Written by AQ Outdoors Recreational/Touring Kayak Ambassador Bryan Hume

When it comes to drysuits, paddlers in the whitewater community view a drysuit as a must-have gear item. Flatwater paddlers and recreational paddles are often the proud owners of a neoprene wetsuit but may not have thought about the benefits of owning a drysuit. 

While some fair weather paddlers don’t mind cleaning and storing their kayak after the Labour Day long weekend, other flatwater paddlers will continue well into the fall and early winter provided that safe open water is available. Shoulder season paddling is often incredible and worth the effort so if you want to extend your paddling season, consider putting a drysuit on your gear wish list. 

I have loved paddling my 14.5 Dagger Stratos during the shoulder seasons. There is something to be said for getting out on the first bit of open water in the spring and paddling into the snowy fall days. This year, the shift from cold open water to frozen hard water was very fast so I’m now focused on planning for spring open water paddles in 2023. 

This year I finally took the plunge and I placed my order with Aquabatics for a Level Six Odin drysuit in June 2021 but with the supply chain issues it didn’t actually arrive until May 2022. I was stoked to receive it as you can see in the video below, but with the very warm temps I wasn’t able to test out my Odin drysuit until cooler fall days arrived. 

The Odin is a men’s front entry drysuit with a diagonal easy pull zipper crossing the chest from the right shoulder to the left side mid-abdomen. I chose the front entry style Odin for its ease in terms of entry and exit. You don’t need to be a contortionist to get geared up before heading out on the water.

Level Six also makes the burly, well-constructed Emperor drysuit, but the entry/exit zipper is across the back of the paddler’s shoulder, making it more difficult for some paddlers to put on without help.

I found this drysuit to be super comfortable. The fabric moved with my body getting in and out of the kayak, while paddling, and during self-rescues when ease of movement can be critical. 

Additionally, I didn’t feel that the zipper was in the way or too bulky. I am 6’2” and about 190 lbs. I ordered an extra large which proved to be a great fit for me, given my height. The drysuit design is well thought out, has an appropriate amount of fabric, and doesn’t have a baggy feel.

The Odin is constructed using British latex wrist and neck gaskets with protective fabric/Velcro coverings to reduce gasket exposure and wear and tear. I found that the neck gasket, while comfortable out of the box, did feel a bit thinner. I suspect that I’ll need to replace it sooner than other brands, but time will tell. 

 The fabric is a tough breathable waterproof nylon (Exhaust 3.0) that I found to be comfortable to wear. Deciding on the appropriate types of base layers to wear under the drysuit is always about assessing the weather conditions and water temperature. I found that the Odin drysuit sizing accommodates the variety of base layers a paddler will need on colder days.  The Odin design offers a great range of motion in the back knees and elbows allowing the paddler to move without restriction. 

The heavier use areas such as the elbows, knees and seat on this drysuit have reinforced fabric to withstand wear and tear. The Odin has 3-ply built-in fabric socks that are appropriately sized for me. It’s important to ensure that you protect the built in drysuit socks by wearing neoprene socks over top before slipping your foot into a paddling shoe. This will stop tiny rocks or sand grains from creating pinhole leaks in the drysuit socks.

The drysuit is equipped with a double tunnel to receive a spray skirt. The Stealth Waist Band System ensures a waterproof fit around the skirt. The front entry zip is set at an angle that does not impact how the double tunnel aligns with the skirt. This design stops water from getting into the tunnel or collecting at the back of the skirt while paddling. 

There is also a nylon webbing adjustable belt that keeps the drysuit fabric from sagging below the waist. I found that the waist belt offered added comfort, especially once any extra fabric was moved away from the front of the drysuit and evenly distributed to each side and to the back. 

There are fleece lined pockets for those colder days where you need to keep you hands warm and out of the wind. 

The Odin has a front relief zipper that works well when nature calls. 

Level Six makes a comparable sister dry suit designed specifically for women called the Freya which has a rear relief drop seat with diagonal zipper that runs across the back.

I was both on and in the water this fall testing out the Odin.

 First of all, I found the Odin to move well with my body while getting in and out of the kayak and while paddling. The fabric did not restrict movement during body rotation paddle strokes. I also spent some time in the water to see if I would remain warm and dry. There were no fabric leaks at all and the neck and wrist gaskets were rock solid. I was wearing a Kokatat onesie which offered added base layer warmth.

I also tested out how the drysuit would perform during my first few practices of using deep water self rescue skills. I found the Odin to simply just move with me and it did not restrict or hamper me while re-entering the kayak.

Laying out the cash for a drysuit purchase is not for everyone but if you want to extend your paddling season, it is a great option and life saving investment as well. The overall price points can vary with the top end drysuit pricing being out of reach for some paddlers. For me as a flat water paddler, I found the price point and performance of the Level Six Odin drysuit (made right here in Canada) to be a well balanced option that I’m sure will keep me on the water and meet my cold weather paddling needs for years to come. 

“create your own momentum” 

Bryan Hume

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