Women’s Measuring Guidelines

Kokatat is a pioneer in women’s paddling garments, and we continue to add to the most comprehensive line of women’s paddling garments each year. Our women’s garments are patterned and sized with women in mind; you won’t get a men’s small size when you order a women’s medium!

Our women’s garments have shorter sleeve, torso and inseam length to help minimize bulk so you don’t end up with excess fabric around the cuff or waist. Fuller cut in hips and longer rise better accommodate a woman’s shape. A thigh gusset provides a non-binding fit in the upper thigh when sitting in a boat. The sleeve, torso, inseam and rise lengths, and shoulder, hip and thigh measurements are all designed specifically to fit a woman’s body. The numbers in the sizing chart take one layer of insulation into consideration; if you fall in the upper range of a size, it is recommended that you choose the next size up.

Made by hand in Arcata, California

Kokatat builds thousands of dry suits, one at a time, every year in our factory in northern California. For more than 40 years we have developed design patterns and manufacturing techniques that ensure that each suit we sell is completely dry. In fact, we perform an individual water test on every suit we make.

If we can’t fit you into one of our stock sizes, why not get a dry suit made to order. If it contains all our stock features, it won’t cost you a penny more. On the other hand, explore your individuality. Choose your own unique color combination and select from a long list of additional options and you’ll end up with a suit that fits like a glove (that’s confusing) and a look that will be the envy of your paddling partners.

Kokatat will hand build a dry suit from the measurements and information provided by our customer. We recommend that all measurements be performed by an authorized and trained Kokatat retailer. Be sure to follow the measuring instructions below carefully. Kokatat is not responsible for the fit of a dry suit if the information provided is incorrect or incomplete. Measure twice, cut once.

DRY SUIT MEASURING INSTRUCTIONS

Tips:

• Do not measure yourself. Measurements should be performed by an authorized and trained Kokatat retailer. Failing that, someone you trust to get in close with a cloth measuring tape.
• Just relax! Look forward and stand up straight with your feet about 12 inches apart.
• Don’t move around and look straight ahead. Stop looking at your measuring partner or the floor. Remember, relax!
• Take measurements in street clothes and bare feet, preferably washed.
• DO NOT make allowances for insulation layers under the suit. Kokatat patterns are designed to allow for adequate layering under dry suits.
• All circumferences should be taken at the widest point. If you happen to be measuring your wife or mother-in-law, you may want to refer to this as… oh, forget it.
• Again… measure twice, cut once.

The following measurements should be taken on the person’s front side:

CHEST:Take this measurement at the widest point. This is usually at the nipple area. Do not hold your breath, just relax. If the person is muscular, take a second measurement at the armpit area, across the upper chest. Use the larger of the two measurements.

WAIST: Measure just above your hip bone where your body bends when bending sideways.

HIPS: Take this measurement from the side to ensure the correct placement of the tape. Place the tape around the hips and across the widest point of the buttocks. This might be a good time to come up with a descriptive word other than “widest”. Make sure that all pockets are empty.

INSEAM: This is also referred to as the “crotch to ankle bone” measurement for those very secure individuals. Have the person stand with legs straight and feet about 12” apart. Have them hold their hand to the side, with palm facing out. Place the end of the measuring tape between their first two fingers. Ask them to place the hand with the tape in their crotch area, snug up against the body. Just relax! Stretch the tape straight down your ankle bone. Ask the person to look straight ahead, turn their head to the right and cough.

GIRTH: This measurement is for the entire torso length. Place the tape at the base of the neck on top of the shoulder. Run the tape down the front, through the crotch and up the back to the starting point on the shoulder.

This final measurement should be taken on the backside:

SPINE TO WRIST: Hold arm directly out to the side, parallel to the floor, palm down. Bend the elbow forward, stop hand in front of nose. Place the tape at the base of the neck, starting at the spine. Run tape along the arm, turn at the elbow, measuring to the wrist bone.

SIZING NOTES

Kokatat garments are sized with ample room for ventilation and to be comfortable over an insulating layer. For all stock product please refer to the stock sizes in the sizing chart.

If you don’t fit into the stock sizes, Kokatat can add and subtract length in the sleeves and arms, and add length to the torso of stock sizes. See our custom suit builder for more details.