Hiko Paladin Air4.X Dry Top

Hiko Paladin Air4.X: A Heavy-Duty Paddle for Extreme Whitewater and the Winter Season

Paladin Air 4.X: Built for Extreme Conditions and Freedom of Movement

The Paladin jacket is an icon on rivers throughout the Czech Republic and Europe. Its latest version, the Air4.X, is based on a detailed study of a kayaker’s movements. The ergonomic, pre-shaped cut with strategically placed seams (away from areas of greatest tension and abrasion) ensures that the jacket fits perfectly during paddling, doesn’t pull across the back, and doesn’t constrict under the arms. Whether you’re reaching out for a difficult “boof” or performing an Eskimo roll, the jacket allows for a completely unrestricted range of motion.

Air4 Material: Four Layers of Safety and Breathability

At the heart of the jacket is a brand-new, innovative fabric Air4. This top-of-the-line four-layer fabric is designed for maximum hydrostatic resistance (25,000 mm) and excellent breathability.

• The fabric does not let water through, even under enormous pressure in a water cylinder.
• The membrane effectively wicks body moisture (sweat) away from the body, so your base layer stays dry even during intense paddling.
• Compared to older models, the Air4 fabric is significantly lighter, which reduces the jacket's overall weight and enhances the feeling of freedom when wearing it.

Cuffs: A Perfect Seal Without Sacrificing Comfort

The neck and wrist are equipped with the highest-quality with natural latex cuffs, which are 100% waterproof even when completely submerged.
The latex is protected by an outer layer in both places:

• You'll find extended, tapered neoprene cuffs on the wrists.
• The neck cuff is covered by a tall, snug-fitting neoprene collar that prevents splashing water from affecting thermal comfort in the neck area and protects the sensitive latex from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays and dirt.

Twin Waist with the Double Pull system

The lower collar of the jacket is designed to integrate with the spray deck (the boat's collar cover). Tuck the inner collar into your pants and pull the jacket's outer neoprene waistband over the spray deck's collar.
Hiko uses its own patented system in the Paladin model "Double Pull". With a single pull on the sturdy straps, you can tighten both the front and back sections of the waist at the same time, ensuring a perfect fit around the spraydeck’s collar, and secure it with the sturdy Velcro fastener on the front of the abdomen.

Cordura Protection: Durability Where It Matters Most

When creek hiking, you’ll occasionally come across a rock or have to make your way through overgrown banks. That’s why the Paladin Air4.X jacket is equipped with protective reinforcements made of Cordura. This extremely abrasion-resistant fabric is placed on the forearms and elbows—key areas that are most susceptible to mechanical damage during paddling and potential rescue situations.

Appropriate Activities and Use in Whitewater

The Hiko Paladin Air4.X Dry Top is a jacket for paddlers who spend long hours on the water:

• Creeking and Extreme Downriver Rafting (WW IV–V): Reliable insulation, even under waterfalls.
• Winter paddling and snow kayaking: It prevents the loss of body heat in freezing weather.
• Expedition River Running and Rescue: The material's durability ensures safety during multi-day events and water safety training.

About the Hiko Brand: A Czech Family-Owned Company with a Global Reputation

The Hiko Sport brand is a phenomenon that has been outfitting generations of paddlers in the Czech Republic. The company was founded out of a pure passion for whitewater and has been developing and innovating its products for decades in close collaboration with top slalom racers and extreme paddlers (the Hiko Team). The Paladin has long been their flagship jacket.

Care and Maintenance of Dry Clothing

After each use on a river (and especially after paddling in the ocean), thoroughly rinse the jacket and cuffs with fresh water. Never dry the jacket in a dryer or place it on a radiator. Ideally, hang it on a wide hanger in a shaded, well-ventilated area (not in direct sunlight). It’s a good idea to treat the latex cuffs with a special spray designed to protect latex from cracking at the beginning and end of the season.

Technical parameters and specifications

Bonus program and purchase benefits

With the purchase of this premium jacket, you’ll earn a generous 495 points toward our loyalty program. You can use this credit immediately to get a discount on additional gear—along with your drysuit, you’ll definitely need high-quality base layers (known as “moiru”), a thicker neoprene spray skirt, or a life jacket with a harness system.