Whether you’re an experienced kayaker or just testing the waters (pardon the pun), kayaking is a super-fun watersport often enjoyed with family and friends.
However, as it’s an all-season sport, knowing what to wear for kayaking can be difficult—especially given how much UK weather likes to change. With so much kayaking equipment and accessories on the market, our confusion is definitely forgiven here.
As a kayaker, you should remember, though, that it’s a legal requirement to wear a life vest when kayaking in a vessel deemed ‘seaworthy’ by the manufacturer. Life vests are also strongly recommended for smaller models.
So, all things considered, we’ve put together a complete guide on what to wear for kayaking.
Wetsuit or drysuit
We’ll start by helping clear up any confusion between wetsuits and drysuits.
On the face of it, wetsuits and drysuits seem pretty similar, especially if you’re new to kayaking—but there are, in fact, a few subtle differences which dictate which type you should wear and when.
Even in the summer, the body of water you kayak on is likely to be cold, so staying warm needs to be one of your main priorities.
Wetsuits come into their own when the water temperature is low enough to put your core body temperature at risk of dropping, but the air temperature remains reasonable. For example, if you’re kayaking on a large lake on a hot summer’s day, the lake water itself might still be dangerously cold, given its depth and volume. Wetsuits are designed to keep you as warm as possible here.
On the other hand, drysuits do not insulate in the same way, despite helping to keep you dry. Drysuits are often fully-sealed and watertight but require additional warm clothing underneath in order to regulate your body temperature.
Drysuits are often bulkier and less comfortable to wear for kayaking, but you need to make an informed decision based on where you’re kayaking and the conditions you’re likely to face.
Related: Wetsuit vs drysuit for kayaking
Paddle top and bottoms
As obvious as it may sound, wearing your standard jeans and t-shirt isn’t the best approach to kayaking. Instead, we’d recommend investing in a proper paddle top and bottoms to wear on top of your wet or dry suit.
FYI: you may sometimes see paddle tops referred to as ‘cags’—they’re exactly the same. Like your wet and drysuits, they’re also designed to protect you from adverse weather. Paddle tops are normally made from padded, breathable, and waterproof material—often nylon or neoprene.
They can be combined with paddle bottoms for kayaking, too, which do the same but for the lower half of your body. Paddle bottoms are usually cuffed at the ankles and often have reinforced knees and bums for added protection and to prevent excess wear.
Life vest
As we mentioned earlier, life vests are a legal requirement for some kayaks, and you’re putting yourself at all sorts of potential risks if you choose not to wear one.
Life vests are designed to keep you afloat in water, keeping you safe should you fall in and get into difficulty. Check out our round-up of the best life vests for kayaking.
Waterproof jacket
You might think a waterproof jacket AND a paddle top is slightly overkill, but there’s certainly no harm in taking an additional light rainproof jacket out on the water with you as well.
Unlike paddle tops, waterproof jackets almost always have hoods attached, which are invaluable if rain starts to pound. They also have pockets and other zipped compartments, which are useful for storing valuables while kayaking.
Related: Best waterproof jackets for 2022
Kayak shoes
You mustn’t forget your feet when planning what to wear for kayaking.
We recommend looking for shoes made from neoprene (or similar) because they’re lightweight, waterproof, and provide good protection for your feet and toes while still remaining flexible.
As tempting as wearing sandals may be—especially in hot weather—the gaps can be a nightmare for trapping dirt and debris from the water, which can be dangerous as well as uncomfortable.
Whatever footwear you choose for kayaking, make sure they have backed heels. Without this, they’ll come off your feet far too easily. You need to know your feet are secure so you can concentrate on the actual fun stuff!
Related: Top 10 best kayak shoes in 2022
Gloves
As well as providing a layer of warmth for your hands on colder days, gloves are a useful piece of kayaking equipment as they also help protect against blisters—which are, unfortunately, all too common for kayakers. Gloves often also have added grip to help you cling onto the paddle.
Alternatively, some kayakers use ‘pogies’. Pogies fasten to the paddle itself and let you slip your hands inside them to get a direct grip on the shaft.
Related: Best kayaking gloves of 2022
Helmet
Helmets are another kayaking essential, especially if you’re on moving water. Wearing a helmet while kayaking will help protect your head against knocks and potentially nasty collisions.
Make sure your helmet fits properly and isn’t too loose or tight before heading out.
Thermals
Thermals act as a good base layer when kayaking. Not only do they keep you nice and warm, but they also help your body get rid of excess moisture, making you feel more comfortable.
You can wear thermals underneath your paddle top and bottoms to help lock in warmth, particularly on colder days.
Related: Thermal clothing for canoeing and kayaking
Sun cream
We probably don’t need to tell you about the importance of sun cream, but many people think they only need to wear it when it’s hot—wrong!
It’s wise to apply sun cream before kayaking, regardless of whether you think it’s hot enough or not. Being outdoors in large open areas for long periods can leave you susceptible to sunburn, even when it’s cloudy. Don’t take any chances.
Related: Best sun protection for kayaking
Specialist kayak insurance with Insure4Boats
All the gear but no idea? Not with us. If you’re serious about kayaking, you might also want to consider specialist insurance before heading out on the water.
Specialist kayak insurance with Insure4Boats lets you protect your kayak against theft, loss and damage. If your kayak was bought new and is under three years old, we’ll also replace it should it no longer be fit for the water.
You’ll also get up to £3m Third Party Liability as standard to protect you should you injure somebody or damage property while kayaking.
Learn more about specialist kayak insurance and get a bespoke quote online today.
Related
The 7 best life vests for kayaking
What’s the difference between a kayak and a canoe?
The 5 best drysuits for kayaking in 2022
Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.
