Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view

Yak Horizon Drysuit – Review

This is the Yak Horizon Drysuit it is available only in red/black. The Horizon is made from hard wearing 3-layer breathable material with Cordura re-enforcement on the knee and bum.

We received a large drysuit just after lockdown here in UK began, but despite the restrictions have managed to get some time on the water using the suit.

Yak Horizon Drysuit – Review

At 6ft 2″ with a 42″ chest, and size 10 (UK) feet the large Horizon drysuit fits well both whilst standing and probably more importantly whilst sitting in a boat. I tend to wear large drysuits or drytops from pretty much any manufacturer and the sizing here is bang on.

Yak Horizon Drysuit – Review

The Horizon drysuit comes equipped with a double neck seal. This is made up from a high quality inner latex gasket and then a neoprene outer gasket.

Yak Horizon Drysuit – Review

This has to be the best double neck seal that I have used either on a dry top or drysuit. I think that even if the inner latex seal was to fail the outer neoprene seal would probably keep the water out just fine. It isn’t the easiest to get off when you first try the suit but after a few goes you soon get the knack.

Laser cut drain hole

The Horizon feels well built. I like to spend some time checking out both the sticking and taping on kit like this and I have found no issues at all on this drysuit. The number and placement of seams will help with the longevity of the suit. Both legs and arms have been designed to aid the wide range of movement required when in and out of the boat.

Good cut for range movement

There is enough fabric for mobility without an excess that could flap or get in the way.

Like the majority of drysuits on the market the Horizon is a rear entry drysuit with a plastic YKK Aquaseal zip running across the shoulders.

YKK rear zip

The zip is then protected by an outer flap of fabric with incorporates some reflective piping. There is no velcro (which isn’t needed) to keep the flap down.

A YKK Aquaseal zip is also used for the relief zip.

YKK relief zip

The Horizon is fitted with fabric socks.

Fabric socks

One of the features that we don’t see in all drysuits are braces. To help keep the drysuit in place the Horizon has a pair of wide, elasticated and removable braces.

Removable elastic braces – Rock On Tommy!

The braces can be removed completely from the suit and only leave a couple of brightly coloured tabs.

As you would expect the waist allows for the use of spray skirt and should give a good seal. The waist band is single lined neoprene with adjustment on both sides to allow you to get a good water seal.

Tough fabric

Having spent most of its time in use in the sea surfing the seals have had a damn good test and I am happy to report that there have been no issues of water getting into where it shouldn’t!

Outer cuff is part of the sleeve

The wrist seal adjustment is quite interesting. Inside is the latex seal and on the outside the arm fabric is used to create the seal keeping the amount of bulk to a minimum.

The outer wrist seal is adjustable and has the nifty little feature to stop the fastener flapping around.

I’ve been over the suit checking both the stitching and taping, and have found the construction and finish to be superb. The fabric seems to have a good balance of toughness and flexibility. Taping is bang on with plenty of overlap and appears to be well stuck down. There have been no issues with any of the seams or taping during review.

The Horizon comes with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty and retails at sub £500 and I’ve seen it online today for £439.99.

Specification:

  • Hard wearing 3-layer breathable material
  • YKK aquaseal plastic cross shoulder & relief
  • Dry zips with protective cover
  • Cordura reinforced double layer seat & knee areas
  • Lower back stretch panel for additional flexibility
  • Articulated arm & leg design
  • Twin latex & glideskin neoprene neck seals
  • Twin adjustment single lined neoprene waistband
  • Easy seal replacement
  • Ankle and wrist adjusters
  • Removable adjustable braces
  • Reflective highlights
  • Relief Zip
  • 2 year manufacturer’s warranty

Conclusion:

I really like the Yak Horizon Drysuit. It has been well thought out and fits well. It appears well built and the materials feel robust enough to last a number of seasons. It has performed really well over the last few months. This is now the only drysuit in the Unsponsored kit store and will be the go to bit of kit over winter 2020 – 2021.

If you have used the Yak Horizon Drysuit we’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop us an email or use the comments section below.

3 Comments

  1. Mauro

    Thanks for the complete and accurate review. I appreciated the photographic details that highlight important aspects

  2. Dustin

    How has it held up? Always gone with Kokatat, but this looks nice for the price.

    • Unsponsored

      Held up really well. A few of the guys I paddle with use them and they are tough. Fit and finish probably not up to the same standard as Kokatat.

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