Both paddle jackets and drytops function as high-tech rain jackets. The idea is to keep a paddler from becoming soaked and cold while paddling. Worn alone or over a wetsuit with a fleece top, they protect the paddler from chilling blasts of cold water.

In general, recreational and touring kayakers, rafters, and canoeists will find a paddle jacket to be sufficient protection from water and wind. Paddle jackets tend to be less expensive and a little more comfortable than drytops since you don't have to deal with that uncomfortable "strangling" feeling that a too-tight neck gasket will cause. Instead, paddle jackets have neoprene closures at the neck and wrist. Since there are no rubber gaskets, paddle jackets aren't completely watertight. Water can splash through the top of the jacket, and you will most definitely get wet should you capsize.

Whitewater kayakers and cold water sea kayakers will prefer a drytop. The major difference between a paddle jacket and a drytop is rubber neck and wrist gaskets. The gaskets form a watertight seal that will keep a whitewater boater dry when rolling or in the case of a swim. Most drytops are designed to fit with a neoprene skirt prohibiting water from entering the boat. Some drytops are made out of Gore-Tex, which allows your sweat vapor to escape without letting water in. This breathable material, although more expensive, makes for a far more comfortable day.

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