In this Level Six Freya Dry Suit review I’ll give you my thoughts on using it during cold weather on moving water.
I’ll admit the cost of a dry suit has put me off of one for many years. Furthermore, I didn’t feel I was enough of a paddler to need one. Being a fair-weather paddler on flat water, owning a dry suit wasn’t a priority.
The weather conditions, and opportunity to buy one, coincided when I was headed to my Advanced Flat Water Instructor course. The forecast was rain for three days. I’m naturally always cold--hypothermia was a risk I wasn’t willing to take.
Kananaskis River Paddling
Photo Credit: Reta Boychuk @reta.sends
Thank goodness instructors taught me how to use one, it felt like being born again thrusting my head through the head gasket.
I learned that if you don’t burp (aka squish all the air out of the suit through the neck gasket by pulling it away from your body) you will drive water into your now not dry suit! When the air escapes, the water rushes in. Point noted!
Level Six Freya Dry Suit Review
LEVEL SIX FREYA DRY SUIT FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Without any previous suits to compare I felt comfortable in my suit as I tried it on. I’m 5’ 5” 138 lbs and bought a Medium to accommodate any layers that are needed as the temperatures drop.
Figuring out how to get the suit to fit in my shoes took a bit of fiddling around but I’ve managed to find a process that works for me. Tip: don’t pull the dry suit sock too tight in your shoe, you’ll lose circulation.
PADDLING WITH THE FREYA
Winter Paddling Kananaskis River January 2021
Photo Credit: Reta Boychuk @reta.sends
Because I exclusively stand up paddle this dry suit works well for me. I liked the angled zipper across the front body and the cross body zipper at the back. It’s easy to zip up.
Adjustable cuffs, neck and waist band all make for a comfortable paddling experience.
The knees bend well when I kneel on my board and self-rescuing back onto my board is seamless.
Unless it’s winter paddling and your layers become fairly substantial underneath: it feels like the Stay Puff Marshmalllow Man is attempting to climb on. That is a problem in any dry suit in winter.
LEVEL SIX FREYA THOUGHTS
The price point is less than some other brands which can make this suit appealing to entry level paddlers.
One caveat is if you are a kayaker/canoer you may not like the zipper coming across the hips but I haven’t personally sat with this on.
I love the side pockets. They’re easy to access anytime and, although not waterproof, I can still keep lip sunscreen or my keys in the pocket. They are secure and don’t open.
The front entry system is easy to get into.
LEVEL SIX FREYA SPECIFICATIONS
British latex wrist and neck gaskets with adjustable gasket protectors
Rear relief zipper
Fleece lined pockets with YKK aquaseal zipper
Reinforced knees
Articulated spine, knees and elbows
3-ply built-in socks
Stealth waistband system
Front entry
Double tunnel
Level Six Freya Women's Front Entry Dry Suit
$1,200.00
Level Six Freya Dry Suit Review Paddling Drysuit Buyer's Guide Front Zip vs Rear Zip Dry Suit ‚ The Level Six Freya Women's Front Entry Dry Suit is a deluxe front-entry, women's specific dry suit designed to stand up… Read More
LEVEL SIX FREYA SUMMARY
Photo Credit: Reta Boychuk @reta.sends
I’m not sure I could ever go back to not owning a dry suit. The Level Six Freya Dry Suit has extended my paddle season by two months and even longer if I go down to the Kananaskis River where true winter paddling has been a dream come true, especially in a time where travel isn’t possible.
The Level Six Freya Dry Suit has helped me embrace winter which, for someone who really doesn’t love winter, is a game changer!
Happy paddling!
Sending You Love n SUP,
Lisa Stocking
CSEP-CPT/RYT 200
Advanced Flatwater SUP Instructor
@love_nsup
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