Dry Tops - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Sweetwater · 08-22-2005, 03:43 PM

With fall approaching, I'm seriously thinking about breaking down and buying a drytop. I know the Aquaskinz Evo II is a great product. I also just learned about a product from Simms, --> http://www.simmsfishing.com/za/SIM?P...&PROD.ID=21475
that seems similar. Anyone had any experience with the Simms product? Any recommendations.
Thanks

JoeP · 08-22-2005, 05:14 PM

I've had the Simms Surf Top for a couple of months and love it so far.

ThrowingTimber · 08-22-2005, 05:15 PM

Anyone know of any that can take a machine washing?

rizzo · 08-22-2005, 05:42 PM

NRS dry tops are the best by far. Similiar in price too.

Sweetwater · 08-22-2005, 07:12 PM

NRS drytops seem more kayak oriented. The Simms and Aquaskinz have more fishing oriented features such as a front pocket. But maybe I'm not looking at the right model.

spence · 08-22-2005, 07:39 PM

The Simms top is pretty awsome, I've been washing mine in the machine so far with no ill effect.

-spence

NIB · 08-22-2005, 07:43 PM

U read any of the fly fishin mags when they do reveiws the Simms product are always top o the heap.There gore-type jacket is supposedly the best.Same as their breathable wader line.I see they dayglo orange ones in their adds.I think they alsomake a bloo.I would go wit one but I have the Aquaskins From RI Joe already an I'm pretty happy wit it..

redlite · 08-22-2005, 07:48 PM

Bought the Simms a few months ago, but as I have only been boat fishin for the past month and a half, I haven't used it much. The few times I have, I have been pretty happy with it. Do sweat on long walks with just a t-shirt. I really like the big usable pockets on it. Only problem I foresee is that I had to get a large so I could layer in the fall, and the neck may over time not be tight enough. We'll see. So afr so good.

afterhours · 08-22-2005, 08:05 PM

got an evo ll and rampage, love em.

fishweewee · 08-22-2005, 08:10 PM

whatever top you get, i don't think it will last with repeated machine washing.

i think it's best just to soak them in a tub of warm soapy water, using fairly mild detergent is possible.

Sweetwater · 08-22-2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlite

Bought the Simms a few months ago, but as I have only been boat fishin for the past month and a half, I haven't used it much. The few times I have, I have been pretty happy with it. Do sweat on long walks with just a t-shirt. I really like the big usable pockets on it. Only problem I foresee is that I had to get a large so I could layer in the fall, and the neck may over time not be tight enough. We'll see. So afr so good.

I wear a large to x-large normally (t-shirt)...so I assume I should get an extra-large to layer?

spence · 08-22-2005, 08:53 PM

The Simms top fits snug around the middle and has more room around the shoulders. I'm between an XL and XXL and the XXL Simms top is a perfect fit.

17-35 dress shirt if that helps.

-spence

JoeP · 08-22-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spence

The Simms top fits snug around the middle and has more room around the shoulders. I'm between an XL and XXL and the XXL Simms top is a perfect fit.

17-35 dress shirt if that helps.

-spence

Spence is right. I'm a 17 1/2" neck size, 36" sleeves, 6'3", and the Simms XXL is the perfect size. The Simms care tag on the inside says just wash machine cold with no dryer (just line dry).

eelman · 08-22-2005, 11:11 PM

If its anywhere near as good as there waders, I am going to buy one! Its either that or the evo11, I really wish they had a zipper on the neck, because I love to wear my sweatshirts under them, But I like the simms products they really are made well!

eelman · 08-22-2005, 11:15 PM

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.a...71&deptid=947#

Notice the pocket? and the price

basswipe · 08-23-2005, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

Notice the pocket? and the price

$65 ain't bad at all!

Now THAT I can afford.

zacs · 08-23-2005, 07:38 AM

WOW. Who has one?!?! Are they any good at all? Will it last more than one season? $65 is an awesome price.

-Zac

NIB · 08-23-2005, 07:49 AM

Those dry tops are nice when u wanna go deep in ur waders an not get wet.i'm not really a fan of that an will wetsuit if goin deep.for foul weather I use a grundens pullover top i got last yr.it has neopreme cuffs an is fleece lined which makes it alittle hot when warm.plus it has a hood. in the dry top type.I have the opposite problem from most the neopreme collar was chokin me (an it was hard to get over my ears).I hadda go wit the 3x.for comfort.it's pleny roomy though Which is good for groovin.

spence · 08-23-2005, 08:00 AM

Nice thing about the Simms top is that the neck and wrists are not so constricting...easier to get on and more comfortable to wear...

