dry tops.. dunno what to do..

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

fishing "dry" tops (AS, simms, etc.) have very little practicle purpose IMO. they work somewhere between that "i want to stay dry" and "i want to get wet" type of wading. to me, if i'm going deep, i'm wearing a wetsuit and not worrying about it. if not, i'm wearing waders and a pullover jacket like a grunden's or this kokatat that I found for like $50 and love.

the only application that I still like a dry top, is the AS hurricane when its very cold old, like BI in early November, where getting wet will literally ruin your night.

Careful Josh, the Simms is a splash top on account of neoprene gaskets. So is the Hurricane. Sorry, the naming conventions for 'tops is pet peeve of mine. They are sometimes used interchangably and I think it causes confusion.

I feel it sets expectations too high when jackets with neoprene cuffs are called in any way dry since they are not waterproof like latex.

And on the opposite end when you have a true drytop with latex gaskets people who have had a splashtop think they operate the same as that, with water seeping by, and they definitely don't.

My favorite Aquaskinz top these days is the Phantom due to the simple logic of waterproof wrists with latex gaskets and an easy to use neck with no gasket. "Semi-dry top" is what he calls it and that's exactly what it is. 100% waterproof at the wrists and water resistant but comfortable at the neck. It's replaced my Grundens Windjammer for the cold weather November fishing.

Other then that, I completely agree. Going deep, get a wetsuit. And then put a top over it if it's cold.

[GonnaCatchABig1]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Careful Josh, the Simms is a splash top on account of neoprene gaskets. So is the Hurricane. Sorry, the naming conventions for 'tops is pet peeve of mine. They are sometimes used interchangably and I think it causes confusion.

I feel it sets expectations too high when jackets with neoprene cuffs are called in any way dry since they are not waterproof like latex.

And on the opposite end when you have a true drytop with latex gaskets people who have had a splashtop think they operate the same as that, with water seeping by, and they definitely don't.

this is EXACTLY the problem i was/am having. factored in with other things they call "waterproof". i have no idea what is and isnt. right now i am giving them the benefit of a doubt and assuming if it meant to be in water and called water proof. (fabric wise) it keeps 100% of the water out. but i've had things in life called waterproof before in which the definition just meant water wont wreck it. i dont know what to believe any more..

but that begs the question.. if only the latex seals are water tight, then arnt the bottom seals leaky? since i have yet to see one with a latex bottom. (though i suppose it wouldnt do well on fabric any way)