What to Wear Kayaking: Guide to All-Season River Paddling

Michele Crockett

Updated on:

Gear
Kayaker in yellow boat

The perfect whitewater kayaking apparel for paddling rivers will give you the optimal mix of mobility, safety, and comfort. When you’re paddling in a jacket that’s a little too tight, your skin’s exposed to harsh rays all day on a hot summer float, or you get dangerously cold in a swim, you’ll have a miserable day.

Through the years, I’ve learned the combination of wearable kayaking gear that works best in any season for me. Here I’ll share the three primary criteria I use for choosing paddling clothes, plus a detailed list of items for warm-weather and cold-weather kayaking. Most of my tips are focused on inflatable kayaking, which leave you more exposed, but these guidelines will be useful for hard-shell or sit-on-top kayak paddlers, too. Incorporate any of these ideas that make sense to you, but also do your own experimentation to curate the perfect kayaking apparel and accessories that best fit your typical paddling scenarios.

Lily Durkee geared up for a sunny day of paddling on the Gunnison Gorge in Colorado

Essentials of kayaking clothes: Mobility, safety, and comfort

First, let’s start with the big three essentials of kayaking clothes: Mobility, safety, and comfort. Because the weather and water temperature you’re paddling in have a big impact on how you approach those factors, we’ll do a deep dive into the best kayaking gear for warm-weather summer trips as well as cold-weather shoulder-season or winter river trips. (Note that some of product recommendations below include affiliate links.)

Ensure maximum mobility with correct sizing

To paddle your best, you need the ability to move freely—especially in your upper body. Before any paddling trip, try on everything you’re planning to wear together—under garments, base layers, paddling jacket, pants, PDF—and make sure you can still move your limbs. If you’re feeling like an overdressed toddler headed out for his first day of sledding, you won’t be able to paddle well. On the other hand, you don’t want your gear to be too big: For example, base layers that are too big won’t effectively insulate you from the cold. Choose paddling gear that fits you well and it will serve you for years. 

Kayaker in yellow on Gunnison Gorge

Evaluate your kayaking clothes with safety-first approach

Although it’s tempting to wring one more season out of a tired old wet suit, consider the consequences if you end up swimming in cold water. Take the condition of your clothes and safety gear seriously. Frayed paddle jackets, neoprene booties with holes, and shoes with worn tread will be dangerous as well as uncomfortable.

When you’re getting ready for a new season, give all your gear a careful review before you head out on a kayaking trip, especially if you’re planning to mix new purchases with old favorites. Give careful attention to the condition of your PFD and helmet. You might discover some problems that need fixed—better to find out before the trip than at the put-in.

Choose kayaking clothes with comfort in mind

Kayaking clothes that are uncomfortable will become a huge annoyance after a day of paddling, and will become unbearable if you’re stuck with them for a multi-day trip. Try out new clothes—or new combinations of clothes—on a short day trip before you commit them to a multi-day adventure. Some examples of minor disasters I’ve encountered with kayaking gear include neoprene socks that didn’t fit well in my paddling shoes, base layers that were too thick for the new paddling jacket I bought, and paddling jackets with ripped sleeves that I had forgotten about until I examined them at the put-in. And of course follow the first rule of dressing for water sports: No cotton. Cotton retains water and makes you cold, even on a warm day. Choose synthetic materials that are quick-drying and have high UPF ratings.

Choose the right kayaking clothes for the weather

The biggest factor in choosing kayaking clothes that deliver mobility, safety, and comfort is of course the weather—specifically the water temperature and air temperature. As with nearly any outdoor pursuit, using a layered approach is the key to staying comfortable and safe through all kinds of weather. But if you’re heading out on a desert trip on warm water, you can likely leave your dry suit behind. Here are some general guidelines, as well as recommendations for specific items that have worked well for me no matter the weather forecast. 

