Simms or Guy Cotten Surf Top

[cheferson]

Need to get another surf/dry top for the season. I used the original simms the last 2 seasons and was happy with how it held up. Has anyone used the guy cotten top? Looked pretty good and has a hood , and also the adjustable seals like the simms. Also anywhere with a good return policy (ll bean style) carry either of these? ANy other tops people have had good experiences with ??

[BasicPatrick]

Simms makes some of the best waders on the market but the Simms top is now discontinued. In my opinion they cashed in on the surf top craze and are getting out because the market is small and they got their cash. Not to mention the hard core surf crowd on average does not follow instructions or care for our products and returns a high percentage of products after treating the product with neglect.

Guy Cotten has made high end sailing clothing for years and also makes some commercial fishing clothing as well. Prior to this year they make nothing for the Surf Crowd and now they want to cash in, excuse me, diversify. I know of another company that makes fishing rods coming out with a top as well.

I am an Aquaskinz guy and have a relationship with the company. That being said, why not stick with the company that has been making gear for this market since day one.

I understand the "costs too much" arguement when it comes to Aquaskinz but then again, we have to pay to play with gear that will last. Aquaskinz stands behind the products. They lowered some of their prices a year ago and now they have come up with a less expensive Surf Top.

Here are some other REASONS to consider Aquaskinz.

My thoughts
What company uses the best materials? Aquaskinz
What company continues to get their products copied? Aquaskinz
What company supports this site? Aquaskinz
What company donates to local fishing clubs? Aquaskinz
What company donated to muliple benefits on this site and others? Aquaskinz
What company's owner is directly available to talk to at the shows? Aquaskinz
What company listens to the hard core surf crowd's requests for products? Aquaskinz
What company released two new Surf Tops this show season? Aquaskinz

Check the products out at the RISAA show.

[cheferson]

After 2 seasons my simms top looked like my skinz top did after less then one season. Overall i did not have the best experience with the skinz top , but that was over 3 years ago. Has anyone had experience with kokatat tops? I see they have a do it yourself kit for replacing the gaskets once they are damaged.

[bart]

chef- i'm not sure if they're still around but check out NRS and Bronko.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by cheferson

After 2 seasons my simms top looked like my skinz top did after less then one season. Overall i did not have the best experience with the skinz top , but that was over 3 years ago. Has anyone had experience with kokatat tops? I see they have a do it yourself kit for replacing the gaskets once they are damaged.

Kokatat has bulletproof construction BUT the latex gaskets have a finite lifespan like any gasket. Care taking them on and off as well as treating them with something like 303 Aerospace Protectant is advised during the offseason as well. With some effort you should be able to get at least a few years without any gasket tearing.

I had a Kokatat dry top a few years ago but I found the latex neck gasket just too intense and restrictive. It was a $350 experiment that failed overall, I sold it after a dozen or so uses since wrestling into and out of it was just too much work. It was incredibly watertight but uncomfortable. In hindsight I would have just worn a wetsuit instead of that top in the conditions I bought the top for.

If it's a Kokatat model without a latex neck gasket it might make a good top though.

I know you've had a rough go with Aquaskinz but I'd also take a look at the Phantom. A versatile neck set up and the true waterproofness of latex gaskets at the wrists.

The SWE sells the Guy Cotten top and I've never heard any complaints, but it also hasn't been around for very long. I don't/haven't owned one personally so I can't really give you any good intel on it.

[WadingWill]

Originally Posted by BasicPatrick

Simms makes some of the best waders on the market but the Simms top is now discontinued. In my opinion they cashed in on the surf top craze and are getting out because the market is small and they got their cash. Not to mention the hard core surf crowd on average does not follow instructions or care for our products and returns a high percentage of products after treating the product with neglect.

Guy Cotten has made high end sailing clothing for years and also makes some commercial fishing clothing as well. Prior to this year they make nothing for the Surf Crowd and now they want to cash in, excuse me, diversify. I know of another company that makes fishing rods coming out with a top as well.

I am an Aquaskinz guy and have a relationship with the company. That being said, why not stick with the company that has been making gear for this market since day one.

I understand the "costs too much" arguement when it comes to Aquaskinz but then again, we have to pay to play with gear that will last. Aquaskinz stands behind the products. They lowered some of their prices a year ago and now they have come up with a less expensive Surf Top.

Here are some other REASONS to consider Aquaskinz.

My thoughts
What company uses the best materials? Aquaskinz
What company continues to get their products copied? Aquaskinz
What company supports this site? Aquaskinz
What company donates to local fishing clubs? Aquaskinz
What company donated to muliple benefits on this site and others? Aquaskinz
What company's owner is directly available to talk to at the shows? Aquaskinz
What company listens to the hard core surf crowd's requests for products? Aquaskinz
What company released two new Surf Tops this show season? Aquaskinz

Check the products out at the RISAA show.

I agree I'm an Aquaskinz guy too.

[angler229]

A couple years ago I was wearing Kokatat top while doing aquaculture work in the winter and I thought it was fantastic. It had latex neck and wrist gaskets but once you have them trimmed right I don't think that is a problem with movement also as long as you take care of it they'll hold up pretty well. If I had 400 bucks for their high end top I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

[Rmarsh]

I was looking for a new drytop. I saw the the Guy Cotten top and was close to buying it and tried one on. It seems to be very well made.
Then I tried on the Phantom by Aquaskinz,(about the same price as the Guy Cotten) that made my decision easy. I bought the Aquaskinz based on the fact it fit so well and I felt comfortable in it. I liked the fact that it is a little longer in the waist (past my hips slightly). Bottom line is try them on before buying.

