Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Whitewater Kayaking Basics Choosing Whitewater Clothing
The Basics
The right clothes can make the difference between a miserable day and a
happy day on the water. In some cases, the right paddle wear is a matter
of survival.
Dress with the assumption that you're going to get wet. You might be soaked by waves over the deck, capsize and roll, swim, or any combination of these.
Cold Water, Cold Air
For the coldest conditions (a glacial-fed river in nasty weather), a drysuit is the warmest, safest option. You may also want to wear a farmer john wetsuit and drytop, provided the drytop seals effectively around the waist to limit flooding (though this offers less protection if you swim).
You can add a warm fleece under the drysuit or drytop
For very cold water, a full neoprene hood is better than a light "skullcap" of fuzzy rubber.
You may also want neoprene pogies to keep your hands functional, and neoprene boots for your feet.
Cold Water, Warm Air
Cold water and warm air are the trickiest conditions to dress for. Choose clothing that allows you to function for a while in the water, without overheating you in your boat.
Some paddlers opt for a farmer john wetsuit with a non-dry paddling jacket that vents a bit.
Some experienced paddlers, who are less likely
to swim, choose neoprene shorts with a drytop; if they find
themselves overheating, they eddy out and pop a roll to cool off.
Warm Water, Warm Air
Warm water and air make the most pleasant paddling
conditions. If the water's a bit cool, you may want a short-armed,
short-legged wetsuit. If not, rugged, quick-drying shorts and shirt, a
good waterproof sunscreen, and your helmet, and you're off!
Cold Consequences
Consequences can mount if the water is cold, and if
it would take a long time to get ashore. The time it takes you to get
ashore depends on where you're paddling; if you're running a
steep-banked river or paddling a rocky coast, the nearest landable spot
may be miles away.
In cold and rainy conditions, a drysuit or a farmer john wetsuit combined with a drytop or a paddling jacket is the most effective solution.
For added insulation, a warm fleece or sweater can be layered under a drysuit, drytop, or paddling jacket.
If the air temperatures make a drysuit or drytop intolerable, opt for a regular paddling jacket that can be vented.
Drysuits, drytops,
and paddling jackets are all available in waterproof-breathable
fabrics to increase your comfort.
Wetsuits and Neoprene
Wetsuits and other neoprene clothing work by holding
a thin layer of water next to your skin where your body can warm it. To
work best, a wetsuit should not have empty bulges or folds that will
suck in chilly pockets of water when you swim, nor should it be so tight
that it restricts breathing or motion. Neoprene provides some padding
against knocks and tumbles, and it provides some additional buoyancy
(but by no means does it replace a PFD). Neoprene clothes are quite
rugged and require little maintenance. In addition, they continue to
provide considerable insulation (and buoyancy) even if torn.
Wetsuit Features
Farmer Johns / Janes cover the torso and the full length of the legs, but not the arms. These are typically made in a 3mm neoprene and are used in moderate temperatures often in combination with a fleece top protected by a paddling jacket or drytop.
Shorty wetsuits are sleeveless and short-legged. They are made with thinner (often 2mm) neoprene, and are used mostly in warm weather and water.
Useful features
include rubber kneepads that protect the suit as you kneel to paddle
or load your boat, and a zipper at the chest and ankles to assist
dressing. Zippers should have neoprene backing flaps to prevent cold
water surging through when you swim.
Neoprene
Neoprene is essentially rubber sponge insulation. It
varies in quality. The bubbles in less expensive neoprene will collapse
sooner in use, reducing the insulation value. Thicker neoprene suits
provide more insulation but can inhibit freedom of movement. Thicker
fabric (5mm) is generally used for covering extremities with items such
as pogies or booties.
Fuzzy Rubber
"Fuzzy rubber" is a general term for a newer generation of fabrics with rubber-like polyurethane outer surfaces and fleece inner faces. Because they stretch in all directions, fuzzy rubber garments can be cut to fit close without impeding movement. These pieces can be worn on their own in warmer conditions, or layered with other paddling wear when the air or water are colder.
Debate continues about whether fuzzy rubber on its own provides as much warmth as neoprene of equal thickness should you swim. However, since fuzzy rubber garments are usually more comfortable than neoprene, you may be more likely to be wearing them should you need them.
