A wetsuit keeps you warm in the water. The second you stand up wet with the wind blowing, the heat is gone. That is the moment this jacket is built for. Zip it on over a wetsuit or wear it on its own, and the warmth comes back within a minute.
Why neoprene and not a rain shell
A cotton hoodie soaks up water and holds it against you, which makes you colder, not warmer. A rain shell flaps in the wind and does nothing once you are already wet underneath. Neoprene holds virtually no water and blocks the wind, so it works on a body that is soaked, which is the whole point on a beach or a boat deck.
Made to keep riding in
The front harness zipper lets your spreader bar hook pass through, so kitesurfers and windsurfers can keep the jacket on while riding or teaching instead of stripping their gear off first. Most jackets in this category are for waiting around before and after. This one goes out with you.
What you get
- 2.5mm neoprene, windproof and warm when wet
- Front harness-opening zipper for a spreader bar hook
- Hood with adjustable drawcords and drainage built into the overlap
- YKK front zipper
- Deep front pockets
- Hook-and-loop wrist closures
- Unisex sizing, size up if you are layering over a thick wetsuit
- Bright colors, not another black jacket
When to wear it
Best in air around 41 to 68°F, or any time wind and spray are the problem even when the water is warm. Kitesurfing, windsurfing, wing foiling, sailing, dive boats, fishing, SUP, kayaking, teaching, rigging, and long cold mornings on the dock. It is not a wetsuit replacement for long swims, and it is not a life jacket.
Also known as
People call it different things depending on where they use it. A neoprene hoodie, a watersports jacket, a boat coat, a tour coat, a windbreaker, an after-surf jacket, or just the warm thing they keep in the truck. Same jacket, and it works for all of it.
Why bright colors
You do not have to wear all black or grey like you are attending a dolphin's funeral. Bright colors also make you easier to spot on grey water, which matters more than it sounds when someone on the boat is looking for you.
Care
Rinse in cool fresh water after every use, never hot. Hang it inside out on a thick hanger to dry, out of direct sun. No machine washing, no dryer, and never leave it in a hot car.
