I need a new dry top

[newby0616]

GH-- I guess I didn't really have a question, more of a commentary!
But thanks for trying to answer me in all my confusion just the same (been a long week here!)

I know we were discussing drytops, and focusing on the Kokatat brand in particular, but I'd looked at these some time ago and all I could find was Kokatats with latex gaskets (as opposed to some of the other lines that do it up with neoprene instead)?? I was more being wistful here today and saying hey, what gives, why doesn't Kokatat have any other options, y'know?

I'm allegric to everything-- everything. It's a real pain in the ass sometimes: foods, animals, insects, environmental factors, and yes, even latex. ESPECIALLY latex. Sometimes I think I single-handedly kept Pfizer in business with my Zyrtec scripts before they came out with their little blue pills that've made everyone there a millionaire....

For whatever it's worth, I can't even handle charts or supplies that've been bound with rubber bands here in the office: I'm such a weenie, undoing the rubber bands near my face, or writing with a pen that's had one wound around it then not washing my hands, still has enough rubber particles or fumes or whatever that I literally start having difficulty breathing in about 5-10 min. NOT a situation I want to be in out in some serious backcountry with the nearest hospital more than 3 hours away!

[gh]

stohlquist and ir have ones with neoprene. people swear by them. the allergies sound like a bitch. i have a weird food allergy so i have some understanding bout the frustrations you must have

[newby0616]

The "weird" food allergy doesn't happen to be watermelons, does it?

'Cause that's my craziest one.... I've only known one other person who (claimed to) have a watermelon allergy. And I'm tellin' ya,' until you've known the sheer joy that is puking pure pink watermelon pulp on a blistering hot afternoon, preferably at a picnic surrounded by plenty of "friends" who'll never let you forget such a fine life-defining moment, you've never yet lived, my friend!

[gh]

No, wheat....its in everything...including beer and pizza. Its quite sad.

[jims]

There is a potential problem with goretex delaminating that causes leakage. Stohlquist has abandoned Goretex long ago with superior and excellent alternatives. Give them a call and discuss your experiences and see what they can do to help.

js

[Boyd]

man...I've had Bomber gear (gasket tore)...Kokatat...it lasted FAIRLY well but wasn't really dry.[img]

I finally broke down and got a Stohlquist FreePlay... it's incredible! I'm abusive to my gear...severely...so if something lasts with me...it's incredible. I've had absolutely NO PROBLEMS with Stohlquist tops. I'd like to know where you guys are getting these GoreTex tops cause Stohlquist quit makin' Gore-Tex like 2 years ago...they use this better material they call Eclipse fabric. The new material is like 20 billion times more durable and dry than any other top I've had.... it's amazing.

I just read this stuff about their durability...and it sounds like you guys havin' trouble, are buyin' them through some online stores that're letting them dryrot...really sounds more like abused Garage sale tops? definitely not typical of Stohlquist.

Also, my girlfriend has the women's FreeRyde top....supposed to be a "semi" drytop...but it's more dry than her old IR or my old kokatat she used to use. She LOVES it! she's never been happier with a top before.
I'm on the water like 5 days a week...and I've paddled for 13 years...I've NEVER found better tops than our Stohlquist tops. seriously.
just my two cents yall.

- B.[/img]

[MonsieurExtrem]

I shelled out for a Lotus because I was told it was the best. Well, I'm still using it after about 150 days of paddling. However, I've never been completely dry in it. And I don't think it's the gaskets. I guess it's the gore-tex or whatever Patagonia uses. My arms get wet first and by the end of a two or three hour sesion, I'm totally wet. It's bearable but not exactly ideal. I've heard good things about Kokatat.

[cooutdoor]

I know everyone keep saying kokotak but I can NOT afford that now. I found a Rage-in wear top that looks bomber, but i have never heard of them. Has ANYONE?

[BrianK]

I have the Palm model aquarium and its amazing. It lets in all the water in the river but once its inside that thing is air tight. I have yet to see any water leak out once it has gotten in. Excellent for may/early june boating. Check it out.

[carimackey98@hotmail.com]

Immersion Research Full conditions dry top. It will be the best invetment you ever make. It is of course completely dry, the fabric they use breathes really well, and feels really nice. Of all the dry tops out there it is the most compfrtable, dry, breathable, and nicest looking there is. I know they are expensive, all dry tops are but it is totally worth it. Work a couple extra shifts or something - you get what you pay for!!