Dry Tops & Paddle Jackets Buyer's Guide

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Dry Tops by Kokatat
Paddle Jackets by Kokatat and Stohlquist

Dry tops are like the upper half a dry suit, complete with latex rubber gaskets at the neck and wrist, but they only keep you dry when you are sealed into your kayak with a spray skirt. If you swim, water will go up the bottom of the jacket. None the less, dry tops are a popular piece for kayakers to wear over a farmer john wet suit bib (in which case the wet suit will be your insulation if you swim).

In contrast to a dry top, most paddle jackets do not have latex gaskets. This is both good and bad. If you roll, it is better to have neck and wrist gaskets to keep water out, but if you are not going to roll then you can be more comfortable without a neck gasket. If you are canoeing are rafting, you don't need wrist gaskets either, but even for recreational kayak wrist gaskets are a must because without them water shoots up your sleeves and stays there (canoers etc. have their arms pointed down hill more than kayakers so this is not a problem for them). Some paddle jackets have wrist gaskets combined with a soft neck or adjustable neck, and this is the only style long sleeve paddle jacket a kayaker should buy.

Short sleeve paddle jackets don't need gaskets on the sleeves because your upper arm mostly faces down even when kayaking. Short sleeve paddle jackets are a great piece of gear for summer paddling. Wear it over a wet suit bib or by itself when paddling in warm water. It will keep most of the spray off you and give you some protection against the wind. With no gaskets, they are inexpensive, low maintenance, and pack small when not needed.

We stock a wide variety of dry tops and paddle jackets by Kokatat and Stohlquist to please all sorts of paddlers.

If you have a question, please e-mail us at info@kayakacademy.com or call us at (866) 306-1825. Local and international customers can reach us at (206) 527-1825.