Lotus Designs Skanorak Kayaking Jacket - 2006 (For Men)

I used this jacket for three solid months during the summer of 2008 while paddling all over Alaska. It performed flawlessly. 2008 was a very wet summer in Alaska, and this jacket kept me warm and dry over my farmer john wet suit. It's an excellent jacket, but runs just a tad small. My wife also bought and used one with similar results. (We wish we could have different colors.)

Jacket was too large. Hood and neck did not fit correctly. Would prefer without hood

Feels like my gore-text jacket. A great heavy duty rain jacket and good value.

Have just purchased this Skanorak for a third member of the family- a great layering piece for keeping dry in inclement weather!

I do Marine research in 6' to 20' seas. Very windy,very wet/cold.

I'm not a competive athlete but none of the choices apply and I use this for work purposes and love the features. I have one of the older skanoraks in an anorak style and I've always loved it. I haven't really tested this one out but the price was right. The material seems lighter weight than my old one so I'll have to wait to see if it's as beefy.

Color-reflective tape--a plus...so far don't see a problem

I use it when I go out surf casting along with chestwaders. At low tide you can walk out into the surf close to 100 yards where a wave can nail you. Also in between the sand bars the depth can drop a couple of feet. It keeps the water off of me. I would rate the product super if the elastic bands were on the outside and there were inner neoprene cuffs. The inner elastic bands are a little difficult to use.

The cuffs can be tricky to get your hands through, and the over-lap style wrist closure tends to leak unless you have it cinched down really tight. Other than these minor drawbacks, this jacket is a winner for cooler weather. I wear it weekly for all-day kayak fishing excursions along the California shoreline, and it has taken me through some pretty "snotty weather" days as well as days that start out sunny, calm, and beautiful, but then get chilly as the afternoon comes on. This jacket is light, breathable, and very comfortable. I also abuse it with fish slime and all sorts of nasty goo while kayak fishing, and it has held up remarkably well in its first season of use. I just rinse it off and hang it out to dry and it still looks great.

As indicated it is a jacket that you will be seen in so that other boaters won,t have a reason to miss you, which is handy when you are in a low riding kayak .