Kayaking in Cold Weather

What to wear kayaking in colder weather needs a little planning and research. There is nice gentle paddling and there is extreme paddling.

Even if you think you are only going for a gentle paddle on calm waters there is always a chance that you are going to get fall in the water and you should be prepared for that for your own protection.

Cold water shock can be very dangerous if you are not dressed correctly and the risk of hypothermia is real. So cold water conditions mean that you should wear a drysuit or a wetsuit.

Dry Suit vs Wet Suit

So what’s the difference between a dry suit and a wetsuit? A wetsuit is a tight fitting neoprene suit that won’t stop you getting wet but does help to keep you warm. The wetsuit uses a layer of water between your skin and the suit to insulate you. The wetsuit is way cheaper than a drysuit. You don’t wear any base layer underneath the wetsuit

Wetsuits come with different arm and leg lengths. A Farmer John or Jane wetsuit doesn’t have any sleeves and it is good for milder weather. Some people will wear a wetsuit all year round. Especially if their style of kayaking means getting wet is almost certain.

Wetsuits also come in varying thicknesses. For colder conditions, you can look at thicker wetsuits. With a thick wetsuit the layer of warm water insulating you will be thicker. It will also restrict your freedom of movement more.

For very cold conditions a dry suit is usually a better choice, but way more expensive. The goal of a dry suit is to keep you dry. A drysuit is waterproof but alone it doesn’t have great insulating properties. With a dry suit approach it’s the clothing layers that you wear underneath that will keep you warm. One of the good things about dry suits is that you can adjust the clothing layers depending on how cold conditions are.

What Fabrics

The best fabrics are those that are breathable.

Avoid cotton because it absorbs water (or sweat) and dries slowly. So jeans are a bad idea!

Long underwear can be worn underneath a drysuit as a base layer.

Fleece makes a good mid-layer.

A beanie can be a good option when it’s cold but if it gets wet it will lose its insulating properties. A neoprene hat might be a good option if you know you’re going to get wet.

When planning your kayaking, always dress according to the coastal water temperature map.

Whether you end up choosing a wetsuit or a dry suit will probably come down to personal preference.

The Bottom Line

Quick drying clothes is a good idea. Usually this means synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon. Layering is smart too when the water is warm. If the water is a safe temperature but the air is cool then bring something heavier like a fleece. But you’ll want to be able to lose layers if the sun comes out and it’s too hot. When deciding what to wear when kayaking it’s all about the outdoor weather conditions you’ll be paddling in.

Pay special attention to the water temperature. The job of cold weather kayaking clothes and gear is to keep you warm. Wearing a wetsuit is a good choice when the water is cold and your planning active paddling. If it’s very cold then you should consider wearing a dry suit over a base layer of long underwear and middle layers of fleece.