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Connecticut Water Trails Program Clothing For Paddling
Cold Water Paddling Clothing
In colder weather, or in cold-water environments where there is a chance of taking a swim, the need for immersion protection increases. Wetsuits and drysuits are your choices for cold water protection.
Wetsuits are made of neoprene and keep the body warm by trapping a layer of water that is warmed next to the skin. They are comfortable in moderately cold water.
Drysuits, which feature latex neck and cuff gaskets to seal out water completely, are the best protection for cold-water immersion.
Special liners for
drysuits and wetsuits plus protective hand- and footwear are
available for cold-water paddling.
Wetsuits
These snug neoprene garments don't keep water out, but rather trap a thin layer of water next to your skin where it is warmed by your body. The neoprene minimizes evaporative cooling, so once you are out of the water you remain comfortable.
Wetsuits come in a variety of styles: full-length suits, short-sleeve "spring suits," sleeveless "Farmer Johns" and separate jackets and pants. Farmer Johns (sleeveless suits with full-length legs) are among the most popular for moderate-weather paddling since they allow some cooling of the torso. "Farmer Jane" suits are available to fit women.
Wet suits come in a wide variety of types, and there are new materials that transcend the original neoprene roots. The principles of wet suits and, the materials they are made from have many other garment applications, such as boots, gloves and hoods.
A "Full Suit" covers the whole body, arms, neck, torso and legs. Most wet suits are made for scuba divers and surfers who do not need the same freedom of motion that a kayaker will need in the arms. Check the fit of a full suit carefully to make sure that your paddling motion will not be inhibited. If there is any stretchy, "rubber band" like feeling while simulating paddling, do not get that suit. Even a little bit of stretch will be multiplied by a long trip and leave you fighting your own suit for every mile. Look for a suit with flexible material in the shoulder area.
A "Shorty" is like a full suit but has short arms and legs. This garment provides less protection, but keeps your core warm and is good for extending your summer season. Check the fit just like you would on the full suit.
Wet suits also come as "Short Pants", "Tank Tops" and "Short Shirts." Wet suit shorts and tops are ideal for summer use of sit-on-top kayaks, and can be worn under quick drying shirts and pants (nylon or fleece) to extend your season. Short sleeve wet suit tops can be worn in combination with farmer a john/jane. Most of these short sleeve tops have flexible material in the shoulders that allow for the movements of paddlers.
Wet suits are available in different thicknesses of neoprene. The thickest options are usually too bulky and warm for paddling and are more often used by divers. Most paddlers opt for 2mm or 3mm neoprene.
Polyurethane-coated fleece is another available fabric, best worn when immersion in cold water is less likely. Warm, stretchy and windproof, it resembles neoprene, only fuzzy.
Just like wetsuits, garments made of this fabric allow water in and then warm it next to the skin. The fleece interior makes them comfortable to wear for extended paddling in cool weather.
Drysuits
If you paddle in cold water, rough rapids or surf, or you're out in bad weather, drysuits offer the best protection. These one-piece suits are made of nylon with a waterproof polyurethane coating or waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex® laminate. They feature latex gaskets at the wrists, ankles, and neck plus a special zipper or roll-up closure to prevent any water from entering. So even if you take an unexpected swim, you remain dry. Drysuits provide no insulation so they need to be paired with long underwear or specially designed fleece liners for warmth. Choosing the right clothing is toughest when the weather is hot but the water is very cold, as is common in northern climates in summer. You need to weigh your desire for paddling comfort against the risk of capsizing and cold-water immersion. If capsizing is a possibility (a long, open-water crossing or rough water, for instance) your best bet is a Gore-Tex® suit that will allow body heat to escape as you paddle. Otherwise, you'll end up getting wet from perspiration.
Caution: Make sure you know how to use your dry suit. Neck, wrist and ankle gaskets are fragile. Proper maintenance, inspection and donning of garment is necessary to insure a tight waterproof seal. Never paddle with a dry suit partially open. If you capsize the suit will fill with cold water, and make you less buoyant limiting your ability to float and remount your kayak.
Wear a dry suit when you know you will be exposed to the coldest conditions and for extended durations. Dry suits, with an appropriate insulation layer, are very good for cold water, winds, splashing waves, rain and cold air. A dry suit is your vapor barrier to keep the wind and rain off, but it will also protect your warm, dry, insulation layer. A dry suit is also a good choice if you will be unable to land, such as a long crossing in open water, or along coastline with a shore that you cannot land on.
Dry Tops
Drytops feature latex neck and wrist gaskets, often
supplemented with protective neoprene cuffs. The waist bands, typically
made of neoprene, are double layered to seal with your spray skirt, both
inside and out. Drytops can be worn over Farmer John-style wetsuits, or
with dry bibs for versatile two-piece systems.
Dry Bibs and Pants
These are an inexpensive solution for boaters who
wear a drytop the majority of the time, but need the added protection
for bigger and colder water in case of an unexpected swim.
Insulation and Liners
Insulating layers made specifically for water sports are available. Tops and bottoms of Polartec® Power Stretch® fleece fit comfortably underneath wet- and drysuits or can be worn alone comfortably. This quick-drying, breathable fabric features an abrasion-resistant outer surface that blocks wind, plus it offers a soft, velour interior for warmth.
Full-length fleece liners with front zip entries are popular for layering underneath full drysuits.
Rash Guards
These quick-drying polyester/Lycra® spandex blend
shirts are frequently worn under a wetsuit to provide protection from
chafing. Their SPF 25 ratings also make them good choices for wearing by
themselves, too—for paddling, surfing or swimming. Their stretch and
form-fitting designs allow freedom of movement.
Accessories
Hats
If you're expecting cold weather, pack an insulated
hat as well. Popular options include fleece or wool caps and face masks,
lightweight balaclavas, and even full neoprene hoods for extremely
challenging routes in cold conditions.
Gloves
In cooler conditions, you'll need to bring along
gloves or mittens. Make sure they're durable and water-resistant.
Paddling gloves made of neoprene, nylon or Lycra® spandex provide good
grip and good protection without impairing your paddle control. Hand protectors called "pogies" are also available
to paddlers. These neoprene or nylon covers fasten over your hands and
around the paddle shaft without interfering with your grip.
Footwear
In warm weather and water, wet feet are rarely a serious problem. Sport sandals, water slippers, or even old tennis shoes work just fine. In colder conditions, wet feet mean cold feet. You can keep them completely dry in calf-high rubber boots or with Gore-Tex® socks worn inside boots or shoes. Or opt for thick-soled neoprene booties which will allow your feet to get wet but will keep them warm.
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A
"Farmer John" or "Farmer
Jane" (his and hers) is the most common wet suit. Like the name
implies it is kind of a water sport overall, long legs and a tank top.
It keeps the your torso and lower body warm. The neck and arms are
exposed and more often than not an additional upper garment, over the
farmer john / jane, is necessary to complete the outfit. This type of suit
does increase the freedom of motion in the upper body, witch is
essential for kayakers.