By Paul Lebowitz
Kayak fishing is a 12-month sport in Southern California but you’ve got to dress the part. Board shorts and a cotton t-shirt don’t cut it during the colder months. Even when a kindly sun toasts the air up to shirtsleeve temperatures, the chill in the water can get you. Always remember that old saw ‘dress to swim’ and gear up in paddle wear, a wetsuit, or other appropriate watersports apparel.
The Comfortable Choice for Paddle Pants and Jackets: Extrasport Tech Wear
Keep the chill out and avoid that clammy feeling with Extrasport’s Paddle Pants and Splash Tops. The high-tech garments are stitched from lightweight waterproof breathable X-tile fabric. They are cut and designed for free and easy movement while paddling and fishing. Even the neck and ankle seals emphasize comfort, built wide to avoid pinching and Glide-Skin coated with titanium to prevent chafing.
Extrasport representative Mark Olson said the X-Tile fabric keeps him comfortable through a variety of temperature ranges. “It’s great for launching through surf early in the morning and feels fine as the sun start to shine. It takes the sting out of the wind. Even when I’m paddling or fighting a fish I don’t overheat,” Olson said. www.extrasport.com
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Mysterioso M-Tech: Powerful Insulation Against Winter’s Chill
Mysterioso. The name hints at the mystery. How can such a light-weight, soft, downright silky piece of clothing be so warm? According to Myserioso representative Steve Goldberg, the secret to the M-Tech line is its Polartec Powerstretch fabric.
M-Tech comes in cold-combating gloves, socks, shorts, tops and bottoms. Whether worn under a wetsuit or splash wear as a base layer, or even alone as an outer garment, Goldberg said the performance speaks for itself. The tight knit holds in warmth and resists wind, yet stretches. Polyester provides the wicking action that pulls chilling moisture away from the skin. Based on real-life subjective experience, M-Tech provides insulation equal to 1 mm of neoprene – without the binding cling. www.mysterioso.com
A Wetsuit for Paddlers: the NRS 3mm Farmer John
The NRS Farmer John wetsuit is built for paddlers. It offers many specialized features including over-sized arm holes for freedom of movement, a good thing when paddling or pulling on the big one. The extra-long double-pull front zipper makes for easy entry, and exit – a critical consideration for those all-day marathon fishing sessions. The seams are both glued and blind-stitched to better hold in warmth.
NRS representative Keli Keach pointed out another improvement. The specks of titanium used in the laminate adhesive help reflect heat back to the body even when the suit is dry, improving out of water performance. www.nrsweb.com |
