If you were to take a quick look at the new Gul Saco dry top you could mistake it to be from another well known manufacturer. This is because it has the kind of features and detail you would expect to see in a kayaking dry top from a more well established kayaking gear producer and not from a firm that is relatively new to this part of the market. This is definitely a good thing in terms of its features as it has the elements that paddlers would want. Gul aren’t strangers to the world of watersports but dedicated high end kayaking gear has been missing from there range over the years. Gul started as a wetsuit company and developed the first “steamer” wetsuit back in the early days of surfing in the UK.
The Saco dry top in conjunction with a number of other other new designs is set to change this.
The Saco is fully specced with all of the key features you would expect to see in a high quality dry top. Twin seals are found on the neck and wrist with the inner being latex and the outer being 2mm neoprene (adjustable). Seams and joins are sealed with a fabric tape. Where water could pool eg between the outer neck seal and the inner drain holes are present.
The GCX2.5 EVO 2.5 layer Fabric is Gul’s own. It feels tough yet soft at the same time and reminds me a little of the Palm Equipment Rivertec gear from a number of years back (1990’s – retro Rivertec review coming soon). It has a grid ripstop outer with a laminated inner. The fabric is breathable and has a DWR coating to the outside to help shed the water.
This particular Saco is a lovely bright yellow, but it is also available in blue or black. To be honest I like the look of the black one better. I don’t think the yellow will hold up well.
The waist is a twin seal with a fully adjustable outer and a nice long inner tunnel. So achieving a good seal with your spray skirt of choice should be straight forward.
Taping throughout looks for the most part pretty spot on.
3M Reflective piping details can be found on the arm seams and the Gul logos are also reflective.
A low profile zip gives access to a large storage pocket and drain holes are present where you would need them.
From Gul:
The 2.5L Saco is an excellent all-around dry top. Whether you are a weekend warrior or everyday paddler, the Saco cag delivers outstanding performance, featuring Gul’s proprietary waterproof and breathable GCX2.5 Evo fabric. Saco cag is constructed from a tough Nylon outer layer with DWR coating the 1.5L inner membrane working in tandem to wick away interior moisture. The Saco has a dual adjustable neoprene outer skirt, a YKK AquaGuard zippered chest pocket, factory seam sealed 3L taped, UK made latex wrist and neck gaskets, creating the do-it-all whitewater cag .
RRP for the Gul Saco dry top is £180.
Leave a Reply