The following is a press release from Kokatat, July 23, 2014.
ARCATA, CALIFORNIA, (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – For 2015 Kokatat, the global leader in paddlesport apparel, introduces the GORE-TEX® Idol dry suit with SwitchZip technology that separates completely at the waist giving paddlers the versatility of a dry suit and dry top in one garment.
“This gives everyday and expedition paddlers the ultimate in gear flexibility,” said Jeff Turner, Kokatat Sales and Design Manager. “No longer must they choose between a dry suit and dry top for the day, the Idol provides the best of both.”
The SwitchZip technology connects the top to the bottom of the suit with a fully separating waterproof zipper system. With the separation at the waist, the Idol is much easier to put on and take off when compared to traditional dry suits that open along the chest or across the back. The ability to fully separate the top and bottom also eliminates the need for an additional front or rear relief zipper.
The Idol can be used as a dry suit or separated and worn as a dry top. Paddlers will find the system especially helpful for portages or stops along waterways where they can easily take off the top and wear just the pants. Additionally, paddlers on multiday expeditions can select the combination in which they wish to wear the Idol depending on the weather and water conditions of the day.
The SwitchZip’s flexible TiZip® zipper sits below the Idol’s dual adjustable overskirt. When seated the zipper resides inside the boat’s cockpit between the backband and the seat. The below deck placement is designed so the system does not interfere with kayak rigging or PFDs.
The Idol features Kokatat’s exclusive and time proven 3-layer Evolution GORE-TEX® Pro Shell fabric, used in combination with 330 Cordura® GORE-TEX® Pro Shell in areas of high abrasion. The suit also has Latex wrist and neck gaskets, left sleeve pocket, GORE-TEX® socks, and factory sealed seams.
The Idol will be offered in men’s and women’s specific designs and will be available In January 2015 through GIZMO, Kokatat’s online custom dry suit program.
As with all Kokatat suits, the Idol is guaranteed to be completely dry. Each and every suit manufactured in Kokatat’s Arcata, California factory is individually tested to be water tight before it leaves the factory. Further, Kokatat’s lifetime warranty and Arcata service facility ensures users that they will remain completely dry for the life of the suit.
The GORE-TEX® Idol dry suit will be introduced at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, UT, in early August 2014. It and the rest of the Kokatat 2015 collection will be available nationwide through Kokatat’s network of specialty paddling retailers in January 2015.
About Kokatat Inc.:
Kokatat has been manufacturing paddling gear in Arcata, California for more than 40 years. At a time when many technical apparel brands were moving manufacturing offshore, Kokatat continued to invest in infrastructure in the United States. Kokatat founder Steve O’Meara was committed to the development of the finest and driest paddling apparel in the world and recognized the need to control and continually evolve the development of our dry wear. In the early days, Kokatat worked closely with W.L. Gore & Associates, makers of GORE-TEX®, to refine the sewing and sealing techniques required for full immersion suits and tops. Today, our hands-on approach to manufacturing continues to set the standard in paddling apparel. Into the water with Kokatat! Please visit www.kokatat.com and follow Kokatat on Facebook and Twitter “@kokatat”.
