Tom's TopKayaker Shop Purchases Support TopKayaker.Net TopKayaker.Net's Guide To WATER SPORTS CLOTHING FOR KAYAKERS TOPKAYAKER.NET'S Paddlesports Clothing Shop Watersports Clothing: A BUYER'S GUIDE FOR KAYAKERS By Tom Holtey Below I have outlined some apparel ensembles for kayakers. They are a “rough sketch” meant to get you thinking about appropriate paddle clothing choices, based on your personal needs and the wide variety of weather and water conditions kayakers encounter. Do suppliment your study with the articles: "Hydration For Kayakers" and "Hypothermia"; as well as "Cold Weather Clothing". Hot Weather & Warm Water Warm Weather & Cool Water Cool Weather & Cool Water Cold Weather & Cold Water Protection is the primary reason to wear paddle sports clothing. You will want protection from the sun, wind, rain, cold water and air. Sunburn is a concern; there is no shade out on the water to duck into. Wind, rain, splashes as well as cool air require a second skin; a Speedo swimsuit cannot work in all climates. Protection from cold water is your most important goal. Yes, you will be on your boat, in the air, but the chance of an extended swim always looms, not to mention the regular wetness SOT paddles face. Finally your feet need protection too. Brave bare-footers and flip-flop wearers may not feel the threat, but the aquatic environment can be hazardous to your feet. Coral, jagged rocks, barnacles, hot sand, broken glass and uncomfortable footrests all make a good choice in footwear worth it. Tom’s Tips & Picks - What we look for in fabric, styles & brands Where To Buy - Clothing is linked to REI - Purchases support this article Hot Weather & Warm Water Outfit In summer time, and tropical climates, select clothing that will protect you from the sun, dry quickly, breathe, and wick moisture from skin. Choose loose fitting sizes that are not so loose as to make swimming difficult. Some shorts will have built-in underwear or a regular swimsuit can be used as such. Tilley Airflo Hat Kokatat Women's Base Layer Immersion Research Guide Shorts - Women's Warmers NeoMesh Gloves - Unisex Teva Proton II Water Shoes - Women's   Head: Wide Brim light color Hat, cotton is OK, or Cap w/ neck flap Basic Wear: Shirt & Pants with long sleeve & legs (look for UV protection fabrics) or... Tee Shirt & Shorts (w/ plenty of Sun Screen), all made of quick dry, synthetic fabric. Hands: Paddling Gloves, mesh back and/or cut finger. Feet: Mesh top Beach Shoes. REI Sahara Cape Hat Immersion Research Thin Skin Long-Sleeve Shirt - Men's Immersion Research Guide Shorts - Men's TopKayaker Paddle Gloves Teva Proton Water Shoes - Men's

Warm Weather & Cool Water Outfit Ocean waters are more often than not cooler than can be safely tolerated year round. In springtime the air temps rise faster than the water temps, so you have to dress for immersion. At some times and places the water can be cold enough to merit a wet suit even on a hot sunny day! In the fall the water temps can remain rather warm while dropping air temps and shortening days make for cool air temps & chilly paddling. Look for adaptable clothing that can be layered to suit your changing weather conditions. REI Hat Immersion Research Thin Skin Shirt - Women's Warmers 2mm Aqua Lite Farmer Jane Short-Leg Wetsuit - Women's Warmers NeoMesh Gloves - Unisex Deep See Delta Boots Head: Wide Brim Hat, synthetic or cotton/canvas is OK. Base Layer: Wet Suit as your base layer. Depending on conditions select: Neoprene Shorts & Top or... Farmer John/Jane, maybe Spring Suit if needed. Mid Layer: Quick dry, synthetic Shirt (long or short sleeve) & Shorts, or Pants, as a mid layer. Outer Layer: Splash Top (long or short sleeve) to wear as outer layer in wind, rain and rough water. Hands: Paddling Gloves, mesh back and/or full finger Feet: Neoprene Kayak Booties. Kokatat Sunwestern Hat Kokatat Windstopper Short sleeve Mysterioso Nyloprene Short-Sleeve Top - Men's Mysterioso Nylo-Prene Shorts - Men's TopKayaker Paddle Gloves NRS Kickers

