Clothing for the Paddler

Clothing to Look Like a Kayaker or Canoer

You've got the gear, not it's time to dress the part.  In kayaking/canoeing, the prepared paddler dresses with great consideration for the water temperature.  Cold water will rob a body of heat faster quickly, so an unexpected immersion can cause great problems.  Kayakers take two different approaches to cold water; the wet approach or dry approach.

The wet approach consists of wet suits.  A wet suit is a body-moulded neoprene sheath ranging in thickness from .5mm to 6mm.  Wet suits do not keep water out, rather, they keep the water trapped against the skin where body heat warms it and keeps you comfortable.  This layer of water, once warmed by your body, provides an effective barrier of insulation.  There are a variety of wet suits available, from full-coverage models that insulate the paddler from neck to ankle, to shorts and vest tops.

Other options for paddle clothing are popular in warmer weather and water temperatures.  Rash guards wick moisture, dry fast, protect against chafing and provide sun protection.  Many kayak rash guards have brushed fleece liners for additional warmth.  Paddle jackets provide protection against spray from rain or waves, and block heat robbing winds.  They have velcro enclosures instead of neck and wrist gaskets.

In deciding which option works best for you, first consider the water and air temperatures.  In warm temperature paddling, sun protection and quick drying are the main considerations.  Quick dry shirts and shorts, rash guards or swimsuits are all that you need.

In milder conditions, a sleeveless wetsuit will keep you comfortable without causing you to overheat, while a drysuit tends to be unpleasantly hot in warm conditions.  If the chance of immersion is low, a paddle jacket may provide the most comfort.  Layering under the jacket can help you adjust through the day as the temperature changes, and this arrangement gives maximum comfort.  As a general guideline, a wet suit with a thickness of 0.5-2 millimeters will keep you comfortable in warm air temperatures and cool to warm water (60 degrees Fahrenheit and up).  Newer features, such as titanium adhesives and fleece linings continue to lower the thickness to warmth ratio, improving mobility.  For whitewater paddling or sea kayaking on rough seas, where regular dousing occur frequently and the potential for rolling, capsizing, or a wet exit exists, you will want to choose a warmer set-up.  Dry tops, 2-3 millimeter wet suits, or combinations are common solutions.  A popular combination consists of both a drytop and a farmer John wet suit, which gives you the flexibility to wear just the wet suit when conditions are mild, or both when temperatures are colder or getting wet is more likely.

As temperatures cool into the 50's, thicker wet suits in the 2-3 millimeter range are preferable.  You can also consider a dry suits, though they can still get pretty warm, so opt for a dry top instead, with neoprene pants.  In areas with a very low probability of immersion, you can stay with the paddle jackets and pants and use heavier layers such as fleece.  For temperatures below 50, however, a wet suit needs to be 4-5 millimeters or more. At this point, most paddlers opt for the greater freedom of motion of a dry suit. For venturing into the coldest conditions, when the water may be only a few degrees above freezing, a full dry suit is the way to go.