Kayaker on Waterton Gorge on South Platte
Kayaker in a paddle jacket on Waterton Gorge on the South Platte in fall

Essential kayaking clothes for warm-weather trips

One of the biggest mistakes to make on a hot-weather, multi-day trip is not bringing enough sun-protection clothes. On some popular desert river trips such as the Green River through Desolation Canyon, summer temps can easily top 100 degrees. If you don’t guard against those intense UV rays, you can end up with a heat-related illness. As a kayaker, you’ll be crashing through waves so you’ll be less prone to heat-related problems. But it’s still a good idea to cover up with UPF-rated fabrics, especially if you’re on a flat-water float. Here’s a complete list of kayaking clothes for hot weather, from the inside out.

Quick-dry underwear

For women, swimsuit tops or running bras made of synthetic fabrics that don’t chafe and stay put work well. For both men and women, breathable, quick-dry underwear is key to comfort. Be sure to bring plenty of underwear so you can change into a dry pair in the evening after you’re done paddling. My hands-down favorite women’s underwear for paddling is the Patagonia Active Hipster: Lasts forever, dries quickly, and feels almost like cotton on your skin. It’s also substantial enough that you could wear it as a swim bottom. For men, the Patagonia Essential Boxer is a favorite in our crowd.

Fitted sun shirt

Although you could wear a button-down sun shirt, I find that a close-fitting (but not tight) sun shirt, ideally with a hood, works best. I don’t like excess fabric flapping around when I’m kayaking (although a button-down is a good option for river camp). The hood is critical because you can pull it up over your cap to give extra sun protection for your neck. My favorite sun shirt for kayaking is the NRS Varial, which has UPF 50 sun protection and includes a nifty neck gaiter for additional sun protection. 

Brimmed cap

When paddling whitewater on hot days, I wear a brimmed cap under my helmet for sun shade. The best caps for this purpose are soft and have no hardware that will dig into your head when you put your helmet on over it (for example, those metal buttons at the top of trucker hats, or bulky metal buckles on the size adjustment strap). Caps for runners are typically good choices for kayakers because they have plenty of mesh for cooling, they’re made of lightweight, UV-resistant fabric, and have minimal hardware.

This Outdoor Research Swift cap is perfect: It has UPF 50 sun protection, plenty of mesh, and a flat clip in the back. For river camp or for paddling on calm stretches where you’re not wearing a helmet, make sure you have a nice wide-brimmed sun hat with a drawstring so it won’t blow off on a breezy day.

Sunglasses with Chums or other retainers

Sun protection for your eyes is essential for any water sport, but especially kayaking as you’ll be at water level the entire day. I typically buy good-enough but not super-expensive sunglasses for kayaking because they are exposed to many perils on a river trip, including being lost in the river, smashed in camp, or otherwise abused. A set of Chums or some other sort of retainer is almost as important as the sunglasses themselves. You’ll constantly be pushing your shades down or bringing them up depending on the shadows in the canyon, shifting cloud cover, and other factors. If they’re secured to your neck, you’ll be less likely to lose them.

My favorite polarized sunglasses with 100% UV protection at a reasonable price are Suncloud Zephyrs. After trying nearly every kind of retainer for sunglasses, I still prefer the classic foam-filled polyester Chums: They float, come in cool colors and patterns, and are washable. Pro tip: Make sure the elastic band on your Chums will fit on the earpieces of your sunglasses. Some earpieces are very chunky.

Paddle jacket

A paddle jacket, also called a splash jacket, is a water-resistant pullover outer layer made specifically for kayaking that will deflect waves but isn’t intended to be completely waterproof, although you can find splash jackets made of waterproof fabric such as GoreTex. (We’ll discuss those below in the cold-weather section. To completely keep out water, you’ll need a dry suit, which we’ll also discuss below.)

A good-quality paddle jacket will have fasteners (often Velcro) at the neck and wrists to keep water out, various pockets for stashing small bits of gear, an elastic or drawstring waistband, and sometimes a hood. I prefer paddle jackets without hoods because I don’t want that extra fabric at the back of my neck when I’m paddling. But if you’re also using your paddle jacket for a rain jacket in camp, a hood will come in handy.

