What's out there?

Price can range from £30 to £320!
Price’s for basic entry level cags start from £29.99 upwards. Check out the Delta Cirrus which us great value at £39.99 or £29.99 for a CSR Splash Jacket. The Delta Circus has taped seems and a better material.

Price’s for a basic whitewater cag or ‘semi dry’ start at about  £100. Check out the 'Peak Semi Dry with Double waist' for £109 double wrist seal and a neoprene neck seal.

From around £130 upwards you get a ‘full dry’ all the features you need for a day’s boating in any condition. The Palm Surge is a solid choice here for £169.95.

What you get when you pay £300 plus… Warmth and happiness and good looks - feast your eyes on the Gore-Tex Sweet Prophecy.

Features of Dry Tops

Seals – The neck and wrist seals are a very important part of the cag. Especially if you’re looking at whitewater cags. Latex seals keep more water out but are quite fragile so are almost always ‘doubled-up’ with neoprene seals on ‘Full Dry Cags’. Semi Dry cags tend to have only neoprene neck seals and double wrist seals. Velcro seals are not as dry but super easy to get on and take off and cheaper!

Material – How many layers? To keep it simple the majority of cags are 2.5 layers which gives you plenty of warmth but lets you breath. Higher end are normal 3.5 or 4 layers which keeps you warmer.

What are you going to be using it for

The main uses which distinguish cag type are:

• Basic recreational paddling.
• Inland & Sea paddling.
• Moving water or whitewater.

What time of year and where will you be using it

If you’re paddling in the winter buy a good dry or semi dry cag. The material will be thicker the seals will keep you dryer! Equaling a much more comfortable day on the water for you!

What feature should you be looking for

Whitewater – The higher end cags tend to have double Latex and neoprene wrist seals and neck seals and double seal waists to integrate with your spray deck. Low end cags or semi dry cags will have just Neoprene neck seals and either double wrist seals or just neoprene.

Sea Kayaking – The more “full on” expedition tops have many of the feature you find on whitewater cags above but often come with:

• Extras hoods (some roll away into the collar of the cag, some don’t)
• Bigger more easily accessible pockets, some with hand warming pockets.
• More reflective detailing for safety.

Open Boating & Inland touring – These cags tend to be:

• A little lighter weight and cut slightly larger.
• Can come in ‘smock style’ which is easier to put over a PFD if necessary.
• Velcro neck and wrist seal are standard.

So whats the deal with Cag Decks?

These are cags and spray deck attached togther.

Pros – No leakage between deck and cag, easy to put on, only one item of kit to keep tabs off, cuts down bulk. Very popular with competition paddlers…

Cons – If you get a hole in one you need to buy the whole lot again, plus you’re stuck with one deck size, not great if paddling a variety of boats.