Drytop Recommendations

hutchej · Post by **hutchej** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 1:00 am

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for a drytop and am looking for something that I can wear with shorts instead of just with drypants. Any recommendations would be appreciated!!!

cbcboat · Post by **cbcboat** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:40 pm

You can wear any drytop with shorts, but you'll get wet when you flip or if you swim. They do make semi-drytops with neoprene neck gaskets, but they are SEMI dry as far as the neck seal goes, so if you did wear it with dry pants you would get some dribbles down your neck.
Some people think they are more comfortable, I think they are harder to put on because latex stretches easier than neoprene. Again any drytop is usable without drypants, get a breathable fabric if you are using it in warmer conditions.

Sir Adam · Post by **Sir Adam** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:14 pm

I've used my Kokotat Whirlpool dry top (Goretex one) for a few years now, and it's holding up great. Not cheap though. The latex gaskets keep almost all of the water out, and between a skirt and cinching the waist tight (nylon and neoprene double closures) if I happen to go for a bit of a swim my core stays mostly dry.

That said, I'm in the process of getting a drydeck (drytop / skirt combo). I've heard they are MUCH drier, and MUCH more comfortable. I went with Mountain surf, as I consider their skirts to be top-notch (though you pay for it). Yes, this does mean they have the tracing for a Maven cockpit rim now

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:58 am

cagdecks are definetely the way to go, really comfy, and really easy to wear, with so much less material at the waste.
i have a PEAKUK cagdeck (top/deck combo), and i love it.
cheers
-isaac

hutchej · Post by **hutchej** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:21 am

I paddle an OC1 so a skirt would be really tough to fit around the gunnels, thanks for the suggestion though!!

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:50 am

so maybe not on the cagdeck then,
i have a stohlquist drytop that is also very comfy, i think its the freefall or freeplay or something of that nature.
cheers
-isaac

LEW · Post by **LEW** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:49 pm

I just got a Bomber Gear "Bomb" to replace the "Hydrology" I have been using for years. Paddled and played (open boat

) 4 hours in the pouring rain yesterday and stayed perfectly dry and comfortable, combined with my Stohlquist drypants.
The price wasn't bad either.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/330, ... Women.html

LEW

John Coraor · Post by **John Coraor** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:58 pm

If you are paddling OC-1 in shorts then I would suggest that a true Drytop is overkill and more expensive than you would need. If the water is warm enough that you can comfortably paddle OC-1 without Drysuit, wetsuit, or at least Drypants, then you probably can get away with either a Semi-drytop or an even cheaper neoprene-cuff (& neck & waist) paddlejacket. So what if you get some leakage, if it's cold enought to worry about that, then your legs will have already turned into two blocks of ice anyway.

However, if you're looking for one garment to cover shorts weather as well as go with wetsuit or Drypants when its colder, then it might make sense.

John

C-Forum

Drytop Recommendations

Drytop Recommendations

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