Make sure your jacket fits over the base layer you’re planning to wear, and that the wrist and neck fasteners can be adjusted so that they’re snug, but not too tight. On sunny days, you might want to skip the paddle jacket, but you’ll want to bring one on the trip in case of cooler weather or for days where you’ll be paddling in cold water with rapids. The NRS Endurance paddle jacket is a solid choice, made specifically for paddlers with waterproof yet breathable fabric and a cut that optimizes freedom of movement. The Kokatat Stance is also a good pick. 

Pants or shorts made of quick-drying fabrics

For hot, sunny days, any pair of quick-drying pants made of abrasion-resistant fabrics (preferably with some sun protection, too) will work. I prefer pants that are somewhat stretchy for maximum mobility, are full-length so I don’t have to worry about sunscreen on my lower body, and have tapered or elastic ankles to retain less water when you’re pulling your boat to shore. I’m a big fan of Kuhl Freeflex pants because you can roll them up, they have a high waist in the back (I want my butt to stay covered when I’m bending over), they have UPF 30 sun protection, and they have an internal drawstring waist to fine-tune the fit.

For men, the Kuhl Deceptr pants have similar qualities. If you’re paddling an inflatable kayak, I don’t recommend wearing shorts on a sunny day as your legs will certainly get burned with all that exposure. But if you’d rather just get out the sunscreen and let your legs be free, choose shorts that are quick-drying and have at least one zipped pocket for lip balm and other necessities.

Paddling (splash) pants

Even if it’s hot and sunny, if you’re battling chilly water all day, you might get the shivers without some additional splash protection. A good pair of paddling pants will have an adjustable waist, fasteners at the ankles, and a zippered pocket or two. My current favorite paddling pants are NRS Endurance for women and for men. 

Kayaking gloves

Although I used to prefer paddling bare-handed, in recent years I have appreciated the protection from sunburn and blisters afforded by a good pair of gloves. I prefer fingerless paddling gloves: My long-time favorites are NRS Boater’s gloves, which have UPF 50 sun protection and a sticky grip.

NRS Boater's gloves
NRS Boater’s gloves have sun protection and a sticky grip

Kayaking shoes

The best kayaking shoes, especially for hardshell kayakers, are soft and flexible so your feet stay comfortable even when jammed into tiny spaces. Although inflatable kayakers do fine with river sandals, I prefer closed water shoes because they give more sun protection (yes, I’m a maniac about avoiding sunburn) and they can easily transition to side hikes.

When I get to camp, I usually shed the shoes to give them a chance to completely dry out overnight. Leaving wet shoes on your feet for hours at a time will cause the skin on the balls and heels of your feet to crack—and that is an excruciating misery you want to avoid. My favorite boating shoes for warm weather are Astral Brewess for women and the Astral Brewer for men. 

Although hot-weather river trips are what summer dreams are made of, beware of the hazards that come with high temps, including heatstroke. For tips on the best way to keep everyone hydrated and comfortable, see “How to Stay Cool on Hot River Trips.”

Essential kayaking clothes for cold-weather trips

The stakes are high for kayakers to stay warm and as dry as possible when it’s cold and rainy. The cardinal river trip rule of dressing in layers of clothing fully applies in this situation. As with hot-weather trips, start with quick-drying underwear that wick moisture.

In determining the next layer, you first need to decide between a dry suit or wet suit. Let’s discuss.

Dry suits for kayaking

If you’re paddling in cold conditions, especially in serious whitewater, your best choice to stay warm and dry is investing in a dry suit. Dry suits, which look a little bit like astronaut suits, are intended to be completely waterproof. They are amazingly effective at repelling water, but can feel very cumbersome and evoke some claustrophobia when you’re trying to get the tight neck gasket over your head. They also can be extremely expensive: Many are upwards of $1,000. My advice is to shop sales and search discount gear stores—used dry suits pop up on Geartrade from time to time. The Level Six Freya dry suit is a favorite in our crowd, and sometimes goes on sale.

Spend some time in river outfitter stores trying on different brands so you can pounce when your style and size goes on sale. If you’re especially tall, you’ll want to make sure the dry suit is long enough for comfort. As with paddling jackets, make sure your arm movements aren’t constricted. Dry suits have different entry systems, and one approach will likely feel better to you than another. Keep in mind that the dry suit fabric envelops your feet as well, and will affect the type of shoes that will fit, so make sure you try your paddling shoes with the dry suit. 

