What to Wear Kayaking | by Travel + Leisure

Best Rash Guard

O’Neill Men’s Basic Skins UPF 50+ Short Sleeve Rash Guard

Popular among the surfing community, the O’Neill Basic Skins Rash Guard is also well-suited for kayaking trips — both with or without a wetsuit. The rash guard has minimal seams to cut down on irritation and friction. The seams it does have are stitched flat and are located away from high-friction areas like the armpits and sides. True to its name, the O’Neill rash guard fits like a second skin. Yet, the four-way polyester/spandex blended fabric doesn’t hinder movement. The rash guard is also equipped with UPF 50+ protection.

Price at time of publish: $20

The Details: Polyester and spandex | S-XXL (men’s); XS-XL (women’s)

Best Moisture-wicking Pants

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants are tough, stretchy, and comfortable. They’re made from 90-denier ripstop nylon and spandex, allowing them to withstand wear, tear, and abrasions while maintaining enough stretch for active use. The pants breathe well enough to be worn in warmer weather and the waist features a soft liner to prevent chafing. Kayakers will appreciate the Ferrosi pants’ UPF 50+ protection, resistance to water and wind, and quick-drying capabilities.

Price at time of publish: $80

The Details: 90-denier stretch-woven ripstop, 86 percent nylon (46 percent recycled), 14 percent spandex | 28-42 waist x 30-36 inseam (men’s); 0-24 (women’s)

Best Shorts

Patagonia Women’s Quandary Short

We love the Patagonia Quandary Shorts for providing an ideal balance of comfort and performance for kayaking. They’re designed with a trimmer fit to limit weight and prevent fabric from snagging. The nylon/spandex blend is very breathable and mesh pockets add extra ventilation to these airy shorts. Aside from the two front mesh pockets, the Quandary Shorts also feature two back pockets, plus a coin pocket and zippered pocket on the right thigh (men’s-specific version only). Equipped with a durable water-repellent finish, the Quandary Shorts both repel water and dry quickly if drenched.

Price at time of publish: $69

The Details:  95 percent nylon (65 percent recycled), 5 percent spandex | 28-44 inches (men’s); 0-22 (women’s)

Best Rain Jacket

Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket

Kayakers can paddle rain or shine with the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket. It’s made with a 2.5-layer Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse ripstop fabric to protect from both water and abrasions. The rain jacket’s components and design are geared towards keeping kayakers dry and cozy, including an adjustable hood, elastic cuffs, drawcord hem, and a YKK AquaGuard zipper. At .4 pounds, the Helium rain jacket barely makes a dent in terms of weight in your pack or boat. The rain jacket packs down neatly into its sole pocket (chest pocket on men’s and hand pocket on women’s). The pocket also features a carabiner loop and key clip for storing valuables.

Price at time of publish: $84

The Details: 100 percent nylon, 30-denier ripstop | S-XXXL (men’s); XS-XL (women’s)

Best Long-sleeve Shirt

Kokatat WoolCore Long-sleeve Shirt

The Kokotat WoolCore Long-sleeve Top will keep you comfortable and warm, even when wet. It’s made from a 50/50 blend of merino wool and polyester that’s well-suited for kayaking. The merino wool, which is sourced from free-range sheep in New Zealand, delivers ample warmth for a base layer and odor resistance and moisture-wicking capabilities. Meanwhile, the polyester enhances the shirt’s stretch and resistance to wear and tear. The WoolCore shirt is intended to be used in a multi-layer system under a Kokatat drysuit, but it also performs great on its own for kayaking and other outdoor pursuits.

Price at time of publish: $95

The Details: 50 percent merino wool, 50 percent polyester | S-XXL (men’s); S-XL (women’s)

Best Short-sleeve Shirt

Patagonia Women’s Capilene Cool Daily Shirt

The Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Shirt provides both relief and protection when paddling on hot, sunny days. Patagonia’s proprietary Capilene Cool Daily fabric is quick-drying and stretchy for enhanced comfort and performance. The shirt is also odor-resistant and incredibly soft thanks to a miDori bioSoft finish — a plant-based fabric softener that provides long-lasting softness and moisture-wicking capabilities. The Daily Shirt is aptly designed for paddling, thanks to set-in sleeves and minimal stitching and seams throughout. These kayak-oriented shirts are made in a Fair Trade-Certified factory and use recycled polyester in their construction.

Price at time of publish: $39

The Details: 50 percent polyester, 50 percent recycled polyester jersey | XS-XXXL

Best Hoodie

NRS H2Core Silkweight Long-sleeve Hoodie

The NRS H2Core Silkweight Long-sleeve Hoodie is designed to keep you cool and comfortable while paddling. It’s made with 100 percent recycled fabric that’s quick-drying and moisture-wicking. The hoodie also boasts UPF 50+ protection from UV rays and a microbial treatment that keeps odors at bay. Its looser fit provides excellent freedom of movement and airflow. Kayakers will appreciate the addition of thumbholes to ensure the sleeves provide full coverage while paddling. There’s also a loop and button to secure the hood around the face, a handy feature when dealing with mosquitoes.

