As a mama who loves to whitewater raft the snowmelt-fed rivers in my home state of Wyoming and around the the Northwest, a drysuit is by far the best gear investment I’ve made. This Mustang Survival Drysuit: Women’s Helix Latex Gasket Drysuit keeps me warm and dry, and allows for an extended boating season during spring runoff and in the late fall.
Best of all, I can easily drop the seat when nature calls!
I have been a whitewater enthusiast for over 25 years. I used to spend my summers guiding whitewater raft trips all over the West on rivers such as the Colorado, Arkansas, Merced, Kings and the Snake. My husband currently manages a whitewater rafting operation on the Snake River and we are raising our kids to be boaters.
From June to October our family spends nearly every weekend whitewater rafting or inflatable kayaking on the river. This is our family boating time.
The springtime, however, is mama’s boating time. In the spring, during runoff, the water is raging and it’s also frigid (and FUN!). Without a proper fitting, women’s drysuit like the Mustang Survival Helix Drysuit, going boating this time of year would be nearly impossible.
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Mustang Survival is no stranger to frigid waters as they’re a Vancouver, British Columbia, based company. For more than 50 years they have been manufacturing water-safety gear and apparel marketed to the likes of Navy Seals and the Coast Guard.
That same level of dedication to creating bomber products spills over into all of their product lines, including their brand-new-to-the-market women’s drysuits.
Why Purchase A Women’s Drysuit
For me, wearing a drysuit means that I can focus on guiding the raft, or managing the kids, while feeling 100% comfortable. I can layer up underneath to stay warm, and stay completely dry.
Now that my kids are getting older I have also been taking them on the river solo-parent style, and on these missions safety is utmost priority (I mean – it always is, but even more so when I’m out there alone).
If I end up in the river for whatever reason, I feel better knowing my drysuit will keep me warm and dry and able to resume my responsibilities.
Looking for tips on taking kids on the river? We have two great blogposts for you:
Wait – Mom’s In A Drysuit, What Are The Kids Wearing?
My kids stay warm in thick, neoprene wetsuits layered under waterproof rain bibs (Reima’s are our favorite), waterproof rain jackets, and neoprene booties on their feet. This keeps the kids relatively dry, and when the splashes do come through, the wetsuit goes to work and keeps them warm.
Yes, there are a few youth sized drysuits on the market, but my opinion is that they’re too uncomfortable, too expensive, and kids can stay warm enough in a good wetsuit and splash gear. And my kids never ever complain about wearing a wetsuit.
Which is more than I can say for myself – I despise wearing wetsuits. They’re clammy, soggy, bulky, cold, then hot, then cold again, and my skin always breaks out in some weird rash after wearing one. But with a drysuit I can pull it on over soft fleecies and stay comfortable all day long.
If you are planning some cold-water rafting trips and need help choosing a kids wetsuit, we’ve got a blogpost for that, too. Click here for TMM’s Best Wetsuits for Kids post.
Benefits Of A Women’s Drysuit
If you’ve ever worn a men’s drysuit, you know what I mean when I say “not all drysuits are created equal”.
Men’s drysuits have a relief zipper (pee zipper) in the front groin area. So if you’re a woman wearing a men’s drysuit and nature calls, you have to literally take off the entire drysuit and peel it down.
Pee Zipper
The Mustang Survival Women’s Helix Drysuit has a cross-body zipper in the back that unzips smoothly with one hand. To go to the bathroom you just unzip and the whole seat of the drysuit flops down.
Fits Curvy Shapes
I used to occasionally squeeze into my husbands NRS drysuit and it was always so tight on my butt and hips. The Mustang Survival suit really fits my curves well – there’s plenty of room without feeling baggy.
How To Put On A Drysuit
Although the Mustang Survival drysuit is easier to put on that others I have tried, I still feel like I’m squeezing through the birth canal every time I pull the latex gasket over my head. But I’ll take that over being cold and wet any day!
Here’s how I put on the Mustang Survival Drysuit.
Drysuit vs. Wetsuit In Cold Water Conditions
In cold water conditions a wetsuit is better for activities in the water, while drysuits are better out of the water.
If you are planning to swim and maneuver around in cold water (ie: surfing or diving) a wetsuit is a great option. But if the goal is to keep cold water off your skin a drysuit is the best choice. Drysuits are great for whitewater rafting, kayaking and SUP’ing – and in extremely cold temperatures you can layer up underneath.
