Manufacturers and retailers often blur the distinction between drytops, semi-drytops, and paddling jackets, but they definitely aren’t equal when it comes to cold water safety.

 

A “paddling jacket” or “splash top” is made out of waterproof material, but it’s definitely not watertight. It works fine as raingear, or to shed an occasional splash of water, but it’s totally inadequate as immersion protection - because if you capsize, water immediately floods in.

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See Raingear vs Immersion Gear in our Gear Guide