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Paddler
Note: this drysuit is the ‘latex neck and wrist seal’ version, not the ‘CCS’ version with neoprene wrist seals and adjustable neck cord/seal.
Disclaimer: I’ve only used the suit for a couple of weeks so I’ll save my final verdict for the 6-month mark, after a more reasonable amount of time and testing.
First impressions:
I’d consider this is a minimalist-style suit with the fancy stuff where I want it. I call it minimalist as there is no waist band or spray tunnel or pant cuffs or extra material flapping around getting wet. Just clean, simple lines.
The defining feature is the single long zipper; no extra relief zipper is needed. The big opening makes putting the suit on a breeze; ‘drysuit yoga’ is kept to a minimum. The internal suspenders are something I was ‘meh’ about, but after using them a few times I’m now a fan – they’re super useful during beach time when you typically have your suit at half-mast and they’re comfortable to wear, even while paddling.
The Hudson next to a L6 Cronos. You can see the relative size of the zippers. The Hudson has what I would call a more 'refined' or ergonomic cut to it; by comparison, the Cronos is very square and blocky. I can confirm that mid-trip 'relief' is much easier with the zipper layout of the Hudson!
The Hudson has heavy cordura panels where you need them: on the seat, knees and feet (heavy duty material on the soles of the feet – what a concept! Kudos to Mustang for this one). I like the removeable internal foam knee pads; they’re super light and flexible enough that you don’t even know they’re there, until you kneel on the rocks and just….smile.
Inside of the leg, showing the internal removeable kneepad
This is the back of the foot, the heavy cordura material covers the sole and goes about 4" up the heel
The sleeve and cuff; just a simple Velcro tab to snug up the wrist. The cuff opens quite wide, lots of room to work if you need to replace a gasket.
Ye olde suspenders. Didn't think I needed them until I tried them out. Functional, practical, comfortable. Oddly satisfying, like a 1/4 pounder with cheese at 10pm.
There are a few other little extras that I haven’t used yet but seem to be well though out – external loops for hang drying, and the two pockets (arm and waist).
I ordered from the Mustang store online (if shopping, be sure to check the Clearance page – got this for $1039 CAD instead of the regular $1299) and it arrived within 3 days. The box included a pre-paid Purolator shipping label in the event of a return (detailed instructions were also included). There were a few little extras too, Aquaseal, zipper lube, a few promo stickers – nothing overly ‘wow!’ but nice to see the effort.
So after a few days of use I’m happy with it, as one would expect/hope. As noted above, I’ll reserve judgement but will check back in and provide my final verdict at around the 6-month mark.
EDIT: this review is for the men's version but it's worth noting the Hudson also comes in a woman's version, with a rather unique corkscrew-type single zipper arrangement that does away with the need for a separate rear-flap relief zipper. Not sure how it works in practice, but in theory it looks (to me at least) like a much more elegant and logical solution.
Disclaimer: I’ve only used the suit for a couple of weeks so I’ll save my final verdict for the 6-month mark, after a more reasonable amount of time and testing.
First impressions:
I’d consider this is a minimalist-style suit with the fancy stuff where I want it. I call it minimalist as there is no waist band or spray tunnel or pant cuffs or extra material flapping around getting wet. Just clean, simple lines.
The defining feature is the single long zipper; no extra relief zipper is needed. The big opening makes putting the suit on a breeze; ‘drysuit yoga’ is kept to a minimum. The internal suspenders are something I was ‘meh’ about, but after using them a few times I’m now a fan – they’re super useful during beach time when you typically have your suit at half-mast and they’re comfortable to wear, even while paddling.
The Hudson next to a L6 Cronos. You can see the relative size of the zippers. The Hudson has what I would call a more 'refined' or ergonomic cut to it; by comparison, the Cronos is very square and blocky. I can confirm that mid-trip 'relief' is much easier with the zipper layout of the Hudson!
The Hudson has heavy cordura panels where you need them: on the seat, knees and feet (heavy duty material on the soles of the feet – what a concept! Kudos to Mustang for this one). I like the removeable internal foam knee pads; they’re super light and flexible enough that you don’t even know they’re there, until you kneel on the rocks and just….smile.
Inside of the leg, showing the internal removeable kneepad
This is the back of the foot, the heavy cordura material covers the sole and goes about 4" up the heel
The sleeve and cuff; just a simple Velcro tab to snug up the wrist. The cuff opens quite wide, lots of room to work if you need to replace a gasket.
Ye olde suspenders. Didn't think I needed them until I tried them out. Functional, practical, comfortable. Oddly satisfying, like a 1/4 pounder with cheese at 10pm.
There are a few other little extras that I haven’t used yet but seem to be well though out – external loops for hang drying, and the two pockets (arm and waist).
I ordered from the Mustang store online (if shopping, be sure to check the Clearance page – got this for $1039 CAD instead of the regular $1299) and it arrived within 3 days. The box included a pre-paid Purolator shipping label in the event of a return (detailed instructions were also included). There were a few little extras too, Aquaseal, zipper lube, a few promo stickers – nothing overly ‘wow!’ but nice to see the effort.
So after a few days of use I’m happy with it, as one would expect/hope. As noted above, I’ll reserve judgement but will check back in and provide my final verdict at around the 6-month mark.
EDIT: this review is for the men's version but it's worth noting the Hudson also comes in a woman's version, with a rather unique corkscrew-type single zipper arrangement that does away with the need for a separate rear-flap relief zipper. Not sure how it works in practice, but in theory it looks (to me at least) like a much more elegant and logical solution.
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I hope this one proves better. I haven't trimmed anything yet, but final fit TBD.
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