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Paddle jacket, splash jacket, splash top they go by many names and are used interchangeably for the same product, but they all share a similar purpose: keep you drier and warmer. Typically these are light weight 1 or 2 layer jackets designed to prevent water from soaking your upper body. They are secured with hook and loop style wrists and necks as well as a waist band you can cinch with bungee cord. in general these are used by outfitters of commercial use, but they find a great place in the gear sheds of private boaters for emergencies or just as spare splash gear. If you are trying to understand what is out on the market we have a helpful buyer’s guide at the bottom of the page otherwise you can find more info about Paddle Jackets below.
Paddle jackets are designed to prevent splashes and block wind…or frogs rather than out seal water. Typically these are used by outfitters of commercial use, but they find a great place in the gear sheds of private boaters for emergencies or just as spare splash gear.
The paddle jacket is a nylon or polyester shell made from 1-2 layers of fabric. These shells are designed to be generally impermeable through the fabric to prevent water from soaking through.
Paddle jackets help stop heat loss by reducing convection. Wind is extremely efficient at whisking heat away from your body. Wind chill is a measure of how quickly the wind can dissipate heat from your body.
Water is also extremely efficient at pulling heat away from your body. A good paddle jacket will be designed to shed water off of you; however the fabric can wet out and become saturated. The fabric should prevent cold water from further soaking you and sapping your heat.
Paddle jackets are an economical option for keeping you warm in many 3 season conditions. If you can’t afford a dry top, you can often get by with a paddle jacket and other protective clothing. This is typically one of the first pieces of cold weather gear new boaters will purchase.
As you spend more time in the rafting community you may decide to purchase some higher end gear like a dry top. The great thing is the paddle jacket still has a place as you can lend it out to get more friends to comfortably join you on the water.
The second great thing about having an extra paddle jacket is to keep it in a drybag for emergency purposes.
Paddle Jackets are ideal for 3 season boating. Late Spring, Summer and Fall are the best times to use a paddle Jacket. These can best be described as light duty outer layers a kin to a solid rain jacket.
These are most commonly doubled up over a farmer john style wetsuit for commercial rafting clients. This can be further enhanced with a fleece underlayer. This combination makes a great layering system for new boaters at an affordable cost. If you want to learn more about layering you can read more here.
The other important option for these jackets as their owners buy better gear is in the emergency kit. These make great options in any weather as an additional layer to prevent hypothermia. It also makes a good companion on warm river trips.
In many areas adverse weather can pop up at any time, monsoon rains, high winds, and thunderstorms are always a possibility in river canyons during the summer. If you are dressed for hot weather then the temperature drops quickly or someone takes a long cold swim, one of these jackets could mean the difference between a bad day and a comfortable trip.
Most often paddle jackets have an elastic or straight shell material neck and wrists. The better jackets on the market will have a softer material overlaying the wrist like neoprene.
These gaskets are secured with hook and loop style wrists and neck closures. Again the idea here is not to form a complete waterproof seal, but to keep the wind and splashes off of your body.
The waist band is often pretty basic with most paddle jackets, but nearly every model on the market today has a bungee cord built into the waist band you can cinch. Paddle jackets are not particularly popular with kayakers because the single tunnel design does not help seal out water particularly well.
This single tunnel design works great for rafting though since we don’t have the same issues kayakers have with boats flooding. Also if you do get water in the jacket you can simply put a hand under the waist band of the jacket to release any water.
MSRP $ 138.00
Polyester face fabric helps the Zephyr jacket stay lighter, breathe better, dry faster, and avoid condensation to keep you feeling dry. An articulated cut provides excellent freedom of movement. The mesh lining helps keep the shell off your skin allowing better breathability and eliminates the clammy feeling most waterproof jackets create when worn with a short sleeve base layers. Adjustable hook and loop wrists and neck can be tightened down to keep water out or worn loosely to increase air flow. Low profile drawstring waist mates perfectly with a spray skirt reducing bulk around your midsection.
2-layer waterproof/breathable shell treated with C6 DWR (durable water repellent) finish
Adjustable hook and loop neckband and wrist cuffs
Fully seam taped
Size variations available to fit paddlers of all shapes and sizes (S-XXL)
Weight: .89lbs (15oz)
MSRP $ 99.95
Extend your paddling season at a great price with the waterproof, breathable NRS Men's Endurance Splash Jacket. The Endurance is a perfect lightweight option to block wind and spray on the water.
Lightweight HyproTex™ material provides waterproof-breathable protection while being flexible for boating and easy to stow.
Adjustable urethane neck and wrist closures help keep out water.
Action-cut design allows room to layer underneath without restricting paddling motion.
Waist secures with an adjustable drawcord.
Factory-taped seams ensure waterproof performance.
Grippy polyurethane dots along the hem keep the jacket in place.
The Endurance Jacket features a sleeve accessory pocket with water-resistant zipper for small essentials.
