New Model Drysuit: Stohlquist EZ – Quick Review

• 4 Layer Twin Sensor Waterproof Breathable Fabric throughout
• Superstretch Neoprene neck gasket
• Masterseal waterproof cross chest entry & relief zippers (more of a toothed pinch seal than an abutting seal of the Body Pod-easier and more effective)
• Softer Duraseal latex wrist gaskets; more UV resisitant and greater durability
• Roomy athletic cut for full mobility
• Slightly relaxed fit for easier entry fits a wider range of paddlers.  Sizing is more true than it’s predecessor (Body Pod).
• Cordura reinforced seat and knees with mesh drainers (knees are especially well designed for kayak thigh brace)
• Decorative red piping.  Reflective logos.
• Adjustable neoprene wrist and ankle covers
• Fabric socks (well tailored with adequate warm sock room for my size 11 feet

• New toothed T-Zip zipper seals differently than the abutting seal of it’s predeccessor Body Pod Drysuit.  This zipper pinches the gasket more between the teeth than pressing the gasket edges edge to edge.  The result is an easier pull to open/close and an effective seal that will be harder to pass water by.
• Standard size bootie socks fit my size 11 feet with a medium wool socks quite comfortably  both in length (probably accomodating up to a size 12 with medium sock) and just the right amount of fabric around the width of my regular sized foot.  Extra wide footed size 12+ paddlers may want to have larger booties sewn on which is a modification that Stohlquist can do at their facilities in Colorado.  (1/31/12 – Just a bit of perhaps obvious trivia; I tried on the XL EZ Drysuit to check the bootie sizing and yes the bootie sizing runs up to a size 13 with a light sock underneath.)
• Wrist gaskets have been upgraded with a super stretchy latex gasket which is much easier to get large hands in/out of.  No more inverting the entire sleeve to extract my hand.  Hook/loop closures are now on a semi-ridgid rubber tab which is much easier to adjust with gloves on.
• Tailoring of the shoulder area allows for a my size 42 regular torso to have enough space for a 200 weight fleece sweater underneath the drysuit without feeling constricted and generous enough to allow me to pass my head under the main zipper to get my head through the neck gasket without contortions.  The new neck gasket is a super stretchy smooth skin neoprene which makes an excellent seal but does not feel strangling on me in the slightest.
• Zipper pull is a rigid plastic T handle which makes closure simple but still small enough so it stays out of the way.  This toothed zipper is also easy enough to unzip with my left hand without playing leverage twister in order to get it open.
• Waist elastics are snugger than the previous Body Pod drysuit so it keeps the pants portion of the drysuit noticeably more up than in the past.
• Storm flap over the relief zipper (same style as on main seal) is a simple flap that works well to protect the zipper but gets out of your way when opening/closing.  This is especially appreciated when after you’ve leaked you don’t develop a leak because you missed the last cm of closure.
• Range of motion on legs is terrific as I can fully contract and bend my legs with no constriction of the fabric against my big toes.
• The reinforced knees are thoughtfully done.  Instead of just a heavy Cordura pad with some foam under it the knee is articulated so it somewhat resembles the pattern of a volleyball knee pad which is not centered on the knee cap but more medially so it puts much more of the reinforced area in contact with the thighbrace areas of the kayak or provides better coverage when kneeling in a canoe.  Mesh drains are a welcome detail at the bottom of the knee reinforcements.
• Pockets on the sleeve and chest have been done away with as their functionality has been questionable as most quality pfds have easier to access pockets and compartments for gear ( Trying to deal with a sleeve pocket one handed has never been fun.)
• Currently available in Black non-Tunnel with small reflective logos and decorative red nylon piping.
• Made in USA!!!!
• Sizing is XSmall through XLarge and runs to a true size.
• Pricing is $699.00  This is impressive as a similarly featured Kokatat GFER is $915.00

This past Sunday while the weather was nice I went with a group of about 20 paddlers for a New Year’s Day whitewater paddle on the Farmington in CT.  Light Class II.  50 degree air temps, 40 degree water (at best).  Excellent run to beat the rust off some playboating skills so I mostly hung out with the 13 year olds looking for eddylines to stern squirt on and deep enough pourover shoulders to initiate cartwheels in.

The EZ breathed wonderfully well.   This was especially the case in the socks and in areas of contact such as the thigh braces, mid torso at sprayskirt tunnel level etc.  My baselayers on all these areas were completely dry.  Any perspiration had been moved off and out.  Impressive in the below decks area which isn’t subject to moving air as much as the upper shoulders and arms.

The neck gasket is stretchier than the previous Body Pod version.  A note on donning I discovered; once the sprayskirt and pfd are on pull some fabric back up between the shoulder straps and neck so as to allow the gasket to relax against the neck rather than be tensioned.  Makes a better seal when doing a faceplant.