-- Last Updated: Oct-21-09 8:47 PM EST --
The information relating to drysuits is suspect, at least in my view. I paddle in Newfoundland, where our ocean waters are almost always lethally cold, and use one of several one-piece drysuits every time I'm out on the water.
The contention that..."The two-piece, however, does have some advantages over the one-piece. First, with the top and bottom being separate, you're able to get more movement in the groin and shoulders area" is simply wrong - any well-designed and properly fitted drysuit allows the wearer a full range of motion. It's also worth noting that two piece suits, while usable, are far more prone to leaking than the one-piece ones are. Every ocean paddler I know uses a one-piece suit; none uses a drytop and pants setup.
The assertion that "... most important, since there is no neck closer, which some manufactures believe is the "Achilles heel" of a one-piece, you're free of those embarrassing neck hickies" is as baffling as it is nonsensical. Firstly, what's a 'neck closer'? If the writer means a neck seal, it is, by neccessity, tight enough to prevent leakage, or at least, in the case of a semi-dry suit, to allow very little water into the suit. The "...embarrassing neck hickies", in the case of a tight latex seal, are part and parcel of the package, whether the user is wearing a one-piece drysuit or a drytop.
If you want accurate information on the advantages and disadvantges of various thermal protection systems, Google up The Kayak Academy - there's a wealth of real, hands-on stuff there. Must say I'm disappointed that paddling.net would let an item with this questionable information on a major safety topic get thru unedited...