How to dress for seakayaking

[blueboo]

;D
Found this site thought it might be useful hope itis
How to Dress for Cool Weather Sea KayakingStaying warm and dry when sea kayaking is extremely important in cold weather conditions.
www.ehow.com/how_18003_dress-cool-weather.html - 38k - Cached - Similar pages

[speciman]

Hi Bluebababoo

Thanks for putting that link up. I know you mean well but I couldn't let a few points on that article go by without posting a few thoughts on them.

I feel step 2 should read: 'wear drysuits/dry cags/dry trousers suitable for paddling which are breathable and wear high wicking thermal layers underneath whose warmth is suited for immersion in cold waters'.

Step 3 - I feel the part on Farmer Johns should read: Don't wear Farmer Johns during cold water paddling... your bodies 'core' is more exposed to the cold water temps due to lack of sleeves and cut around the neck. If you go the neoprene route save the Farmer Johns for the summer and wear a full wetsuit during the cold water months graded for those conditions. The better full wet suits will not restrict your paddling as much (my partner has an Oneil 'heat' wetsuit and its very flexible on the arms).

[georgieb]

Hi Speciman,
To this day i have not seen or heard of a definitive set of sea kayak angling clothing. I have heard so many different views in the past.
You mention about the Farmer or Long John type of westsuits. What do think about them in conjunction with a high spec/ quality dry cag providing that extra upper body protection.

I have such a set and also a full winter 5mm wetsuit and I note that i have never seen a long john type suit in winter 5mm spec ( i wait to be put right on that one) - which may say something.

[speciman]

Hi Georgie

I agree theres no right way of going about this and there are lots of clothing options available. I feel the farmer john or long john wetsuits are too thin to wear in the waters during UK wintertime. If you wear a dry cag on top of them I suspect that there would be leakage between the neoprene and the cag seal. Also the cags are not designed to offer much if any thermal protection -- I doubt wearing 3mm neopene underneath a cag would be enough if you were in the water for any length of time (fine when paddling but not when submerged). If I had a decent dry cag I'd get some matching dry trousers to go with it, and would wear some thick high wicking layers underneath. I think some of us use buffalo suits under drywear. Under my drysuit I have 3 layers (base layer - top and bottoms, mid layer - Polarstrectch one piece suit, top layer - Polartec onepiece suit). That may sound a lot but its only just enough for this time of year. I'm looking to get a thicker bufaolo suit to go underneath instead of the Polartec.

The bottomline is that whatever clothing option you go for it should be tested out.. then you will know. I did this about a year ago now. I'm planning to do it again in a few weeks time whilst the waters still cold when I get my new yak and practice reentrys.

[martinw]

good post that bluebababoo, this winter while kayaking ive been wearing thermal top and bottoms, long sleeve and legs, full length 5mm wetsuit, neoprene gloves and good sturdy boots, with socks underneath. i havnt got a dry cag but its as good waterproof and windproof with neoprene cuffs, neck and waist, dries quickly and keeps the chill off, put a good fitting pfd over that and it keeps the core of your body warm. a couple of hats too incase one gets wet!! I havnt got dry trousers yet, not really found the need, the wetsuit does a good enough job for me. its all trial and error, ive found what im comfy with, some people say that long sleeve wetsuits restrict your paddling, but its not bothered me. It doesnt all have to cost a packet either

[alanc]

thnk specimen has the wright idea i use a dry suit and three layers underneeth neaprene bali and gloves wouldnt know or expect a wet suit to do the same but thats what ill be wearing in the summer

[speciman]

Hi Alan

A full wetsuit will work providing its warm enough for our UK winters - a friend of mine (who used to dive) wears one during the colder months and if anything he gets too hot in his . The article was referring to farmer johns for cold water paddling & I felt that wearing a 3mm neoprene suit without lower neck or arms is asking for trouble!

One thing that puzzles me though is the bladder control some yakkers must have - with a dry suit and relief zipper I can take a leak quite easily whilst on board. Was wondering how people managed with other clothing options especially during the colder months. I guess the coffee is left behind

[zebra]

hay speciman
cable- tie

[alanc]

good blader control is a must, thanks for the advice

[martinw]

just let it out, its quite nice and warm on a cold day ;D ;D

[zebra]

keeps your ankle's warm

[martinw]

turns my toe nails yellow ;D ;D ;D

[stitch]

You'll know the ones who've let go they will be wearing a big grin with out catching a fish ;D ;D ;D