Hiko Kayak drysuit

My philosophy: "I buy an extreme boat (Viper 11) and a drysuit. No reason to be afraid for swimming, and the hard way to learn how to canoe. I chose the kayak drysuit from Hiko.

The facts:

• fabric: 2.5 layer breathing fabric
• latex cuffs on neck, wrist and ankles
• neoprene protection at neck, wrist and ankles
• cordura protection at seat, knees and elbows
• diagonal zipper

According to my experience this drysuit is not extremely comfortable. The tissue is strong, but therefore also pretty hard to move. But the major discomfort in movement is located at the diagonal zipper. Hiko chose not to use the metal zipper that is quite standard in other drysuits, but chose a plastic kind of zipper. This zipper is about double as wide as the metal zippers. Even though the new zipper appears to be a little more flexible, it is rather an issue when moving around. My advise: don't take the plastic diagonal zipper! The difference with a standard drytop concerning freedom of movement is immense!

Up till now, it's not perfect, but quite ok. Even though after a couple of weeks I noticed the cordura protection on the knee came loose. Winter season, so absolutely no way to send it back for repair. Only after the winter it was sent back to Hiko. Getting it stitched and waterproof taped including transport took almost 3 months! Right on time to leave for a summer trip in Landeck, Switserland.
Only to discover somewhere in November that my drysuit wasn't so dry anymore. Once more it had to be send back for repair. I had bought it a year an a half ago and had to send it in for a second repair. Yet again this repair took Hiko about 3 months. They claimed there was a minor leak at the zipper and 1 other spot where the suit leaked. With very much attention I tested the suit a week later. Still I had the impression it was not dry yet. A cotton underlayer proved my thoughts. I turned the suit inside out to find out the many arrows Hiko personel had drawn inside to point out the (potential?) leaks.

A couple of mails and phones later Hiko approved to switch my drysuitt for a new one: the tritex drysuit. I'm going to test that one soon. Hopefully it is dry! The zipper is a standard metal zipper and looks quite good. Further tests will show what it is all about.