NRS Plunge Dry Tops

On sale at NRS for $105 (50% off).  I don't know anything about this jacket, but it seems like a good deal.



http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?roi=echo4-4077428721-3593206-5199d5b319779c2b4e337f0df2934f57&fc_c=1679927x3593206x213447680&pfid=T2574&deptid=2031&src=rtn1008a&refer=yardsale_teamNRSPlunge

-Allen

I think they have some hydroskins 1/2 off as well, a great time to buy if you can.

I've used the Revolution, which is the same material in a thicker cut. Good stuff, kept me plenty dry & good breathability as well.

Good Timing!  I've been thinking it's time to get a water-proof or water-resistant top for bays and rivers.  My problem is that I don't know enough about them to know if I'm spending my money effectively.

I've been told that all I need is a splash jacket because they're pretty effective at keeping the water out even if you take a plunge.  True?  Not True?

Is there a benefit to going with a DryTop over a SplashTop?

Is there a way to compare breathability of different materials?  Some sort of scale?

I like the "hook and loop" closures on the neck and cuffs.  Seems like it would be a good way to vent when overheating.  True?

Anybody care to share their expertise?

That sounds like a great deal.  However, it looks like NRS only has that drytop in size S or M.

Here's their sizing chart..

D'oh!  Yesterday they had ALL the sizes up on the website.

-Allen

Splash jackets vary in how much water they let in, depending on what closures they use at the neck. Some make a decent seal, some let it pour in like you're just wearing a t-shirt. So it depends on how often you'll end up in the water, and for how long. The Kokatat top I have now does a decent job for quick immersion, not so good for more extended time in the water.

The difference between a splash top and dry top is the latex seals at neck & wrist. The benefit to the latex is a virtually waterproof seal. Combined with a good pair of bibs, you can make a system almost as dry as full suit, but with the added versatility of being able to mix & match parts. The downside is you're basically wearing a condom around your neck and wrists, so comfort can be an issue. Also not so good if you have a latex allergy. For kayak fishing (at least what I've done so far), comfort has been more important than total dryness, so I've used a splash top more often than a dry top.

My favorite so far are the semi-dry tops. These use a neoprene neck gasket, which is close to the dryness of latex, but much more comfortable around the neck. Kokatat, NRS, IR, Stohlquist, and few others make versions of these tops.

There are a few scales around for dryness/breathability (and I can probably dig one up if you want to see it), but they've never done me much good. knowing one top is breathable to 2500 psi vs 1500 an other still didn't tell me if I was going to get the sweat moisture to transfer. A lot also depends on how warm you get & how much you sweat. I can tell you from personal experience that Gore-Tex breathes best for me, Triton came a close second. IR's Event fabric does alright, and Tropos doesn't breathe much for me at all.

The covers on most drytops are there to protect the gaskets from UV & abrasion, and the hook & look closures just allow entrance/exit ease, not venting. Splash tops closures can allow venting, how much depends on the exact closure.

Brian

Thanks Brian!  That's exactly the kind of info. I needed.

Hey Spot....   Brian hooked me up with an XXL NRS Flux Drytop for a really good price right after I picked up my T13.   It has the latex gaskets and to me is a perfect fit vs,  the XL Kokatat Tropos that I tried on earlier while at their shop.   If you're interested you can try it on and see if this kind of jacket is what you are looking for or not.   Note: I'm 6' 215 and normally wear XL clothes.  This one being XXL fits really nice on me.