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This is why rowers wear the Turtleshell!

The JL Purist Turtleshell

The original Turtle is the garment rowers trust most--it is engineered for going backwards in the cold. Four-way stretch front, long tail, high back collar with "sculler's finish" neck--all combine to create the best way to protect your core while in the boat.

At the release nothing to get in the way

Wear light or heavyweight base layer underneath

Your Choices in the Best Rowing Vests Our Purist Turtleshell is made in three weights and is Gender-specific. Click on the image below to see specs and prices.

Women's Turtle	Men's Turtle

A. Armhole is cut closer B. Flares at the hips	C. Broad across the chest D. Deeply cut armhole

Purist Turtle--How it Should Fit
The Purist Turtle has a surprising fit concept--you must be sitting in the boat to really appreciate how it works. We have different patterns for women and men, each has the same in-the-boat functionality.
	A. When standing upright, the Turtle will be short in front. This is as it should be! Rowers spend little time upright anyway. Resist the temptation to pull it down or to get a bigger size if your belly shows. See image below... B. Armholes are cut so that when at your full reach, you won't be chafed in front. Most people will be wearing a technical shirt of some kind under the Turtle anyway, but we don't want any baby-soft skin being rubbed raw. C. See how the long tail lays flat over the lower back, even when standing! It is all about keeping you protected.
	Here is a rower in the boat in his Purist TurtleLite--he is so happy because his JL Turtleshell will keep his back warm and protected in the wind and from his pair partner's backsplash!!!! A. Notice that the front is now the perfect length--nothing extra, nothing curling over or getting stuck at the release. B. High collar in the back, low V-neck in the front keeps the back of your neck warm and toasty but won't interfere with the motion of your chin. C. The long tail of his Turtle lays flat against the lower back, keeping the lumbar region warm and dry. See that the tail will not catch in the tracks, as it is designed to float above.
For the best fit, choose your size based on these methods Very Best: Try on the product. Sources: Previously owned JL item, JL sizing Kit, teammate's JL item. Next Best: Send us your measurements on a team order sheet, contact us if you are unsure

Fabrics used for Purist Turtleshell
	DuPont™ Hytrel®: 100% midweight SupplexTM with Dupont Hytrel® Membrane Two-ply waterproof/breathable SupplexTM laminate shell fabric. The addition of an enhanced hydrophobic treatment to the Supplex outer layer enables waterproof DWR (durable water repellant) to adhere to the material for an extremely extended lifetime. The SupplexTM is then laminated to Hytrel®, Dupont's breathable waterproof membrane. Bright and fast colors to match your team. Technical Properties: Waterproof, breathable, UPF Rating 40 Colors available: Black, Navy, Red, White, Royal Blue, Maroon, Burgundy, Athletic Gold, Forest Green, Kelly Green, Flourescent Yellow, Fuscia Pink, True Orange, Columbia Blue, Carbon, Regal Purple.
	Flashlite®: 100% Nylon, 310 gram If you are a backpacker, you'll recognize this one--made of nylon ripstop, our Flashlite is a featherweight, waterproof breathable fabric. It has a 2.5 Raised Coating layer, which means garments made with Flashlite do not need to be lined--you can wear it next to your skin. Colors are especially vibrant in this fabric. Technical Properties: Waterproof, breathable, not sticky on your skin. Colors available: Black, Red, Navy, White, Royal Blue, Athletic Gold, Hi-Viz Flourescent (seasonal)
	Malden's Polartec® Powerstretch®: 94% Polyester, 6% Lycra, 200 weight FOUR-WAY STRETCH POLARFLEECE!!!! Double velour anti-pill fleece (the one we've all come to love) combined with lycra, this incredibly warm fleece features breathable body-hugging 4-way stretch. Technical Properties: 4-way stretch, highly breathable, abrasion- and pill-resistant, wicking Colors available: Black, Navy, Royal Blue, Flourescent
	Drywick:88% Polyester extreme microfiber, 12% Lycra – 370 gram Our workhorse full-stretch fabric at JL. This mid-weight strong yet supple fabric is used in most of our Technical Rowing garments. Drywick is constructed of the highest quality Microfiber and still boasts famous durability. Used on the front and the back liner of a TurtleLite or on the front of an Ultralite Turtle, Drywick makes either garment supple and comfortable. Technical Properties: Wicking, Anti-microbial, Microfiber Technology, and high UPF rating. Available in our broadest color selection: Black, Navy, Red, White, Royal Blue, Maroon, Burgundy, Athletic Gold, Yellow, Forest Green, Kelly Green, Orange, Lilac, Columbia Blue, Academy Blue, Leander Pink, Regal Purple, Carbon Grey, Hi-Viz Yellow, Texas Orange, Platinum Grey, Turquoise, Cambridge Blue, and Penn Red.
	Brushed Polypropylene: 92% Filament Polypro, 8% Spandex – 390 gram If you are familiar with JL, Polypro might already be in you vocab: as our Polypro has served us for 25 years. Durable and Hydrophobic, what can be better for a water sport? The brushing adds insulation to the equation. Used front and back in the Turtlelite. Technical Properties: Hydrophobic Fibers, Anti-microbial Technology, and a high UPF rating. Colors available: Black, Navy, and Forest Green

Design your Purist Turtleshell

When you sit down to design your JL Purist Turtleshell, there are three important issues:

Consider your body type and your climate; do you need the warmth of Powerstretch® Fleece all around, or is it just wind-break you are after?
We have almost every team color in Hytrel and Drywick, however Flashlight and Powerstretch® Fleece colors are more limited.
Our design team has created Turtles with stripes and swirls--if you want to add some flash to your team design, don't be shy, just ask if there is something you don't see.


Photo Gallery	Design Studio

Why is the front so short?
Don't judge the fit of a Turtle when standing up! If on land, get down to the floor in a "full compression" position--you will notice that the front is now perfectly situated for use when in the boat.
OK, but can I get it longer?
Of course! We know that rowers can have super long torsos. Just tell your rep how much longer you want it, or you could try out our Sequel Turtleshell which comes longer to start with. But first, try the "compression" test!
So what's with the name?
Wellll, this garment is quite turtle-like--hard shell, soft belly. When I designed it, lo all these years ago the name just kind of stuck. And it still makes sense.
How snug should I wear it?
The Turtle is meant to be worn fairly snug--the 4-way stretch front allows this garment to lay smoothly over your belly. Besides, all you will be wearing under your Turtle is a suit and a techshirt, and these (even the thickest) will not take up much room.
Should I worry about getting the tail stuck in my tracks?
Not at all! When sized correctly the tail lays flat; protecting your lower back completeley yet still "floating" far above the tracks.
No standard pockets on the Purist?
Even the name "Purist" implies our company's attitude toward this garment. All function, no bling. Having said that--we do offer pockets as add-on options, and they come as a standard feature on the Sequel Turtleshell.