What to wear kayaking

As with any sport or hobby, safety should be your top priority when embarking on a new experience like flatwater kayaking. This water activity can be fun in all seasons, but it’s important to consider safety precautions related to clothing selections before you head out on your first – or your fiftieth – paddling journey.

And since kayaking is on the rise in the United States as one of the most popular outdoor sports, we wanted to dive into what to wear kayaking for those newbies out there.

In this post, we’ll cover kayak clothing with the following topics:

• The absolute #1 item you must wear during every paddling experience,

• Best clothes for recreational flatwater kayaking in the Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons,

• Special considerations for Pacific Northwest kayakers,

• An incredible Oregon Winter escape kayaking adventure I had out-of-state,

• And my favorite things to wear as a woman when I go kayaking.

It’s important to note that at Flatwater Kayak Club, just like our business brand name states, we focus on calm water kayaking experiences (such as slow-moving rivers and bodies of water with minimal waves and wakes).

With that in mind, let’s jump in…

This website may contain affiliate links meaning if you purchase through my link, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you.

The #1 kayak clothing item you need

Before we get into what to wear while flatwater kayaking in the different seasons, we want to absolutely state this:

You should always wear a properly-fitted life jacket every time you go out onto the water.

Every. Single. Time.

Try to get one with a whistle attached, which you can use to attract attention if needs be. Or buy your own emergency whistle and attach it yourself.

What to wear kayaking in spring 

While the weather starts to warm up this season in the Pacific Northwest, rainfall can be heavy and the water you paddle on will be cold and levels will be high (think - ice and snow melt in the lakes and rivers, on top of rainfall - it’s a lot of cold water to consider).

It’s critical that you ensure you stay dry and warm at this time, utilizing rain gear to keep yourself protected whilst the lakes, rivers, and oceans are still taking time to warm up. After all, if you happen to fall out of the kayak, you need to be well-equipped to survive those nippy conditions.

As the paddling saying goes, prepare for immersion.

What matter is what you put on before you get wet.

Spring tips to consider for your kayak clothing:

Layer up

This tip might seem obvious, but you should never underestimate its importance. It will be better to wear several thin layers rather than one thick layer since this will help you dry off quicker if you fall into the water.

Champion x Flatwater Kayak Club Rain-Resistant Packable Jacket

from $49.00

Avoid cotton materials at all costs. This fabric can take away body heat and hang heavy when wet from your sweat or from the water, in contrast to the more innovative, moisture-wicking materials on the market.

A lot of kayakers wear rash guards for these very reasons.

You also might want to invest in a windbreaker to put over your layers of clothes, stopping the chilly winds from making you uncomfortable or bringing your body temperature down too low.

If we’re not wearing a rain or waterproof jacket, we’ve got a packable one in our dry bag kayaking accessory at all times.

Utilize a spray skirt on your boat

When recreational kayaking, you should invest in a spray skirt accessory to solve the issue of any unwanted water getting into your kayak boat.

Not only will this keep things dry for you and you kayak, but it will also preserve the warmth of your bottom half where you are sitting.

Protect your feet

Safety is about protecting all parts of your body – including your feet. Keep your feet warm, dry, and comfortable with waterproof shoes and neoprene socks.

These materials will dry out quickly, which you’ll definitely want when you’re out on the lake or river. After all, there’s nothing worse than wet socks (we’ve all been there, right?).

Protect your skin

As spring brings longer days with brighter sun, you need to watch out for direct sunlight and UV rays. When you’re out on the lake or river for long periods of time in this season, the chances are that you might get sunburnt – even if the weather is still cold, or there’s clouds in the sky.

Use a quality reef-safe, nontoxic sunscreen and sun hat that will help protect your skin from excessive sun exposure with you’re out kayaking (while not spreading chemicals in the sensitive ecosystems you encounter).

Wear a dry suit

Since waters don’t usually warm up properly until June or July – at least in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho – you may want to tackle colder waters with a dry suit in spring months. REI experts recommend that if the water is cooler than 70 degrees, wear a wet suit or dry suit when you kayak.

