What to Wear Under Your Drysuit for Rafting | Ep. 190

We often get asked about the difference between wetsuits and drysuits. In episode 190, Zach talks about drysuits and what to wear underneath these suits for rafting. Check out the Immersion Research union suits at immersionresearch.com/collect....
Want to help support Gear Garage & purchase some tried and true rafting gear? Check out the gear Zach uses at: amzn.to/2IF09rx. We get a commission when you purchase from this Amazon link!
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
⚙ SUPPORT GEAR GARAGE:
• Consider supporting the show on Patreon- / zcollier
🚣 ZACH & NORTHWEST RAFTING COMPANY:
• Learn more about Zach-www.nwrafting.com/about/zacha...
• Online Whitewater Rowing Course-www.whitewatereducation.com/p...
• Guided trips and instruction-www.nwrafting.com/
• Outfitter Safety Kits: A Handy Checklist-www.nwrafting.com/articles/sa...
📸 SOCIAL MEDIA:
• Instagram- / northwest.rafting.company
• Twitter- / nwrafting
• Facebook- / nwrafting
📽️ RELATED VIDEOS:
• Gear Garage Series- • Gear Garage Episodes
• Whitewater PFDs-- • Whitewater PFDs | Ep. 12
• Do Most Paddlers Really Need Rescue Harnesses on PFDs?-- • Video
📦 PRODUCTS:
• Immersion Research Union Suits--immersionresearch.com/collect...

[@rickydrawhorn7682]

Please remember to apply 303 to gaskets after each use and inspect for tears. Small tears can be carefully trimmed with surgical scissors and you will get longer gasket life. My first suit was a Palm and leaked even after sending to factory. My next two were kokatat , love them. No worries on getting too hot, better being a little warm than being cold. Can always jump in river to cool off or take off a layer. For wwsup I highly recommend Astral Merge boots, one size larger for dry suit, great protection/support, they really grip the board.

[@biodan]

Nice video. Agree with your thoughts. I need to size up my Austral river shoes as I don’t have room for big socks.

[@598victor]

I really like Smartwool products. I've got a Swift Water Rescue class in early April here in Montana. Think I'll look into the Immersion Research, or the Habanero to go under my drysuit. Thanks for the tips.

[@cewilson1277]

I've done some winter boating both single day and multi-day and have had some super cold weather. Sitting and not on the oars/paddling makes a big difference too. I like a base layer of good long underwear, full fleece suit, smartwool socks, booties over my dry suit, foot/handwarmers between wool socks and drysuit/booties, even a second layer over the full fleece layer, skull cap under the helmet, neoprene gloves. Kept me warm on the Yampa when it was snowing and I wasn't on the oars. Best thing to warm you up though is paddle/oar.

[@cewilson1277]

I have a second hand kokatat drysuit and I've had to patch it but it's been great and at 1/4 the cost, we'll worth it. Just remember to buy to the size of the layers you'll need. I wish mine was a bit bigger or maybe I should just loose a few :)

[@dlbade01]

Silk long underwear and socks are now normally where I start. Then I'll add fleece depending on how cold it is. Lands End had 50% off silk before and after the holidays last year. I wouldn't pay full price for this stuff, as I'm not sure how durable it will be in the long run. But it has really help manage moisture - I'm mostly playing in a kayak, so often getting sweaty.

[@UrsaMusic]

Down is great but Patagonia nano puff stuff without the hood is indispensable, long sleeve and the vest. Vest can be had for $80 a few times a year

[@jfo738]

I also love down for everyday around town, and at camp. But I go with a Patagonia Micro puff crew collar (synthetic) on those really cold days over Merino wool baselayer in the 200 to 260 weight. 260 weight merino and just a drysuit is great when the air temp isn't that cold but you're still dressing to swim and/or getting splashed a lot in cold water.

[@NathanielDickison]

I bought a pair of running shoes from goodwill for $7 I used for years. 2 years ago I bought a pair of fila running shoes from costco for $19. They work just fine for me. Protip: dont tie your laces too tight or your feet will lose circulation and get cold. We tent to try to crank everything down solid when boating, with shoes they should be secure but not snug.

[@jarradkrueger1176]

I received heated socks for Christmas, I was skeptical at first, but they are a tremendous addition on very cold days.

[@harrywatsonpaddle]

Which make/model?

[@jarradkrueger1176]

@@harrywatsonpaddle There are many too choose from, but I got these: www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8TLD2N/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_SB8X6JKG4X2X5CAQGESY I've used them 8-10 times and they are awesome. The medium setting is perfect for temps in the high 30s and 40s, and the battery lasts longer than any float I've done (at least five hours with put-in/take-out time).

[@tomasmorrissey2997]

Thanks for the great videos. Generally speaking, at what temperature do you switch from a drysuit to a wetsuit for rafting?

[@GearGarageTV]

It depends on water temp too. I always wear on when the combined air and water temp is below 140 F.

[@Obliticus]

Thanks for the insight. I'm actually a little surprised a union suit (in a drysuit) is enough for an active paddler in the winter... I've haven't run winter whitewater before. As a video suggestion, maybe you can review different options for footwear... everything from an old pair of sneakers to rubber rain boots/shoes to the latest and greatest the industry has to offer :)

[@GearGarageTV]

If you look through our videos there are quite a few about river shoes

[@vafrog02]

I am new to dry suits. I use wool socks for hiking. So, I take it the wool socks are inside and shoes outside? I am planning on cold water in NC in March. What PFD brand and level do you recommend? thanks

[@GearGarageTV]

I wear wool socks inside my dry suit. PFD brands are hard to pick - I have made a bunch of PFD videos you can find to get some suggestsions.

[@vafrog02]

what brand of wet suit do you recommend. I like the dry suit that can be customize since I have awkward sizing. thanks

[@GearGarageTV]

I don't have a favorite wetsuit brand. Kokatat makes a high end one and NRS makes a good one too.

[@tylertastemaker]

Just got my first IR union suit. Question: should the neoprene neck be super tight, or will it be inherently loose as you gotta get your body through it? Im Skinny and 6'4 so that may also be an issue for me. Lmk rafting gods.

[@GearGarageTV]

Neck gaskets tend to loosen up over time.

[@conorpeterson7729]

Patagonia makes a Great capaline(sp) base layer for Warrmer days, or kokotat’s habanero for colder days

[@GearGarageTV]

Great suggestions!

[@marionmeanders2067]

What style of wetsuit do you feel is most versatile? Farmer john? Sleeves? Separate top and bottom?

[@GearGarageTV]

Farmer John

[@marionmeanders2067]

@@GearGarageTV thanks!

[@rachelmk10]

Now do a video of different types of drysuits

[@GearGarageTV]

Different brands or different styles?

[@rachelmk10]

@@GearGarageTV or both. For someone that is a first time buyer. Ive heard of OS system local here to Oregon. I like the idea of buying local, but Kokatak seems like top of the line. NRS has some. Breathable vs not. Styles to look out for. Hope this helps. Thanks for the reply.

[@NathanielDickison]

I have a Level 6 Emporer suit I absolutely love. Check them out.