What to Wear Kayaking or Canoeing in Summer?

You should always dress for submersion when kayaking, whether it’s in the hot summer months or the chilly fall and winter months.

Here we’ll explain to you What to Wear Kayaking or Canoeing in Summer? how to dress for summer temperatures and water conditions, as well as how to prepare for a multi-day kayaking trip.

In this blog, we have also shared the guide for :

Best Top10 Waterproof Kayak Shoes Spring for Kayaking & Canoeing

Top 10 Best Portable Waterproof Power Banks For Hiking and Backpacking

The 9 Best Baitcasting Reels for Beginners – A Comprehensive Buyers Guide

Best PFDs For Hot Weather Paddling Under $200

Things To Wear For Kayaking in Warm Weather – All Item List With Price & Product Review

There’s always the possibility that you’ll wind up in the water, so be prepared.

That has two implications. Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature, and wear clothing that can get wet and that you can swim in if necessary.

A Day Spent With Water Is Never Waste of Time…!

O’Neill Youth Reactor-2 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit

What to Wear Kayaking or Canoeing in Summer?

Summer Kayaking and Canoeing Clothes Guide

Here’s a brief rundown of things to look for when shopping for summer kayaking gear.

Quick-Drying Fabrics

If you become wet, you’ll want to put on something that will dry rapidly. Synthetic polyesters and quick-dry nylons, such as rash guards, are excellent choices.

Merino wool is also useful since it wicks moisture away and dries rapidly. Cotton is something you’ll want to stay away from. It may keep you cool and wick away perspiration, but it takes time to dry since it retains water.

Tough but Comfortable

You’ll want something that’s both light and comfy, but not too thin. Kayaking necessitates continuous seat moving, thus ultra-thin textiles, such as yoga trousers, will not hold up. Jean, on the other hand, is overly constrictive and chafing. Choose anything in the middle.

Sun Protection

You may also shield yourself from the sun by wearing clothes that protect you from the sun. Lengthy-sleeved rash guards and other UPF-rated apparel will provide the necessary protection for a long day on the water.

Footwear 

When it comes to footwear, all you need is something to protect your toes and the bottoms of your feet. Many individuals choose to wear old tennis shoes, which are acceptable but stink and are difficult to swim in.

If you don’t have or don’t want to invest in neoprene paddling boots, we propose something more akin to a back-strapped hiking sandal. These also dry fast, making it less likely that your feet would get sore. If you do tumble over, flip-flops will be too tough to keep on.

Gloves

Depending on the water temperature, you may not need them, but if you’re paddling in a glacier-fed river, you might want to invest in a pair of neoprene paddling gloves.

Your hands will be in direct touch with the water the most, thus gloves will keep them warm and protect them from blisters.

Hat

A hat with a broad brim might provide considerably more sun protection. Just make sure it’s firmly fastened on your head to avoid it blowing away.

Sunglasses

The sun reflects intensely off the water, and the UV rays may be harmful to your eyes. On a sunny day, a decent pair of sunglasses is a smart choice, and a retainer strap can keep them from getting lost if you go overboard.

Wet Suit

Even in the heat, do you need to wear a wet suit? When kayaking in the summer, your spray skirt will shield you from the cold for the most part. However, if the water temperature is much lower than the air temperature, you may want to consider wearing a wet suit.

We discovered a decent rule of thumb is to add the water and air temperatures together, and if it’s less than 100 degrees, you should dress appropriately in case you wind yourself in the water.

They manufacture 2mm-thick shorties that reach to the knees and elbows, which are thick enough to shield you from a splash, but not so thick that you overheat when you’re not being splashed.

Kayak Storage for the Summer

Now that you know how to dress for summer kayaking, make sure you’re correctly storing your kayak to keep it in good shape throughout summer. Our hand-carved cedar log storage racks will keep your kayak secure and ready to use, allowing you to spend more time kayaking and less time caring for and transporting it.

For kayaks, canoes, and other small boats, we provide a selection of wall-mounted and free-standing racks. Check out our regular kayak storage racks online, or drop us a note if you need something customized.

Life Jacket

You should always wear a PFD no matter how hot, quiet, or long you plan to stay in the water, how much experience you have, or how cool you think you are.

A Few Words on Clothing Materials and Why Cotton Should Be Avoided

Cotton might be OK if you were in the desert, but what about on the water?

Cotton is a killer.

That may come out as unduly dramatic, but here’s the deal with cotton:

• It takes an eternity to dry.
• When wet, it provides little insulation, causing a fast loss of body heat.
• It absorbs a tremendous quantity of water, creating pain and making swimming more difficult.
• It lacks moisture-wicking characteristics.

Cotton is by far the worst material for a kayaker to wear – and should never be worn on the water at all.

So, what should you wear if you’re going kayaking?

In a damp and chilly climate, synthetic textiles that are quick-drying, insulating, and moisture-wicking – think neoprene, polyester, nylon, and polypropylene – are your best chance.

If you insist on using natural fibers, I strongly suggest Merino wool. When wet, it may not “perform” as well as synthetics, but it still outperforms cotton.

Thank You for sparing your precious time to read this article, please share this blog with your fishing mates if you really find this helpful, and let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Have Enjoyable Paddling! 🚣🏻🎣