Gear Review: Kokatat Meridian Dry Suit
Value Rating: 9
Durability Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 9
Location of Test: Cold Water all over the USA
Duration of Test: 2 Years
Product Name: Meridian Dry Suit
Product Brand: Kokatat
Best Use: Whitewater rafting, Whitewater kayaking, SUPing
The Full Review:
This dry suit is bombproof. I have been using this suit close to 2 years now and it hasn't leaked a drop of water on me yet. I use it whitewater kayaking, rafting, paddle boarding, and sea kayaking.
The Kokatat Meridian Dry Suit is constructed using the 3-layer GORE-TEX fabric which sheds water well and breathes like a dream. Breathability is something that gets forgotten by some when purchasing a dry suit. There is nothing worse than paddling in a sweat box. It can ruin a trip for sure.
I like the mango color because it’s nice and bright if you end up swimming. This is a front entry suit, so I don't need anyone’s help to put in on which is nice. And once I put my PFD on the zipper is out of sight out of mind. There is also a front relief zipper if I need to take a break. Both zippers on this suit have held up very well and have never become stuck or jammed.
On the bottom part, around the legs and seat, the suit is reinforced with Cordura fabric which is extremely durable. This suit also comes with waterproof fabric booties, which is clutch for keeping your feet warm. I usually wear some wool socks under this while kayaking.
I’m a big fan of the Velcro straps around the wrists and neck gasket which I tighten while I'm in the suit but detach when putting the suit on and off.
The Good
-Breathable
-Durable
-Lightweight
-DRY!
-Easy to get in and out of
-Comes with sewed in fabric booties
-Elastic waistband
The Bad:
-Not the cheapest suit out there
-if you are kayaking with a skirt make sure you get one with a tunnel
The Bottom Line:
The bottom line is these are some of the best suits on the market. I constantly hear stories of people paddling regularly in Kokatat suits that are still holding up after 10 years! Now that's an amazing investment. This suit will keep you dry year after year and you won't be spending precious time trying to patch it back together. I love my Kokatat suit and wouldn't trade it for anything else. Now there are some suits with a bunch of added bells and whistles but this one just gives you what you need.
The Full Review:
This dry suit is bombproof. I have been using this suit close to 2 years now and it hasn't leaked a drop of water on me yet. I use it whitewater kayaking, rafting, paddle boarding, and sea kayaking.
The Kokatat Meridian Dry Suit is constructed using the 3-layer GORE-TEX fabric which sheds water well and breathes like a dream. Breathability is something that gets forgotten by some when purchasing a dry suit. There is nothing worse than paddling in a sweat box. It can ruin a trip for sure.
I like the mango color because it’s nice and bright if you end up swimming. This is a front entry suit, so I don't need anyone’s help to put in on which is nice. And once I put my PFD on the zipper is out of sight out of mind. There is also a front relief zipper if I need to take a break. Both zippers on this suit have held up very well and have never become stuck or jammed.
On the bottom part, around the legs and seat, the suit is reinforced with Cordura fabric which is extremely durable. This suit also comes with waterproof fabric booties, which is clutch for keeping your feet warm. I usually wear some wool socks under this while kayaking.
I’m a big fan of the Velcro straps around the wrists and neck gasket which I tighten while I'm in the suit but detach when putting the suit on and off.
The Good
-Breathable
-Durable
-Lightweight
-DRY!
-Easy to get in and out of
-Comes with sewed in fabric booties
-Elastic waistband
The Bad:
-Not the cheapest suit out there
-if you are kayaking with a skirt make sure you get one with a tunnel
The Bottom Line:
The bottom line is these are some of the best suits on the market. I constantly hear stories of people paddling regularly in Kokatat suits that are still holding up after 10 years! Now that's an amazing investment. This suit will keep you dry year after year and you won't be spending precious time trying to patch it back together. I love my Kokatat suit and wouldn't trade it for anything else. Now there are some suits with a bunch of added bells and whistles but this one just gives you what you need.