A drysuit is probably the most expensive paddling item you’ll buy after your kayak or canoe. It’s also the only investment that will double the length of your paddling season.
Well worth it.
There is an old saying: buy it nice or buy it twice. Drysuits are that kind of purchase. Pricier suits will typically get you more features, better performance in extreme conditions and extra product support after your purchase. Not every paddler needs a top-tier suit, but every cold water paddler needs reliable immersion protection. As a rule of thumb, the American Canoe Association recommends immersion protection when the temperature of the water you’re paddling on is lower than 60°F (16°C).
We gathered the newest suits from six industry-leading brands and one dubious top seller from Amazon. Here’s how they measured up in function, fit, breathability, durability, comfort, waterproofness and weight.
Best drysuits for paddling in 2025
Mustang Survival Quadra
$849.99 USD | mustangsurvival.com
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Mustang Survival’s brand-new Quadra is a minimalist-style, multipurpose drysuit that performs well without bells and whistles and is priced at a beginner-friendly price.
Best suited to recreational paddlers, the men’s large Quadra offered a roomy and relaxed fit on our 6’2″, 200-pound tester. An adjustable external waistbelt helped keep the suit and extra fabric tucked in place. The waterproof and durable three-layer Marine Spec BP fabric and latex gaskets are the same as those found on other Mustang suits, and we know from experience they perform well in extended field tests. We especially love the heavy-duty Cordura panelling on the seat and knees. The Quadra’s lack of a relief zipper will be a deal-breaker for some, but totally okay for paddlers who are out on the water for shorter sessions and not wearing their drysuits all day.
If you like the style of this suit but long for a relief zip, upgrade to Mustang’s Hudson. The Hudson also boasts internal suspenders and removable internal foam knee pads, which are great for kneeling on rocky shores while loading your kayak and crawling around on raft frames. The Quadra is available in both men’s and women’s models.
Immersion Research 7Figure
$1,399 USD | immersionresearch.com
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AMAZON BACKCOUNTRY OUTDOORPLAY
The 7Figure drysuit is reliable and robust. It combines polyester’s performance with nylon’s durability, offering a breathable, lightweight shell made from recycled water bottles. The naturally hydrophobic polyester also reduces drying times off the water.
The sleek 7Figure manages to be fitted without being restrictive. The men’s large was well suited to our 6’2″, 180-pound tester, and is probably best for tall, leaner body types. There was no loose material around the waist, lower legs or wrists, so no need for cinching Velcro tabs. Less loose material also means less drag in the water.
When it comes to durability, the 7Figure adds tough nylon in the form of its bomber Devil’s Club material in high-wear areas like the seat, hips and knees. If you predict a lot of bushwhacking in your future, you’ll probably want to opt for Immersion Research’s burlier Devil’s Club drysuit.
As for the feet on the 7Figure? They’re so thick on the sole that it feels like we could dance a jig at the put-in without developing pin holes, yet they’re still slick enough to slide into booties. We love them. And the Purple Drank color of our tester suit? Just perfect. Immersion Research is renowned for its one-year no-fault coverage with free repairs.
NRS Phenom Gore-Tex Pro
$1,395 USD | nrs.com
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The NRS Phenom, constructed with Gore-Tex Pro fabric, is ideal for tackling the toughest river conditions, providing class V protection for hard chargers. Based on NRS’s bestselling Axiom, it boasts identical sweet features but now with back entry. We aren’t the only ones impressed with the Phenom—it won the award for best new apparel at the 2024 Paddling Magazine Industry Awards after being voted on by 38,000 consumers and retailers.
This sleek suit features latex neck and wrist gaskets, a five-inch-wide overskirt, Cordura panels at the ankles, and roomy integrated socks with elastic pant cuffs that easily pair with tall booties. As on the other whitewater-focused suits in this lineup, the volcano-style overcuffs cover more surface area from the wrist to the hand, reducing water contact with the gaskets underneath.
Our women’s medium loaner fit our 5’8″, 140-pound tester, though it took a bit of wiggling to get it over wide hips. We found the Phenom has a slightly more fitted feel compared to Kokatat’s women’s medium Icon, but only by the smallest margin.
Gore-Tex Pro promises long-lasting performance and is known for its best-in-class waterproof, windproof and breathable properties. During our early spring testing, the air was hot, and the water was cold. For high-output paddling and portaging, there’s nothing like it.
Kokatat Icon Gore-Tex Pro
$1,499 USD | kokatat.com
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AMAZON BACKCOUNTRY OUTDOORPLAY
The Kokatat Icon was first developed with input from EJ and Dane Jackson and joined the brand’s regular lineup in 2013. A decade later, the Icon is still pushing the limits of performance.
The Icon has had some slick upgrades over the years. Most recently in 2023, Kokatat tweaked the leg pattern to provide more articulation for increased movement and improved comfort, as well as new drop-seat zipper routing for better in-boat comfort.
