GUL Code Zero U-Zip Drysuit Test and First Impressions

I review a newly obtained GUL Code Zero U-Zip Drysuit intended for use as a safety item for accidental immersion in cold water. The product is a semi-drysuit because its neck and wrist seals are neoprene. I wanted to find out if they leak or not. The video also provides my comments on the suits features.
For those of you wondering about size, I am 5'10" and 185 lbs. The suit is a little bit large for me but I wouldn't want to chance a medium suit as I would not want the hips to be any narrower than they are.
Unique U-Zip is relatively easy to operate, certainly better than the across the shoulder types I have used in the past. I don't know how easy it is to use relative to the cross chess type that is most common in the industry. Overall the suit feels very robust and I anticipate it will be a good workhorse for its intended purpose during boat work associated with taking water and sediment samples. It would also be useful for paddling in a personal vessel like a canoe. You'd have to judge for yourself if it the seals would be good enough for kayaking. Certainly they are comparable to what is found in many dry jackets out there.
Thanks for watching! Kgd.

[@patrickbeckett9383]

What a stellar presentation

[@kgdblade]

Thankyou Patrick!

[@traydog1257]

What was the temperature of the water and how did you feel with that undergarment?

[@kgdblade]

I believe the water was under 10 degrees celcius. The fleece lining was comfy and kept me warm during the immersion. I probably wouldn't if in the water for more than 20 minutes or so, but I think you could put more layers under it if you expect to be in the water for longer. My anticipated use for this is ice-out spring camping trips where a dunk could be deadly and the suit would give me enough time to swim to shore if need be.

[@brianspencer4220]

Very interesting . Sure not something you put on easily. Thanks Brian 80

[@kgdblade]

Thanks for your comment Brian. That is true, the suit isn't the same as raingear that is easy to pack and stow. There would be a lot of issues with bringing it in a multi-day, multi-portage trip. It is heavy, and you can't really fold it across the waterproof zippers. I think it would have to be draped over a barrel if you chose to take it off during portaging. If you left it on, there would be a heavy risk of wetting yourself out from sweat while on the portage trail. Certainly not ideal but perhaps a compromise to risks of hypothermia in a limited number of circumstances - like ice-out.

[@dwaynephoenix4947]

i guess I am pretty randomly asking but does anybody know of a good website to watch newly released series online?

[@thomasmilles4378]

Very helpful video. Just curious, if I might ask, how tall are you and what size suit are you wearing? Thank you.

[@kgdblade]

Hi Thomas I am 5'10" and 190 lbs, wear a size 32" pants and 42" jacket. I bought the Large size. Based on the company's size chart I thought I might be able to get away with a Medium however I noted another reviewer of this brand saying it was snug in the hips. I found this comment to be true of it. The large fits my hips just right whereas there is more material than needed in the upper body and butt. Its not all that fashionable but the extra room does give maneuverability sitting and kneeling in the canoe at a tradeoff of more bulk. I'm still not sure if a medium would fit me so I'm glad I went with the large.

[@TankBuilders]

Thank you, a useful presentation to help with purchase choice. Such a pity though that the presenter didn't take the trouble to get the manufacturer's name right. GUL might rightfully be disappointed.

[@kgdblade]

My apologies to GUL Tank Builders. I hope the material helped you in your choice. I'm most certainly not a professional reviewer and this was just one bloke's impressions having a couple of different dry suits. Good luck with your water adventures and stay safe! Ken

[@TankBuilders]

@@kgdblade thanks. Really appreciate all your effort. I’ve just ordered one.

[@ThePursuitofPassion]

Hi Ken, David Lee here. We had an exchange on your Facebook post regarding your drysuit. Interesting semi-drysuit, much like my Kokatat paddling suit. Although, yours has neoprene wrist gaskets. I'm happy to hear how well they performed, including the neck neoprene gasket. They would certainly be more comfortable than the latex. I'd be interested in checking them out, but the only thing that turned me off is the latex sock, which I suspect wouldn't be as durable as my Goretex socks (for long term portaging), nor breathable at all. Although costs-wise it seems much more reasonable. I will have to check them out. Where did you get your suit? Thanks for your review. Always interesting to hear about other available paddling gear. Cheers.

[@kgdblade]

Hi David, thanks or your comment here and on the Facebook Ontario Backcoutnry Canoeing group. I agree that the latex socks are less ideal compared to gortex socks and they are probably going to be the weak point on the suit's longevity. That said, I'm pretty this would be an easy fix for self repair should one fail. Even replacing the latex socks for gortex booties would be a relatively simple fix (much easier than changing a neck seal). I had to change the latex seals on my old drysuit a couple of times. They never looked as pretty but they didn't leak. I purchased my suit from Amazon and it was shipped from a company based in B.C. It came within a week of my order and included the fleece underlayer as part of the package. Ken

[@ThePursuitofPassion]

@@kgdblade Cool, then you are already an expert with drysuit gasket repairs! That's great. Thanks for the info on where you purchased it. I checked their website and it looks they are based in the UK. Thanks Ken. David

[@kgdblade]

@@ThePursuitofPassion Thanks David. Yes you are correct that GUL is a UK based company. I believe that the Canadian distributor that supplied my order via amazon was Victory Products, British Columbia. Ken