Level Six Freya women's dry suit
Level Six Freya women’s dry suit is one of our favorites

Base layers for dry suits

Because a dry suit is waterproof, you can wear a cozy base layer underneath (a long-sleeved top and long underwear) to stay warm and toasty. Although you could make do with a two-piece base layer setup such as Patagonia Capilene bottoms and tops (which I love for cold river camp situations), I recommend a one-piece dry suit liner similar to this Kokatat Habanero for men and the Kokatat Habanero for women. They include front and rear flaps so you don’t have to completely disrobe when nature calls and they fit snugly under your dry suit to keep you as warm as possible.

Wetsuits and neoprene layers

If it isn’t cold enough for a full dry suit, you might prefer a wet suit, which won’t keep you completely dry but will be warm and dramatically less expensive than a dry suit. For cool days, my favorite combination is a light base of NRS Hydroskin top and Hydroskin pants, topped with a paddle jacket and paddle pants. A full wetsuit is also a great option for kayaking: This sleeveless wetsuit from NRS gives you maximum freedom of movement while keeping your core warm. 

Kayaker holding lime green inflatable kayak

Dry tops and waterproof jackets

You’ll want to pair your wetsuit with either a dry top or a waterproof jacket. A dry top is a great option for hardshell river kayakers who will be rolling a lot but don’t expect to swim out of their boats. The Kokatat Gore-Tex PACLITE and NRS Riptide are good examples of waterproof paddling jackets: They’re lightweight and breathable but keep water at bay.

Water shoes for cold weather

Neoprene boots are the best choice for kayaking on a cold day. Again, aim for shoes that are flexible so your feet don’t get cramped. I use low-profile shoes similar to these NRS Arroyos (my shoes are long outdated) when I’m wearing my Hydroskin-and-splash gear setup. When I’m wearing my dry suit, I just wear my Astrals over the built-in dry suit socks. 

paddlers' water shoes on gravel
Of all my paddling footwear, the Astrals are my favorites

Warm paddling cap

In cold weather, you’ll want a warm neoprene cap under your helmet, especially if you’ll be doing lots of kayak rolls. The NRS Storm Hood is made for that, and includes a brim. 

Warm paddling gloves

For cold-weather kayaking, you’ll want full-fingered gloves. My pick is the NRS Hydroskin gloves for women and men. 

Choosing the right kayaking clothes for a cold-weather trip is essential not only for comfort but for safety. For more tips on keeping your crew warm and comfortable on shoulder-season or winter trips, check out “Tips for Staying Warm on Cold-Weather River Trips.”

Safety first with helmets and PFDs (life jackets)

Of course the most essential items to wear kayaking are a PFD (personal flotation device, aka life jacket) and a kayaking helmet. Many PFDs are available that are specifically for kayaking, which are cut for maximum mobility. As with dry suits, invest time in trying on various brands of PFDs. You’ll soon find that you have a marked preference for one brand’s approach over another. As the cornerstone of your kayaking gear, your PFD needs to feel as comfortable as a best friend. My longtime favorite PFD for kayaking has been the Stohlquist Betsea, but I’ve also tried and loved the Astral Layla. 

Kayaker in Stohlquist BetSea PFD
The Stohlquist Betsea PFD is made for kayaking

On the helmet front, the critical criteria is the fit. Try on the helmet with the cap (if any) that you plan to wear to make sure it still sits comfortably on your head. Look for ear protection and mouth protection if you’re planning to do lots of rocky creek boating. Make sure the chin strap is comfortable. A great choice for kayakers is the WRSI Current.

Well-chosen kayaking clothes make paddling more fun

Dialing in the right kayaking clothes to suit your personal preference will take some time and experience. But if you start with the goal of mobility, safety, and comfort, you’ll likely end up with some solid winners that will keep you paddling happily for years to come. 

Inflatable kayaks on Yampa River
Inflatable kayakers on the Yampa River

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