The Ultimate Guide: What To Wear Kayaking

Kayaking is one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities. It’s a great way to get some exercise, spend quality time with friends or family, and enjoy nature. It’s also easy to do so, but there are many things you should know before taking your first trip out on the water. We’ll cover what you need to know about proper attire, safety equipment, what type of kayak will best suit your needs and more!

Some people think that what you wear when kayaking is not important. This couldn’t be further from the truth! When it comes to what to wear, there are a few things you should know before getting started. If you’re going on a long trip or spending a lot of time in the water, your clothing must protect against sunburn and chafing. With this article, we’ll cover what exactly makes for good clothing choices while kayaking as well as what not to wear so that you can have an enjoyable experience with no regrets!

Kayaks should be equipped with safety equipment before launching for any trip. This includes life jackets and first aid kits. Kayakers must make sure they have what they need before leaving shore in order to avoid having to go back once they are afloat on the water.

What should I wear first time kayaking?

what to wear when kayaking.
  1. PFDs (personal floatation devices should fit snugly but not be uncomfortable. The back should be higher than the front (to keep your face out of the water), and it should not ride too high under your arms (you might drown if it gets trapped over your head). A PFD’s crotch strap should fit between your legs, but never ride up. Once you are seated in a kayak, put on your PFD so that all straps are accessible for quick donning.

  2. There are two types of sprayskirts: buckle and skirt-integrated. The latter is generally lighter and easier to load up with gear while providing better protection from waves and spray. It also provides a more watertight seal around the cockpit coaming (the rim where your thighs go), keeping out water that might otherwise seep into your kayak during a wet reentry or roll. Most sprayskirts have a cut-away section for quick and easy cockpit reentry.

  3. Kayakers should wear footwear that will stay on their feet during wet reentries. Some kayakers wear sandals with quick dry laces tied at the top of the foot so water cannot easily enter them if submerged; neoprene socks can also be worn under these sandals as well as inside longer aquasocks for warmth and flotation. Shoes must fit securely because loose shoes can come off in a rescue situation.

  4. Kayakers should always carry a first aid kit with them on trips in case of emergencies! Think about what you might need:

    – bandages,

    – gauze pads,

    – antiseptic wipes,

    – medical tape,

    – elastic wrap/Ace bandage,

    – tweezers,

    – scissors,

    – antibiotic ointment,

    – pain relievers,

    – antihistamines,

    – and insect bite wipes.

  5. Kayakers may find it advisable to carry safety equipment with them in the event of an emergency. Items like flares or strobes can help rescuers find you. It is also advisable to carry identification that identifies what type of medical information you need in the event of an emergency.

Extra items to remember are sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection, lip balm with sunscreen.

What To Wear Kayaking In Summer

What to wear kayaking in summer.

Kayaking in summer is one of the best ways to spend your free time. It gets you up close and personal with nature, without the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Plus, it’s a great way to get some exercise while still enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer! If you live in an area where winter months are harsh or what would be deemed ‘outdoor activities’ are hard to pursue because of weather conditions – kayaking in summer is definitely for you!

As most people know, dressing properly when doing outdoor activities is essential if you do not want to suffer from heat exhaustion or worse! There are several factors that will influence what gear you will need on your journey out on the water. Factors such as what type of kayak you are using, what time of day it is, what the weather conditions are like and what type of water the kayak will be traversing over all play a role in what to wear when kayaking.

Having that said, there are some general guidelines to follow in order to stay safe and comfortable when out on the water.

  1. First off, for open waters, it is recommended that you wear clothing made from light materials such as cotton or polyester. Light-colored clothes reflect sunlight which keeps you fly way cooler than darker colors would. It goes without saying that long pants or capri style pants should be worn instead of shorts; this is something most people know already but it’s better to be safe than sorry! Also try to avoid clothes that are tight, since they can become restrictive when wet. Lastly, make sure to wear layers of clothing.

  2. Wearing a hat is strongly recommended when out kayaking in the summer. Many people find that hats are their best defense against what would otherwise be harmful UV rays from the sun. Either way, it’s important to stay as protected as possible throughout your trip!

  3. Sunscreen is not necessarily needed if you follow step number one above – wearing light colored clothes that reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it into your skin should be sufficient- but this isn’t always true so use sunscreen anyway just to be on the safe side!

  4. Sunglasses are also part of what to wear when kayaking during colder days or nights, however they are especially useful on sunny days too. Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, keep them from being squinty and give you a cool look.

  5. If what to wear when kayaking is going to be cold, what you’ll need to avoid getting too cold is a good insulating layer that traps heat inside the garment while still allowing for airflow. This will prevent both hypothermia and hyperthermia so it’s important!

  6. It’s always a good idea to have a water bottle with you when on the water, simply because dehydration can occur quickly in even moderately warm weather conditions.

What To Wear When Kayaking In Winter

What to wear kayaking in winter.

