Kayak Cold Weather Gear

Kayaking in cold weather can be be extremely dangerous if you're not wearing the proper protective clothing. In case you are caught unprepared the consequences can be life threatening. In this article we can help you understand what you ought to wear when the weather/water gets cold and why you need to wear it.

Typically you'll need to be wearing specially designed kayak clothing that will protect you when you fall into cold water. You may think that you'll never fall from the kayak, but it can happen. When you're suddenly immersed in cold water you with thankful that you read this article and purchased the proper gear to keep you safe.

Water temperature & Air Temperature

The most typical mistake made by paddlers is not fully understanding the environment actually venturing into. Most paddlers dress for the air temperature and do not consider the temperature of the water around them. Whether or not the air temperature on a sunny spring day is 90 degrees, the water temperature can be as cold as 45 degrees! As a paddler you need to be aware of both the air and water temperature throughout the seasons.

Summer is definitely the safest time to be out kayaking, but the early Fall season can be quite comfortable too, and the water may not even be very cold yet either. The reason behind this is that larger bodies of water maintain homeostasis, which essentially means that it retains temperature. After a summer of heating the water is relatively warm, even well into the Fall. Conversely early in the year, after a Winter of cooling, we may experience the coldest water temperatures of the year. This is the reason it is so important to dress for immersion and not simply for the air temperature.

There is a formula that is often used which combines the air and water temperatures. It is called the rule of 120. Supposedly should you add both values and get a figure over 120 you ought to be fine. This is nonsense. One can be quite safe well below this value and in trouble well over it. It all depends upon what you wear and what you take along with you. The Florida example above (#4) was probably over 160 when we started the day and still easily 140 while our teeth were rattling.

So what should you wear for the cold weather? There are several choices and combinations of those choices. Fortunately technical clothing has improved lately and there are lots of good quality choices available. Paddlers shall no longer be limited to some rubber band feeling wetsuit that irritates the skin. We now have new materials, which are lighter, warmer, more flexible, and much more wind and waterproof. Gear that provides greater protection, and is comfortable too. No one piece of clothing or system will cover all situations. All have their pros and cons. By understanding them and utilizing a number of options you can safely paddle and fish in practically any conditions.

There are many considerations take into consideration when choosing kayak wear. Two are especially important. They are weather and where you are going to paddle/fish.

* Weather: Obviously you must consider the weather. This consists of a few factors: air temperature, the wind status and precipitation, or the likely hood of either or both. None of these variables are singular. By this we mean actually interdependent. You can't dress for only one. Review the stories above for those who have any doubts. You need to dress for severe of the factors you will encounter or bring along appropriate items should they arise. In the spring, for instance, you can have a wide selection of air temperatures, but the constant, which you much recognize, will be the water temperature. Making this what you must dress for. The wind can significantly change your emotions. Wind chill is the event where wind passes over living things. It pulls moisture away and has a cooling or chilling effect. Wind chill is a function of temperature that isn't indicated by a thermometer. It's dangerous when you're wet especially when it's combined with low temperatures. As the Florida example shows it doesn't must be very cold to become a concern.

* Destination: How close are you to shore and what is your access to somewhere you can stop to change clothes? Some of our local waters where we fish a lot have many small islands and rock piles. There are numerous places to go ashore, whether to add or peel off layers and dry off and change if necessary. We in addition have a lot of shallow water areas that we call flats. You will stand, even though you may be miles from shore. If you need to add, or take off a layer or grab a shell, etc. you simply hop from the kayak and do so. Conversely if the area I'm fishing doesn't give me this ability I need to give more thought to the subject to better prepare myself.

Now that we have considered and discussed these factors, let's get to the clothing.

Dry suit - Here is the big daddy of thermal protection. A dry suit is waterproof, and them are breathable. It's essentially a body suit to shield you from the elements. It has seals around the neck and wrists and the feet ares sealed like waders. High quality dry suits also have waterproof relief zippers for those moments when nature calls. Example: The NRS Extreme dry suit

Paddle Suit - A paddle suit is almost identical to a dry suit with one exception. The neck seal on a paddle suit is made of neoprene and is not 100% waterproof like the rubber neck gasket of a dry suit. Even so when a paddle suit is worn together with a PFD it will shield you from all but the most extreme conditions. A paddle suit is lightweight, relatively inexpensive (in comparison with the value in your life), and will last many seasons when properly cared for. Kokatat makes some excellent paddle suits in recreational and angler models: The Super Nova paddle suit and the Super Nova Angler paddle suit. Click here to view a You Tube video that illustrates the comfort and safety offer by the Super Nova Paddle suit.

Dry Top and Dry Pants - Same idea as the dry suit with the seals around waist, ankles and wrists but can be worn separately or together. You definitely have more of a chance of water getting in with a top and bottom set instead of a full dry suit. Dry pants unlike dry/paddle suits do not have sealed feet. This means that you will have to wear some type of foot wear that will keep your feet both dry and warm. This is easier said then done. Most often dry top/dry pant combos are worn by white water paddlers and sea kayakers, in our opinion they're not the best choices for kayak fishers or recreational paddlers.

