Rooster Aquafleece FAQs
Classic Aquafleece or Pro Lite, which should I buy?
Pro Lite, if the budget stretches to it. Both use the same waterproof shell and lightweight fleece lining, so they are equally warm on paper. The Pro Lite adds adjustable neoprene cuffs and waist, so you can close the gaps where cold water and wind get in, and that is what makes the difference on a wet beat. The Classic has fixed elastic cuffs and hem and costs less, which is why it sells well, but it cannot be sealed up in the same way.
Is a Rooster Aquafleece waterproof?
The outer fabric is waterproof and windproof, so spray and rain do not get through. It is not a drysuit: water will get in at the neck, cuffs and hem if you capsize, which is why the adjustable Pro Lite seals so much better than the Classic. The fleece keeps working when wet and dries quickly once you are back upright. Treat it as a warm spray top, not a dry top.
What do I wear under an Aquafleece top?
A rash vest or thermal top in spring and autumn, a long sleeve thermal in winter. The fleece lining does most of the warmth, so the layer underneath only needs to wick sweat away from your skin. Do not wear a cotton t-shirt under it, as cotton holds water and will make you colder than nothing at all. See our base layers.
How should a Rooster Aquafleece fit?
Close enough to sit under a buoyancy aid without bunching, with room for one thin layer underneath. The Classic is a slim fit. The Pro Lite is cut a little looser at the hips so the waist adjustment has something to work with, then you cinch it in. The womens and junior versions are cut for the people wearing them, not scaled down from the mens pattern. If you plan to wear a thermal underneath in winter and are between sizes, go up one.
Are the Aquafleece headband and neck gaiter worth it?
Yes, and for the money they do more than almost anything else on the site. A lot of your heat leaves through your head and neck, and the buoyancy aid strap means a hat often will not stay on. The headband covers your ears and stays put in a capsize. The gaiter closes the gap at the collar. We wear both from the first frost onwards. See sailing hats for more.
