Kayaking Clothing
Discussion
As some of you may be aware, over easter next me & a friend are doing a kayak trip along the length of the Thames in aid of H4H.
Now, we have the obvious things sorted such as kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids, spray deck (to stop the kayak filling with rain water) but neither of us are sure of what clothing to take/wear, we are obviously going to need some kind of water proof jacket, but not sure what to buy, also unsure as to what is "de-rigure" for our under the jackets (or cags I think they are called) or what to wear on the lower half, I was thinking something like some long running bottoms, on pr std, one pr thermal.
Now, we have the obvious things sorted such as kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids, spray deck (to stop the kayak filling with rain water) but neither of us are sure of what clothing to take/wear, we are obviously going to need some kind of water proof jacket, but not sure what to buy, also unsure as to what is "de-rigure" for our under the jackets (or cags I think they are called) or what to wear on the lower half, I was thinking something like some long running bottoms, on pr std, one pr thermal.
might be worth popping up to cheltenham to see these guys
http://www.cheltenham-canoes.co.uk/canoeing-clothi...
and their range as you can try stuff whilst sat in a boat which should reduce the chance of getting a duff fit. for comfort you cant beat a dry suit but the cheaper ones are a bit bulky and cumbersome, however they reduce the chance of chaffing and gaps between clothes though, they are brilliant if its raining and reduce the need for loads of separates. think of it as the difference between bibs and regular cycling shorts, when you are sat down, you dont want anything to be digging into your waist.
http://www.cheltenham-canoes.co.uk/canoeing-clothi...
and their range as you can try stuff whilst sat in a boat which should reduce the chance of getting a duff fit. for comfort you cant beat a dry suit but the cheaper ones are a bit bulky and cumbersome, however they reduce the chance of chaffing and gaps between clothes though, they are brilliant if its raining and reduce the need for loads of separates. think of it as the difference between bibs and regular cycling shorts, when you are sat down, you dont want anything to be digging into your waist.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 14th November 09:08
R500POP said:
As some of you may be aware, over easter next me & a friend are doing a kayak trip along the length of the Thames in aid of H4H.
Now, we have the obvious things sorted such as kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids, spray deck (to stop the kayak filling with rain water) but neither of us are sure of what clothing to take/wear, we are obviously going to need some kind of water proof jacket, but not sure what to buy, also unsure as to what is "de-rigure" for our under the jackets (or cags I think they are called) or what to wear on the lower half, I was thinking something like some long running bottoms, on pr std, one pr thermal.
Bang on with the running bottoms... When I kayak though I use the cycling ronhills because they have a higher back, so when you are sitting, they dont end up around your arse. Now, we have the obvious things sorted such as kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids, spray deck (to stop the kayak filling with rain water) but neither of us are sure of what clothing to take/wear, we are obviously going to need some kind of water proof jacket, but not sure what to buy, also unsure as to what is "de-rigure" for our under the jackets (or cags I think they are called) or what to wear on the lower half, I was thinking something like some long running bottoms, on pr std, one pr thermal.
Best things for you would be some decent layering of thermals on your top, long johns/helly hansen thermal bottoms under ronhill bikesters, cover this with a rowing suit on top which stops everything riding up/falling down, then your waterproofs/cags, whatever you have.
Also a woolly hat, although I get boiling hot after about 10 mins and usually end up chucking it in the boat to just float about.
pablo said:
might be worth popping up to cheltenham to see these guys
http://www.cheltenham-canoes.co.uk/canoeing-clothi...
Actually, if you're Bristol I'd recommend you pop down to see AS Watersports at Exeter - they have a much bigger range of stock than Cheltenham Canoes, so well worth the extra trip.http://www.cheltenham-canoes.co.uk/canoeing-clothi...
I doubt you will need thermals. Jogging pants and some wetsuit boots are fine for your bottom half.
I have a loose fitting kagool type kayaking top with a hood and dry seals at the cuffs.
It has handy pockets in the front too.
I can't remember where I bought it, but I just pulled it out of the closet, and I found the label. A quick Google of the name on the tag brought up the company. It's very simalar to these. http://www.palmequipmenteurope.com/gear/touring_ja...
Just leave it loose over the cumberband of your spray deck.