The Icon is almost identical to Kokatat’s classic Meridian but offers a rear-entry shoulder zip. While mastering the rear zip solo requires some yogi flexibility, many paddlers prefer it because it stays out of the way and reduces bulk on the chest.
The Icon we tested in a women’s medium was a little long in the leg but otherwise an ideal fit on our 5’5″, 150-pound model. Constructed with lightweight, rugged and durable Gore-Tex Pro material, the Icon also features an adjustable overskirt, Gore-Tex Pro socks, latex gaskets and neoprene punch-through over cuffs. Kokatat’s custom sizing option costs extra but is a solution for paddlers who don’t fit the brand’s standard measurements. Lengthen or shorten sleeves and legs, adjust the torso, change sock and gasket sizes, and even add more pockets.
While this is the priciest suit in our lineup, the longevity of Kokatat’s drysuits is legendary. Two Paddling Mag staffers have kept their Kokatat drysuits alive for more than 20 years.
Gill Marine Verso
$850 USD | gillmarine.com
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Avid sailors have trusted Gill Marine for 50 years. In the last decade, Gill has broadened its horizons to focus on all watersports, including paddling. So, while the versatile Verso was born from sailing, its foul weather cred also makes it well suited to kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
This women’s-specific design of the Verso was released in fall 2023. The unique dual-purpose entry zip, stretching from upper thigh to mid back to upper thigh, makes for easy donning, doffing and pee breaks. The size eight suit seen here was tested by a 135-pound, 5’7″ model and offered a relaxed fit designed to accommodate thermal layers underneath with unrestricted movement. Velcro closures at the waist ensure everything stays in place.
The Verso is made with Gill’s exclusive Xplore+ three-layer waterproof and breathable fabric. The inner neoprene dry seal gaskets at the neck and cuffs effectively kept water out during swim tests.
The only hooded option in this lineup, the Verso’s hood offers excellent protection against rain and wind. We love the soft fleece inner chin guard and ventilation holes for when conditions truly suck. On the water, we found the stowed hood toggle can be a bit finicky to release. While a hooded design isn’t ideal for those who do most of their paddling wearing a helmet, for everyone else, the Versa is a versatile, budget-friendly design.
Level Six Loki
$900 CAD | levelsix.com
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AMAZON BACKCOUNTRY OUTDOORPLAY
As the first “forever chemical” bans soon sweep the United States, the Loki from Level Six is the first drysuit on the market to be both PFAS-free and made from recycled materials.
The Loki is a latex- and neoprene-free version of Level Six’s Cronos. Released in spring 2024, the Loki was designed with recreational paddlers and shoulder-season canoe trippers in mind. Our extra-large men’s tester was a little long in the leg, but an otherwise good fit on our 5’11”, 220-pound model.
The team was quite taken with Loki’s Lycra gaskets, which are coated with polyurethane and covered by neoprene cinches. How waterproof the seal is depends on how tight the cinch is. Tighten it before rapids and loosen it for lengthy flatwater stretches. The gasket material is soft, supple and comfortable around the neck and wrists. It was designed with input from Level Six’s local fire department, which was looking for a more comfortable system first responders could wear all day.
Level Six is making waves for its early adoption of eliminating PFAS from its drywear to “protect our waterways, environment, health and factory workers.” The big question: Can PFAS-free drywear deliver high-performing, breathable suits? In our initial testing—and with adequate gasket cinching—the bone-dry Loki is living up to the hype.
Pro Ultra King-Q
$380 USD | amazon.com
“Well, it’s not as bad as I expected.” This was high praise for the Pro Ultra King-Q during the unboxing of our Amazon purchase.
On closer inspection, we had more than a few questions about materials and craftsmanship. First, the product information for the King-Q claims the suit is made of “abrasion-resistant nylon” but the tag inside the suit declares it’s polyester. And instead of being reinforced with Cordura or similar, the suit’s reinforced areas are simply another layer of polyester—in the chest and upper thighs but not the butt or knees. The webbing and buckles on the overskirt feel cheap, and the overskirt is just a couple inches deep.
As for the unisex fit? More suitable for a tall and leggy adolescent. Even our slimmest staff member couldn’t squeeze in.
Once inside out, we found the seam tape on the wrist gaskets and neck gasket—which doesn’t have a manufacturer stamp—was lifting. Pulling at the neck gasket seam to mimic the tension when putting the drysuit on, we could see the seam tape lifting farther and pulling away from the gasket.
And then there are the King-Q’s socks. Instead of fabric socks, this suit was fitted with glued and taped neoprene socks. Not only is neoprene not breathable—hello, sweaty feet—but the seams were lifting here, too. We predict this suit won’t last even a few outings without leaking, let alone a full season. And several of the reviews agree.
This article was first published in Issue 72 of Paddling Magazine. Kayak touring, whitewater boating and canoe tripping are hard on gear. Invest in quality gear that will withstand your adventures. | Feature photo: Jeff Priest
