Going sea kayaking but not sure what to wear?
I've spent four summers guiding expedition sea kayaking treks, and over those many hundreds of miles, I've tested lots of clothing options and found what works the best, and what to avoid.
I've spent four summers guiding expedition sea kayaking treks, and over those many hundreds of miles, I've tested lots of clothing options and found what works the best, and what to avoid. |
| Me in what has become my sea kayaking "uniform" |
During these trips, I learned what was essential, what was a luxury, and what just got in the way. I took just the basics, although I sacrificed extra clothing for a few creature comforts. I wear the same outfit every single day. The only changes in clothing were due to changes in weather. If I got chilly, I put on pants and a very light jacket. If it rained, I put on a rain jacket. Otherwise, I wore my long sleeve shirt and quick dry shorts every single day. I brought one change of clothes I kept clean to change into at the very end of the trip.
I tell my groups to get used to my outfit because it wouldn't change all week. They reacted by telling me how gross it was that I wore the same thing for 5 days. Your clothes will get dirty and smelly no matter if you wear them for one day or 5 days. If you're a bit muddy or your shirt starts to smell, you can always go for a dip in the ocean! Why bring extras when they're taking up valuable space for other things?
Essential Clothing
 |
| George wearing a Columbia Tamiami II shirt and quick dry zip-off pants |
- Long sleeve, button up, quick dry shirt (no rash-guards!!)
- 1 pair quick dry shorts + 1 pair quick dry long pants
- 1 pair of zip-off convertible quick dry pants
- Rain jacket
- Wide brimmed hat, that floats, with a string
- Water shoes or sandals (I recommend: Keens, Vibram 5 Fingers, Chacos)
- Bandana or buff
- Swimsuit (note, your swimsuit will dry much more slowly than you quick dry clothes. I swim in my everyday clothes)
- Rain pants (really only needed for when it rains while you aren't paddling, I never bring any- it's usually so warm I dry pretty quickly anyway)
- Paddling gloves (may be good if you don't paddle much, I haven't used them)
- Underwear (I don't wear any during my treks. just another layer of clothing to get and stay wet) if you bring any, make sure it dries fast
- Light jacket if you're cold-natured
Specific Items I wear:
- ExOfficio Dryflite Shirt (long sleeve, button up quick dry shirt with sleeves I can roll up)
- Moving Comfort Cameo Racerback sports bra
- Prana "Bliss Knickers" (quick dry shorts)
- Prana "Bliss Pant" (quick dry long pants)
- Marmot Crystalline Rain Jacket
- Patagonia Women's R1 pullover (light jacket)
- Vibram 5 Fingers- Women's KSO (paddling shoes)
- Chaco Hipthong sandals (for on land)
- Prana Sabin Racer top (tank top)
- Buff (multifunctional bandana)
- Wide brimmed hat
- Bikini- if I am with friends or headed to Ocracoke, sometimes I'll bring a bikini. It serves as an extra bra top for when I get sick of the sports bra.
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If you live in a hot part of the world that has warm water, dressing for kayaking is simple. Your biggest challenge will be staying cool, hydrated, and protected from the sun, and this should be something that you're used to doing.
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