Crummy customer service from Stohlquist

[ictalurus]

I purchased a Stohlquist B-pod dry suit a few years ago. I didn't use it at all the first winter because everywhere I wanted to fish was frozen. I used it two or three times later in the spring, and both socks developed leaks. I emailed the company, got a prompt response and authorization number, sent it off, and got it back two weeks later. One of the socks developed a leak again after a fishing trip back in December. I had only worn the suit 4 or 5 times since the first repair. I also found a spot on the upper thigh that was delaminating, and I wanted to get the hole I put in it last May with an errant hook. I patched it with some wader repair goop and sail tape but wanted to get it permanently repaired. I emailed Stohlquist for a return authorization shortly after I found the leak and never heard anything back. Tired of waiting, I sent it back without an authorization in the middle of January. I put everything I wanted repaired on the repair form and gave my contact info in case they were going to charge me to fix the hole I made, which is only fair.

I got the dry suit back at the beginning of this week, which is a pretty good turn around. However, they only replaced the socks and didn't fix the hole I made or the spot that was delaminating. No explanations were given on the return form. So I sent another email thanking them for the prompt turn around and asking if the other two problems couldn't be repaired. No response after 5 days. Time to give them a call, I guess...

So the moral of the story is, I don't recommend buying the Stohlquist B-pod if you're thinking about getting a dry suit. Kokatat makes an angler dry suit with a neoprene neck gasket and thicker material on the seat and legs. I like the B-pod's neck gasket better because I think it would be more effective at keeping water out, but there's no point in that if the socks don't last more than 2 or 3 trips.

[yakman]

Man i glad you posted this. I was going to buy a BPod. I got a Kokatat GFER instead.

[ictalurus]

Man i glad you posted this. I was going to buy a BPod. I got a Kokatat GFER instead.

Glad I could help. It's a shame because I really do like the BPod, but it's been a real hassle so far.