When I have more money available, I will be looking at those nice new skinz tops and compare them with simms etc. but being on the short dollar right now, I am looking at tops for kayakers. There are more to choose from and good deals can be found on last years stuff. Anyone go this route and are you pleased with the results? I am a "get what you pay for" type of guy, but last year I had a 20 dollar wallyworld rain jacket on top and I never quit fishing because of it. Just want to improve on my level of comfort.

Kayak tops work great. A buddy of mine swears by them. I think he picked his up at #^&#^&#^&#^&s' Sporting goods for short money. I was lucky enough to be given a Simms top for my birthday last year.......i will never be without one again...although you are correct, they are a little on the pricey side.

If you want the Simms, you better hurry. It's been discontinued.

And most kayak tops will serve you well. Every once in a while you'll find a poorly built one, but for the most part they're solid.

[QUOTE=Pete_G;492649]If you want the Simms, you better hurry. It's been discontinued.
QUOTE]

What?!?!?! the new style has already been discontinued??

Discontinued? That was quick, considering they came out with a new model for 2007!!!

Bomber Gear makes a good dry-top (kayak). They had one called a Bomber Kai that was great, but they are very hard to find. I am not sure they even make it anymore. They have a few new models out, you gotta spend some time looking. Every now and then I see one out in the surf.:wavey:

Too small a market, so they've lost interest. It only sells in a few areas, surf being one of them. It's the Penn Z series effect. Good product, tiny market. Salt is small, surf is smaller, and the number of surf anglers that fish aggressively enough to want a drytop style jacket is smaller still.

They've got more then enough to sell the rest of the year as well as support/repair/replace the jackets in the coming years though.

Pete, when does the new skinz stuff come out?

I have the NRS endurance. I bought it a couple of years back and got some great use out of it. I still wear it occasionally, but now have a skinz top so my fiance wears it when we go out. she loves it. its great as long as you aren't consistently taking waves over the head. But i get wet even with the skinz so who knows.

Pete, when does the new skinz stuff come out?


Today, for us. Nor'Easters, and Phantoms.

Aquaskinz at SWE (http://www.saltwateredge.com/AQU.html)

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2571&deptid=947

Great top and the price is right.Mine's on ots third season.But you better hurry as this is being discontinued.This years model doesn't have the pocket.

Just noticed they only had sizes XS and S.

Imersion reasearch competition dry top.You can swim in waders if nesc. Watch hill outfitters has em. I have used them all and this is definatly the best top out there that i know of. Tell Fred Bob C. sent u.

I have a kayak top made by bomber gear. Waterproof breathable, wet chest pocket and arm pocket. latex gaskets around the neck and wrists. long length. black with some silver relfective piping. no hood
a little clammy on a hot night, but I have had no leaks and the price was right at about $110 (heavy discount).

One thing to know about kayak dry tops is they run very SMALL.
I got a Kokotat Pac-lite and I needed an XL. I am ony 5 ft. 9 in., 175 lbs.
The more expensive tops are made of Gore tex and have rubber neck/wrist gaskets instead of neoprene.
The one I have is a higher end one. It is $165 at REI, but with the sale they had when they opened I got it for about half price. I've only used it three times, but so far it's been great.

Wow, thanks guys. Another question I was going to ask was do you like the latex gaskets, I think I saw some people don't like them. Better at keeping water out yes, but not neccesarily comfortable on a long outing. I think what I need falls into the splash/spray/semi-dri top catagory. I'm not swimming around like you crazy NPT guys. (YET!)

its not a dry top but i love my grundens sund 763.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2571&deptid=947

Great top and the price is right.Mine's on ots third season.But you better hurry as this is being discontinued.This years model doesn't have the pocket.

Just noticed they only had sizes XS and S.

Was looking at those. Some other decent deals on that site, weird site navigation-wise.

Wow, thanks guys. Another question I was going to ask was do you like the latex gaskets, I think I saw some people don't like them. Better at keeping water out yes, but not neccesarily comfortable on a long outing.

Latex gaskets on mine are comfortable. My concern is will they dry and crack? Time will tell, but I think some manufacturers will replace them.

Was looking at those. Some other decent deals on that site, weird site navigation-wise.

http://nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2581&deptid=947

Another one to look at.

Why they removed the pocket from the Endurance top is beyond me and then up the price $5.

its not a dry top but i love my grundens sund 763.

Another vote here for the Sund 763...

Wow, thanks guys. Another question I was going to ask was do you like the latex gaskets, I think I saw some people don't like them. Better at keeping water out yes, but not neccesarily comfortable on a long outing. I think what I need falls into the splash/spray/semi-dri top catagory. I'm not swimming around like you crazy NPT guys. (YET!)

I had the same concerns....I pretty much hated them the first time I put it on, but after a day of fishing I got totally used to them. They are NOT uncomfortable at all.........they are certainly more comfortable than being soaked all day!!!!!!:humpty:

Go to EMS and try out the NRS Kayak Tops. That way you can try one on and check out the fit and comfort.

The latex gaskets can run a little tight. Normally a medium and I needed to go up to a large. Takes alittle gettign used to, but the water does NOT get in. I got pounded this weekend and knocked down a couple times on a beach and I stayed dry. got mine last year and the latex is in fine shape.

check out sierra trading post (i think a link pops up every and then on the ads on this site). Closeouts and overstocks with some excellent prices.

I have worn my Simms top for 2 yrs, and fished with it hard. The gaskets are still in great shape. The only time they bother me is when I haven't shaved for a week and it is a hot night. Other than that, I love the thing...