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Waterproof paddling clothing

Waterproof paddling clothing is essential for experienced paddlers, especially in cold water temperatures and bad weather! Here you will find suitable dry pants, dry jackets and dry suits from the brands Hiko, NRS, Palm, Peak PS, Sandiline and Spade.

Dry pants & paddle jacket, dry suit or rather long john and paddle jacket? Opinions differ when it comes to choosing waterproof paddling clothing. Years ago, the Alpine Kayak Club tested all possible combinations on the ice channel and summarized the results here. Basically, however, the following applies: Always dress according to the water temperature, not the outside temperature!

Waterproof clothing has no thermal insulation, so always wear suitable clothing underneath Baselayer be worn!

Waterproof fabric

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The materials used consist of several fabrics with 2-4 layers. On the outside, a nylon fabric always protects your membrane. This is usually protected with a Durable Water Repelent (DWR), a water-repellent coating. On the inside follows a breathable, microporous membrane that transports water vapor to the outside, but keeps water out. The effect of this membrane depends solely on the temperature! Additional layers are inner mesh fabrics that protect the microporous membranes from abrasion and other breathable membranes.

We have put together an overview of the materials for you here:

Manufacturers Material water column vapor permeability
Palm XP2 5.000 mm 5.000g/24hrsm²
Palm XP2.5 10.000 mm 5.000g/24hrsm²
Palm XP3 20.000 mm 4.000g/24hrsm²
Palm XP4 25.000 mm 5.000g/24hrsm²
Peak HP X2 10.000 mm 5.000g/24hrsm²
Peak HP X2.5 10.000-20.000 mm 5.000-8.000 g/24hm²
Peak HP X3 20.000 mm 5.000g/24hrsm²
Peak HP X4 20.000 mm 10.000g/24hrsm²
Hiko sports Air4 25.000 mm 15.000g/24hrsm²
NRS HyproTex™ 2.5
(2.5 layers)
? mm ? g/24h m²
NRS Eclipse ™
(4 layers)
? mm ? g/24h m²
NRS Gore-Tex® Pro
(3 layers)
28.000 mm 25.000g/24hrsm²
Sandiline Toyota 3L
(3 layers)
? mm ? g/24h m²
Sandiline Toyota 4L
(4 layers)
20.000 mm 9.000g/24hrsm²
Spade (3 layers) ? mm  ? g/24h m²

Care

After use, dry clothing should be washed from the inside with clear water. Paddle clothing can be machine washed at 30°C or by hand.

The clothes can be dried and stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Do not use a dryer! Avoid storage in the compressed state!

The DWR peels off with use - while water will roll off the fabric at first, water later collects in the outer nylon layer. The DWR can be renewed with impregnations from manufacturers such as NikWax or Gear Aid ReviveX.

cuffs

Neoprene and latex cuffs seal dry clothing on the head and arms. Latex cuffs are the most sensitive parts of your clothing!

Remove watches, rings and other jewelry to put on cuffs. Carefully slip through the cuff with one hand or head while simultaneously expanding the cuff with the other. Use both hands for the neck seal. Always slip through the hand cuffs first, then through the neck cuff. If the garment is equipped with Velcro fasteners on the sleeves, these must be undone before dressing and undressing. Finally, remove excess air from the drying clothes. To do this, compress the garment and open the neck seal or waist band slightly with your fingers. When removing, repeat the above steps in reverse order.

Latex is very sensitive to sunlight and oil based products e.g. sunscreen and insect repellent.
The service life of latex cuffs can be shortened by the regular use of latex care products (e.g Gear Aid Seal Saver) to be extended.

booties

Booties are attached to many drying pants and suits. To ensure maximum durability, these should never be worn without shoes! They can be damaged by stones, sand, but also toenails. Therefore, it is best to add more inside and outside Socks carry.

FAQ, glossary & keyword filter for >Waterproof paddling clothing

  • abdominal entry
    (2 x)

    Dry suits with belly entry

    Advantage: maximum dense leg and foot areas, entry possible without outside help.

    Disadvantage: Be careful when using the life jacket. Depending on the model and size combination, the constant chafing between buckles and zippers may be annoying. In this case you might switch to back entry or try a different life jacket.

  • leg entry
    (3 x)

    Leg-entry drysuits

    Advantage: no annoying, stiff zippers in the shoulder area and therefore maximum mobility. Dressing possible without outside help.

    Disadvantage: If you stand in the water for a long time, you might get a few droplets. This applies less to touring paddlers or sea kayakers, but more to whitewater paddlers who may have to stand in the creek for a long time to belay and scout.