This full-body garment type (which you may be more familiar with its use in surfing) will help keep you dry even when the water is cold.

In the Pacific Northwest, season sports don’t always follow the calendar months. For many locals in these U.S. states, we usually consider July 4th as the “official” start of summer in terms of warm weather and prime kayaking opportunities.

NOAA has a handy online coastal water temperature guide here, but if you’re kayaking on bodies of water not covered by this map, ask your local paddle shop about the route you’re planning to explore by kayak.

What to wear kayaking in summer

Just because it’s summer and the water you’re kayaking is likely much warmer, it’s still important to dress safely for the weather.

Protect yourself from the sun

Trucker Cap - White Embroidery - Multiple Color Options

$29.00

Some sun exposure is healthy, but too much is not good. As mentioned in the spring section, you’ll need to protect your skin during kayaking, especially when you go outside for long periods of time – even if it’s cloudy.

Wearing a sun hat can be a great way to decrease river and lake glare and enhance your visibility while out on the water.

It can also protect your face, head, and neck from direct sunlight and reduce the chances of you having health problems in the long run.

You should always layer up on good-quality sunscreen, even if you are wearing a hat. This will ensure you are given double protection at the hottest time and peak sun periods of the year.

Choose your bottoms wisely

Bottoms, like cags, can keep you dry and warm during the summer. If the weather gets hot in this season when you’re kayaking, you could wear a lighter option, such as board shorts.

However, if summer can still get a bit chilly where you live, you could slip into some full-length kayak trousers for added precaution. Furthermore, full-length bottoms provide more UV protection than shorts, which is always something to bear in mind during summertime. 

For me, this is what I wear nearly every as a woman kayaker: the Patagonia Fleetwith Romper. I have it in multiple colors. I pretty much live in this all summer long in the Oregon, whether I’m out paddling or not. It’s made of recycled materials, is stretchy, flattering, dries super quickly and doesn’t wrinkle! I’m obsessed with this piece of kayak clothing – seriously.

You can buy this amazing women’s romper directly from Patagonia, or through quality outdoor retailers like REI.

Wear a wetsuit

For some kayakers, a wetsuit is one of the essential pieces of equipment for summer (especially for sea kayaking).

There are different options available on the market, from long-sleeves to sleeveless varieties to suit your needs, if this is an option you want to consider.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are essential for many people in summer. After all, this item can do a fantastic job of enhancing your visibility by decreasing glare, ensuring you can optimize your skillful performance while out on the kayak.

Some people are reluctant to take sunglasses out on the water because they fear dropping and losing them. However, there are plenty of ways to reduce this problem – there are many retainer products on the market to ensure that you can keep complete control of your possessions (and avoid littering in the Great Outdoors).

Watershoes

Water shoes are a necessity for kayaking as they provide good traction, protection, and can keep your feet warm and dry quickly. There are a few features to consider when choosing water shoes for kayaking:

• Traction: Look for shoes with soles that provide good grip and stability on wet surfaces. Rubber soles with a non-slip pattern are a good choice.

• Drainage: Even if you don’t immerse yourself in water, kayaking often involves getting wet (depending on your boat, launch points, kayaking skill level, and weather). It's important to choose shoes that will drain quickly and dry out quickly. Look for shoes with mesh uppers and drainage holes in the soles. Personally, I kayak in the summer wearing my Chaco’s sandals.

• Protection: Kayaking can be hard on your feet, so look for shoes that provide protection from rocks and other hazards. Toe caps and reinforced soles are a good choice. Oftentimes if you’re kayaking on a lake or a river’s edge, you’ll need to get in your kayak on some rocky and pebble surfaces.

• Fit: Look for shoes that fit snugly and securely to prevent any slipping (and those annoying blisters, we’ve all been there). Adjustable straps or laces can be helpful.

• Durability: Your best water shoes bet are ones made of durable materials that can withstand the wear and tear of many seasons of flatwater kayaking.

