uhhhh,

I find it the opposite. If I'm dressed for any kind of
prolonged immersion, I'm sweating pretty heavily while paddling
and it's a relief to pull out, and strip down the top for awhile.

In fact, I usually take off my shirts and hang them up to dry a
little while I'm doing what I have to do.

I still think you have a valid point about subconsciously
avoiding hydration though - but I wouldn't use my relief zipper
out on the water.... too fearful of something happening that
would flood the suit.
--
PeteCresswell

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

On Aug 29, 2:19 pm, Bill Tuthill wrote:
Oci-One Kanubi wrote:

http://theboatpeople.com/atr_riverwear.html#Drysuits
You needn't pay an extra $250 to $300 upcharge for a Goretex version
because Palm's are made of a breathable tri-laminate hybrid fabric that
called XP100 with an excellent rip-stop characteristics.

Three grammar errors in a single sentence? Why do I doubt the
professionalism of "theboatpeople"?

Well yes, the Boat People are originally rafters
and rafters are not as well-educated as kayakers or
(especially) open canoeists.

In "Snake Eyes," a good novel by famous Canadian writer Margaret Atwood,
I found 11 spelling or grammar errors, but that was over ~ 200 pages.
However she had both editor and publisher!

As you can well imagine, Bill, I am *never* guilty of typos, spellos,
grammaticos, or thinkos! And I always demonstrate good judgment and
impeccable taste!

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

Per Davej:
I don't know why but some people need to **** every hour while others
only a few times a day,

Wait about 40 years...
--
PeteCresswell

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

And while your at it, get the booties and breathable fabric. When my last
suit wore out, I upgraded to the breathable with booties (and the relief
zipper--not my first of these). It is the best drysuit I have ever had.
Easy on, easy off, and very comfortable. Mine is from NRS, but I imagine
any of the suits with these features would be similar.

--Bob Gramann

"Micheal Artindale" wrote in message
news:9sjBi.2444$bO6.78@edtnps89...

"Davej" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Aug 26, "Micheal Artindale" wrote:
How do you deal with relieving yourself?

When I go out for a paddle, I usually go for several hours. During this
time, I can get out on the shore, and do what I need to do.

With a wetsuit, its even easyer.

Why? (Maybe I don't want to hear)

I don't know why but some people need to **** every hour while others
only a few times a day,


I am of the former. I did not know about the relief zips and wondered how
people could go so long, or did they use something like a pair of
Depends...

I will spend the extra for a relief zip

Micheal

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

Davej wrote:

I don't know why but some people need to **** every hour
while others only a few times a day.

There seems to be a pattern: the former group drinks Gatorade,
the latter group drinks water.

That's why they have halftime at football games.

Did you know Gatorade was actually invented at Florida State,
but they didn't want to call it Seminole Fluid.

when wearing a Drysuit for long periods of time...
 

How do you deal with relieving yourself?

When I go out for a paddle, I usually go for several hours. During this
time, I can get out on the shore, and do what I need to do.

I have a horizontal relief zipper on my OS Systems Breathable Dry
Suit.
Michigan winter paddling temperatures are tooo cold to completely
unzip.
Since the winter is often "drier" than the summer, I drink lots of
water.