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From: Bob Denton <BDenton_at_aquagulf.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Dry Tops
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 11:52:43 -0500
I'm looking for a garment that will do the following:

1. Keep me dry during torrential tropical rain.
2. Not fill with water if I dump in 70-85F water.
3. Be comfortable in 60F to 90F (80F at a pinch)
4. Be functional and safe for occasional cold water trips.

What I am trying to understand is the functional difference between neoprene
cuffed paddling tops and true dry tops. A latex neck gasket would be
extremely uncomfortable in 80F conditions, and unnecessary.

I don't have access to these garments and will mail order. The ideal would
be a hooded Gore-Tex jacket with adjustable cuffs and neck closures that
could be tight when necessary and maybe serve double duty in hurricane
season.

BTW, how does Gore-Tex compare with Simpatex or other Gore-Tex clones?

TIA for any ideas or input!

cya

Bob Denton 
Aqua-Gulf Transport
bdenton_at_aquagulf.com 
www.aquagulf.com <http://www.aquagulf.com> 


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From: K. Whilden <kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Dry Tops
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 12:33:19 -0800 (PST)
Bob,
Sounds like you are describing the Kokatat Tec-Tour jacket (goretex). It
has latex cuffs and a neoprene neck closure system. It has an excellent
hood system, and is very well thought out and constructed. The neck gasket
leaks a little when rolling, but it is very comfortable otherwise. Since I
roll all the time in cold water, I kind of want one with a latex neck as
well. i wonder if Kokatat will custom build one for me...
Cheers,
kevin

	 ___________________                                                            
	/   Kevin Whilden   \
       |Dept. of Geosciences \___
       |University of Washington \
       |kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu| 
        \________________________/                       

On Mon, 14 Dec 1998, Bob Denton wrote:

> I'm looking for a garment that will do the following:
> 
> 1. Keep me dry during torrential tropical rain.
> 2. Not fill with water if I dump in 70-85F water.
> 3. Be comfortable in 60F to 90F (80F at a pinch)
> 4. Be functional and safe for occasional cold water trips.
> 
> What I am trying to understand is the functional difference between neoprene
> cuffed paddling tops and true dry tops. A latex neck gasket would be
> extremely uncomfortable in 80F conditions, and unnecessary.
> 
> I don't have access to these garments and will mail order. The ideal would
> be a hooded Gore-Tex jacket with adjustable cuffs and neck closures that
> could be tight when necessary and maybe serve double duty in hurricane
> season.
> 
> BTW, how does Gore-Tex compare with Simpatex or other Gore-Tex clones?
> 
> TIA for any ideas or input!
> 
> cya
> 
> Bob Denton 
> Aqua-Gulf Transport
> bdenton_at_aquagulf.com 
> www.aquagulf.com <http://www.aquagulf.com> 
> 
> 
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> 

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From: Colin Calder <c.j.calder_at_abdn.ac.uk>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Dry Tops
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 11:27:01 -0000
Bob wrote:

> I'm looking for a garment that will do the following:
>
> 1. Keep me dry during torrential tropical rain.
> 2. Not fill with water if I dump in 70-85F water.
> 3. Be comfortable in 60F to 90F (80F at a pinch)
> 4. Be functional and safe for occasional cold water trips.
>
> What I am trying to understand is the functional difference
> between neoprene
> cuffed paddling tops and true dry tops. A latex neck gasket would be
> extremely uncomfortable in 80F conditions, and unnecessary.
>
> I don't have access to these garments and will mail order. The ideal would
> be a hooded Gore-Tex jacket with adjustable cuffs and neck closures that
> could be tight when necessary and maybe serve double duty in hurricane
> season.
>
> BTW, how does Gore-Tex compare with Simpatex or other Gore-Tex clones?

I have a dry top with latex wrists and neck which I wear in surf or on the
river, but for most sea paddling I've been using a Patagonia Skanorak, which
I was most generously given as a wedding present this summer. All I can say
is that I'm very pleased with the performance of the top, and would highly
recommend having a look at one. Patagucci's own breathable fabric in my
experience outperforms gortex, can be worn long out of the boat, or short in
it, and has the most weather proof and comfortable hood I've every tried.
Genuine multifunctional top - I wear this climbing as well as in my boat.
The wrist seals are excellent and can be velcro opened for ventilation or to
roll the sleeves up, but also do a fine job keeping water out. The neck seal
is good but not dry - but then again if you want a top that will open fully
for ventilation you aren't going to get a completely dry top.

Patagucci details at:

http://www.patagonia.com/products/productline/productpage.ehtml?maincat=mens
&browsetype=activity&browsecat=paddle&collection=techjktspants&itemid=85303

I've never worn one but the Knoydart C-Tech Ocean cag is also worth checking
out. Has clever design of removable latex seals, and might be exactly what
you are looking for:

http://www.knoydart-kayaking.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.knoydart-kayaking.co.uk/foul.htm


HTH

Cheers
Colin Calder
57º19'N  2º10'W

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From: <Johnlebl_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Dry Tops
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 07:19:24 EST
In a message dated 12/16/1998 3:20:09 PM EST, BDenton_at_aquagulf.com writes:

<< I'm looking for a garment that will do the following:
 
 1. Keep me dry during torrential tropical rain.
 2. Not fill with water if I dump in 70-85F water.
 3. Be comfortable in 60F to 90F (80F at a pinch)
 4. Be functional and safe for occasional cold water trips. >>

This is really demanding criteria for a single garmet, but I think you should
call NASA.  They have just what you need.  A Space Suit!  Made of Gore Tex
also!

John

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From: Bob Denton <BDenton_at_aquagulf.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Dry Tops
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 11:18:07 -0500
I doubt if the environmental unit and power supply will fit in the boat.
Nice thought though! Another option might be a water cooled dry suit..

cya

cya

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of
> Johnlebl_at_aol.com
> Sent: Thursday, December 17, 1998 7:19 AM
> To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Dry Tops
> 
> 
> In a message dated 12/16/1998 3:20:09 PM EST, 
> BDenton_at_aquagulf.com writes:
> 
> << I'm looking for a garment that will do the following:
>  
>  1. Keep me dry during torrential tropical rain.
>  2. Not fill with water if I dump in 70-85F water.
>  3. Be comfortable in 60F to 90F (80F at a pinch)
>  4. Be functional and safe for occasional cold water trips. >>
> 
> This is really demanding criteria for a single garmet, but I 
> think you should
> call NASA.  They have just what you need.  A Space Suit!  
> Made of Gore Tex
> also!
> 
> John
> 
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