Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 19:54:22 -0600
From: Julie Grindol 
Subject: [Paddlewise] for women only

My husband and I would like to start kayaking in the winter, and we're
looking into getting a couple of drysuits; they will most likely be the
gortex variety.  My question is, are there any opinions on the relief
zippers on women's suits?  Will I end up mooning the world, or do some of
them offer more privacy than the picture in the catalog suggests?  Would
you recommend a "lady-J" (cup w/hose attachment) to go with it?  Any
opinions on the undergarments, and getting those pesky panties out of the
way, and then back to a comfortable position to continue the expedition?
Some of the long-johns with split-crotches look useable and warm, but what
do you think?

I have a copy of _How_to_$#!t_in_the_Woods," and it's great for basic
camping, but I'd just like to hear from women who have tried some of the
suits and fleece on the market.  

Thanks!
Julie



Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 11:23:04 -0500
From: volinjo
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] for women only

i have a light-weight goretex dry suit with the drop seat.  before buying
it i asked a lot of people for advice.  there was some concern that it
wouldn't fit comfortably in the kayak & that a waterproof zipper that
lenght wouldn't work.  i decided to go with it, though, because the
people who had those dry suits didn't seem to be the ones who had those
concerns.  and i haven't found either of those to be a problem, either. 
i fit comfortably in my romany (although the zipper has indented the foam
seat, but that's not a problem), and so far (one season) i have no
problem with leakage.  the zipper is hard to open (all of the zippers on
the drysuits are hard to open - this is perhaps harder, because of its
location).  but you are wearing clothes under the dry suit, so it's no
problem to ask someone for help in opening it or closing it.  dealing
with the clothes under the dry suit is a bit of a nuisance, but also
do-able.  (just don't wait until the last second!)  i want to get the
one-piece undersuit, also with drop seat, that kokatat makes.  i think
that might be easier to manage than regular pants or tights.

hope this helps...



Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 09:40:01 -0600
From: (Chuck Holst)
Subject: [Paddlewise] FW: for women only


A woman paddler advised my wife not to get the drop seat because, she
said, the zipper was uncomfortable to sit on. Have you had a problem
with this? My wife also has a Romany, but with a fiberglass seat.

Chuck Holst