Kayak Clothing
Warmth & Comfort for Kayakers
Wetsuits
Kayak Clothing: Farmer John wetsuits are like wetsuit coveralls. Used with a paddle jacket, they provide an excellent insulating system. Stay away from wetsuit jackets. They are too restrictive of arm movement for kayaking and paddling against them will exhaust you quickly. If you're looking to purchase a suit, keep it around 3/8 inch or thinner. A thicker suit will again make paddling your kayak difficult. Wetsuit boots with a treaded or hard bottom are also a good bet. They protect the soles of your feet from river rocks and provide warmth as well.
Drysuits
In cold weather a drysuit over some insulating layers will keep you warmer than anything else. Drysuits come in one and two piece styles. They have rubber gaskets and waterproof zippers that keep you dry even if you make a complete roll. Both one and two piece suits are waterproof, but the two piece drysuit gives you the option of wearing just the top as a paddle jacket when the temperature is too warm to wear a full one piece suit.
Insulation
Any of the modern synthetic materials made from polyester or ploypropylene are great for keeping you warm when you're paddling. Pile fabrics are warm and comfortable against a wide variety of conditions. Wool is also a fine insulator, but its heavier and doesn't dry as quickly as the synthetic materials.
Paddle Jackets
Most paddle jackets are made of nylon. The quality of the jacket depends on the type of waterproof coating on the inside of the jacket. Inexpensive paddling jackets usually have a urethane coating that wears off after a couple of years. High quality coatings will usually last for many years with proper care.
Make sure that you wear a paddle jacket that fits. Paddling requires a lot of upper body movement so be sure your jacket provides you with a full range of motion. The paddling jacket should also fit over your spray skirt and cinch fairly tightly to keep water out.
 Lotus Designs Lowrider PFD Life Jacket (For Men and Women) |  Lotus Designs Sea Sherman PFD Life Jacket (For Men and Women) |
 Bomber Gear 02 Flashburn Shorty Drytop (for Men and Women) |
 Bomber Gear Kai Semi Drytop - Long Sleeve (For Men and Women) |
 Bomber Gear Hydro Flash Drytop - Short Sleeve (For Men and Women) |
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