Dry top and waders vs drysuit

Which is better and why?

I had put the Kokatat Tropos on my Christmas list, and I guess my MIL was going to get it for me, but couldn't find anyone that had one in my size.  I already have chest-high neoprene waders for fly fishing and was intending to use that combo for yakking.  There's no relief zipper in those waders though.

But, I was thinking that maybe a full-on drysuit would be better.  But also possibly more expensive.  At the least it would buy me a relief zipper.

Thoughts?

Which is better and why?

I had put the Kokatat Tropos on my Christmas list, and I guess my MIL was going to get it for me, but couldn't find anyone that had one in my size. 

Personally. I think a semi-dry is better than dry top and waders. 

A personal question, but what size are you looking for?  NRS has the Kokatat Men's SuperNova Semi-Drysuit in M through XXL. 

I'm ~6' and 200lbs.  Hoping to get down to 175lbs  .

Most of the time, depending on brand, either L or XL fits.

Stupid question.  Who is NRS?

A Kokatat in L will fit you.

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Stump here you go. http://www.nrsrescue.com/

I'm ~6' and 200lbs.  Hoping to get down to 175lbs  .

Most of the time, depending on brand, either L or XL fits.

Stupid question.  Who is NRS?

also try www.nrsweb.com for NRS but also look up www.backcountry.com and www.outsoorplay.com

Hoping to get down to 175lbs  .

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, tightly hold onto your dreams my friend.

I was there once. :-)   I still have so much useful sh!t that would fit if I were still 175#er...but my crockpot ribs are too damn tasty.

Sorry for the bad link. That should be www.outdoorplay.com. not outsoor. Seem to have had a software malfunction.

As far as your Dry Top and Waders Combo vs. Dry Suite question .....   I think much depends on the fishing conditions.   
I feel very comfortable fishing in a Dry Top and Waders unless conditions could find me in the water not near shore and not able to quickly get back in the kayak.
I have experimented taking quick swims with the Dry Top and Waders and found I stayed dry,  but I was promptly climbing back in the kayak so my immersion time was maybe 30 seconds.     When I tried actually trying to swim some distance, as if my kayak were to get away from me,  water soon started getting in around the waste line of the dry top.     After that I promptly ordered a Dry Suite. 

As far as your Dry Top and Waders Combo vs. Dry Suite question .....   I think much depends on the fishing conditions.   
I feel very comfortable fishing in a Dry Top and Waders unless conditions could find me in the water not near shore and not able to quickly get back in the kayak.
I have experimented taking quick swims with the Dry Top and Waders and found I stayed dry,  but I was promptly climbing back in the kayak so my immersion time was maybe 30 seconds.     When I tried actually trying to swim some distance, as if my kayak were to get away from me,  water soon started getting in around the waste line of the dry top.     After that I promptly ordered a Dry Suite.

That's some of the sort of info I was hoping to hear.  I think I'll shop for a (semi) dry suit when I get the money put together for the yak. 

Looks like the Supernova semi dry suit is around $5-600.  Should be doable.

Before you spend $ 600 on a semi dry you might want to look at this pourpse designed drysute. They are a local company in Scapoose Or I have one of there suits and it has great fit and movement. Not to mention that if you have a problem you just have to drive to Scapoose to get your problem resolved.http://www.ossystems.com/surface/kfd.html

As far as your Dry Top and Waders Combo vs. Dry Suite question .....   I think much depends on the fishing conditions.   
I feel very comfortable fishing in a Dry Top and Waders unless conditions could find me in the water not near shore and not able to quickly get back in the kayak.
I have experimented taking quick swims with the Dry Top and Waders and found I stayed dry,  but I was promptly climbing back in the kayak so my immersion time was maybe 30 seconds.     When I tried actually trying to swim some distance, as if my kayak were to get away from me,  water soon started getting in around the waste line of the dry top.     After that I promptly ordered a Dry Suite.

That's some of the sort of info I was hoping to hear.  I think I'll shop for a (semi) dry suit when I get the money put together for the yak. 

Looks like the Supernova semi dry suit is around $5-600.  Should be doable.

Also, before you buy you need to try them on for size.  You will want plenty of room to layer up underneath for warmth.  In the cold weather I've worn, a long sleeve wicking polyprop top, an NRS union suit, then old style (fleece) REI polartec top and bottom, then nylon expedition pants so I'm not in my underwear on the beach.  Finish it off with thin wicking socks, and two pairs of smart wool with toe warmers in between. 

Before you spend $ 600 on a semi dry you might want to look at this pourpse designed drysute. They are a local company in Scapoose Or I have one of there suits and it has great fit and movement. Not to mention that if you have a problem you just have to drive to Scapoose to get your problem resolved.http://www.ossystems.com/surface/kfd.html

As far as your Dry Top and Waders Combo vs. Dry Suite question .....   I think much depends on the fishing conditions.   
I feel very comfortable fishing in a Dry Top and Waders unless conditions could find me in the water not near shore and not able to quickly get back in the kayak.
I have experimented taking quick swims with the Dry Top and Waders and found I stayed dry,  but I was promptly climbing back in the kayak so my immersion time was maybe 30 seconds.     When I tried actually trying to swim some distance, as if my kayak were to get away from me,  water soon started getting in around the waste line of the dry top.     After that I promptly ordered a Dry Suite.

That's some of the sort of info I was hoping to hear.  I think I'll shop for a (semi) dry suit when I get the money put together for the yak. 

Looks like the Supernova semi dry suit is around $5-600.  Should be doable.

I love my Kokatat, but If OS Systems would have had that one when I was shopping for a drysuit, I think I may have gone with it instead. 

I finally got enough fire wood sold to be able to buy the drysuit.  I settled on a Kokatat Super Nova Angler.  Got a polar-tec liner and some Cross 4 booties to go with it.  Should be here Monday.  Good deal from Outdoorplay.com on all of that.

good to hear. other than a pfd, you;ve just purchased the major portion of your safety gear.

btw, for those still looking,  kayakproshop.com is still having a blowout sale on Palm and OS Systems drysuits, too. and NRS [ www.nrsweb] still has some smokin deals on suits for mostly smaller framed people.