Bomber construction with super durable Armortex neoprene in the heavy wear locations.
Minimal stitching creates less opportunities for leakage on the deck and bone dry kayaking experience.
It never comes off
Cons:
I can’t speak to play boaters looking for over thruster performance, but there are no cons I’ve experienced on the creeks.
The Verdict:
If you are looking for a ridiculously durable, long lasting, bone dry spray skirt that wont implode while running big rapids, then this is the one.
This video has made it’s way around a few different paddling forums and blog reviews…and for good reason. Upper Cherry Creek is a place where you want to eliminate any chance of error happening. This would be a good example of a time when you don’t want to have your skirt implode, especially the part in Cherry Bomb Gorge. Fortunately for Joe, he has his Armortex on, and styles his lines.
When you find yourself paddling in harsh climates, it is completely necessary to use a dry suit. I ordered a Double D a few months ago, and now I can’t put on a river without it. There is absolutely no comparison in comfort and warmth when it comes to wearing a full dry suit like the Double D.
My first test with the Double D was a February run on the Horsepasture River in North Carolina, where we ran miles of Class V/V+ and then finished the day with a five mile hike out back to the car. The suit performed extremely well in the frigid winter waters and then kept me warm and insulated during the evening thunderstorm while hiking out.
My next test with the Double D was in Crested Butte Colorado when I ran what’s called the Crested Butte Quadruple Crown: Oh Be Joyful Creek, Daisy Creek, the Upper East River, and the North Slate – all in the same day. The day involved a lot of hiking and a lot of Class V, but the Double D kept me incredibly warm throughout all the snow portages and big waterfall hucking.
Specs:
Immersion Research Men’s Sizing
Size
* Xsmall
Small
Medium
Large
Xlarge
XXLarge
Waist
26-27″
28-30″
31-33″
34-36″
37-39″
40″
Chest
33-35″
36-38″
39-41″
42-44″
45-48″
49-51″
Neck
13″
14-15″
15-16″
16-17″
17-18″
18+
Inseam (pants)
n/a
28-30″
30-32″
32-34″
34-35″
n/a
Sleeve Length
29-30″
30-32″
32-34″
35-36″
36-37″
37-38″
Aprox. Height
less than 5′3″
5′4″-5′7″
5′8″-5′10″
5′11″-6′1″
6′2″-6′4″
6′5″+
Aprox. Weight
-100 lbs
100-135 lbs
140-170 lbs
170-210 lbs
210-240 lbs
230 lbs+
* XSmall size only available in Zephyr and Spray Jacket
Pros:
Lightweight
Low cost for a high end suit
No 4-way cross seams – reduces leaking
Rear entry zipper cuts down on bulkiness and decreases water leakage through skirt tunnel
The put in drop on Oh-Be-Joyful Creek in Crested Butte. The water in this river is as about as close to the source as it gets. It's dang cold.
The 30 footer on OBJ. Steep and cold.
Cons:
The rear entry zipper is a little difficult to zip on your own, so you usually need a friend to help zip you up
The booties range several shoe sizes, so if you are on the lower end of the size – you may have some extra fabric around your feet.
Daisy creek is in Crested Butte also. It is equally as steep and cold.
The Verdict:
From long portages, to multi-day winter expeditions, to the after-work backyard favorite, the Double D drysuit will keep you warm and dry through whatever mission you set off on.
