Gear Review: Immersion Research Supermodel Dry Suit
--Product Information--
Product Name: Supermodel
Product Brand: Immersion Research
Best Use: Cold water immersion
Sizes Available / Specs: s/m/l/xl
--Test Information--
Location of Test: Alaska
Duration: 10 days
--Ratings--
Value Rating: 9
Durability Rating: 7
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: I already own a variety of dry gear from Kokatat to Bomber Gear products. This last week I spent 5 days living in the IR Supermodel. I was impressed.
I usually don't give IR a large amount of credit due to the fact that I already own a dry suit. I've used the ArchRival and found the latex booties to be the most annoying feature. The Supermodel does away with latex booties in favor of fabric. This ups the game for the Supermodel as it makes it that much easier to don at the put in.
The fabric is very effective at keeping dry in and water out. After 5 days of mostly rain and lots of splashing, the only moisture in the suit was from me sweating from paddling a fully loaded kayak. The booties didn't leak at all while I fished or waded in the river.
The suit uses the same t-zip or flat zip tech that is becoming prevalent in dry suits today. A major boom. Instead of the chest zip, the supermodel uses a rear entry zip. For some folks this makes getting dressed a partner activity. I found with a bit of stretching it was easy enough to zip myself in and out the suit with relative ease. This zip design is actually useful in an odd way. It makes the suit sit a bit better (in my opinion) when you have it tied around your waist.
The fabric is very light and flexible. While this does bring concerns of durability, I found it held up to the rigors of rush tramping and hauling gear through alder thickets quite well. No new scrapes or tears.
Given its price point I'd say this suit is the Kokatat Meridian or Icon's competition. It handles it well.
"The Good" List: Fabric booties, easy entry with practice, and a clean concise fit.
"The Not so Good List": Lightness/thinness of fabric may lead to wetness after continual use?
The Bottom Line: A good alternative to a Kokatat or Sweet drysuit. IR's current top design.