I used it up in some lakes in North Germany near Schleswig and the Danish border in January! Initialy I had a fleece underneath, but within 20 minutes of paddling I was down to just a t-shirt underneath! Without the windchill, you won't need layers. Paddling will keep you warm.
I have a loose fitting kagool type kayaking top with a hood and dry seals at the cuffs.
It has handy pockets in the front too.
I can't remember where I bought it, but I just pulled it out of the closet, and I found the label. A quick Google of the name on the tag brought up the company. It's very simalar to these. http://www.palmequipmenteurope.com/gear/touring_ja...
Just leave it loose over the cumberband of your spray deck.
I used it up in some lakes in North Germany near Schleswig and the Danish border in January! Initialy I had a fleece underneath, but within 20 minutes of paddling I was down to just a t-shirt underneath! Without the windchill, you won't need layers. Paddling will keep you warm.
Mickrick,
No disrespect but I fundamentally disagree with nearly everything you posted, particularly on the layering front.
From end of October to beginning of April (and sometimes further) the Thames valley is actually very cold, and very windy.
The main reason I disagree on the layering issue with you is a) it's better to be too hot than too cold b) due to the apparent inexperience of the crew in this case it is not out of the question that they will fall in, and without a wicking layering system they will get cold and stay cold. Furthermore, a wicking layering system should keep you at a decent temperature and take sweat from their bodies making it generally more pleasant. C) jogging bottoms are equivalent to a towel and the paddler will end up miserable.
OP, don't skimp on buying decent thermals.
No disrespect but I fundamentally disagree with nearly everything you posted, particularly on the layering front.
From end of October to beginning of April (and sometimes further) the Thames valley is actually very cold, and very windy.
The main reason I disagree on the layering issue with you is a) it's better to be too hot than too cold b) due to the apparent inexperience of the crew in this case it is not out of the question that they will fall in, and without a wicking layering system they will get cold and stay cold. Furthermore, a wicking layering system should keep you at a decent temperature and take sweat from their bodies making it generally more pleasant. C) jogging bottoms are equivalent to a towel and the paddler will end up miserable.
OP, don't skimp on buying decent thermals.
bulldong said:
Mickrick,
No disrespect but I fundamentally disagree with nearly everything you posted, particularly on the layering front.
From end of October to beginning of April (and sometimes further) the Thames valley is actually very cold, and very windy.
The main reason I disagree on the layering issue with you is a) it's better to be too hot than too cold b) due to the apparent inexperience of the crew in this case it is not out of the question that they will fall in, and without a wicking layering system they will get cold and stay cold. Furthermore, a wicking layering system should keep you at a decent temperature and take sweat from their bodies making it generally more pleasant. C) jogging bottoms are equivalent to a towel and the paddler will end up miserable.
OP, don't skimp on buying decent thermals.
No offence taken. No disrespect but I fundamentally disagree with nearly everything you posted, particularly on the layering front.
From end of October to beginning of April (and sometimes further) the Thames valley is actually very cold, and very windy.
The main reason I disagree on the layering issue with you is a) it's better to be too hot than too cold b) due to the apparent inexperience of the crew in this case it is not out of the question that they will fall in, and without a wicking layering system they will get cold and stay cold. Furthermore, a wicking layering system should keep you at a decent temperature and take sweat from their bodies making it generally more pleasant. C) jogging bottoms are equivalent to a towel and the paddler will end up miserable.
OP, don't skimp on buying decent thermals.
Just saying writing from experience. I would take plenty of warm clothing in a dry bag, I always did, but from my experience within 20 minutes or so, I'd be down to a t-shirt under my wind/waterproof Palm top.When we went up to Schleswig, we drove up from Hamburg as we where in dry dock at Blohm & Voss shipyard, this is what we left behind...
I've also paddled up in Glacier bay Alaska, New Zealand, and nice warm places like the Florida Keys, and the intercoastal around Hollywood Miami.
I've never needed a "multilayer system".
It's easy to get carried away with all the fancy gear, I see it every day on the road with the multicoloured Lycra louts
At the end of the day, if you fall in, you're wet. End of. Get out, towel off, and put clean dry clothes back on.
If you are cold, I can't recommend Patagonia fleece enough though.
