I had to recently switch from my sit-inside that I used with a spray skirt to a shorter sit-on-top kayak. Now my usual long sleeve upf shirt and swimming trunks combo isn't enough anymore. I applied sunscreen every hour, and I didn't get a sunburn, but I tan extremely easily so I end up with this. Are there any light long pants you guys recommend?

My Apple Watch 10 died while I was doing rolls yesterday in the sea. Really annoying because the watch is marketed as being water resistant up to 50m yet I wasn’t even 2 metres deep the whole time.

That being said what smartwatches do you guys use? Need to get a replacement but I don’t want to break the bank on a new watch.

I have a ton of hats, from big floppy straw hats, bucket hats, baseball hat style (some with neck flap), and various other big rim hats.

None really hit like I’d like. Floppy’s can be difficult in wind but I like the coverage in front and back.

I’m not a fan of waterproof unless I’m in the rain, which is rare tbh, they tend to hold the heat in.

I swear to much for most sunscreens, so I try and find physical protection like my long sleeve wick shirt.

I’ve been experimenting with my buffs and using as a skull cap but that doesn’t protect my face unless I wear it as a mask and that’s not real comfortable but I can use one as a gaiter around the neck and just use minerals on my T zone.

I just wanted to see what other options I might be missing.

A lot of people will say an expensive paddle makes a huge difference, and they advocate spending 300, 400, 500 or more to get a 'decent' paddle. I would argue there are 3 tiers of paddles and the middle tier is actually good enough for most people.

At the bottom are aluminum and wood paddles (not the Greenland ones, those are special). These are fine for fun at the lake or a rental for an hour or two. They're cheap and heavy. These are the ones I think you should avoid if you're buying a kayak.

In the middle are the basic fiberglass shaft / nylon blade paddles. I have one from Arts-Outdoors that cost about 80 and weighs a little over 2 pounds. The Aqua Bound fiberglass in the US is a little more expensive but the same idea - it's light enough that you can use it all day, and it's not too expensive. (If your arms get really tired using one of these, your technique might need work).

At the top are the fancy carbon or fiberglass options. I got one of these last year. It is really nice. It is about 20% lighter than my midlevel paddle. It's stiffer, and definitely more satisfying to use. I will keep it (and I'm taking it out later today). But it's not as much a gamechanger as everyone would have you believe.

If you are new to kayaking, I would suggest starting with the midrange paddle - something around 2 pounds/1kg. It will keep you happy for years.

What have the rest of you found? Are you enjoying your midrange paddles? What really makes a difference for you?

Looking to do some longer trips and also want to learn to roll my kayak. Ive seen around that greenland paddles seem to be preferred for these. As well as easy to store in the boat as a spare paddle. Does anyone have any reccomendations on a decent paddle under $300, preferably wood? Also is sizing the same as a euro paddle or should i go shorter/longer than my current paddle?

Hi all! I’m embarking on 2 night kayak/camping trip soon. The outdoor temp will be around 75, but the water is going to be around 50-55 degrees and I get cold easily. 🥶 Should I get a dry suit? Wet suit? Something else?
I should add, I’ll be going solo, so safety is of the utmost importance.

Newer kayaker here wondering what shoes you sport when out on your kayak? My first trip out I was wearing slides that I intended to take off in the boat and rolled my ankle when putting in. That has left me wondering are there shoes that would work better for slippery surfaces when getting your boat in and out of the water?

To elaborate, I've been kayaking for nearly 20 years. Almost always on calm rivers/creeks/lakes. I've also always used a cheap aluminum paddle; I think I paid about $25 for a Seasense. I've paddled an old Perception Sierra for a long time, but I recently picked up a Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145. I'm thinking about upgrading my paddle as well.

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I'm not looking to set any speed records and mostly go out on solo trips (read: not trying to paddle with others that are breaking speed records either).

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Looking for recommendations that would be a meaningful upgrade, but I'm not willing to pay Werner/Aquabound money for it.

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Is there anything out there or should I stick with what I've got?

I never thought about I wear, I just wear some 100% polyester gym shorts and long sleeve and never got sunburn under the clothes (only apply sunscreen to exposed area) but reading online, if it's not thick enough it seems it does not fully protect you I am still damaging my skin a lot where I don't put sunscreen. I sometimes put my rain pants but it gets hot.

For example if I put the clothes up to the light I can see through it, it can't be that good for protection right?

What do you wear that is not to expensive and won't make you sweat to much?

EDIT: I forgot to say I'm in a sit on top fishing kayak

EDIT2: Thanks for the suggestiosn but I now have the top figured out it's the bottom that I was more curious about. That said I have found what I will get, I will get a pair of convertible hiking UPF rated pants and call it a day. If I get hot I can unzip the bottom and jump in the water and swim with them as they are quick dry, similar to my gym shorts I would hope.

I started to write this just for women, but I think it applies to men, too.

I've always read to wear a hat with a floppy brim when on the water, but I'd rather wear a baseball cap. I currently have a safari type hat.

What does everybody think is the best type of hat?

I frequently kayak with family/friends who grew up on the ocean, no pfds/life vests anywhere. It is a foreign concept, with generations on the water with none of that. Reading through this posts have made me rethink their importance. I'm considering buying some to have on hand. They scoff at traditional life jackets, so I ask for ideas that aren't bulky/obtrusive. Any recommendations for something affordable I may purchase to have that I might convince them to wear? The concept of "gear" is not really familiar to us, as casual kayakers who just hop in our inflatables or hardsides and paddle in the sea to other little islands. Thank you for any recommendations, and I appreciate this group for introducing us to more safety measures

Hello kayakers,

This year I started with this wonderful sport and at this moment I'am considering to do some trips in the Dutch 'winter'(more a extended autumn).