Unless of course you want a true dry top, then the EVO may be the better top for you...

-spence

JoeP · 08-23-2005, 03:27 PM

http://www.hellyhansen.com/SS05/index_flash.html

http://www.hellyhansen.com/SS05/index_flash.html

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&. This one has a velcro neck. I saw one at the HH store in Newport. I think it was around $130.

reelecstasy · 08-23-2005, 03:30 PM

I love my Simms drytop, had plenty of water come over my head and stayed bone dry...I have put a good amount of hours on mine and it still performs. I just rinse it down with fresh when i get home (with everything else) and hang it...I give it a thumbs up

wader-dad · 08-23-2005, 04:14 PM

I got a gift certficate to Patagonia and bought a kayak jacket called the Seaward Pullover which is for expedition paddling. It has same double type wrist set up as the aquaskinz, a neoprene neck that is adjustable with a velcro strap so you can loosen it up-but the best feature is that it has a hood. When its raining or a rogue waves comes in its great. Really comfortable --no feeling like you are being strangled. Also has a pocket.

Only problem is its $210- which for Patagonia is not too bad. So far I like it. I will really test it out on Cuttyhunk in September.

rizzo · 08-23-2005, 04:21 PM

Theres an NRS top around $200 i think. It has double gaskets that hold up to being put on and off. They are made of some sort of a rubber or silcone. Plus theres a gasket around your waist that doesnt let water in so you stay completely dry. It works awesome with a wetsuit especially when you climb up on a rock after being neck deep. If it doesnt have that bottom seal the water comes in and gets trapped above your wading belt. A pain to drain and adds 80#s to your wieght when pulling yourself up.

luds · 08-23-2005, 04:34 PM

I tried on the $65 NRS to and found it extremely uncomfortable. I have the Aqua-Skinz EVO II and its done the job. However my buddy had the seems rip on his evo II after a month of use. after looking at the Simms top I think it looks more durable.

Sweetwater · 08-23-2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luds48

I tried on the $65 NRS to and found it extremely uncomfortable. I have the Aqua-Skinz EVO II and its done the job. However my buddy had the seems rip on his evo II after a month of use. after looking at the Simms top I think it looks more durable.

The $65 version from NRS does not seem to be the same level product as either the Aquaskinz Evo II or the Simms product I found at --> http://www.simmsfishing.com/za/SIM?...r&PROD.ID=21475

As with anything else, you get what you pay for.

eelman · 08-23-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizzo

Theres an NRS top around $200 i think. It has double gaskets that hold up to being put on and off. They are made of some sort of a rubber or silcone. Plus theres a gasket around your waist that doesnt let water in so you stay completely dry. It works awesome with a wetsuit especially when you climb up on a rock after being neck deep. If it doesnt have that bottom seal the water comes in and gets trapped above your wading belt. A pain to drain and adds 80#s to your wieght when pulling yourself up.

Only problem is when you swim out to those rocks "neck deep" you have left all the good fish behind you

I am going with the simms top, seems like the best to me, I have heard several bad things about the aqua skins.......

Pete_G · 08-23-2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizzo

Theres an NRS top around $200 i think. It has double gaskets that hold up to being put on and off. They are made of some sort of a rubber or silcone. Plus theres a gasket around your waist that doesnt let water in so you stay completely dry. It works awesome with a wetsuit especially when you climb up on a rock after being neck deep. If it doesnt have that bottom seal the water comes in and gets trapped above your wading belt. A pain to drain and adds 80#s to your wieght when pulling yourself up.

True latex gaskets are pretty intense, but literally waterproof. Frog's ass, watertight. It's the same sort of gaskets they use in survival suits. I've tested mine many times and NO water comes in thru those gaskets.

I have a kayak drytop (drytops have latex gaskets at both the neck and wrists, traditionally anything else is a splashtop) I bought for surf-fishing, but to be honest I rarely use it these days. The gaskets kind of bugged me. But there's nothing more waterproof.

I've also had both the Aquaskinz and Simms splashtops and had failures with both. I'm really not sure that light neoprene material they use for the neck gasket is up to what surf fisherman throw at it; I've had tears in both products at that spot. They also aren't 100% waterproof in the way latex gaskets are. I'm not going to stop carrying either product, but I'll definitely be cautioning all who buy them to put them on and off carefully. Latex gaskets can fail too (although they definitely last far longer) but they are replaceable.

That's not exactly a glowing endorsement from someone who sells both products, but then again most people who know me know I'll tear any product apart online or in the store (even if it costs a sale) if I don't think it's quite up to par.