Another handy thing for staying warm is a cockpit sock, I's like a bag that you fit in the cockpit, and fits around the spraydeck rim. It doesn't interfere with the spray deck. Feathercraft make them.
I've always been nice and warm in my boat without thermals.
I found the bag I mentioned in my earlier post. I'd forgotten what they called it. (I bought mine in 1996) http://shop.feathercraft.com/collections/bags-cove...
One thing springs to mind, sorry it's slightly O/T and may have been mentioned in your other thread, appologies if it's already been mentioned...
Take spare paddles! get some that break down into two, and wedge them under your deck lines. If heaven forbid you do tip over, and you lose your paddle, you'll be snookered without a spare!
Also it's been mentioned it may be windy...make sure your kayak has a rudder, or you'll be fighting the kayak trying to "weathercock".
Good luck, and most importantly, Have Fun!
One thing springs to mind, sorry it's slightly O/T and may have been mentioned in your other thread, appologies if it's already been mentioned...
Take spare paddles! get some that break down into two, and wedge them under your deck lines. If heaven forbid you do tip over, and you lose your paddle, you'll be snookered without a spare!
Also it's been mentioned it may be windy...make sure your kayak has a rudder, or you'll be fighting the kayak trying to "weathercock".
Good luck, and most importantly, Have Fun!
Op.
How experienced are you and can you roll?
In my humble opinion you need to dress differently if there's a good chance you're going to spend a lot of time in the water.
If it was me, paddling on flat water in the autumn/winter I'd be in tracksuit bottoms or shorts, a base layer and a dry cag with neck & wrist seals. I'd also have another layer (thin fleece) and a hat in case the weather got worse.
If there was a chance I was going to take a swim I'd be in a dry suit with a base layer underneath (with the backup fleece in the boat.
Then again I always get very hot when I paddle.
I have been ice breaking for a giggle, then I was in a drysuit, woolly bear (fleece suit) woolly hat & marigolds, I was still quite hot but when I went for a swim (deliberately I might add) it got seriously cold seriously quickly!
I once took a swim before I got decent kit, I was stood on the riverbank, soaked through with ice forming on my waterproofs. If possible you want to avoid that sort of thing.
How experienced are you and can you roll?
In my humble opinion you need to dress differently if there's a good chance you're going to spend a lot of time in the water.
If it was me, paddling on flat water in the autumn/winter I'd be in tracksuit bottoms or shorts, a base layer and a dry cag with neck & wrist seals. I'd also have another layer (thin fleece) and a hat in case the weather got worse.
If there was a chance I was going to take a swim I'd be in a dry suit with a base layer underneath (with the backup fleece in the boat.
Then again I always get very hot when I paddle.
I have been ice breaking for a giggle, then I was in a drysuit, woolly bear (fleece suit) woolly hat & marigolds, I was still quite hot but when I went for a swim (deliberately I might add) it got seriously cold seriously quickly!
I once took a swim before I got decent kit, I was stood on the riverbank, soaked through with ice forming on my waterproofs. If possible you want to avoid that sort of thing.
From his other posts he isn't an experience canoist so probably no to rolling. I canoed for 10 years as a kid and never got the hang of it.
Decathlon have some decent stuff.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/clothing-canoeing-kayak...
They also do neoprene gloves
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/neoprene-gloves-id_6344...
The wetsuit material long johns would be my choice. Nothing worse than trying to dry out tracky bottoms. Just getting in and out will mean the bottoms will be wet for most of the day. Get the wetsuit shoes as well.
Base layer with fleece over and then the jacket will be enough to keep you warm. If you do get hot then take of the fleece and put the jacket back on.
If you're helmet hasn't got a peak you could always put a baseball cap under to keep the rain off your face.
Decathlon have some decent stuff.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/clothing-canoeing-kayak...
They also do neoprene gloves
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/neoprene-gloves-id_6344...
The wetsuit material long johns would be my choice. Nothing worse than trying to dry out tracky bottoms. Just getting in and out will mean the bottoms will be wet for most of the day. Get the wetsuit shoes as well.
Base layer with fleece over and then the jacket will be enough to keep you warm. If you do get hot then take of the fleece and put the jacket back on.
If you're helmet hasn't got a peak you could always put a baseball cap under to keep the rain off your face.
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