Cool Weather & Cool Water Outfit You will encounter weather that is chilly during early spring & late fall in temperate climates and always in mountains. Mountain run-off in rivers and high lakes can be very cold. (Also summertime in sub artic climates.) Much ocean paddling will be on the cool side. Select clothing suitable for immersion, protection from wind and water, and that can be layered to suit your changing weather conditions. Polypropylene & Polyolefin “rash guards” as “base & mid layers” can be very useful. I have this divided into WETSUITS - “warm but wet” & DRY SUITS - “warm and dry” sub categories.  WETSUITS DRY SUITS REI Paddler's Hat Warmers 3mm Lo-Pro Pull-On Paddling Booties ACCESSORIES FOR BOTH: Head: Wide Brim Hat, synthetic and/or Poly Fleece Cap Feet: Neoprene Boots, with wicking socks. Hands: Paddling Gloves, full finger. REI Watch Cap TopKayaker Paddle Gloves

WETSUIT - PADDLER IS WARM BUT WET:   NRS Ultra Jane 3mm Wetsuit - Women's  Warmers Spray Pants - Unisex Kokatat Paclite Paddling Jacket - Women's   Base Layer: Wet Suit - Depending on conditions select Spring Suit or... Farmer John/Jane & Wetsuit Top. Insulation Layers: Poly Fleece Top and Pants as mid layer. Splash Wear: Paddling Jacket and Pants to wear as outer layer in wind, rain and rough water.   NRS Ultra John 3mm Wetsuit - Men's Kokatat Gore-Tex PacLite Boater's Pants - Men's Warmers Spray Jacket

DRY SUIT - PADDLER IS WARM AND DRY Kokatat Gore-Tex Drysuits Kokatat Dry Suit w/ Feet Base Layer: Wicking Underwear, long or short depending on conditions Insulation Layers: Poly Fleece Top and Pants as mid layer. Outer Layer: Dry Suit as outer layer - (One piece or two-piece as needed.) Kokatat Lite Wave Dry Top Kokatat Whirlpool Dry Bib

Cold Weather & Cold Water Outfit Those who paddle “off season”, expeditions, open waters and harsh climates will require carefully selected clothing to protect themselves from the elements. Cold water (and even not so cold water) is the primary cause of hypothermia, paddler fatality and hospitalization. Protective clothing is needed. Select clothing suitable for immersion and protection from rain & wind. Polypropylene & polyolefin “rash guards” and “base & mid layers” can be very useful. Again, I have this divided into WETSUITS - “warm but wet” & DRY SUITS - “warm and dry” sub categories. For more detailed information see Tom's article: "Cold Water Kayaking" WETSUITS DRY SUITS Kokatat Surfskin Balaclava Chota QuickLace Mukluk Boots TopKayaker Gloves   ACCESSORIES FOR BOTH: Head Protection: Wide Brim Hat Neoprene Hood/Scull Cap and a Poly Fleece Cap or two. Foot Protection: High-Top Boots or Ankle -High Neoprene Boots fleece socks Hand Protection: Paddling Gloves (full finger) and Pogies. Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero Acorn Polartec 200 Print Socks TopKayaker Pogies

WETSUITS - PADDLER IS WARM BUT WET: NRS Wetsuit Jacket NRS Ultra John Wet Suit as your base layer: Depending on conditions select Full Suit or Farmer John/Jane & Wetsuit Top Insulation Layers: Poly Fleece Top and Pants as mid layer + fleece vest. Splash Wear: Paddling Jacket or Anorak & Pants to wear as outer layer. Gortex Anorak Kokatat NRS Steamer Full Suit

DRYSUITS - PADDLER IS WARM AND DRY: Kokatat Base Pants Kokatat Dry Suit Woman's Drop Seat Wicking Long Underwear as base layer. Insulation Layers: Poly Fleece Jump-Suit/Linner, Vest, Top and Pants as mid layer. Outer Layer: Dry Suit as outer layer. (One piece or two-piece as needed.) Patagonia Capilene Kokatat Expedition Dry Suit