  • Double fireplace
    (49 x)

    A double gusset on paddling jacket or dry pants provides a tight transition between this two-piece clothing option.
    In addition, the paddle jacket can be connected to the spray deck as tightly as possible, which is why the double chimney is standard in whitewater.

  • single fireplace
    (12 x)

    In contrast to the double chimney, maximum tightness at the transition to the spray deck cannot be achieved with a single chimney.

  • End of season sale
    (13 x)

    Bargain Alert!!

  • Fleeces
    (10 x)
  • Front entry
    (10 x)

    Front entry dry suits.

    Advantage: maximum dense leg and foot areas compared to leg entry, entry possible without outside help.

    Disadvantage: Be careful when using the life jacket. Depending on the model and size combination, the constant chafing between buckles and zippers may be annoying. In this case you might switch to back entry or try a different life jacket.

  • booties
    (38 x)

    With careful handling, booties ensure maximum tightness of the dry pants or dry suit.

  • Hood
    (23 x)

    Paddle jackets and hooded dry suits

  • Children's paddling jacket
    (3 x)

    Little paddling jackets for kids.

  • Short sleeve paddling jacket
    (6 x)

    If you like it warm and dry on your torso, but still want to dip your arms in cool water or stretch out towards the warming sun, you can choose a short-sleeved paddle jacket.
    Also helps against typical paddler tans and shifts the imprint from the wrist to the upper arm.

  • latex cuff
    (48 x)

    Latex cuff(s) at the neck or sleeves achieve maximum density on paddle jackets and dry suits.

    Some paddlers get skin irritations from the latex. You can counteract this by always diligently dusting the cuffs with baby powder (talcum powder) or carefully shaving the beard transition on the neck.

    If the latex becomes sticky, especially through perspiration, then please rinse with clear water and powder in new ones.

    If all that is not enough, or if a lack of comfort is the main argument, then a jacket / suit with neoprene cuffs is recommended. These are more comfortable and durable, less allergenic, but also noticeably less dense.

    Incidentally, we also have talc as an accessory: McNett Protalc talc care product for latex

  • Dungarees
    (6 x)

    Dry pants with bibs for density in two-piece clothing options

  • more sustainable
    (19 x)

    There is rightly a lot of discussion about the sustainability of outdoor clothing. According to the manufacturer, the products marked with this keyword are more sustainably produced.

    You can also find out more about the various manufacturers and their philosophies on the manufacturer's website.

    When in doubt, we will always try to recommend the more sustainable product, e.g. made from recycled material.

  • Neoprene cuffs
    (9 x)

    Here we only list the jackets that only have neoprene cuffs, i.e. a Velcro closure, which makes them significantly less tight on the sleeves and neck.

    Freedom of movement is guaranteed.

  • Neoprene cuff
    (27 x)

    Neoprene cuffs are not quite as tight compared to latex cuffs. On the other hand, they are more robust and possibly more comfortable to wear.

    Especially for those who always get a skin rash from latex cuffs.

    Additional neoprene cuffs are fitted over many neoprene cuffs with Velcro, giving things a double seal and responsive to small wrists.

  • zip collar
    (11 x)

    Paddle jackets and base layers with zip at collar.

  • Relief zip
    (23 x)

    Helps you not to have to undress completely during the pee break.

  • back entry
    (13 x)

    Dry suits with back entry

    Advantage: maximum tightness in the leg and foot area if you stand in the water a lot.

    Disadvantage: Tightening is only possible for less flexible people in teamwork.

  • Sea kayak
    (6 x)
  • Sea kayak paddling jacket
    (16 x)
  • Sea kayak dry suit
    (5 x)
  • Semidry
    (33 x)

    We call the whitewater paddle jackets Semidry, which (in part) do without latex cuffs.
    There are versions with latex cuffs on the sleeves and neoprene cuffs on the neck, as well as jackets that only have neoprene cuffs.

    The density is not quite as good as latex, hence the term “semidry”
    The advantages: less prone to wear and tear, less constricting feeling on the neck and usually a lower price.

    Some dry pants are also listed here in their simple version with neoprene cuffs instead of socks.

  • Shorts
    (1 x)

    Here you will find all shorts. Whether neoprene or boaters shorts.

  • Touring jacket
    (22 x)
  • Touring dry suit
    (9 x)
  • Touring dry pants
    (10 x)
  • Whitewater paddle jacket
    (35 x)

    Here you will find all paddling jackets suitable for whitewater. Filter according to Semidry or the corresponding cuffs for more differentiation.

  • Whitewater Drysuit
    (23 x)
  • Whitewater dry pants
    (14 x)