Waders and Dry tops - Many people think that if you fall in water wearing waders that the waders will fill up with water and pull you to the bottom. This can be a misconception. The specific gravity of the water inside the waders is exactly like the water around you. In other waters why would the water that you are floating in suddenly get heavy and sink just because now it is inside your waders? Click here to view a You Tube video posted by the world acclaimed kayak fisherman Jim Sammons. In the video Jim thoroughly dispels this common myth about the safety of kayaking with waders.

A pair of breathable waders combined with a breathable dry top forms a very versatile system that works extremely well for an array of conditions. When worn properly waders will actually trap air and act as additional flotation. The other nice thing about waders is the kayak fisherman often uses the kayak as transportation to go wade fishing. Waders are designed for use while wading and all other forms of clothing don't do this job as well while keeping you dry.

Wetsuits - wetsuits work by trapping water between the material of the suit and your body. Your body warms the water making you feel comfortable. This works great when you're submersed in the water such as when surfing or snorkeling but once you climb back onto or into your kayak it won't work so well. As you climb back into your kayak the water that was in the suit keeping you warm is flushed out and you're simply cold again. Wetsuits are best usedd in late spring, summer, and early fall. We suggest avoiding them during the coldest water periods.

Spray Jackets and Pants - Nobody should do without some spray wear (rain wear) and it is important to buy spray wear that is breathable or else you will heat up and perspire. This moisture won't manage to escape and at the minimum you'll feel clammy, but it may also chill you.

Spray jackets and pants can be utilized in a number of ways. They may be used in the summertime, when an extra layer is needed. In the Florida adventure told above a good set of spray wear would have prevented our shivering. We would have remained dry and warm and would have been protected from the wind. We always carry a set along now. Spray tops can also be used on cool summer nights, and can also be worn over a wetsuit to provide wind, and or rain protection. This way the wetsuit protects you should you go in the water and the spray gear does the same when you're out from the water. A hooded jacket can also be used over a dry suit or system to keep the rain off of your head. Many of spray suits pack up quite small and come in their own carrying bag. There really isn't any excuse not to carry a set in your dry bag just is case.

First Layer Insulation - The only time you won't need this is where it's warm out otherwise this will be relevant. Base wear is where you will start any clothing strategy. If your core gets wet and moisture stays there you'll be cold no matter what you are wearing externally. The easiest method to wick moisture away from your skin is by wearing modern synthetic fibers. These fibers have a myriad of functions, but most important is that they retain their insulation properties when wet. Fleece, polypropylene, capilene, etc. are great to begin with because they wick moisture away. There have been recent advances and one such item is a product called Mysterioso. Mysterioso is so advanced that the US Military uses a version of it for their cold weather operations. It has many terrific features. It works great when wet and is super fast drying. It has a wind barrier too. Surfers have used it for years and it can add up to 2MM of warmth to a wetsuit. It can even be worn as a light wetsuit. A few of the synthetic materials like polyester are OK as a first layer but keep away from cotton.

Hats, booties, and Gloves - Not that you don't have enough to think about but you will need to keep head, hands, and feet warm.

Your head is responsible for 50% of your body's heat loss. If it's cold out a hat can be vital to maintaining your core temperature. At the very least bring a wool hat along. Wool, though a natural fiber, still insulates when wet. There's also more modern caps made out of high tech materials will keep you warm and dry. In warmer weather a hat should be worn to protect you from sunburn and keep the rain out of your eyes. Your mom was right - wear your hat!

If you will be wearing a dry suit, paddle suit, or waders you will need to get a full pair or wading shoes. Make sure they are large enough to comfortably fit over the stocking foot and whatever socks you are wearing underneath. In most cases choose a boot that is at least 1 whole size larger than your normal shoe size. Wading boots come in felt sole models for walking on slick rock, lug soles for general terrain, and some boots even have cleats for climbing over the most slippery rocks. Buy the best you really can afford, you won't regret it.

Neoprene booties of water shoes can be used during the warm months tp protect your feet from injury, sunburn, and they will also help you from getting cold feet. If you are wearing dry pants or a wetsuit additionally, you will want yo wear some kind of booties for protection as well. Note: neoprene booties are not waterproof and will not keep your feet dry.

At times it's also possible to need to protect your hands too. There are essentially 2 styles of gloves used in kayaking/kayak fishing. It's an excellent idea to carry along both types. Fingerless gloves and fingered gloves. Both have their uses and both come in different variations. Some gloves are made to prevent blisters, some to save you from the sun, and others are designed to keep your hands warm. For fishing exposed fingered gloves are necessary when tying knots or working with lures. If you're only paddling then you will end up better served with a full fingered glove or mittens to keep your hands warm. You may want to switch gloves during the day depending on the conditions and what activities your are engaged in. A good rule is to always carry multiple pairs of gloves for different situations.

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