Manufacturers and retailers are notorious for blurring the distinction between drytops, semi-drytops, and paddling jackets.  They irresponsibly promote them as a reasonable and economic choice for paddling on cold water.  That's dangerous nonsense, because paddling jackets can't remotely compare to wetsuits or drysuits when it comes to cold water safety.  

 

A “paddling jacket” or “splash top” is made out of waterproof material, but it’s definitely not watertight. It works fine as raingear, or to shed an occasional splash of water, but it’s totally inadequate as immersion protection - because if you capsize, water immediately floods in.

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Although a paddling jacket isn't a completely useless piece of gear, it's uses are very limited.  It's no good for thermal protection when you're in the water, but it can help to reduce heat loss by evaporation and convection when you're paddling in a wetsuit that absorbs water - or standing on the beach.  Then again, so can a plastic garbage bag.

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See Raingear vs Immersion Gear in our Gear Guide