Social gathering thanks and gear question

[Zoe Keating]

Wonderful meetup last night, thanks so much for organizing, for putting together the website and for being so welcoming. I loved being in a room full of people who also cannot stop talking about endless vistas of ice.

I am an experienced skater but this is only my second winter of wild ice. I have a question about gear. 

I’ve been wearing waterproof rain gear over my winter layers but a dry suit seems like a good idea as I get more adventurous. Does anyone know of an outfitter in a 100 mile radius of Burlington who might stock these so I could try one on? I’d like a women’s suit but I’m 5’11” so I should probably try one on first. Are there 2 piece solutions that some folks use instead?

Many thanks!

Zoe

[Robert O'Brien]

Hi Zoe,

Chi put together a table on the sk802 website with some information.

https://sites.google.com/view/sk802burlington/local-gear-and-goods

While we're big believers in shopping local, the drysuit is a pretty specialized item, and we both ended up getting ours from REI, due to a generous return policy, which allows for ordering online and trying them on in the store. I ended up returning the first one I got (in store) in favor of a more durable (and costly) option.

Waterfront dive center has done some repair work for torn gaskets and are really helpful and friendly. I am not sure if they carry non-diving drysuits, but it is worth asking.

I know some people have had luck with two-piece sailing suits, but I can't comment on them as an option.

I'm sure others can weigh in. 

Meanwhile, we did write a bit about this in the intro to nordic skating document we put out last year, while not the last word on the topic, it does represent the thinking of a group of local skaters who authors and reviewed the document: https://sites.google.com/view/sk802burlington/additional-resources/new-to-nordic-skating

Rob

[JoAnn Berns]

Hi Zoe,

We didn't get a chance to meet last night, glad you were there, so great to see all the new people!

I'm a very tall woman and have been wearing a drysuit for several years.

I suggest to women that they get a men's suit with a relief zipper rather than the women's where you have to "drop trou" entirely and thus let in all the cold air, expose your nether rto the weather, and it can be hard to find somewhere private on ice.  You can get an inexpensive plastic device that lets women urinate standing up.  (I prefer the "P Style."  There are several different kinds with different sizing & features.)  In all cases it is super-important that zippers are completely closed when skating.  

Unless you also plan to use the drysuit for paddling, most skaters are getting a fisherman's drysuit that has a much more comfortable (than latex) neoprene neck opening.

I'm not aware of any places that stock suits so we can try them on, so be prepared for some back and forth with UPS.  (Let me know if you hear of any, ok?).  

I have a men's fisherman's gore-tex Kokotat (they also sell their own proprietary waterproofing brand which is less expensive).  If I could do it again, I'd get one that has at least one pocket.  For Kokotat that's a custom order which becomes even more expensive.  So I have a little purse-thingy that allows super easy access to my phone/camera and lip balm.   

NRS has a suit with a chest pocket (think: place for easy phone access, tho may need to put a handwarmer in with it - phones can freeze, don't ever rely on one for mapping or communication, and carry an extra phone battery.  Lessons from experience.  :)

A friend just got one from a company I've never heard of, Fysh__?_.  Has two leg pockets. Trying to find out more.

Having booties on your drysuit (rather than latex cuffs and bare feet) has a variety of advantages.  One disadvantage is if you have to buy new boots bec of the drysuit fit  Some people experience this, some don't.  Also good to know:  the drysuit has to warm up to conform to your foot, so it can feel tight at first then mellows out.  If you ever buy new boots, bring your drysuit and wear it for awhile before and during try-on of the boot contenders.  

I don't know anyone using a 2-piece set-up.  Not sure why.  

Smaller women may be able to wear a child-sized drysuit, which is much less expensive.  They don't always have relief openings, however, a significant consideration. 

Very tall women are very likely to need a men's suit. 

The prices have been going up considerably every year for new suits.  There is an active market in used drysuits which may be worth checking (eg Facebook marketplace).  

Best,

Jo

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From: vtnordi...@googlegroups.com <vtnordi...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Zoe Keating <zoeke...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, December 8, 2025 5:02 PM
To: VTNordicskating <vtnordi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [vtnordicskating] Social gathering thanks and gear question

 

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[Denise Schomody]

I drove past Arthur Park just now and it is snow-covered.  I think I will be driving past Mallett's Bay this afternoon and I will report back with what I see if so.  

I want to thank everyone who welcomed me Sunday night at the Sk802 gathering. As a newbie, I felt instantly comfortable thanks to your warmth, ignited by your enthusiasm, and so appreciative of the helpful tips. I've been lurking here for three seasons.  Now that I have met you all, I cannot wait to skate with you!!  

I would love to hear what clothing layers I would be wise to wear out there.  I suspect my typical hiking/snowshoeing gear might be a bit bulky. 

