Sleeve pockets…
When I ordered my Expedition suit, a number of years ago, there were a few features I wanted which were extra cost on any of Kokatat’s other suits besides the Expedition. Since then, some of those features have become standard on their other suits, especially the GMER.
One feature I’ve found very valuable is the sleeve pocket (current Expedition suits come with 2, mine has 1). My inhaler and medical and contact info is in my sleeve pocket when I’m wearing my dry suit. I always inform others as to that fact. (When not wearing the dry sit the inhaler is in a pfd pocket and the other info is around my neck under my pfd).
I’ve rarely used the hood (I’ve always kept a a storm cag in my day hatch) as on the older suits, like mine, it is bulky. The newer suits have Pac-lite hoods which should be easier and more comfortable.
wow!
Thanks for all the responses. This purchase is not one I’m taking lightly, as my wife is allowing me to buy this with 3 kayaks in the basement…and I just bought another.
I see from those who own it they seem to have no regrets.
What is it like rolling with that hood? Can you roll it up somehow?
I’m leaning towards getting it.
The hood
Stashes into the collar, you hardly notice it if you roll it well. Nothing beats a good hood for long days in the rain, better than a hat IMHO.
bonus
I was picturing it somewhat like a survival suit hood. rolls into the collar…that has me sold on the idea. A thick collar like someone else said will keep the wind off my neck anywho.
thanks a million guys. My mind is made up!
Get it.
While many don’t like the hood, I use it all the time, especially in cold water during skill practice sessions. It slows water flow which makes those rolls in the cold not so painful. I don’t find that it affects my peripheral vision if I fit it right to my noggin. It’s worth the extra few bucks if only for the pockets. Better than the GMER.
Fit
The way the hood fits on the current expedition model, it doesn’t billow out. You can snug it down pretty tight if you want or have it so loose that it works like a storm anchor, your call.
Roy
Roy,
Really? I always thought you were more anti dry suit all along 
Damon…
Damon
I Don’t like wearing them…but do when I need one.
and I carry one when I fly to Iceland and also for long paddling trips.
they really help when the weather gets real iffy…that’s why my next one will have a hood.
I’ve paddled in rain so hard that could hardly see much beyond the bow of my kayak. I have a hood for my Reed paddling jacket and have been glad of it several times.
The drysuit is always my back-up for if the weather gets really nasty and I still feel it’s a good day to paddle.
I still don’t have to like the restriction compared to simply wearing less:>)
Best wishes
Roy
any issue
with de-lamination with the suit at all guys?
guaranteed
If you ever have delamination issues, Kokatat will replace your suit with a new one. (NRS will too, apparently)
you guys are a great resource.
being large purchase and my first bought drysuit I want to research as much as I can.
Thanks again.
When you capsize, hoods catch sail
in current. Have one if you want one, last thing I want on my head in current, upside down, is a fricken hoodie.
Dogmaticus
I can
They replaced mine…
The first time I sent my dry suit in for new gaskets, Kokatat decided the Gore-Tex was delaminating and sent me a new suit. I hadn’t noticed any issue with the Gore-Tex.
Hood and rolling
The hood rolls down around your neck and is no problem rolling. At least I don't notice it. And there are probably many neater jobs at roll it down than I've ever managed.
I haven't tried rolling with it on - at those moments I am usually trying to avoid that... :-)
Had I to guess, I would imagine it would be the same risk as rolling with the hood deployed than with the hood up on the fancy cag's that go around the coaming. People either seem to manage that OK, or find ways to avoid the problem.
(Later - dogmatycus makes a point about current and a deployed hood. But I believe this poster is mostly a long boater.)
My new Expedition is a replacement…
…for a Stohlquist suit that delaminated. Gore replaced it with a Kokatat, since Stohlquist no longer uses Gore-Tex. I offered to pay the difference between the GMer and the Expedition, since the former was the most equivalent suit to the one I had, but they just sent me the Expedition and wouldn’t accept any money.
It’s that type of service that keeps me buying Gore-Tex products.
for sale
If anyone is looking , I have a Dry suit for sale. Brand new, never used. email me for details.
Kokatat Exp. Med. mango/black, front relief zip and hood.
steves@eddyline.com
hoods, pockets and drains…
I’ve got a front entry Meridian (its a few years old) w/ socks. Cannot really answer to the differences in “cut” between the Meridian and the Expedition, but if money wasn’t an object I’d go with the one that had the best features for the application.
I paddle whitewater in my drysuit and I really like not having anything over my ears under my helmet. Since you never know what is coming around the corner when winter paddling - even on rivers you know - I don’t like having my hearing obscured in the slightest. If someone is blowing a whistle up ahead, I want to hear it.
I think if I used my drysuit primarily in the ocean I’d be more interested in the hood. I don’t really winter paddle in my sea kayak, or I haven’t this year, but I think one is exposed more to long stretches of wind in that type of paddling and the hood could sure be useful.
The extra little pockets in the sleeves look pretty cool. I can’t really get to the chest pocket easily around my PFD so I’ve never used it.
Also - the Expedition is supposed to have some drains around the sleeves. I’m not sure what for (and I spend some significant time under my boat, believe me) but I’d be interested in knowing.
Also - drysuits require care! 404 on the gaskets and zipper lube. Store it inside, hung up, zippers open. I hose the outside of mine off if it gets dirty.
Just how toasty and not sweaty you will be depends what you wear under it. I’ve got a Kokatat polartech liner and I may wear another layer or two on top its under 40F. My friend who is always super cold, wears the Stolquist bunny suit under her drysuit, that is supposed to be the warmest thing around.
Oh - and my feet FREEZE in winter paddling. I’ve been using those 4 hour heated liner things in the second pair of socks with some success, but am investigating battery powered for next year. My hands would be pretty toasty in wet pogies, but my dry feet - awful!
GMER ROCKS
Get the Goretex GMER, it has a lifetime quarantee from Gore tex. Its the only drysuit made that lasts, doesnt delaminate, and breathable. Ive used other suits and they dont work or last as long as kokatats gmer.
Have the GMER, would get Expedition
if doing it again. Both pockets and hood would be useful sometimes.