Wet Suit
Weather or not to wear a wet--or dry--suit largely depends on the conditions you'll be paddling in. If your kayaking excursion will be in a sub-tropical climate with warm water, you can probably get away with wearing shorts and a light top or jacket. On the other hand, if you'll be paddling in a colder climate--or in water that was snow an hour before-- you'll need to be wearing something more substantial. Any time the water is even a few degrees colder than you're body temperature, hypothermia is a real possibility. And your best protection against hypothermia is a good wet suit or a dry top or dry suit.
Even if you're setting out on calm water and in sunny weather, always dress for immersion. Always expect the unexpected. A squall could blow in and you could be drenched in rain. You could get belted by a rogue wave. You could reach back for your camera and accidentally capsize. You could be forced out of your boat to help a companion in trouble.
A wet suit is a body-moulded neoprene sheath--usually 3mm--that is designed to trap water between your skin and the neoprene. This layer of water, once warmed by your body, provides an effective barrier of insulation. There are a variety of wet suits available, from full-coverage models that insulate the paddler from neck to ankle, to shorts and vest tops. You can also wear a wet suit beneath other clothing, such as a paddling jacket or dry top.
A dry suit, on the other hand, provides even more protection against the cold. Dry tops and dry suits are watertight and have Latex seals at the wrist, neck, and ankles. Make sure your dry suit is large enough to fit over a PFD and layers of insulating clothing. Also consider a dry suit that's made of breathable fabric; these allow excess body heat to escape through the suit, a real bonus after you've been paddling hard for a few hours.
Got Gear?
Is that PFD of yours getting a little frayed around the edges? Is that spray skirt springing a few leaks? Well check out one of our featured merchants for great online deals on kayaking accessories.
Retail sporting goods stores are great, but most only carry a limited selection of kayaking gear, and expect to pay the full retail price. Online merchants, on the other hand, offer a wide selection of name-brand kayaks and paddling accessories, and at discounted prices. And online shopping offers a convenient, comfortable alternative to driving all over town looking for that hard to find item.
Our featured merchants are all well-established companies that have secure ordering systems, good warranty and return policies, and will ship virtually anywhere in the world.
For some great deals on new kayaking gear, click on one of the following links:
