I may be going Kayaking for the first time in a few days. What should I wear?
I dont have the cash at the moment to buy and special gear, so what kind of clothes should I wear? I know the weather will be at least in the low 80’s.
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September 5th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
low eighties….if you don’t want badly sunburned feet wear socks they are better to get wet than shoes. wear shorts you don’t mind to get wet and definitely a swimsuit. then also a hat face gets sunburned easily
September 5th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Shoes wearable in the water… water-socks ect., swimsuit, you will get a little wet. Depending on how long you go, your hands may get wet and wrinkly. Other than that stuff, PFD of proper type. I use an inflatable as there is no white water here, just open lakes and a few slow rivers.
Sounds like the perfect temp. Have fun.
September 5th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
When I kayak on warm days I like to wear a one piece tank suit (like a Speedo) or tankini with a pair of knee length elastic waist nylon workout capris (I think I paid less than $10 for them at K-Mart), a lightweight longsleeved shirt (nylon or polyester, not cotton) and old nylon running shoes or cheap water shoes (no socks). The shirt and capris protect my upper legs, shoulders and arms from sunburn and from being chafed by the life vest and the kayak seat. A nylon baseball cap or bucket hat and sunglasses are a necessity — if you have long hair, pull a pony tail through the back of the baseball cap so it won’t blow off. If you use a bucket hat, make sure it has a cord for around your neck for the same reason. It also helps to wear fingerless gloves (like cheap nylon stretch weight-training or bicycling gloves) to keep from getting blisters on your palms. If you’ve got a small fanny pack or daypack, put your stuff in ziplock baggies inside and be sure to lash the pack to the boat somehow so it doesn’t sink if you get tipped (not likely to happen but better safe than sorry.)
Be sure and put waterproof sunscreen under your arms and chin as well as on top because there will be sun reflecting off the water.
Have fun — you’ll love it!
September 5th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Well, if you plan on getting out of your kayak at all, I suggest wearing a pair of cheap, old shoes and some non-cotton socks. A swimsuit is Ideal in this situation, and any non-cotton (polyester, polypro, fleece) in a drybag incase you get cold (yes, its possible in 80 degree weather). If your on a river with rocks and or whitewater, wear a helmet, otherwise a hat will do. Possibly the most important thing, that I almost always forget, is a towel. Remember…even though the air temp is 80, the water temp is not! Prepare to get a little cold and wear non-cotton gear. Last but not least…HAVE FUN!!!
September 5th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
You can get a pair of river shoe.s cheap and a cap with a over size bill and a neck protector on it (i call it a anti red neck device) and shorts and a good cotton t. A pair of lite glove,s so you don’t get blister,s. You should be good.