Neoprene jackets can be too restrictive for most paddlers. Neoprene should be rinsed in freshwater and hung to dry in a warm place. Drysuits used for paddling are usually of the fabric variety but also come in neoprene for diving. Drysuits are the ultimate hypothermia protection short of not being in those kinds of conditions in the first place. Yet this protection only works if the drysuit has no tears, the seals are intact and the zipper works properly.
Zippers are the single component easily identified as a manufacturer's nemesis.
The latex wrist seals come a close second. They are incredibly difficult to install properly. Plastic drysuit zippers are a liability. They are not waterproof, even from the factory. They are far less expensive than metal tooth zippers and can be RF welded easily into a suit in one operation.