Paddling Clothing

The most important factors that determine what to wear for paddling are air and water temperature. However, you should also consider what type of paddling you are doing, and how long it could take you to reach help if you got into trouble.

Whitewater and Surf Paddling

Keep your noggin safe with a helmet designed for use in water, and dress with the assumption that you're going to get wet. You might be soaked by waves over the deck, capsize and roll, swim, or any combination of these.

Helmets

Specialized kayaking helmets have large vents in the top or sides to allow water to disperse quickly and harmlessly. Trapped water can transmit impact shock directly to your head, including your delicate eardrums. If you're doing extreme stuff, consider wearing a chin bar or face cage to keep that grin on your face.

Keep your helmet away from hot places, such as the trunk of a car on a sunny day, as high temperatures can warp your helmet and reduce its shock absorption capacity. All kayaking helmets should be replaced in the event of a hard blow, even if the damage isn't obvious. The foam crushes to absorb impact, so one serious impact can make it ineffective.

Cold Water, Cold Air

For the coldest conditions (a glacial-fed river in nasty weather), a drysuit is the warmest, safest option. You may also want to wear a farmer john wetsuit and drytop, provided the drytop seals effectively around the waist to limit flooding (though this offers less protection if you swim).

• You can add a warm fleece under the drysuit or drytop
• For very cold water, a full neoprene hood is better than a light "skullcap" of fuzzy rubber.
• You may also want neoprene pogies to keep your hands functional, and neoprene boots for your feet.

Cold Water, Warm Air

Cold water and warm air are the trickiest conditions to dress for. Choose clothing that allows you to function for a while in the water, without overheating you in your boat.

• Some paddlers opt for a farmer john wetsuit with a non-dry paddling jacket that vents a bit.
• Some experienced paddlers, who are less likely to swim, choose neoprene shorts with a drytop; if they find themselves overheating, they eddy out and pop a roll to cool off.

Warm Water, Warm Air

Warm water and air make the most pleasant paddling conditions. If the water's a bit cool, you may want a short-armed, short-legged wetsuit. If not, rugged, quick-drying shorts and shirt, a good waterproof sunscreen, and your helmet, and you're off!

Kayak Touring and Canoe Tripping

Unlike whitewater paddlers, touring/tripping paddlers do not intend to get wet. Still, the possibility of capsize must be considered. The higher the likelihood of capsize, and the more severe the potential consequences, the more protectively you should dress.

Cold Consequences

Consequences can mount if the water is cold, and if it would take a long time to get ashore. The time it takes you to get ashore depends on where you're paddling; if you're running a steep-banked river or paddling a rocky coast, the nearest landable spot may be miles away.

• In cold and rainy conditions, a drysuit or a farmer john wetsuit combined with a drytop or a paddling jacket is the most effective solution.
• For added insulation, a warm fleece or sweater can be layered under a drysuit, drytop, or paddling jacket.
• If the air temperatures make a drysuit or drytop intolerable, opt for a regular paddling jacket that can be vented.
• Drysuits, drytops, and paddling jackets are all available in waterproof-breathable fabrics to increase your comfort.

Best Foot Forward

Keep your feet happy on and off the water.

Find out more about Paddling Footwear and Foot Care.