• Comfort: You’ll want shoes comfortable to wear for long periods of time and that provide enough support and cushioning for your feet.

It's always a good idea to try on different paddling water shoes before making a final buying decision, so you’re confident you’re getting the best fit and functionality for your needs.

What to wear kayaking in fall

Spring and summer have passed, which means only one thing: you’re braving kayaking on the chilly waters of fall. This is such a beautiful season to kayak in many parts of the PNW region.

One of the things I love most about autumn kayaking is the beautiful colored leaves and towering trees reflecting on the water’s surface, like on my last paddle trip on the Tualatin River.

As the temperatures start to cool down, you need to take a few extra precautions to protect yourself best. After all, fall conditions can be challenging and arguably need to be given more attention to those in summer.

Let’s take a look at the tips you should be taking on before heading out paddling on the water this autumn season…

Layer up

As you should in spring, you should also be layering up your garments in fall. Having quick-drying base layers and thermals is a good idea because they can trap heat against your skin to regulate your temperature and even wick away unwanted sweat.

Also, it might be worth investing in fleecy mid-layer and an outer waterproof windbreaker. And for your head, swap out your sun hat for a warm beanie or a balaclava-styled garment.  

Try out a paddling jacket

A paddling jacket is basically a rain jacket complete with a fleecy or dry-top lining. After all, you’ll want to avoid getting wet and cold, especially in seasons where this could potentially be incredibly dangerous to your health.

You should also consider splash pants which are specially designed for paddling. These should be able to keep you warm in chilly times.

Consider neoprene and similar alternatives

Neoprene boots, neoprene gloves, and neoprene socks are on many kayakers’ “what to wear kayaking” fall check list. This material can help provide the warmth they need to function in extreme conditions.

However, it should also be stated that neoprene is a bit of a hot topic, and companies like Patagonia offer great neoprene-free clothing products with similar benefits. (You can learn more and explore these products by clicking the image below).

Kayaking gloves

Depending on the temperature and your preferences, you may want to invest in a good pair of gloves for kayaking. They can help prevent blisters on your hands while you’re paddling, and protect your skin from the wind and cold (depending on what the weather’s like when you’re out on the water).

It would help if you also considered what types of locations and seasons you want to explore. Let’s take a peek at a couple of examples below!

Pacific Northwest (PNW) weather considerations for kayakers:

In the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find that the peak kayaking season occurs in late spring, summer, and early fall, with many adventurers being attracted to Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Be mindful that many lakes are iced over in winter, so it’s probably best to avoid this season. Trillium Lake, for example? There will be snow to your ears and a frozen icy lake!

Winter travel escapes for warm-weather kayaking adventures

If you’re itching to kayak in the winter, you might want to opt for a location with warmer and drier weather than the Pacific Northwest…

For example, you can embark on clear bottom kayak tours in Florida, which are incredibly popular with both residents and tourists alike. I’ve done this myself, and had a glorious time kayaking in late November on a clear kayak to Shell Key Preserve (this is the tour guide operator I booked with, and I brought my 70-year old mom kayaking with me, it was a great time).

Kayak clothing summary

When choosing what kayaking clothes to wear, you should always choose practicality over style.

You must protect yourself with garments you can rely on to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable, whatever the season might throw at you.

Keep your eye out for desirable features such as moisture-wicking, breathable, and quick-drying materials. They also need to be flexible enough to move around in. 

If you’re struggling to decide what clothes to wear, it’s worth doing an extra little bit of online research or asking a more experienced kayaker what they think.

We would also recommend chatting with a local paddling shop expert, who knows the water conditions, regional weather, and how to prepare for the unexpected, best!

You should always double-check the water temperatures and weather conditions of the water you’ll be kayaking on before actually getting in, ensuring that safety is always a top priority.

With this in mind, it’s worth packing extra clothing – and an extra towel in the car trunk. This means that if the conditions do alter slightly, you’ll be best prepared for the adventure ahead of you. 

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