Tropos Launch Socks, don’t let
their appearance fool you. They might remind you of industrial breadbags, but
in reality, well they kind of are. Except they breathe, stay on, are
unbeleiveably rugged, and can be used by any paddler. I brought two pairs of
footwear on the initial leg of the excursion. Vibram FiveFingers, and a pair of
Chacos. The launch socks complimented the Chocos if I desired to walk on
razorblades and syringes and wanted my feet to be warm and dry. They were great
to put on in the cold morning, when I wanted to just slide the boat into the
water and didn’t want to deal with the bulk of shoes in the cockpit. A great
transitional item that increases comfort and reduces hesitation to hit the
chilly waves.
A fashionable pair of slacks that feature
latex gaskets on the ankles and a neoprene waistband essentially waterproofing
you up to your waist. As there name states, they dry quickly, and are
suprisingly comfortable to wear all day paddling. They pack into a small enough
size, and don’t weigh more than they need to. On a hot day, they will turn your
lower half into a sauna, and cannot be removed while in the boat effectively.
My fondest memories include tryin to slip my already cold wet body into a pair
of cold wet pants and being trapped with the gaskets around my ankles. Not fun
to put on or take off, but usually worth it.
My PDF was a gift from my mother to
inspire a spirit of safety. The vest was quick and simple to size. It also
maintained the size that had ajusted it to, so there was little resizing during
the day, which I appreciated. The low profile succeeded in keeping my arms free
for paddling and allowed my extra body heat to escape through the open shoulder
area. There are two pockets on the front which were constantly used for
equipment like knives, whistles, lights, sunglasses and anything else I wanted
consistently at hand. The pockets also ferried trash on many occasions as a
granola bar wrapper always seemed to overwhelm my packing plans. I added extra reflectors to the straps
because I paddled in the dark on most days. Before and after the trip, the vest
was tested by me for its function in rough sitiuations like surfing, rolling
and even jogging, and I am still thoroughly impressed with the effectivness of
its design.
Do you
ever buy something that is feels so good to put on, that everytime you look at
it you get excited? Well, the Anorak is a serious paddling jacket and when I
put it on, I feel a little bit like a kayaking superhero. My red jacket has a
hood and a big collar which I fondly remember popping as I strolled through a
small town, looking like a futuristic vampire. People gave me strange looks as
I shuffled around on a street waiting for a bakery to open, after an all night
paddle. My eyes were shifty with the hunger that window cookies had put in my
belly and I think that this attractive and functional jacket probably kept me
from being picked up by the local cops. This item has solid construction and it
is clearly built to last. The rubber wrist gastkets, and storm hood are much
appreciated on a day that throws cold spray at you. If I were you I would buy
one, at least to look at it.
Ah, the piece that all canoers wish they had. No matter what
I thought the day would bring, I kept this spray skirt within arm’s reach. It
held a good seal to my cockpit, didn’t collect water because of the suspenders,
had well placed escape handle, and even had a convenient pocket. I would often
wait several minutes into a storm before trying to slide this on in the chop,
always risking a capsize in my blind disorientation. But once it was on, I
would keep it on long after the clouds had passed because I forgot I was
wearing it. It integrates very well with all of the other Kokatat apparel, my
only complaint was the way the suspenders would chafe my bare nipples after
prolonged strokes. So, if you are listening Kokatat, kayaking pasties might be
a big hit here.
The Squirt surprised
me. The waterproofing surpassed my expectations for the size and price of the
shirt. Again, very light and packable, perfect for a summer rain to keep you
dry but not too warm. But, the truth is,
I ordered this one a little too small. It fits well when my arms are at rest,
but once my massive biceps warm up, the cuff would start to cut off my
circulation. However, on a rainy day in town, nothing says paddle fashion like
the Squirt.
The Breeze is exactly what you want; classic long-sleeved waterproof
paddle shirt that can fit snug or be loosened at all of the important spots.
The versatility of this shirt makes it a must for your collection. The wrists
can be rolled up and the neck opened if you are out in the summer, and you can
layer warm clothes under the Breeze to stay warm and dry in a chillier trip. In
my opinion, this shirt reaches beyond paddling and would be an asset on any
outdoor trip from hiking to biking.
I am going to start with the obvious problems with this kind
of glove. They can be difficult to get on and off especially when wet and they
make it hard to pick your nose. Besides that, if you put these gloves on, you
are going to keep warm, be comfortable, have excellent grip on your paddle and
not be worried about tearing your little neoprene mittens. These gloves are
tough, warm and will fit you, well….like a glove.
This seal skin skullcap (mine had a chin strap) was an
integral part of extending my paddling into cold weather. I am not sure that I
would have made it out of Northern Minnesota without it. The outer material is
very water resistant and the inside is fleece lined. The cap actually did
breath and I would just ring it out and let it dry after a soaking. A piece
that keeps you warm even after you are wet, I would definitely add this to the
all outdoor list. Unfortunately, I lost mine after the trip and I have been
missing it as I practice surfing on the frigid waters of Lake Superior.
Light Weight
Hand Jacket: Paddle gloves. Sounds like only the wimps need them, either that
or the hardcore power paddlers. Well, whichever you are, these are quality
gloves. They of course prevent blisters, provide a good grip on your paddle,
and make you look like you are an orphan from Oliver Twist, but in addition to
that, they kept the back of my hands from getting sunburnt on many occasions
and allowed my palms a chance to rest from the rub of the paddle. I don’t know
about the competition, but these gloves felt like they were broken in when I
got them, then they broke in more and I never wanted to take them off. I
noticed that they had the opportunity to gather an odor (while picking my nose,
which is possible in these!) but the smell abated with a thorough rinsing and
drying in the sun. Get ‘em.
