Summer clothes for kayaking can be tricky. The weather is usually unpredictable, and you might have to change your plans in a hurry. But you don’t want to have too many clothes because it will be more difficult to paddle your boat.
The best idea is layering thin clothes over each other so that you can easily take them off when it gets warmer or put them on when it gets colder. A good thing to do would be wearing a wetsuit jacket over a long-sleeved shirt and pants, but if the weather suddenly changes, you just need to take off the wetsuit jacket and put on a short-sleeved shirt, shorts and sandals instead.
If you decide to kayak in acceptable beach attire, select kayaking shoes with good grip and ankle support. If possible, wear old socks or sandals, so they don’t slip off when wet. You may need to avoid thin fabrics or loose clothing that might get stuck in the boat’s water line or paddle shaft. Avoid wearing sandals because they will get tangled in your feet as paddling increases and increases the risk of getting them caught on logs or rocks while traversing rivers and streams.
One of the most important things you need to keep in mind during kayaking is having a hat. You should never go out on the water without your cap or sun-protective gear. A straw hat with a wide brim is ideal for you as it keeps off the harmful rays of the sun and protects your face and head from getting burned by them. It is also helpful in keeping insects at bay. Another safety precautions is to always check your kayak for snakes. Snakes are one of the spookiest creatures in the wild, always keeping an eye out for unsuspecting prey. While we can’t say for sure that any snakes are lurking in your kayak, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared!
15 Things to consider when choosing Kayaking Outfits
1. Durability
Durability is the ability of a material to resist damage. Material can be considered durable if it can handle a certain level of stress or pressure without breaking. The ability of a kayaker to withstand the stress during the water activities will be dependent on the choice of outfits. Hence, it is very important to consider the durability of material when choosing a kayaking outfit.
2. Fit
A kayaker should choose an outfit that fits perfectly, otherwise, it might end up compromising his safety. Most equipment is usually adjustable and may have some elasticity making them suitable for almost all size people. Since most materials are stretchable, tight-fitting outfits can be made loose by adjusting or loosening their components. However, if, there is no elasticity in the outfit, one cannot adjust it since he could break it instead.
3. Comfort
The outfit should be comfortable to provide the kayaker full range of motion and total protection from injury. The kayaker should not feel any pressure or tightness when he wears the outfit. It should feel soft on his skin and be made up of dry-fit materials. This will ensure that the kayaker is well protected from friction and irritation caused by wet clothes rubbing on the skin while paddling on the water.
4. Style
The majority of people prefer to wear outfits that are in sync with their personality and comfort zones. Some people like bright colours; others like to go for more traditional colours whilst some might prefer both colours and styles. The choice of colour and style is a personal preference, and the kayaker should choose an outfit that fits his personality. There are different styles of outfits that are suitable for various water activities.
5. Cost
Kayaking outfits are available at different prices depending on the materials used to make them, the durability of the material, and its appeal to most users. Most people go for outfits that meet their budgets; others might go for high-quality outfits even though they are expensive. However, they might go for high-quality outfits even though they are expensive since they last longer hence saving them money in the long run if invested wisely. The main cost factors can be identified from the type, style, size, colour, and personal preferences.
6. Comfort
Comfort in kayaking outfits means that the kayaker feels that he can carry out his activities without any pressure or tightness. He should feel free to move around with the outfit and should not have any form of irritation or friction on his skin because of wearing wet clothes. Many kayaking outfits are now available in a combination of materials that are either dry-fit or made up of materials that dry fast. This material helps prevent rubbing and irritation, promoting comfort and mobility for kayakers.
7. Safety Features
The safety of a person is mostly dependent on the kind of outfit he is wearing. Some outfits are made up of materials that are not very stretchy or stretchy but not very durable; these outfits can cause injury to the person wearing them. Some materials can be dangerous and cause damage to a person’s body if they fall off while kayaking. It is advisable to buy kayaking outfits that do not have any risk factors associated with them.
8. Versatility
The versatility of an outfit is dictated by the number of activities it can be used for. The kayaker should choose an outfit that matches his needs, he should choose an outfit that he might need in the future since some will last longer than others.
9. Aesthetics
The aesthetic factor refers to the way a kayaker looks while wearing the outfit. The person wearing it should look cool and fashionable while kayaking. It has been observed that people who go for bright outfits tend to enjoy paddling and enjoy the experience of them more than those that prefer to go for traditional styles.
10. Protection
The most important reason why kayakers choose an outfit is that they want to be safe from injury. A good outfit will protect all the areas of a person’s body that are in contact with water before engaging in activities on the water such as kayaking. Kayakers should choose outfits that give them maximum protection when using, especially for body parts that are most prone to injuries such as the knees, elbows, shoulders and other joints. For knees you should wear knee pads. Elbow pads will protect your elbow. The most important is the kayaking helmet to protect your head.