Tom’s Tips & Picks - What we look for in fabric, styles & brands Splash Wear and Paddling Jackets - Rain, Wind and Splashing Water protection. You have a choice between urethane coated nylon and Gore-Tex. Both will perform the same function, protecting you from the chilling effects of wind and keeping you dry from all but immersion. Gore-Tex will breathe, be more comfortable than urethane coated nylon, but cost more. Splash pants will allow some water to “seep” in. Paddling tops vary from light duty short sleeve to expedition anorak styles. Athena and I like the Kokatat Super Breeze & Squirt Paddling tops and the Boater’s Pants. Wetsuits - Protection from cold water. A wet suit is simply a rubber garment that traps warm water next to your skin. There is a huge selection to choose from. For fair weather paddlers I would recommend wet suit shorts and top. For the more adventurous and ocean paddler I would recommend a farmer john/jane with top. Full and shorty suits are also good. I highly recommend the fleece lined suits, or any suit with wicking fabric lining. You will be much more comfortable and wear your suit more often. Be sure to look for wet suits made for paddlers! Athena and I like the LLBean, Northwest River Supply (NRS) and Warmers/DeepSee brands. Fleece - Your insulation layer Fleece is readily available at great prices. Pants, shirts, vests, hats. It dries quickly and is warm when wet. I am sure that some fleece is better than others. Athena and I look for Malden Mills Polar Fleece whenever possible. Quick Dry Clothing - Wicking base layers and swimsuits. For summer fun all you need is regular synthetic clothing. You will have to do some experimenting with what will work best for paddling, or look for garments made for paddlers. Nylon, Suplex, polyester, polyolefin and the new Buzz-Off fabrics are what to look for. On sunny days there is nothing wrong in going out on the water in your swimsuit. For a long day trip do bring a cover up just in case. Wicking base layers like rash guards and capaline or polypropylene underwear can really enhance comfort, improve heat retention and wick moisture off the body. Athena and I have quite an assortment from Patagonia, Wickers & North Face brands, even department store & discount shop finds. Dry Suits - Keeps the wearer dry. A dry suit will keep the wearer dry but an insulation layer must be worn under the dry suit as a base layer to be warm. Be sure that any base layer under a dry suit has wicking properties. I would recommend a dry suit liner. Like splash wear you will have the option of Gore-Tex or coated nylon. Dry suits require some special care, be sure to follow the makers instructions. Options like hoods and socks are rare, but appropriate for some hardy adventures. A better option to look for would be a “relief zipper” for men, or a “drop seat” for women to make bathroom breaks easy. We like the Kokatat brand. Gloves Gloves are nice to have year round. Your hands will get soft from the water and a second skin will protect them. Look for paddler’s gloves. Some folks will do ok with some other sport gloves, but paddling gloves will be best by far. Most are made of neoprene and synthetic leather. Pogies are great for protecting your hands from raw weather. Athena and I like the Northwest River Supply, Thunderware brands and our own TopKayaker gloves & pogies. Hats Hats are the roof over your head when in the outdoors. Sun and rain protection is the primary job. Look for a wide brim, quick dry fabric for cold climate, and a chinstrap for the wind. Other hats to look into are fleece hats (for warmth) and ball-cap (with sun flap). Athena and I like the Ultimate Hat, the OR Seattle Sombrero, Watership Trading Co. and polar fleece watch caps. Foot Wear Protection from rough terrain and cold water is the goal of aquatic shoes. The neoprene boot (low cut to knee high) is most common. Mesh top beach shoes are also very good. I would shy away from sandals. Athena and I like the Northwest River Supply Kickers, Chota Boots, and assorted mesh top beach shoes. Get a fit that will stay on your feet when swimming. We find that wicking socks or fleece socks in our neoprene boots adds warmth & comfort. Where To Buy Kayak Clothing Specific items of clothing shown above may be found by cutting & pasting the name in search boxes at the links below. Some items are offered only seasonally. Our favorite brands of quality kayak clothing are at REI. Purchasing through this link helps support this site. NRS (Northwest River Supply) is now available - an Excellent source of large size wetsuit wear - XXL, XXXL ("Grizzley"). Sierra Trading Post has good deals on kayak clothing. Purchasing through this link helps support this site. Amazon's sporting goods section. See their selection of wetsuits & paddle shoes. Purchasing through this link helps support this site.   back to top