snip Hank asked: > > First, if you have a wet suit and a dry suit, in what circumstances do you > find yourself using your dry top? Paddling on our year 'round 50 degree waters, I never use my wet suit and dry top anymore, although I know many warmer-blooded paddlers WILL switch to their wet-suit on hot summer days. I WOULD use my wet suit and dry top on warmer, inland waters, or if paddling in warmer climates. I wished I'd had my Kokatat Tec-Tour at the Sweetwater Symposium last year, but stupidly left it home! > > Second, I'm interested in people's experiences with various brands and > models. In MHO, it depends on my "dry" you truly want to be, along with how cold your water is. Do you want to be dry through rolls? Through rescue practice? If so, you need gaskets, neck and wrist. (Lots of people HATE neck gaskets.) My Tec-Tour leaks a bit down the neck, and I recently purchased a Bomber gear top (on sale) with neck gaskets that is completely dry. But these are both expensive tops. If you are in a mild climate, and just looking for wind/rain/splash protection, I bet you could get my with something much less costly. Jolie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jolie asked: <..., I'm interested in people's experiences with various brands and models.> I love my Nigel Dennis Sea Anorak Extreme. It has gaskets on the wrist only. ND uses their version of Gore Tex called 'Diffusion', an English product. It was a little cheaper than the Kokatat, about $216.00. Great configuration of pockets & hood that drains and seals around the neck and waist without too much restriction. The color is highly visible. The hood has an adjustable bill that helps with peripheral vision. I get very little leakage even in rolling practices. Here on the Gulf Coast of Texas I only had a few opportunities that required it this year, combining rain with colder water--Saturday at the Sweetwater Symposium was was one of them! Chris Kuhlman Seabrook, TX *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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