When you go kayaking, it’s important to wear clothes that will protect you from the elements and keep you comfortable.
Choosing the right clothing for your kayaking experience is essential. If you choose poorly, not only might your trip be unpleasant but also dangerous.
What To Wear Kayaking
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
First, beginners should always a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) suited for the type of kayaking you will be doing. According to the U.S. coast guard, most boating deaths on lakes or calm bays occur within 100 yards of shore. It’s essential you have something to keep you afloat if you flip and the weather changes and you can’t get to shore or upright your boat.
Layering
You’ll want to dress in layers so that as your body temperature changes during a day of kayaking, or if conditions change during a trip due to weather or water level, you can easily add or remove clothing as needed.
Sun Protection
In general, it’s best to be dressed in light-colored clothing with some breathable fabric such as nylon or spandex so that your skin doesn’t get too hot when exposed to direct sunlight on the water surface while paddling.
Water Temperature
Always check the water temperature when choosing your clothing. A kayaker’s safety takes priority over their comfort, therefore making sure that you paddle in the right garb for the water temperature is necessary.
If it is too cold, wearing a wetsuit may be best to keep your body warm. On the other hand, if it is hot outside or in the water, quick-dry clothing will help you avoid overheating and dehydration.
Clothing To Avoid
Cotton clothing is almost never recommended when kayaking in the cold (or even when it’s hot). Cotton doesn’t dry quickly when wet which will keep you cold. When it does dry it often becomes stiff.
Cotton also can cause chafing when wet on hot, sunny days.
Avoid down jackets or clothing as well. If down gets wet it becomes completely useless to keep you warm.
Fleece is much better for warmth even when wet. Wool would work but we recommend against it if it’s thick and impairs you ability to move and paddle.
Leather is also not recommended for kayaking because it’s vulnerable to water damage.
Shoes For Kayaking
Shoes for kayaking should be low cut and must fit well. They will get wet, so they need to dry easily as well as provide traction around the deck of a boat.
Wear shoes with some protection such as those made from rubber or neoprene because rocks and other sharp objects may be found on river or lake bottoms.
If you are flip and end up in the water or you just need to walk in the water to shore, it’s important to have shoes that won’t easily fall off. Water shoes like TEVA sandals that dry quickly and tightly strap to your feet work great.
Non-Restrictive Clothing
Non-restrictive clothing is best for paddling. Heavy, oversized clothes can hinder your range of motion in the arms and legs. This could be dangerous if you are walking or climbing in or out of a boat or rigging that is high off the ground.
Some clothing that’s not recommended when kayaking includes jeans, overalls, heavy jackets with large hoods, bulky belts, backpacks, leather shoes with laces, and vests. Heavy wool clothing can also restrict your movement even if it keeps you warm in the wet.
Rustables
Metal zippers or metal buttons can corrode in the water and would eventually stain or ruin your jacket or pants.
Rustable jewelry like necklaces and piercings should also be kept under wraps while out on the water because they could become hazardous in an emergency situation.
Any type of metal will corrode when wet, so avoid wearing shoes with metal lace holes.
Underwear
If you flip or need to walk in the water to shore it’s a good idea to wear a bathing suit instead of underwear. Underwear is made from materials that will quickly absorb water and will not dry as quickly as a bathing suit.
Hats
Always protect your head. If you don’t need a helmet then wear a hat to keep the sun off your face, ears, and neck. Helmets aren’t needed for beginners since they are mainly needed in Class III whitewater.
During winter months or when the water is below 60 F it will also help keep you warm.
It’s recommended that you wear a wide-brimmed hat like those used for outdoor activities like gardening or golfing for sun protection.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses will protect your eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Another reason to use sunglasses is because they can help keep water out of your eyes.
Waterproof, polarized sunglasses are preferred when kayaking because they offer great protection and glare reduction.
Non-polarized sunglasses can still be used but they won’t help as much in sunny conditions.
Glass Retainer Clips
Glass retainer clips should be attached to your sunglasses. This will prevent them from falling into the water and potentially sinking to the bottom.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be worn anytime you will be outside, especially if you are using any type of watercraft because the UV rays reflect off the water.
Be sure to put sunscreen on any part of your body that is not covered by UV protective clothing.
During the summer, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours. You should reapply sunscreen every thirty minutes when you are exercising or your body is sweating heavily.
In the winter you only need to use sunscreen once as the sun is lower in the sky giving you more protection from UV rays (there is more atmosphere to block them due to the lower angle).
Paddling Gloves
Paddling gloves will help protect your hands from blisters when paddling. It’s also especially important to wear them when in cold weather conditions (when you are more likely to get blisters or frostbite).
You should avoid wearing cotton gloves for padding for this same reason (blisters and chafing).
Many people wear waterproof synthetic materials like neoprene. They also make gloves that attach to your paddle so you can’t lose them if you drop your paddle in the water.
When to Wear a Wetsuit or Dry Suits
Wetsuits work by trapping water between their neoprene layers. The thicker the suit, the warmer it keeps you. Higher water temperatures mean that people would only need to wear thinner wetsuits or even none at all depending on individual needs.
We recommend paddlers wear a wetsuit anytime the water temperature is below 70 degrees F. Dry suits are best when both the water is below 70F and the air temperature is below 70F.
You can lookup the water temperature for coastal areas using water temperature map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Administration.
Layering With a Wetsuit
A bathing suit should always be worn first. Then a wetsuit should be worn over it to keep you warm. Choose a wetsuit that’s appropriate for the water temperature. Nothing needs to be worn over the wetsuit.
Layering With a Drysuit
No, a bathing suit is not needed while kayaking in a drysuit. A drysuit has watertight seals that keep you dry. Instead wear underwear and clothing that wicks away sweat (synthetic fabrics).
Then wear enough layers to keep you warm for the air temperature expected.
Finally the dry suit goes on top. Again, like the wetsuit, nothing goes on top of the drysuit.
What Should I Wear Kayaking in the Rain?
Wear clothing that will keep you dry but still allow your skin to breathe.
If there is any chance whatsoever that you’ll get wet away from shore then wear a wetsuit. This will also protect you if the weather changes and you capsize more than 100 yards from shore.
Do You Wear a Bathing Suit While Kayaking?
Yes, it’s important to be dressed for the chance of getting wet. Consider wearing a bathing suit, cover-ups and TEVAs (or shoes with grips that will stay on your feet underwater) and be sure to bring a towel and extra clothes in case you need them!
One way many people choose to dress for kayaking is with quick-drying clothing items. This type of clothing is made of synthetic materials that limit how much water it absorbs, so it dries quickly.
A towel would be good to have on hand if necessary, as well as extra clothes in case they are needed.
