dry tops.. dunno what to do..

[GonnaCatchABig1]

Originally Posted by The Iceman 6

GonnaCatchaBigOne -

Just like you, a few sweatshirts and a nice raincoat for the fall. Works for me.

Ice

does that actually keep the water out? cause i managed to get wet alot last year. and the problem with that is it generates alot of laundry. and im a laundromat guy with a small wardrobe. i try to keep it to one fishing outfit per week. sea soaked sweat shirts are fine... till the next time you hafta wear them. so im thinking i should probably get one.

soo to zenos comment about thickness. do they generally share the same characteristics of waders? (i dont have a car so i cant go shopping and touching at will. i hate internet shopping...) i've seen some that look like they are all neoprene. i'm pretty sure i saw a gortex one.
what other materials are there and what are their characteristics?

id want something really light. basically a water proof windbreaker. that i could use "comfortably" in spring and bad summer weather. but also bundle up under it on the cold fall nights .

some of the nicer ones look like winter coats. but the lighter ones dont look very water proof.

[striperjerk1]

Ive,d been using a rain jacket for yrs. and no problem. i have the stearns breathable with velcro cuffs and like it very much. stumbled a few times and still was dry.

[GonnaCatchABig1]

what kind of rain jackets are you guys talking about? the rubber/pvc type stuff ones? cause every rain jacket i have ever had would soak through after being in the rain for an hour. let alone under water.

[vanstaal]

ya gotta think of the time of year it is those top keep you some what dry they also don't let any air in there for you sweat I bought a good HD Grunden top for 140.00 collar opened only wear it in early spring and the fall or when its raining it's the hood that make a difference for me .


my.02

[JamesJet]

I also wear the Helly Hanson Raincoat - its like $25 and works fine, I use it with a grundens bib when on boats and as a rainjacket in the surf. I did however buy a drytop on whim for the kayak from Sierra trading post, the Simms one and I don't have any complaints.

[Zeno]

Originally Posted by JamesJet

I also wear the Helly Hanson Raincoat - its like $25 and works fine, I use it with a grundens bib when on boats and as a rainjacket in the surf. I did however buy a drytop on whim for the kayak from Sierra trading post, the Simms one and I don't have any complaints.

glad to hear that
sometimes i feel "underdressed"

[GonnaCatchABig1]

ok so afer now having looked at probably 50 or 60 tops. i think im seeing a pattern.

when it comes to "dry" top vs. "splash" top - appears that while the dry is fully water proof. the splash can soak through after prolonged periods of time in water.

and

dry vs. semi dry - it appears to be they are almost the same thing. except there are no tight cuffs to form seams on the semi drys.

are those two observations correct? or am i still missing something?



as far as the rain jackets go. i reallly want to hop on board that train. but i cant see any way they would protect me from a wave. a crashing wave while in waste high. i can see. but im usually with in 6inches of being chest deep. and do take rollers over my waders. (its about a 50 yrd distance difference. from waste high to chest high which i would love to not have to give up.)basically i would like to be able to switch to chest high breathables and use the top as way to keep waves out of the waders. which i am now under the impression is possible with a dry top and all the seals they have. (at first i didnt under stand how the waist seals were set up, but the NRS site explained them better than any other site. thanks tynan)

can any one deny that a full dry top they will keep the rollers out? cause if so it negates the whole point and i can go the rain jacket route and lose the 50 yrds.

[late-start]

Originally Posted by GonnaCatchABig1

im usually with in 6inches of being chest deep. and do take rollers over my waders. (its about a 50 yrd distance difference. from waste high to chest high which i would love to not have to give up.)basically i would like to be able to switch to chest high breathables and use the top as way to keep waves out of the waders..

in that case go dry top or consider wet suit.

[GonnaCatchABig1]

ok so they do work like that! thank you. i thought that but then thought perhaps the allowed water in after extended amounts of time. acting more like a a heavy duty rain coat. but if not cool.

now i will go back to my original headache. trying to figure out which bells and whistles are all flash. and which have actually applications. and trying to find one thats light and roomy. they are so much money, i will hate myself if i skimp out on an option figuring.. i wont need that. only to realize later that i do. i think i will just focus on the snuggest waist seam. as it seems to be the most suspect area of water entry.

thanks guys. i better sleep before i drive my self(and you all) batty tonight. too late..

[good2hook]

z, what's the name of the new aquaskinz top you ended up getting?