There is an appropriate outfit for when you go to kayaking tours in chilly weather, when you decide you want to kayak in calm waters, and when you want to take out surf board rentals in mild weather. What you wear is also necessary in case the vessel you are in tips over and you have to swim your way to land.
If you are planning on hiring kayak rentals at Kayaks and Boards, and you are confused as to what you should wear, take a look at this simple guide.
Wetsuits
Unlike what the name suggests, wetsuits are not meant to keep the water out; instead they contain a very thin layer of water next to your skin and warm it. The Neoprene material lowers evaporative cooling; therefore when you are finally out of the water you don’t feel cold.
There is a whole range of style wetsuits with different designs. Some are full length suits, some have short sleeves, and some are spring suits with separate pants and jacket. The most popular ones are for moderate weather paddling as they allow your torso to cool a little without getting chilly.
You can also check out the different thickness range these are available in. The thickest ones are too bulky and are sought out by divers; paddlers should look up wetsuits with neoprene thickness of 2mm to 3mm. Another available fabric is Polyurethane fleece which is best worn when immersing in cold water. This windproof, warm, and stretchy fabric is a lot like neoprene, the only difference is that it is a bit fuzzy. The interior is crafted entirely of fleece that makes it more comfortable for athletes to be able to keep the suit on for an extended period of time.
Rash Guards
These are quick drying lycra shirts that prevent chafing and are worn under wetsuits. They have a decent SPF rating which makes them good UV protectors. The form fitting and stretch designs allow these shirts to look form fitting while also giving the wearer freedom of movement.
Drysuits
When you paddle in cold water or rough surf, dry suits are your best bet. These are nylon single piece suits, with waterproof coating of polyurethane. You will find latex gaskets on the wrists, and ankles in these suits, and a zipper that prevents the water from entering at all unlike wetsuits.
Drysuits however have zero insulation which means you must pair these with fleece liners or long underwear to keep yourself warm.
Dry tops have wrist gaskets and latex necks, that are accompanied by protective cuffs crafted of neoprene. Typically it is the waist bands that are double layered to seal the skirt, inside and out.
The toughest time to choose clothing is when the weather is hot and the water is cold. Then you have to prioritize one thing out of clothing comfort to be able to swim comfortably in case the kayak tips over.
