| marketplace review |
Sea kayakers have as much reason to get excited about a good outer layer as any paddler. Rough weather at sea can be as ferocious as any river, and salt water has an insidious way of wearing on gear. Weather can also strike on a lake, making the following nine tops for touring as perfect for inland tourers as for their sea-faring counterparts. All of the jackets listed below go well beyond the call of duty. They shed water, breathe and allow ample room in all the right places for range of motion. The real differences lie in the subtle creativeness of the manufacturers, who adorn their wares with different styles and color schemes. But one thing is as clear as the salt- and fresh-water the jackets are made for: flatwater paddlers of all persuasions will be hard-pressed to find jackets better suited for the touring task than the ones we've found here.
Don't let the classic, crossing-guard look of the Skanorak fool you: Patagonia again took design a step forward with this touring top/rain jacket. The Skanorak Top ($295) is pullover-style with a hood, bellowed chest pockets (which include internal gear loops, handwarmer slots and weather-proof Velcro closure) and powerful drawstrings. The quick-adjust drawcords serve to cinch the roll-top hood (with new Jamlock one-hand operation), hem and waist--so the jacket can be worn long or cinched up around the middle. The chest zipper is deep and features a gutter/flap system. The wrists and neck (Stretchcoat inner collar and wrists) are quite waterproof and even more comfortable, and are all secured with Velcro. Fabric is 4.8-oz., three-layer, H2No Storm Fabric on the inside and composite, two-ply 70-denier taffeta on the inside-making the jacket both waterproof and breathable. Seams are all sealed at the Patagonia factory and Y-Joint sleeves feature anatomically curved elbows. Available in S-XXL, the Skanorak was as comfortable and dry as any hooded jacket of the bunch.
It's not surprising that expedition paddler Steph Dutton enjoys his relationship as a Kokatat ambassador-especially if he gets to wear the Gore-Tex Tec Tour. Kokatat has five tops in its Tour Series, but this is the beefiest-down to the sticky sprayskirt tunnel, reflective tape and zippered accessory pockets on both sleeves. The Tec Tour ($310) targets hard-core sea kayakers, featuring a competition-cut front-zip with a gusseted lycra inner-collar protected by a zippered double storm flap. It also comes with an integral wide-billed storm hood with bungi drawcords and factory-sealed seams. Wrists feature latex gaskets for the necessary tight seal, and the neck has an adjustable neoprene closure that seals out splash and still allows ventilation. Both are extremely comfortable with coated-lycra outer cuffs. The inner tunnel works with a sprayskirt or with Kokatat's Whirlpool Bib. The jacket is 2-oz. Gore-Tex Lite (three-layer laminate) ripstop nylon and is available (S-XL) in either mango/black or cobalt/black. A sea kayaking professional like Dutton would have a hard time finding a better jacket. If the Tec Tour is too much jacket for what you need, look into the Gore-Tex AdvenTour Anorak ($302); the Gore-Tex Tour de Force ($308); the ShellTour Anorak ($129) or the All Tour ($126).
A manufacturer of boats and apparel for more than 23 years, Perception's line of spraywear tops for 1998 consists of two pieces for touring or whitewater. Perception's toughest jacket, the Bomber Top ($180) is designed primarily as a whitewater piece, but the crossover aspects are close to ideal. It's made of loose-cut Supplex, urethane-coated for waterproofness, with unique XoSkin neck gaskets that are comfortable and user-friendly with a Velcro closure system. Sleeves are tapered to the wrists with interior, laminated neoprene gaskets, and a super-sticky double tunnel provides a watertight skirt seal. The Perception top looks as sharp as it feels, available in black and red (S-XL); and the absence of bells and whistles make it particularly attractive. The lighter-weight paddling jacket version of this top is the Deluxe Spray Jacket ($90). These pullovers feature a convenient pull-tab front pocket (long-sleeve only), and also are made from Supplex. Taped seams shed water and a double-faced neoprene neck offers warmth and dryness.