I'm with Rizzo, I fish in the wetsuit mostly now and I add a splash or drytop when I need to be a bit warmer. Waders with a carefully put on splashtop the rest of the time.

BasicPatrick · 08-23-2005, 09:27 PM

This discussion has brought up Aquaskinz, Simms & NRS...

I'll give you the difference for me...

Aquaskinz is a sponsor of this site and regularly spomsors/donates/supports the organizations and causes that we on this board care about. If these three products are in the same money and quality range then I have to choose the Aquaskinz as they are a part of this community vs the other two. Have you ever seen Simms donate to your local fishing club, charity tournament or sponsor this or any other web site...

point made...

NIB · 08-23-2005, 10:36 PM

No Question.I've met Kadir first class guy.I have no dought in my mind he will stand behind their product.
I never met mr simms.No plans to go to montana any time soon either.

Rock Hopper · 08-23-2005, 10:48 PM

This is an interesting topic, one that I really did not want to comment on but now I feel compelled to do so.

To answer the comment that has been brought up regarding a cuff or a neck seal tearing, yes that can, will and does happen. This isn't due to being a weakness or a poor design but due more to the stress caused by the users to those areas. On the AquaSkinz site we have put up a link for proper doning and removing of the tops for this very reason. If you pull a rubber band beyond its limits it will snap, same thing here.

To the novice this may seem like it should not happen but to the experienced individual who has used these types of "technical" garments, it is expected, especially if the garment is being used extensively and even more so if it is being put on and removed incorrectly.

For the most part the fishing community is new to this concept and we have been at the forefront in introducing this to this community; hence taking a beating at times unjustly. I personally have been fishing in a wet suit for more than 12 years and in dry top for about ten years. I have more than half dozen dry tops that are now un-used, due to either a tear in the cuff or the neck seal. Why? It costs anywhere from $60.00 to $80.00 to change out a rubber cuff seal and $120-$150 to do a neck seal. It is cheaper to buy a new jacket most of the time.

The other thing is, the rubber gasgets used in most dry tops have about half the life expectancy of the neoprene gasgets we use, trust me, I have done extensive re-search on this. The rubber seals will dry and rot in a relatively short period of time in the salt water even if you wash them regularly. They need to be kept oiled, kinda like a moisterizer. My experience is that most fisherman will not due this but people who kayak exclusively and people who yacht do, hence extending the life of the jacket.

Everyone has a right to buy the product they deem the best for them but I can assure you as an owner of a company that has brought a new concept to fishing the shores of the NE coast that we work very diligently to make sure we have covered as many of the bases as we can think of and when there is a problem, we take care of our clients.

There are large companies out there (S***s) that went as far as trying to buy our EVO2 on the sneak and then copied our design! Why? Because we did all the research, we designed it for the fisherman, we marketed it and then they jumped on our coat tails. They even solicited our dealers off of our web site. You would think a company the size of S***s would have their own ability to design, market and sell but I guess they thought it easier to scavange off of our hard work. That is okay, that is business.

Just for the record, the EVOII has had some minor adjustments for the reasons noted above. The cuff design has been slighlty changed for the better as has the neck seal. Are they impervious to damage, no. They still must be cared for and the proper techniques must be applied for the longevity of the product. I still have customers that are using their original Evolutions without a hitch. Just this past weekend I had to teach a very, very experienced fisherman the way to remove the top as he was pulling and stretching the cuffs beyond what they should be expected to handle. My point, people are still learning the proper way.

Many years ago, there were rods that were like broom sticks, you could throw a pound of lead and a whole bunker and they wouldn't flintch, now we have state of the art rods of all kinds, with specific weight variances and we know we can't or we shouldn't go much beyod those variances. This is kinda the same theory. It will take some time for people to understand this when it comes to these typed of garments.

As a far as fool proof products go, there are none that I am aware of. We make what we believe to be the best tops for the applications they are intented for. No other dry top in the market place is going to give the freedom up top for movement we require that the EVO or the Hurricane is going to give. They just aren't cut for it. Even the competitor who copied our design didn't calculate that. Why? Because they are not fisherman catering to fisherman's needs, that simple.

I apologize if I have gone on too long with this. For those that supported us when we first came on the seen and for those that continue to support us, THANK YOU! We will continue to do our best and we will continue to provide superior customer service. We will continue to support the local causes, organizations, tournaments and events as it is what this company believes in.

Thanks again, best regards and good fishing.

Kadir Akturk
President
AquaSkinz Corp.