It’s important to think about what the water will be like, what the air is typically like, what kind of trip you will have on your kayak and what more. These are all factors that will also affect what you wear when it comes to winter time! It can be hard to stay comfortable in cold weather even if there is a bright sun shining down on you.

Paddling in colder conditions can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it does require some advanced planning to ensure comfort and safety. Here are the basic guidelines for what to wear when kayaking in cold weather:

  1. Wear synthetic or wool layers under a waterproof shell (preferably with sealed seams).

  2. Stay as dry as possible.

  3. Avoid cotton! It loses its insulation ability when wet and can contribute to hypothermia if not dried off quickly after getting wet. If you do use cotton, make sure no skin is exposed between the shirt and your life jacket.

  4. Avoid going out in the water when it is below freezing or near it. For example, if you see ice floating by, don’t go kayaking!

  5. Make sure your hands are always dry and warm before taking any action with your paddle (i.e. steer your kayak). If they aren’t, you could be at higher risk for frostbite.

  6. When kayaking in cold weather, dress in layers so that you can add or remove clothing as necessary.

What not to wear

We’ll start off with what not to wear. Some of these clothing choices are simply unattractive, while others are dangerous and counter-productive. They include the following:

  1. Clothes that are too tight or baggy can get caught on protruding objects, which might result in you hurting yourself or getting ejected from the kayak if it flips over. And what’s more embarrassing than falling out of your boat because your shirt got stuck on something? Nothing! The best way to avoid this is by wearing clothes that fit well but don’t constrict movement. You should look for items that have elastic waistbands, cuffs at the wrists and ankles, and maybe even a hood with drawstrings. Additionally, what you wear should be made of quick-drying fabric like nylon , spandex and polyester so that it dries quickly when wet and doesn’t hold onto water.

  2. No matter what type of kayak you use, you’ll want to minimize the amount of drag in the water caused by your clothing and gear. This means that bulky or loose items can really hinder what kind of performance you get from your kayak, especially in rough conditions when keeping up speed is key! So when deciding what to wear for kayaking activities, avoid wearing revealing clothing such as tank tops if there is a chance that they will shift around and reveal areas that should remain covered. You also want to avoid wearing clothes that are brightly colored or that have patterns on them, as these can help wildlife figure out what you really are. Colors like red and white are especially attractive to sharks , so if your plans include getting in the water it’s best to wear dark or camouflaged colors like browns, greys, blues and greens when kayaking. Additionally, avoid wearing anything with metal (like belt buckles) because they can act like magnets for hungry fish!

  3. Don’t forget about what you’ll be doing while kayaking! For example, what you choose will depend on what kind of trip you’re taking. If you plan on spending time in the sun (such as during a kayak fishing trip ), what you wear should protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. This means that what you wear must cover as much of your body as possible! For a cooling effect, it’s a good idea to wear a long sleeved shirt and pants made out of loose fitting material like cotton or hemp. If what you’re wearing is too tight or isn’t loose enough around your wrists and ankles, buy some cheap wristbands and ankle bands from many retailers sell for this purpose. And make sure what you choose covers as much as possible without restricting movement! In other words, try not to worry about looking stylish while kayaking-comfort is more important when it comes what to wear when kayaking.

  4. Finally, what you wear while kayaking should also be suitable for what activities you have planned. If you’re going on a long trip on the open water, what you choose should help keep your energy up by keeping you comfortable and not encumbering your movement or range of motion. On the other hand, what you wear might be more important if it’s one of many trips that make up a multi-day kayak tour . For example, if what zone will carry multiple loads across several days worth of paddling and what to wear when kayaking will get wet and muddy anyway there isn’t much point in worrying about staying dry or clean; instead focus on what’s most important: warmth! Clothing that keeps you warm is especially important when wearing the right clothes can help maintain your body temperature and prevent hypothermia in water below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

All of these things should be taken into consideration when what to wear when kayaking. Wearing the right clothing is not only important for safety, but it will also keep you comfortable and keep you from being a hazard to yourself or other kayakers!

FAQ

Do you get wet when kayaking?

For most people, the answer is yes. Depending on what time of year you do it and what type you go with, there's a good chance that some part or all of your body will get wet.

Can I wear Crocs to kayak?

Based on what we said in the previous paragraphs, we can conclude that Crocs make for a poor choice in kayaking shoes and. The rubber and lack of any sort of support really makes them not-so-good for kayaking.

Should I wear sneakers to kayak?

The debate over what type of footwear people should wear when kayaking is often hotly debated. There are two main of thought on the subject, those who think it's best to wear sneakers for their closeness to the body, and those who insist that water shoes are what you should rock.

Bottom line

We hope our blog post has been helpful in deciding what to wear kayaking this summer. Remember that safety is always most important when out on the water and be sure to follow your local laws for wearing life jackets while paddling.