Rubber Care
Both salt water and UV rays in sunlight can damage
neoprene clothing. They should be rinsed after use and allowed to air
dry. Turn gloves and boots inside out so that they dry completely. Store
them in cool, dry, place. When it's time to wash your wetsuit, a soap
specifically designed for neoprene will best remove dirt and odor
without degrading the rubber.
Drysuits and Dry Tops
Paddling drysuits and dry tops are made of
waterproof shell fabrics that have limited insulating value of their
own. Instead, they are designed to keep dry whatever layers of
insulation you wear under them, the same way a raincoat protects your
fleece layers on land.
Though several times the price of wetsuits, drysuits
can keep you much warmer. Worn over appropriate insulation layers, a
drysuit greatly extends your survival time, even in icy waters. Equally
important, the longer you stay warm and mobile, the longer you retain
the ability to assist yourself or others.
Layering
A dry top is often worn over a fleece top and a
farmer john wetsuit. Properly sealed with its own waistband or into the
double tunnel of a sprayskirt, a dry top waist will stay surprisingly
watertight in the event of a swim. Because they are sealed, with no air
circulation, they may be too warm and sweaty for some conditions, even
when worn over minimal layers.
Suits or tops made of waterproof-breathable fabrics
such as Gore-Tex® are more comfortable, particularly for prolonged wear
and/or warmer weather. You can also custom order Gore-Tex drysuits with
options such as built in socks, relief zipper, a drop seat, or pockets.
Choosing the Right Size
When selecting size, allow room for adequate layers
of insulation underneath. Check that the cut and size are right by
moving your body through the full range of paddling motions – including
braces and lay-backs.
Care and Repair
Rinse the garments in fresh water after use and be
sure they are thoroughly dry before you store them. Use a product such
as McNett's Wetsuit / Drysuit shampoo to safely clean them.
Gaskets
The latex seals, or gaskets, of drysuits and dry
tops must handled with care as you put on or take off the garment. They
should be wiped down with 303™ Protectant or Seal Saver every four to
six weeks if the garment is in storage, and more often when it's in use.
Even with these precautions, the seals will
typically need replacement several times over the life of the garment.
You can have a diving equipment shop install replacement seals for you,
or you can do your own.
Zippers
Keep the waterproof zipper of your drysuit free of
dirt to prevent wear and jamming. Do not store the suit with a fold
across the zipper – hang it instead. And store your garment with the
zippers open.
A crayon-like wax applicator, such as McNett Zip
Care, can be used to lubricate the zippers. Apply a very thin layer,
just enough to ease the action of the zipper. Too much wax will simply
trap grit, shortening the life of the zipper.
How do you know what’s right for you? Start
with when and where you are paddling.
If it’s warm weather and warm water, you’ll want light clothes that dry quickly and protect you from the sun.
When you’re facing more serious conditions and colder temperatures, the key is to dress so that you’ll be comfortable while paddling and protected from the cold water. Even if you never flip, you can get chilled and hypothermic from being exposed to splash and spray.
Start with a moisture-management layer, a base layer that wicks perspiration away from your body. Look for wicking, quick-drying material.
An insulation layer adds warmth when it gets colder. Several companies have a new generation of wool garments that don’t itch and can be washed—they’re good under waterproof layers. There are also some new fleece products that are better for paddlers
The outer layer keeps you dry. It can range from jackets and pants designed to protect you from splash and spray, wind and rain, to completely sealed dry suits, with gaskets at the neck, wrists, and ankles to keep out the water.
The standard material has been Gore-Tex, for waterproof breathable protection. Now other companies are introducing their own new waterproof breathable materials.
Many kayakers prefer a dry top along with paddling pants or thermal bottoms, and those also come in a wide range of prices.
Other options are the wetsuit and its substitutes, known generically as Fuzzy Rubber. They offer insulation but not protection from the wet.
Shoes are important, both to protect your feet, both from rubbing on the interior of the boat and for scouting and portaging. You want a bootie that keeps out rocks and sand and keeps your feet warm.
And paddlers who tackle whitewater, will want a helmet to protect their brains against hard knocks that may come their way.
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