Reed Chill Cheater
Published August 28, 2009 | 
So our friend Gnarlydog, who by the way has a great post about the new Tahe Marine Greenland Kayak, asked why I didn’t mention Reed kayak skirts in the “Respect” post.. The answer is that I was basically ranting about what NOT to do… However, between you, me and the wall I do prefer Reed Chill Cheater skirts over anything I’ve tried. They are well made, snug and yet easy to remove, they actually do keep the water out and best of all, they are not nearly as hot as a standard neoprene skirt.
For the sake of “full disclosure” Reed supported me in the past and I spent a couple hours out fishing with Chris a couple years back (Well, he fished.. I steadied the boats!). Take that as you may but I’m happy to talk up Reed stuff. I actually started using Chill Cheater gear almost as soon as I started kayaking. I realized lots of expedition paddlers were wearing the stuff and there must be a reason. There is. Reed gear is tough and lasts for years. When I circumnavigated Puerto Rico I used all Reed gear and even after living in them then and after every class, symposium & trip since, I still have all of them now. I own 2 Reed skirts, 2 paddle jackets, a storm cag, a fleece, rash guard & micro-fleece hoodie, 2 pairs of shorts & one pair of pants.. oh yeah, and a Reed emergency hatch cover… After 3 years the pants are finally showing their age as I’ve worn through the knee on rough fiberglass and the tape is starting to let go.. All in all though.. it’s true love. 
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9 Responses to Reed Chill Cheater
I wish Reed was more readily (Reedily) available, like at Rutabaga!!! Perhaps its why I’m no longer in business, but if I were, I’d have at lease a 4-way rack of their goods, then grow from there.
without knowing all the back room details of the retail end… I agree!!
Well,
Maybe the clothes are ok from Reed. But a lot of my friend from our kayakclub are having big problems with the skirts. That’s why i decide not to buy one.
It’s to fragile. And holes appear easily, even when being careful.
Regards Jörgen
I am beginning to really like IR skirts. I had a bomber ww skirt for my poly surf boat that was probably the nicest I’ve owned thus far. Would love to try a reed. I like the idea of a shorty drytop skirt combo.
I’ll add that I purchased an Aquatherm Spray Deck (w/ Adjustable Waist) from Second Wind Sports several years ago. I ended up carrying it as an emergency spare instead of using it for a couple of reasons. The Aquatherm material proved to ‘slick’ to stay on the coaming of my Avocet RM. If I did any aggressive bracing, sculling or rolling the skirt would just slide off the edge I was leaning away from. Chris also advised that I not use the Reed Aquatherm skirt if I was going to do any assisted rescue drills. Apparently pulling a ‘victims’ bow up and over one’s coaming tends to nick-up the material. In the end I went with a randed neo skirt from Seals for my Avocet RM and I stuck with my Snapdragon Ocean EXP neo for my Aquanaut LV (composite). Of course ymmv.
could depend on model too. I use the Neoprene Sea Deck with Latex Under – http://www.chillcheater.com/products/shop.asp?cid=794&p=2&pid=21521 I don’t think I’d want a deck made of aquatherm material.
Hi Derrick,
I like the comfort of the Reed Aquatherm model, but durability seems to be an issue. Pity I didn’t have same advice as Joe as after minimal use I have a series of holes in my spray skirt near where it sits over the combing which could have been caused by assisted rescues or coral sand. Back to my trusted Neoprene skirt
Hi Derrick,
I agree. If I had to do it over again I would never have purchased Reed’s Aquatherm model. I feel like I flushed $95 down the drain.
I like the look of that Neo Sea Deck with Latex under via the link you provided, but I do not see it listed at Second Wind. Was yours made from a custom tracing or is it a ‘stock’ size?
BTW, how does the latex hold up?
Thanks, Joe
missed this post and got to read it only now since I was away on a two week sea kayak trip in the Whitsundays.
And you guesssed it: it was Reed gear for 3 of team of 4.
We are NOT sponsored by Reed (I pay retail for thier gear) but we had skirts, long sleeve tops and prebent paddling shorts in Aquatherm.
One word: the bomb!
While the skirts are not as durable for assisted rescues where the kayak is dragged over the cockpit it performs superbly in hot weather, it does not stink as neo and dryes so fast. The tops are outstanding. We used them in windy weather and for snorkeling in coral areas (keeps you warm underwater).
But the best piece of garment is in my opinion the shorts.
With a real high back they might look dorky wearing around on the beach but they are great to prevent your back getting rubbed by the backband/coaming when paddling with torso rotation. With other shorts I always end up with my top riding up and exposing some flesh to get rubber raw. On a two weeks expedition that’s just no good…
I have never fished with Chris (Reed) but if he makes it Downunder I would host him to some Coral Trout or Barramundi fishing.
Gnarlydog.