All New Level Six Exhaust Lite in the Kenora Semi-Dry Top

At the end of last year Level Six announced their new waterproof fabric Exhaust Pro and Exhaust Lite, which is super exciting with Gore-tex changing. Level Six has been using their in house waterproofing for years now and this is its newest iteration. For me after using the older Kenora Semi-Dry Top in Exhaust 2,5, I was excited to get my hands on the all new Kenora in Exhaust Lite. I used the older one most of my 2025 trips and got the newer Kenora in the beginning of 2026 and have been able to take it out a handful of trips so far and give it a good shack down. From rescue classes, to multiday trips in the San Juan area, to whitewater canoeing and even a couple Full Immersion Sea Kayak Classes.

Let’s start off with the differences in the tops first then talk material, for starters the wrists will be a major difference, the old version had Velcro wrists as the new one had neoprene punch though gaskets. The neck Velcro adjuster is also different, the older one had a one side large adjustment as the new one has a smaller, and softer two sided Velcro adjustment. They also swapped out the mini Stealth waist band to the full size Stealth adjustment. With these changes all the main adjusting points have become more comfortable and easier to adjust (or not needing to) and to use, I also noticed that the neoprene cuffs are tighter and make a better seal around my wrist. I have them both in a size medium and they fit pretty similarly, I do think the older Kenora is a little bit boxier than the updated version, as the arms fit me a bitt better in the updated version.

So onto the material change, one of the most exciting parts is the Exhaust Lite fabric. This replaces the Exhaust 2.5 on the previous model and other tops Level Six makes. The Exhaust Lite is more breathable compared to the 2.5, and also has a wicking lining to help with the clammy feeling when paddling hard or getting water in the top. The Lite is also 100% PFS-Free and made of 100% recycled nylon. So even though Level Six has been more eco-friendly than others this is a big step in the right direction that many other companies are working towards. From a user stand point I could feel dryer and more comfortable in it compared to the old one. I also noticed it was a lighter/more pliable fabric that didn’t sound as much like a plastic bag when moving as well.

One of my first uses with the new Kenora was at the Salish Sea Kayak Symposium, a three day event of playing and teaching at and around Deception Pass. During the long weekend we were paddling in tide races, surfing waves and playing in ocean eddies. Where I was grateful for the extra layer of protection from the cool salt water, especially during rescue drills and launching out of eddies into the tide race going for attainments. The only down side that I noticed during the symposium, was when I tried to use the hood to protect the back of my neck from the splashing waves misting against the rock face next to me, and with my helmet (a Sweet Protection Rocker) on the hood barely fit over it and caused some binding when I wanted to look behind myself, which I think is minor but something noteworthy but in a way for the small number of paddlers using it in this specific fashion, where I don’t think the majority of paddlers would be using this top.

The way I see most paddlers, who are looking at this top, would use it for the multi day paddles. The type of paddler looking for something more protective than a standard splash top, and more comfortable than a traditional dry top. This is where the Kenora really stands out in my experience. I just got done with a four day trip in the San Juan Islands in July. And on the first day we had a freak thunderstorm with lots of wind come through. I was very grateful I was wearing my top, I could bring up the hood and adjust it tight to my head to make sure it was going to fly off. I was actually in a tandem kayak with my partner who was wearing the older style of Kenora and she did the same thing and zipped up the quarter-zip all the way to help protect her face from the freak storm. Both of us stayed comfortable with little water coming down the open necks as neither of us tightened the Velcro adjusters, my partner did have some water work though the Velcro wrist closures as I was still dry with the neo cuffs.

I wore the Kenora for the rest of the trip, with it being windy but sunny. I was comfortable enough that when we went to Yellow Island I didn’t feel the need to strip off the gear and just went on the hike with all my paddling gear on. With the Kenora being so dry and comfortable I was the only one in my group of 11 to not rush to change after the day of paddling and gave me extra time to set up dinner or snacks. For my time wearing the top I also didn’t feel the need to tighten the neck closure and I had it pretty loose and was quite happy. With the old Kenora I normally the hood/quarter zip poke up and be in the way, but with the lighter fabric I did not feel like it was ever in my way.

So here’s the real question, keep the older Kenora or update to the newer Kenora? The older one I still use and love, I find it to be a better rain jacket or splash top for comfort when not on water. The new Kenora has the Exhaust Lite, I think has the paddler in mind and in the boat comfort more than the old version. With tighter wrists, lighter, more breathable fabric I have been grabbing this more than my dry top and my other Kenora. But if you already own a Kenora, I don’t believe you need to retire it unless you are ready to. If you are looking for a new top to go on your next adventure I highly recommend the Exhaust Lite Kenora, when dry tops feel like too much and a splash top just isn’t cutting it.