Both new and seasoned kayakers need a gear boost now and then. The holiday season is the best time to help them replace worn-out favorites and score those splurge items they’ve been craving. Here’s a guide to holiday gifts for kayakers, both inflatable and decked boat paddlers.  

Kayaker in yellow kayak on Gunnison Gorge in Colorado
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Table of Contents

1. Paddling gloves

Paddling gloves are voted most likely to get lost or worn out, so they are always welcome gifts for kayakers. I’ve been using an older version of these NRS Boater’s Gloves for years. They’re fingerless so you can still untie ropes, they provide 50 UPF sun protection, and their thick neoprene protects you from blisters. If you’re paddling in cold conditions, go for the full-fingered NRS Hydroskin gloves. 

  • NRS Boater’s Gloves: Fingerless for maximum dexterity, 50+  UPF sun protection, and long cuffs for extra coverage
  • NRS HydroSkin Gloves: Stretchy, snap-together cuffs, 0.5mm neoprene, and a grippy silicone pattern on the palms
Hand showing NRS Boater's Gloves for kayakers
A trusty older pair of NRS Boater’s gloves

2. Kayak dry bag

A dry bag for my decked kayak is tops on my holiday gift wish list. These are tapered to fit where your float bags usually go, dramatically expanding your gear-carrying capacity.

Purple Watershed Futa StowFloat kayak bag with grey fleece jacket on boulder
Watershed Futa Stowfloat kayak dry bag accommodates a significant amount of gear and can fit in a decked canoe (replacing a float bag) or inflatable kayak

3. Dry suit

Paddling dry suits are wicked expensive when purchased new. A dry suit would be a meaningful gift for kayakers in your life who have been putting it off because of the price tag. But I can attest that a well-made dry suit is imperative for kayakers who are paddling cold water. It’s a matter of safety. Here are a few brands I recommend and some options for buying second-hand dry suits.

  • Immersion Research Sahalie: Built for women with input from some legendary female kayakers, this suit has a rear-entry zipper, a front relief zipper, and abrasion-resistant fabric. (I have an older version of the Immersion Research Aphrodite dry suit that I love.)
  • Kokotat Hydrus Swift Entry Dry Suit: Available for men and women, this is a relatively affordable dry suit with an adjustable waist and fabric reinforcement on the seat and knees.
  • NRS Axiom Dry Suit: Made of GoreTex, the Axiom has innovative cuffs and neck gaskets protected by a neoprene layer and a neoprene overskirt that pulls over your spray skirt tunnel for a tighter seal.
  • GearTrade used dry suits: Buying a used dry suit is smart, as many recreational paddlers might wear them only a few times before consigning. Brands including Level Six and Kokatat regularly pop up on GearTrade. 
Level Six Freya women's dry suit
Level Six Freya women’s dry suit is one of our favorites

4. Dry suit liner

What’s a dry suit without a dry suit liner? This is a great add-on gift for kayakers who already have dry suits and want a convenient, all-in-one, toasty layer underneath.

  • Kokotat Habanero Dry Suit Liner: Made for women with a hidden zipper for use with pee funnels, the Habanero features Polartec fleece fabric in different weights to provide additional warmth where it’s most needed.
  • Mustang Survival Kazan Dry Suit Liner: Made of “body-mapped” fleece, the Kazan has flat-locked seams for minimal irritation and a half-zip design for quick ventilation.

5. Kayak gear repair

Maybe your favorite kayaker just needs their most-used gear refreshed or repaired. Immersion Research does repair services (from patching to replacing gaskets) on all brands of kayaking gear, including spray skirts, dry suits, and dry tops. 

6. First-aid kit

The HART Outdoor First-Aid Kit is small but mighty, the perfect gift for a paddler to tuck into their day bag. 

  • HART Outdoor First-Aid Kit: Includes a brief first-aid guide and basic supplies for a day trip, all in a 5.5-inch by 4.5-inch package.

7. Brimmed sun hat

A lightweight, breathable ball cap with a long brim is an essential part of my kayaking gear, whether I’m in a hard boat or an inflatable kayak. The best hats for kayakers are extremely light, with no irritating hardware to compress under your helmet. Here are a few great picks that make great holiday gifts for kayakers:

  • REI Active Pursuits Cap: Made of mesh, this affordable, super-lightweight hat offers UPF 50+ sun protection, a structured brim (so it won’t flop around in the wind), and a low-profile back closure.
  • Cotopaxi Tech 5-Panel Hat: Breathable, soft structure, and easy clip closure in back, this is currently my favorite hat for running and paddling.
  • Ciele Athletics GOCap: Although the target market for the GOCap is runners, this lightweight, fast-drying, and packable hat is a great gift for any paddler.
Woman in blue Cotopaxi Tech 5-Panel Hat and blue shirt
The Cotopaxi Tech 5-Panel hat is light, cool, and has no irritating hardware

8. Kayaking books

Everyone loves to read about their favorite activity. Here are a couple of kayaking books that will get serious love. 

  • Kayak: The New Frontier (William Nealy): Written back in the heyday of the Perception Dancer by the legendary William Nealy, reading this cartoon-illustrated guide to kayaking skills and whitewater reading is like spending an afternoon with Calvin & Hobbes (if they were river runners).
  • Whitewater Kayaking: The Ultimate Guide: Written by well-known kayakers and instructors, including Ken Whiting and Anna Levesque, this book covers a lot of ground. From reading whitewater to paddling strokes to river etiquette and travel tips, this book contains gold for kayakers of any level.

9. Kayak instruction

Getting solid instruction from a professional kayak instructor is a game-changer for kayakers (it was for me). A gift certificate for kayak instruction is the perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite paddler. Here are a couple of programs I recommend:

  • Nantahala Outdoor Center Paddling School: Headquartered in Bryson City, NC, NOC has been teaching folks (including me) to paddle and raft for literally decades. 
  • Canyon River Instruction: Based on the Arkansas River between Buena Vista and Salida in Colorado, this is a powerhouse operation with top instructors (I highly recommend Alan Cammack, one of the best instructors I’ve worked with).
Male kayak instructor and female kayaking student in kayaking gear smiling with thumbs up
Alan Cammack and me on a day of kayak instruction in Salida, CO

10. Kayaking T-shirts

Colorado Kayak (CKS) carries irresistible T-shirts for paddlers, and they make affordable and delightful holiday gifts for kayakers. A few of my favorites:

11. Kayaking shoes

Paddlers need lots of footwear, and some types need replaced fairly frequently. As I talk about in detail in 4 Types of Shoes Every Paddler Needs, I love Astral Brewers for inflatable kayaking and NRS booties when paddling my decked boat.

  • Astral Brewer water shoes: Perfect for inflatable kayaking, these shoes have great gift, are made of mesh so water drains out and rocks don’t wedge in your instep, and have laces for adjustable fit.
  • NRS Kicker Remix booties: Best for decked kayakers, these booties are low-volume yet provide surprising warmth and traction for scouting forays.
Black Astral Brewer water shoes with aqua trim on boulder near river
Astral Brewer water shoes
NRS Kicker Remix booties for kayakers on boulder near river
NRS Kicker Remix booties (early version)

Whether you’re shopping for a brand-new paddler or a lifelong river junkie, these holiday gifts for kayakers will hit the mark. From gloves and dry suits to lessons and river reads, there’s something here for every budget.

The best part? You don’t have to know your bow from your stern to pick a winner for your lucky paddler from this holiday kayaking gift list. 

Inflatable kayaker in blue kayak paddling whitewater on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

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