Paddle Jackets

Reviewed by Paula Johanson

This paddle jacket is completely windproof and rainproof. It keeps me warm on rainy days paddling, when I wear it over a shortie wetsuit or over a merino wool shirt and shorts. This men's jacket suits women too. It's a fairly close-fitting style, so buy a size larger if you plan to layer it over a thick sweater.

Kayaking on the West Coast near Vancouver and Seattle means needing rain gear — the real thing, not cheap stuff. This jacket is listed as "Made of eXhaust 2.5-ply waterproof-breathable nylon." I wear it in the rain without getting any water seeping in at wrists, waists, or seams. The jacket is also completely wind-proof. In a men's medium I have enough room to wear a light sweater under the jacket, and usually I wear just a long sleeve merino wool shirt. Don't know how "breathable" this jacket really is in challenging conditions, but it's breathable enough for me.

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Reviewed by Sheila Bergin Goss

This is a reasonably priced paddle jacket, very roomy and comfortable for paddling. I use to for cool weather canoeing, and it has served me well for that use. I have room for a light fleece under it, and room for a PFD over it. Though I am a woman, I use men's jackets, as I really prefer LONG sleeves.

The jacket is very comfortable to wear while paddling, even as I wear it under a PFD. The sleeves have a roomy cut, and the velcro splash cuffs are soft, and not irritating as some velcro cuffs can be. The neck is very soft, and the quarter-zip zipper is a fine length. I have used the jacket in air temps of 34-50, comfortably. The pocket on the left sleeve is very handy, and easy to access. This is just a lightweight jacket, and I opted for a model without a hood (I find hoods impair my lateral visibility too much). The fabric is definitely lightweight, and since I have only used the jacket for this past season, I can only anticipate that it will reflect the quality of the jacket overall, and will hold up well.

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Reviewed by Twig

An excellent splash top that I was able to purchase at a steep discount.

I have one (in grey) and also the long-sleeve version (red and white). They were both sold at a steep discount on STP, which is why I bought them without really realizing the utility. But I have since discovered that paddling jackets are far superior to wearing a regular rain jacket or shell, because the arm and neck gaskets keep water from running down your sleeves as you lift your arms to take a stroke. They are also cut so that you have plenty of space in the shoulders, which doesn't limit your paddling movements like a regular jacket might.

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