At this moment I don't have any wintergear, so any advise is welcome.

My opinion is (at this moment) that a dry suit cost some more monye, but a winter long-john and a winter jacket is also pricey. What do you think is the best solution?

Alright so coming from a cyclist's POV. The GPS options for kayaking suck. I love my garmin edge on my bikes, it has my navigation, speed, distance, time, everything i need in a small compact form with long battery life. Why does nothing like this exist for kayaking? I know you can use a fishfinder but thats big and now have to run battery cable and sonar and i just want a small thing in front of my cockpit on my touring kayak. Does anyone have suggestions on something that exists like this? I wish garmin would just add a kayak option to the edge series lol.

My back is garbage. Not "I've got a bad back" bad... "my spine is held together with hopes and dreams" bad.

I've got scoliosis, arthritis, osteophytes, floating bone, constant nerve impingement, degenerated discs from top to bottom.

I've got about 2 hours before I start to feel it... at 2.5 it's bad, and beyond that, I just... *hurt*. I get out, stretch, walk a bit, but that buys me a short amount of time.

Currently in an Old Town Tandem (bought to share adventure time with my boys) which gives me some wiggle room, and I love the thing, but I need to stretch my time in the seat, and I would LOVE to hear suggestions.

Thank you.

Does anyone have recommendations on Greenland paddles from what I’ve been able to tell, for a good paddle it’s going to set me back 500+ usd

For context I'll mostly be paddling in the UK, so nothing tropical, and probably a mix of calm water and the odd bit of coastline.

A few Enquires..
Is a drysuit genuinely necessary, or can you get away with a wetsuit?
What makes the biggest difference for comfort?
Did u buy anything that turned out to be a waste of money?

Trying to avoid dropping heaps on kit I don't need. But also I don't want to be miserable/ unsafe.

Thanks

Have an upcoming sea kayaking trip in December and have been taking lessons to prep, which have been going well. They’ve been in a shallow lock off the Potomac, and included ejecting, t-rescues and the like. Next Sunday we’re heading out into the wider section of the Potomac to practice in choppy water. Assume I’ll need at least a wetsuit and wanted to ask folks who are familiar with the Potomac if this would be enough. I can rent one easily (shorty or full sleeves and legs), but dry suit rentals don’t seem to be available in the area.

The outfitter for my December trip will provide all the gear including a dry suit, so hoping to save a few dollars by renting a wetsuit rather than buying a full dry suit. But I also want to make sure I’m properly equipped given it’s as much a safety question as it is comfort.

Really appreciate any advice folks might have!

Edit to include conditions: Current water temp is 59-61 degrees. Air temp for next Sunday will be 64 degrees. Probably safe to assume the water temp will drop a degree or two by then

Just picked up a fairly basic fishing kayak off Amazon, and I've been thinking off and on about fishing of a night, though I intend to make a number of trips during the day before I do. Namely in terms of keeping an all around white as I slowly fish my way up and down the bank, and just in case somebody manages to "sneak up on me" before I can hit 'em with my much brighter flashlight. I know Alabama says a nonpowered boat like a canoe or kayak must have available a flashlight, I'm not seeing anything that says it has to be a certain brightness outside of that it has to be visible for about a mile or so. Would something like a UCO candle lantern or a Dietz hurricane lamp be adequate to allow me to be easily spotted, especially if I'm staying within casting distance of the bank and (hopefully) out of the traffic, or do I need something a bit more potent? ...and I guess related, provided that I have the powerful white flashlight (it will literally light up my entire back yard, which is an acre) will an oil lamp with a red lens to preserve night vision be conspicuous enough to allow me to be spotted, or will this lead other boaters to believe that I am always going left?

I’m currently wearing a XL/XXL Onyx Adult MoveVent Dynamic Nylon Life Vest and I’m having issues with it riding up into my mouth and chin in the water making it very difficult to renter my kayak or paddle board in the event of a dunk in deep water. I lose one hand just wrestling the thing away from my face. I make it as tight as I can make it myself on land and it doesn’t appear to be too big until I’m in water and the vest floats up. I’m a diver and I’ve never had issues with my BCD. Is there something that fits more like that where there is a strap going across the chest sort of around the collarbone (above the breast like a backpacking pack) and also waist straps. Also maybe stronger back flotation so it isn’t so bulky in the front? Also the life vest wants to float you vertical which kind of sucks for swimming the boat to shore if you decide that’s a more viable re-entry option. I’m a strong swimmer but I do a lot of padding in deep water and strong currents so it’s definitely not optional to wear one. For context I wear a 44G/H bra. Also I paddle in rash guards so that’s the layer immediately under the PFD. I’m open to buying a new vest but they are expensive and I’m not seeing the fit issue on land so I’m concerned I’m going to end up wasting another $100-200 just to discover that the new one is ill fitting too.

I keep so much gear in the back of the vehicle all year round, and its pretty much just strewn all over the back. I want to organize it back there better, something easy to take out when i need the room for other things, is breathable for damp gear, attaches to the back seat or the cargo loops and has a cover so a car crash doesnt turn everything into missiles.
The basic trunk organizers on amazon and other sites seem to have sections that are too small for some gear, but it seems lke there should be a better option. DIY is fine for me.
What are you guys doing for keeping your gear organized?

Just treated myself to a new Werner Little Dipper, and after a couple paddles I’ve noticed some high frequency flutter during power strokes.
I kinda don’t like the feeling and was wondering if the Camano also has this feeling?
I bought the Little Dipper (as well as being a small dude) due to a bad shoulder; will the larger blade face of the Camano also aggravate the shoulder more?
Should I stick it out with the LD or return it for something else? Thanks!