Hope this was helpful!

[Bass Babe]

I haven't had any experience actually using any of the tops, but I'll tell you what I do know -- Guy Cotten has quality stuff. Yeah, maybe they're cashing in on the dry top craze, but wouldn't you if you could? At their factory in New Bedford, you can have your items fixed and/or replaced. Every commercial fisherman I've talked to that wears Guy Cotten loves it and wouldn't get anything else.

RRC had a Simms top whose stretchy rubber parts cracked.

Otherwise, I've heard nothing personally about the other companies mentioned.

And I don't know what this is, but I love it:

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by BasicPatrick

Simms makes some of the best waders on the market but the Simms top is now discontinued. In my opinion they cashed in on the surf top craze and are getting out because the market is small and they got their cash. Not to mention the hard core surf crowd on average does not follow instructions or care for our products and returns a high percentage of products after treating the product with neglect.

Guy Cotten has made high end sailing clothing for years and also makes some commercial fishing clothing as well. Prior to this year they make nothing for the Surf Crowd and now they want to cash in, excuse me, diversify. I know of another company that makes fishing rods coming out with a top as well.

I am an Aquaskinz guy and have a relationship with the company. That being said, why not stick with the company that has been making gear for this market since day one.

I understand the "costs too much" arguement when it comes to Aquaskinz but then again, we have to pay to play with gear that will last. Aquaskinz stands behind the products. They lowered some of their prices a year ago and now they have come up with a less expensive Surf Top.

Here are some other REASONS to consider Aquaskinz.

My thoughts
What company uses the best materials? Aquaskinz
What company continues to get their products copied? Aquaskinz
What company supports this site? Aquaskinz
What company donates to local fishing clubs? Aquaskinz
What company donated to muliple benefits on this site and others? Aquaskinz
What company's owner is directly available to talk to at the shows? Aquaskinz
What company listens to the hard core surf crowd's requests for products? Aquaskinz
What company released two new Surf Tops this show season? Aquaskinz

Check the products out at the RISAA show.

Hey Patrick tells us how you really feel!!!!!!

I'd love an Aquaskinz top but my wife somehow keeps reminding me of our two daughters in college and how come that yellow raincoat she got me at Ocean State job lot is good enough for now.

Why didn't someone tell me that smart kids are expensive????????

[Clogston29]

based on what I've bought and had fail, any jacket with thin, "watertight" gaskets will fail. if your really carefull, it may last longer than if you're not, but it will fail. The thicker neoprene cuffs (like on grundens) hold up great but aren't waterproof, more like splash proof. I've dediced to ditch so called drytops (although I'll wear the torn ones I have until they're no longer at all functional) and go with a wetsuit in situations that I need a dry top. When a splash top will do, I either were a breathable simms wading jacket (if its really hot or humid) or a grundens petrus or sund pullover.

[Tagger]

Saw that black Guy Cotton top at the show .. Mint ... well made and like the Stealth apperance also .. the other tops are too flashy (colors)... When I hit the number I'll get that Guy Cotton top ..

[cheferson]

No one here owns a guy cotten top? ALL set with aquaskinz, unless i got a FREE surf top or 2 from from them.

[riverrat2]

Never used there dry tops. But know plenty of people that use their skins and seem to hold up well.

[Adam R]

I bought the Guy Cotton top last year. So far it's been great. It breathes well, has a hood and keeps me dry in a driving rain. Being solid black with no reflector strips was also a selling point for me.

I tried on a bunch of different tops including the 'skinz tops and I liked that one the best.
The cuff seals have velcro to tighten them up and makes it a lot easier to get the jacket off.
The cuffs on the 'skinz are better at keeping water out when releasing a fish - a little water can trickle in past the seal on the Cotton, but it's not bad.

I fish conventional, so I have to keep the reel out of the water - I'm not wading up to my neck. If you do a lot of deep wading, the 'skinz may be a better choice.

Try them all on, evaluate what you really need in a jacket and buy the one that suits you the best.

Hope this helps.

[Crow]

I have the Guy Cotton top and so far so good. Works well and the sleeve gaskets work well. As with my other Cotton pullover it is tight to get on but once its on it is extremely comfortable. The only feature I don't care for is the neck gasket, which I find to create as much water as it keeps out. All in all I like it very much.

[Rock Hopper]

PHP Code:

 ALL set with aquaskinz, unless i got a FREE surf top or 2 from from them. 


Unlikely Cheferson, since the last batch of "free" stuff you got -down to hat & t-shirt - financed your hernia operation from what I can remember . See if Guy Cotton provides any "free" items for ya and while you're at it, see if they will provide any "free" items for any events, causes, organizations, tournaments etc. as a supporter ...which is also unlikely.

[wheresmy50]

Thanks for the responses. I've been trying to decide between Simms and Cotton but I'm leaning toward Simms only because I know nothing about either other than Simms makes good stuff.

The seal seams on my aquaskinz top have pulled apart.

[Green Light]

True or False: An AquaSkinz surf top is for the die hard surfcaster and a Simms top is for the fashionable conscious surf caster?



PS

Do not take me too seriously...