11. Mobility
Mobility is basically how easy it is to move around in an outfit while kayaking and whether a person can carry out all his activities easily without any restrictions. Kayakers should choose outfits that give them full mobility and enable them to do all their water sports activities freely without any restrictions or limitations. This will enable the kayaker to fully enjoy best tide times on the water.
12. Age
The age factor is an important consideration since the kayaker should choose an outfit that is suitable for his age. Some kayaking outfits would be appropriate only for people above a specific age group, such as adults, while others may be suitable for all ages. For instance, water sports gears are normally put in three different categories: Youth, Junior and Senior. Kayakers should therefore go for an outfit that will match their age group and should not wear something that they will find uncomfortable.
13. Waterproofing
The waterproofing factor refers to the kind of materials used in the outfit making it water-resistant. For instance, some are made from materials that dry faster while others are made from more stretchy materials that allow the kayaker to move freely and comfortably when engaged in water activities.
14. Cuff
The cuff should be in good shape since it plays a vital role in giving support to the ankle. The type and style of cuff used by the kayaker depends on the activities he is engaged in. Cuffs that allow kayakers should use easy and comfortable movement since they will give them greater confidence while engaging in water sports activities.
15. Straps
The straps play an important role in bracing the lower body to ensure that injuries are avoided, and articulated movements are made. Some straps are made from materials that can be abrasive to different parts of the body; this can lead to friction which may lead to injury or discomfort for a person.
How to Dress for Kayaking?
Kayakers should know the kind of clothing that is suitable for their activities. They should also make sure that they have a safe outfit that will give the maximum protection and comfort possible when engaging in kayaking or any other water sport activity. They should also consider the conditions they are likely to face while engaged in the activity. The conditions could be extreme such as strong waves, hot temperatures and a lot of sun during summer or freezing temperatures, snow and rain during the winter season.
How to layer with a wetsuit or a drysuit?
There are two types of kayakers: those who wear a wetsuit and those who wear drysuits. Drysuits are made from different fabrics such as neoprene or dry-lofted fabrics. These fabrics are very warm and comfortable to wear during the winter seasons. However, they tend to retain water if one stays in the water for a long time, so they should be well ventilated after use. On the other hand, wetsuits are made from materials that do not retain water, so they can be easily dried after use. This makes them convenient especially if we consider the fact that most of us probably don’t have access to unlimited hot water or drying facilities when entering a swim competition.
What to Bring on a Kayak Trip?
When choosing a kayak, the kayaker’s weight should also be considered. Usually, people who weigh less than 200 pounds should choose kayaks that are less than 60 pounds in weight. This is enough to carry extra items for the trip, such as hydration pack, foods, waterproof cardholder and other miscellaneous stuff. People who want to have more room for an overnight stay can decide to bring more stuff with them. Before deciding what kind of items to bring on your trip, you must consult with your instructor or guide so that they can give you specific ideas on what you should bring along for the trip.
What To Wear When Kayaking In Cold Weather
To start with, you’ll need a wetsuit. You can buy one of these at most sporting goods stores or you can go for the more expensive route and get your custom suit made. The pros to getting your own are that it’s made to fit your body type and it will keep you warmer than a store-bought one would.
Next, you’ll need some clothes on top of that wetsuit. If you want to go the cheap route here, then opt for water-resistent and lightweight layers so they won’t cause any unnecessary drag in the water.
What To Wear Kayaking Warm Weather
The idea of taking a kayaking trip with friends may sound like a lot of fun. But, before you grab your suit and head out on the water, you should invest in some appropriate clothing. Here are five outfit ideas for warm-day weather kayaking.
- Boat Top
Wear this over your tee or tank top to avoid sunburn and keep cool in the heat. Pair it with a longer skirt or pair of shorts to avoid exposing too much skin if there are other people nearby who join you on the water; this will also help you be more camouflaged against nearby rocks or tree branches so that nothing is obstructing your way around during the ride. Make sure to wear sunscreen still.
- Sun Hat
You’ll want to protect your face and scalp from too much sun exposure. A cap or brimmed hat will work well in this situation. Even if you wear sunscreen, it may not be enough to keep you from getting burned, so the extra protection for your face and neck is important if you’re going to be out for long periods of time.
- T-shirt
You’ll need a comfortable shirt that can breathe well and let all the sweat evaporate while you’re kayaking since there is likely to be a lot of physical movement as you paddle through the water. Many people avoid wearing cotton t-shirts because cotton holds in moisture and doesn’t allow it to evaporate quickly. Polyester cotton blends or polyester blends are a better choice.
- Shorts
You’ll want something that will dry quickly and easily if you end up falling into the water or getting wet from any other source. You don’t want your clothing weighing you down when you’re paddling, so make sure what you wear is light. A skirt or dress may be a good idea, too, depending on who will be out with you and how adventurous you’re feeling!
- Sunscreen
Apply liberally to keep the sun off your skin during your kayaking trip in warm weather conditions; it can still burn even though it’s not cold outside.