Welcome to Paddling / Kayaking
Page 5 of 29
✓ What clothing should I wear paddling / kayaking?
When selecting what to wear, consider the environment you are in or could be in. As with
many outdoor activities you’ll want to use the quick dry layer system, wearing distinct layers
of clothing rather than one or two thick layers. In all but the warmest conditions you’ll want
your outermost layer to be made of a water- and wind-proof material. For your under layers,
avoid clothes made out of cotton. Although comfortable off the water, cotton offers no
insulating value when wet and is very slow to dry. Instead, choose insulating clothing made
of synthetic fibers. As well as wicking moisture away from your body, this system allows you
to easily adapt to changing weather conditions. You may also want to choose paddling
clothes equipped with reflective strips, especially if your paddling involves long crossings
and high-traffic areas. If you are venturing offshore or may encounter turbulent water, ensure
you are dressed appropriately for those conditions and/ or cold water with a wetsuit or
drysuit.
• Wetsuit - Available in full suit, shorty and 'Farmer John' styles, a wetsuit is composed of
flexible neoprene that can be an economical insulator and helps fend off hypothermia. A
wetsuit should be neither so tight that it causes restrictions of your movement, nor so
loose that you have water running freely between you and the suit.
• Drysuit/ dry top - Available in one-or two-piece versions, a dry suit uses watertight
gaskets at the neck, wrists, and ankles to keep you dry. A dry suit's waterproof fabric does
little to help insulation; you must wear inside layers for insulation.
• Gloves - When the weather outside gets cold, neoprene gloves become indispensable.
Working like a neoprene wet suit, they allow a thin layer of water to become an insulator
between your hands and the cold. Fit should not be too tight nor too loose.
• Pogies - Great for protecting your hands from a cold wind while also allowing normal
contact with your paddle. Their insulating neoprene design, attached directly to the
paddle, lets your hands exit easily.
• Neoprene hood (primarily whitewater) - Ultra important when the conditions get cold.
Helps avoid heat loss through your head and prevents painful “ice cream” headaches
caused by rolling in cold water.
• River shoes/booties (primarily whitewater) - Wearing a closed-toe river shoe with a
good sticky tread surface is essential for safe scouting and portaging. More than helping
keep your feet warm, these shoes grant you grip on the damp rocks surrounding the river
and help with traction in the event of a swim.
Tip – Adapt to changing weather conditions by carrying extra clothes in a dry bag, and don’t
forget a good hat to reduce your exposure to the sun.
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