{"id":1930,"date":"2024-03-30T23:05:45","date_gmt":"2024-03-30T23:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/?p=1930"},"modified":"2024-03-30T23:05:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-30T23:05:47","slug":"what-to-wear-kayaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/what-to-wear-kayaking\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Wear Kayaking [Gear Checklist Included]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the popularity of kayaking grows, more paddle-specific kayaking gear has started to appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll show you how to make a kayaking gear checklist, what to wear kayaking, and some of the best kayaking gear for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cold Weather Kayaking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The temperate and polar regions provide lots of gorgeous and dynamic places to kayak. But the colder water temperature makes paddlers more susceptible to hypothermia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paddlers should be comfortable with capsizing and able to recover <\/strong>and assist others before paddling in cold water conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Familiarize yourself with the symptoms and treatment of hypothermia<\/a> and always paddle with a partner in case you need help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear A Wetsuit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wearing a wetsuit <\/strong>may be worthwhile if you plan on being out for multiple days or the weather forecast calls for heavy rain and\/or rough seas. We\u2019ll discuss selecting the proper wetsuit in more detail below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to burden yourself with a heavy and bulky wetsuit, there are other ways to ensure you\u2019re warm, safe, and comfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cold water areas often have dynamic and changing weather patterns. Temperate regions often experience lots of precipitation and even sunny days can turn windy and cold, even if the clouds don\u2019t show up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cold Weather Clothes & Layering<\/h3>\n\n\n
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It\u2019s not uncommon for the temperature to swing by ten degrees<\/strong> or more throughout the course of your paddle and this combined with splashing water or rainfall, can make the windchill even lower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To combat this, always dress in layers<\/strong>. All clothing should be made of a water-resistant material like wool, spandex, or anything else that wicks moisture. Cotton loses much of its heat retention when it becomes wet and dries slowly. Have at least one long-sleeve layer accessible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vest & Pants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A down vest or jacket makes a great mid-layer that blocks wind and retains heat better than most water-resistant clothing. Like cotton, it loses its effectiveness when wet, so never wear it as your outer layer and reserve your driest storage space for it when not in use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For your legs, I often go with a pair of long underwear and rain pants at a minimum. Dripping water invariably finds its way beneath my spray skirt and there are few things I find less comfortable than a wet bum while paddling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep spare layers in a waterproof dry bag that you can access while paddling. Always bring along a waterproof shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping Your Hands Warm<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Along with your rain jacket, your dry bag should also include a pair of waterproof gloves. I\u2019m not crazy about paddling with gloves on as it changes my grip on the paddle. Some people favor pogies but I find these cumbersome too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way to keep your hands warm is to make sure your core stays warm<\/strong>. The warmer your core is, the more blood your body will be able to shunt to your extremities. A thick wool hat is the last piece of clothing I always bring along. While we don\u2019t lose as much heat from our heads<\/a> as we think, cold ears are never pleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Choose a Wetsuit<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Made of neoprene, a wetsuit provides insulation and warmth. They work by allowing a small amount of water to fill the suit and trapping it against your skin. Your body heat then warms the water and reduces heat loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wetsuit does NOT make you invulnerable to cold water immersion and hypothermia. It buys you time, but will not protect you indefinitely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thickness of the neoprene varies by model. Thicker wetsuits retain more heat but are bulkier, heavier, and harder to move in. For comfort, it\u2019s best to wear the lightest wetsuit you can for the water temperature<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wetsuit thickness varies from 0.5 mm to over 6 mm with the thickest part of the suit covering the torso. When looking at a suit, the first number represents the thickness of the torso, the second the arms and legs. If there are three numbers, the third number is the arm thickness. Arms and legs are thinner to allow for more flexibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n