The Full Force Paddling Jacket from Mountain Surf is a modest and effective entry into the touring market. It's actually another crossover: a high-quality paddling jacket that works great in the surf. The Full Force ($83.95) features specially cut neck and wrist lycra-neoprene cuffs without gaskets. The 200-denier (4-oz.) oxford nylon fabric with a 2-oz. Super K coating makes the top dry and tough. Seams are stitched and seam sealed. It also features a wide, ladder-lock neoprene waistband. The Full Force was ideal for several chilly pool sessions, would be a good jacket for someone who paddles in all disciplines, and is a fine all-around paddling top. It is available in red, royal, teal and all black with a large, mesh front pocket. If you like this jacket but want to take it up a notch for wild seas or serious whitewater, check out the Flood Stage Original Paddling Top ($99.95), with the same features as the Full Force plus a double waist and skirt tunnel.
The SeaShell Touring Anorak ($124.95) is built for the extremes and is only one piece of Stohlquist's extensive touring line. Material is 200-denier SuperSoft fabric with a unique mesh liner to keep water from soaking upwards. This is another of the full-length, hooded jackets, including bungi draw cords at the waist and hem. The double-gussetted front zipper opens from chin to waist and is protected by a Velcro spray panel. Also on the chest are two Velcro-closure cargo pockets with over-lie compartments for hand warming. Wrist gaskets are neoprene with Velcro closure; the neck is protected with a neoprene collar. The SeaShell is available in slate/purple or yellow/navy (S-XXL). The other touring-jacket option from Stohlquist is the NorthStar Touring Jacket, designed for a wide spectrum of watersports and as rain gear. The NorthStar features pit-zips, full-length front zipper, hood and front cargo pockets. It also features Polartec-lined hand warmer pockets set in side-seams; and is available in 200-denier SuperSoft or 70-denier Nude-X fabric. The waist-length touring option from Stohlquist is the Vagabond Touring Anorak ($83.50), featuring taped seams on 200-denier SuperSoft, a hood and front pocket, 3/4-length zipper and neoprene cuffs.
Vancouver, B.C.'s Navarro offers the Sympatex Desolation Anorak ($240) for fowl-weather, adventurous touring paddlers (sans Sympatex, $165). The Desolation (factory seam-sealed) sports a full-featured hood that rolls into a collar, and large Velcro-closure splash-guard bellows pockets on the chest (with drainholes) with handwarmer pockets behind them. The deep front zipper features an inner chinguard and is protected by double overflaps with a rainguard that secures with a Velcro strip. Articulated elbows and free-movement sleeves make it comfortable and roomy. Cuffs feature Velcro-closure neoprene seals and the collar also sports a neoprene splash-guard neckband. Waist and hem are shockcord adjustable. Colors are navy/red, cobalt/red and red/cobalt, available in S-XXL.
Planetary Gear's Jetty Touring Top is the first entry of this hard-core accessory company into the touring-apparel market. The Jetty features the same aggressive, technical style of the company's Bombshell Dry Top, with the same waterproof/breathable fabrics factory seam-sealed all over. Unique wrist gaskets and cuff systems, along with the supple, waterproof-lycra neck, ensure a dry, comfortable fit. Reflective bands on each arm provide for safe channel crossings during dusk or nighttime paddles, and a double-zippered chest pocket provides easy access to items when wearing a PFD. The double chimney system trimmed with a micro-skin neoprene prevents wave blasts from entering the jacket or boat. The Jetty ($XXX) has everything you could want in a warm, comfortable touring top.
Rapidstyle's Lined Sea Kayak Jacket, designed by Olympian Dana Chladek, is versatile and features factory heat-sealed seams lined throughout with mesh; material is soft, two-ply nylon Supplex with urethane coating. The Sea Kayak Jacket ($159) also features a lined, shock-corded and removable hood. Neck and wrist closures are neoprene with Velcro closure. The extra-long front zipper with a double storm flap allows for easy removal. It has an expandable sleeve pocket and a hand warmer front pocket with zipper closure. It's available in slate blue with teal, sizes S-XL.