Jean tries her tuilik on for the first time. She is thrilled. Floyd (left) is oblivious.

Sorry, Ralph Lauren. But this is the new “it” thing for winter. Jean’s made-to-measure tuilik has finally arrived! Just in time for seal-hunting season (Greenland) and indoor-pool rolling practice at the YWCA (Greenwich).

A tuilik is an Inuit invention. Traditionally, it’s a sealskin garment that seals the paddler into their kayak via strings that are pulled tightly around the wrists and face and cockpit to create watertight seals. (A record number of “seals” in one sentence!)

Jean’s new Reed Chillcheater tuilik, by contrast, is polyurethane/polyester Aquatherm versus seal epidermis. But, like the original article, it keeps cold water out of your ears (important) and is so insulating that you quickly become Your Own Personal Steam Sauna. As the manufacturer’s website says, “it’s like having a paddle jacket, spray skirt and hood all rolled into one!”

Speaking of rolling, a tuilik also adds an element of buoyancy. Click arrow for video (1/10/15 at Greenwich pool; film credits to Jorge for swimming all over the deep end with camera!):

You know you want one! Order your own made-to-measure tuilik through the Kayakways online store.