When looking for kayak clothing, keep in mind that you need to dress for the weather and the time of year to be comfortable kayaking. Dress not for the air temperature but the water temperature. Wear a wetsuit or a dry suit any time the water temps are 70 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler.
Look at women’s kayaking clothing as well as men’s kayaking clothing. When children are going kayaking with you, please dress them accordingly.
Wetsuits
A wetsuit is minimum protection. Also wear a wetsuit in hot weather but cold water.
REALON Wetsuit Men Full Neoprene
XUKER Women Men Wetsuit 2mm 3mm, Neoprene Wet Suits
Dark Lightning Full Body Wetsuit Men and Women, 3/2mm Wet Suit Womens Mens
HIGI FLEXEL Neoprene Wetsuit Jacket Men Windproof
Dry Suits
A dry suit is for colder weather and air.
Dry Suit for Cold Water Kayaking Equipment for Men Kayaking Dry Suits
Kayak Dry Suits for Women in Cold Water,Waterproof,Front Zip, Kayaking, Red
Kayak clothing suppliers offer not just a variety of styles to choose from; they also take into account needs like sun protection, waterproof protection, and breathability.
Clothing for cold weather kayaking
Showing up at your kayaking destination and realizing you weren’t appropriately dressed for the cold can be a problem for you. Kayaking clothing is similar to that worn for other outdoor sports such as hiking: You want durability, mobility, and comfort. Look for cold and wet protection.
But what are the best clothes to wear on a kayak? You don’t want anything too heavy because of how hot kayaks get, and anything cotton or wool will wrinkle up like crazy. The best thing is a lightweight synthetic material.
Suggestions for consideration
Here are some tips on how to dress appropriately for cold weather kayaking:
Layering is the key to staying warm.
Layer your Clothing: Your first layer should always be a wicking base layer. A good option is to get some technical underwear or a compression shirt.
These base layers will help wick away moisture and keep you warm without being too hot. The second layer should always be the most waterproof one you have, yet still breathable (not windproof).
WARMTH:
Ideally, your top layer should be made of a material that will hold in the heat you’ve generated. One way to do this is with synthetic or wool layers. Wool keeps in much of its warmth even when wet, which is excellent if you accidentally fall in the water during the winter months.
It also helps not to chill you when damp from sweat. Make sure to get a base layer that wicks as well, though. A thin material that absorbs moisture won’t hold heat.
LIGHTEN UP:
What you wear does matter, but so does the heat generated by your body. Your best bet is to stay as light as possible.
Avoid wearing heavy jackets or boots, just light layers: A thin base layer and a mid-layer topcoat. Those two layers will provide you with more warmth without being bulky or heavy.
DRESS FOR WINDS:
A windproof outer layer against wind and cold air is essential. Another choice can be a down parka.
BRAVE MEN:
Men are more likely to get hypothermia than women, so they must be dressed appropriately. Nowadays, they wear layers of thermal wear to warm up and take off layers when they get too hot.
Besides waterproofing the improvised winter clothing, other factors come into play when paddling a kayak in cold weather. While some elements may not be strictly necessary, they can be helpful when the weather is at its worst.
One of these is to know how to access your kayak if you happen to fall in the water. Even without the accessibility factor, however, learning how to get into a kayak in cold weather is essential.
Upper-body warmth is essential. Especially if you are steering the kayak, you need to wear a warm hat or hood on your head.
Gloves and long underwear are also helpful in keeping you warm.
During winter, rain can happen as a sudden weather change, and it is better to be prepared for that. You can protect yourself from this surprise by using waterproof rain gear in case of a sudden rainstorm.
OTHER:
Good sunglasses are a must, any time of year. You’re constantly exposed to harmful UV rays when you’re on the water in a kayak. However, if you are getting hit with many sun rays from snow glare, wear polarized sunglasses or get an anti-glare coating for your sunglasses.
The PFD (personal flotation device) is one of the vital pieces of gear for wearing in a kayak.
Onyx Unversal Paddle Kayak Life Vest
Astral V-Eight Life Jacket PFD for Recreation, Fishing and Touring Kayaking
Stohlquist Women’s Betsea Lifejacket (PFD)-CyanBlue-Plus
It is best to wear many extra layers on your body and keep warm while enjoying kayaking in the winter season.
Before buying kayaking gear and clothing, there are a few things you should take into consideration when making your decision. Determine the items that will be more beneficial, sort by what kind of activity you are doing.
TIP#1:
You can use different types of kayaks, and they may do better with different clothing. Explore to find your perfect kayak-clothing match.
TIP#2:
Know your level of fitness.
Different clothing and gear are suitable for varying levels of fitness.
TIP#3:
Some clothes are made of synthetic materials, some are made of wool, and some are made of cotton. Know your preference, as you can be allergic to certain fabrics. Kayaking clothing is made from different types of fibers and fabrics like fleece, nylon, and wool, to name a few.
Choosing the right type affects the comfort and performance level you gain from using them in your kayaking activity.
Before buying some kayaking clothes and gear, do a little research on the different kayak clothing and equipment types. Knowing the difference between flotation suits, wet suits, and dry suits will save you a lot of money.
Hypothermia
If your clothing gets wet, it is harder for you to keep warm, so dry your wet clothes before continuing to wear them. Also, if you find yourself shivering, stop what you are doing for a few minutes and try to get warm before resuming the activity.
Hypothermia can be a severe health risk that can cost you your life. It happens quickly, so it’s up to you to be prepared and adapt to the conditions. If you get caught in the cold, try not to panic.
Hypothermia is a touchy condition because there is no natural cure for it. Often, hypothermia can be prevented by knowing how to stay warm when in or around cold water.