Price at time of publish: $53

The Details: 85 percent recycled polyester, 15 percent recycled spandex | XS – XL

Best Wetsuit

Kokotat NeoZip Long Wetsuit

The Kokotat NeoZip Long Wetsuit was designed with kayaking in mind. The seamless armholes cut down on chafing while granting a free range of arm movements to paddle unencumbered. The remainder of the wetsuit uses flat-lock seams to reduce skin irritation. The NeoZip wetsuit is made with 3-millimeter-thick two-sided neoprene, which fits tight to the skin to hold water (if and when you get wet) close to your body heat to warm it up. Extra padding and reinforcement on the knees add durability, and it’s backed by Kokotat’s limited lifetime warranty. The front zipper design makes for easy on and off. It’s available in both women’s and men’s-specific designs — Long Jane and Long John — respectively. The Long Jane also has a relief zipper in the event nature calls.

Price at time of publish: $155

The Details: Nylon neoprene | S – XXL

Best Water Shoes

Merrell Women’s Hydro Moc Water Shoe

The Merrell Hydro Moc Water Shoe provides excellent traction, durability, and comfort to be worn in and out of the water. The open-air shoe is made with EVA foam that is commonly used for shock absorption in sports equipment. This material also gives the Hydro Moc ample buoyancy to float if dropped overboard. While the slip-on design makes them easy to put on, the heel strap and textured insole do an effective job of keeping them in place. Whether walking through creek beds or trails, the Hydro Moc’s thick sole has ample cushion and support, plus 2-millimeter lugs for grip on slippery rocks or loose terrain.

Price at time of publish: $60

The Details: Men’s 7-15; women’s 5-11 | Injected EVA foam

Best Sandals

KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal

The Keen Newport H2 Sandals pack polyester webbing and quick-dry lining to prevent soggy feet. The hybrid hiking/water sandals are equipped with a tough rubber outsole that’s grippy on wet rocks and trails alike, making these a great choice if your paddling also entails portgaging or camping. Instead of straps, the Newport H2 sandals use a 10-point bungee system to dial in a snug fit. This closure system also allows for easy on and off. The sandals are machine-washable, helping keep these durable sandals fresh for many paddling adventures. 

Price at time of publish: $94

The Details: Polyester webbing, rubber outsole | Women’s 5-11; men’s 7-17

Best Sun Hat

Sunday Afternoons Unisex Ultra-Adventure Hat

Keep cool and shaded on the open water with the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat. The hat has a UPF 50+ rating and features a 3-inch brim and 6-inch neck cape to shield against the sun’s rays. Even on hot days, the Adventure Hat offers plenty of air flow to keep from overheating. The top is fitted with mesh panels and the tapered neck flap lets the neck breathe. The fabric under the hat brim is darker to cut down on glare — a major benefit when out on the water. Speaking of glare protection, the hat is also fitted with sunglasses lock sleeves to securely hold your shades in place while not in use. The durable, packable hat can fold down to fit in a pocket and bounce back when it’s ready to be worn.

Price at time of publish: $46

The Details: 88 percent nylon, 12 percent polyester dobby | S-XL

Best Sunglasses

L.L. Bean Pocket Water Polarized Sunglasses

The L.L. Bean Pocket Water Polarized Sunglasses are a lightweight and durable pair of sunglasses suited for outdoor adventure. The polarized lenses have a base curve 8 to reduce glare and block out UV rays while granting an expansive field of vision. They also boast class one optics for clear views out on the water. Injection rubber is integrated where the frame meets the temples and nose for a grippy and comfortable fit. The unisex sunglasses come in three sizes: S/M, M/L and XL.

Price at time of publish: $70

The Details: G850 nylon (frame); injection polycarbonate (lens) | S/M-XL

Best Gloves

NRS Boater’s Gloves

The NRS Boater’s Gloves keep the hands comfortable for hours of paddling. The palms are made with Amara synthetic leather for a thicker layer of padding where the hands are most vulnerable to blisters. There’s also ventilation and silicone grippers on the palms to enhance comfort and performance. Meanwhile, the backs of the gloves use an H2Core rash guard material that’s quick-drying and boasts UPF 50+ protection. The open-finger design keeps your hands free to perform other tasks with dexterity. The NRS gloves are secured with pairing snaps on the wrists. They come in a range of sizes and offer both a men’s and women’s-specific design.

Price at time of publish: $23

The Details: 93 percent nylon, 7 percent spandex (fabric); Amara synthetic leather (palm) | Men’s XS-XXL; women’s XS-XL