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[Janine Thoma]

Greetings Zoe!

While I sadly couldn’t make it to the meetup on Sunday, I’m stoked you’ve found this group and are keen to take your wild ice skating to more adventurous levels!

Last season I finally embarked on my own journey of dry suit purchasing, and it surely isn’t easy for a gal. I’m 5’3 and wide in the hip, so my experiences with fit likely won’t help you much, but I can speak to some of the features you may want to consider and/or avoid, in addition to what Jo already shared:

2-Piece Suits - While a 2-piece drysuit is more flexible for kayaking, as it allows you to adjust to different temperatures, I wouldn’t recommend it for skating because we *always* want the full suit, and it’s actually harder to get a 2-piece on and guarantee a watertight fit. Also a 2-piece makes peeing a huge chore. To ensure a watertight fit, a 2-piece uses an overlapping double tunnel around the waist, and peeing means you have to undo all of those layers, plus you’re dropping trou completely. This is how I started as a kayaker, and I hated it.

Entry/Exit Zipper Placement - for 1-piece suits you’ll be able to pick from a wide variety of entry zipper styles, and everybody who has ever donned a suit has their own passionate thoughts about this. 

Front entry zipper - crosses from one shoulder diagonally across the chest, and many people appreciate this classic style that’s easy to reach. Front entry works for my partner, but he does find it bulky to use (especially under a PFD or when white water kayaking)

Rear entry zipper - crosses your upper back from one shoulder to the other. This style is best for those with flexible shoulders or buddies who can help zip/unzip them. I chose this style for myself because the zipper doesn’t feel bulky or bunchy, plus I get claustrophobic when putting on any other style. The rear method of entry allows you to put on the sleeves first, keep working on your other gear, and then duck your head into just the neck of the suit when you’re ready, instead of needing to pull any part of the torso of the suit over your head. Also this style also doesn’t hang funny or drag on the ground when you’re walking around with it not fully on.

Clamshell - A horizontal zipper goes most of the way around the waist. I know gals who love this design, but it feels even more claustrophobic to me than a 2-piece suit!

Like Jo said, if you’re not using a suit for kayaking, then you have more options for the waist design and can explore fisherman, kite surfing, sailing, or scuba diving suits, which won’t have the extra neoprene waist tunnel that goes over a kayak’s spray skirt. There are some additional methods of entry here, but I can’t yet speak to any of them. I’d be curious to hear of your experiences if you go in this direction.

As far as relief zippers, yes, you want one. Many women can use (and love) the front zipper, and several women’s drysuits actually feature this style now. I found that it didn’t work for me, as the zipper was too high to get a P-style to be at the correct angle. My rear relief zipper has been great, and I overheat while skating anyway, so exposing my rear end to the cold is actually welcome. Plus I never forget to close it, which happens to many people with the front zipper! When I’m gearing up before getting on the ice, I’ll usually leave all my zippers open for ventilation, and the rear entry relief is amazing for keeping your lower half cool.

Booties - yes, go for the built-in socks! It makes getting the suit on and off so much easier, plus it helps keep your feet warm. It’ll take a little practice to get them situated in your boots without bunching, but it’s worth the effort. I skate with just one thick wool sock inside the booty, whereas I have to wear two layers of socks without the suit on.

Pockets - when I fall, I try to slide out on my hips and thighs (because they’re more durable than my elbows), so pockets here would be a terrible fit for me. Perhaps it’s different for you and others. My PFD has excellent front storage however, so pockets in the dry suit weren’t a consideration for me.

Sizing - every company has a different body model - some are slim, some are wide, some have long legs, some are short. Pay close attention to the size charts! If you’re not finding anything reasonable, Kokatat does offer custom sizing on two of their women’s models. Depending on if you run hot or cold, you may want to size your suit to accommodate additional layers, or not. Unless it’s a blisteringly cold day, I skate wearing just a single layer of 250g merino wool under my suit, or sometimes just a silk layer. My partner puts a full thick sweater on (though he sometimes regrets this).

My final choice for suit: women’s NRS Phenom Gore-tex pro. No, the chest pocket isn’t big enough for much ;b

How to try them on - I don’t know of anywhere nearby that stocks suits, especially women’s. Umiak often has used drysuits, which is where my partner got his. REI is great for ordering online and being able to return to the store, and it looks like they have some Kokatat models available currently. REI is where I got my NRS suit, and I was crazy lucky (thank you size charts!) that it fit great.

Wishing you ease in your hunt and much superb skating! 

It’s a delight you’re in this sport and part of this great community - I’ve loved your music since the Natoma album, and will look forward to seeing you on the ice!

Yours in Adventure,

Janine

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