Mustang Survival Suit Features
Latex Gaskets vs. Comfort Closure System (CCS)
The Women’s Helix Drysuit is available in two options: Latex neck gasket (this is the version I tested) and the Comfort Closure System (CCS).
The latex neck gasket is a trimmable, 100% watertight seal at the neck and wrists.
The CCS is drawstring-adjustable neck seal that, when cinched very tight, can still let in a few drops of water. The attraction of the CCS system is being able to loosen it. However for a 100% waterproof experience, the latex gasket is the way to go.
- Latex neck and wrist gaskets for a 100% waterproof seal (this is the version I tested). Gaskets can be trimmed to fit.
- Exoskin Comfort Closure adjustable neck closure and neoprene wrist gasket (95% waterproof seal)
Fabric and Waterproofing
- 3L MarineSpec fabric is durable, waterproof and breathable
- Cordura fabric on the butt and knees for reinforced durability
- Latex neck and wrist gaskets are trimmable for a custom fit
- Drainholes in the fabric around the neck
- Waterproof zipper pocket
Internal Suspender System
I really like the internal suspender system for two reasons. First, this suit feels a little heavy so the suspenders take some of the bulk and weight off my shoulders when i’m wearing it and gives it a more lightweight feel.
Second, when i’m eddied out on the beach, or rigging on the ramp, i’ll most likely need to peel the top down so I don’t overheat. The suspender system keeps the top from dragging on the ground. The sleeves aren’t quite long enough to tie around my torso, so the suspenders keep them from touching the ground.
Zipper
- The YKK Aquaseal zipper is extremely smooth and easy to zip with just one hand (important because in a drysuit only one arm can reach the zipper). The zipper doesn’t leak.
Booties
- The part of the drysuit where your foot goes is made of the same fabric as the rest of the suit (a durable 3L fabric).
- The fabric has no sole so you must wear sneakers or water shoes.
Sizing and Fit
- Comes in size S-XL; I tested the size medium
- Runs slightly big in my opinion (foot area seems especially big)
- Generous fit in the shoulders, arms and chest area, a little snug in the legs
- The knee pads are removable, and removing them makes the legs slightly roomier. Velco straps behind the knees allow you to adjust the fit of the knee-area.
Price
Great gear is an investment but you’re worth it, mama! We’ve done our research and this is one of the best priced women’s drysuits available.
- $999 for the Helix Latex Gasket Drysuit / $1099 for the Helix Comfort Closure Drysuit
Conditions A Drysuit Is Best For
- Spring snowmelt runoff and high water
- Fall boating when the water is cold and the sun goes down early
- Big volume whitewater rivers
- Whitewater SUP’ing or inflatable kayaking where you’re likely to end up in the water
What I Love About The Mustang Survival Women’s Drysuit
Pee Zipper
By far my favorite feature is the easy access zipper. Not only is the suit relatively easy to put on, but it’s super convenient to unzip to go to the bathroom.
Fits My Curves
I am curvy in the hips and butt and the suit fits surprisingly well in that area, without being baggy. When I layered up with thick fleece pants underneath, the legs did feel a little snug.
Removable Knee Pads
I love that the knee pads are removable. These come in super handy when SUP’ing because in big whitewater you frequently drop to your knees. But removing the pads makes the leg area fit roomier and I find that I don’t need the knee pads for most whitewater rafting adventures.
Comes In Two Fun Colors
My suit is blue, but it’s also available in a fun coral color. And I love when companies go further than just selling a product in pink and calling it “women’s specific”; this is actually a real, women’s specific product.
What I Don’t Love About the Mustang Survival Women’s Drysuit
The only thing I would change is the fit in the leg area, which fits a little tight, especially when wearing pants or leggings underneath. While the legs fit snug, the crotch area is almost baggy.
Bottom Line
I have worn a few different drysuits in my life. All of them men’s, and all of them a giant pain in the booty to put on, and go potty in. The Mustang Survival Women’s Drysuit is a game changer for me.
This suit was designed and vetted by female whitewater enthusiasts and you can really tell in the details. The design and fit are truly well thought out.
If you’re a woman who spends time on cold whitewater sections, investing in the Mustang Survival Women’s Drysuit will be money well spent.
Where To Purchase
Related Articles
- Kids life jackets and how to choose
- What to pack for a river float trip with kids
- Boating with babies and toddlers
- Best SUP for beginners
- Best wetsuits for kids
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