What to Wear Kayaking, especially in the winter!

Whew! This a long one, packed with helpful info! Originally, I started this video for just winter paddling, but over time I realized that I had to cover the summer layers as a part of my layering system anyway. This is a TON of information, so give it time and try to follow if you can. Ultimately, a good layering system consists of a moisture wicking base layer, a mid layer for the appropriate amount of warmth, and a shell to block the wind and water. I'll also explain why I don't recommend wetsuits for paddling.
For more recreational styles of paddling where getting wet isn't a typical issue, but you just want to be prepared (ie a drysuit isn't cost effective), you're better off in merino layers or cheap (also heavier) fleece and rain gear as a shell than in a wetsuit. It doesn't keep you dry if you flip, but you'll stay warm if you get wet. A wetsuit will feel warm while it's dry, fine in the water, but then once you're back out of the water your core can drop too much to warm it back up. That problem can quickly lead to hypothermia. So wetsuits are still not a good option for even those more recreational paddling moments. A cheap option though is goodwill synthetic/wool fleece and a cheap rain coat and pants. It'll keep you plenty warm even if it gets wet. Merino won't get as heavy, but fleece is cheaper and more readily available.
Make sure you wear your ear plugs too, if you're getting wet, to avoid the bone growth affecting the ears of nearly every kayaker! If you're not sure why, watch this: • Every kayaker needs to... to learn more about surfers ear.
Remember, it's easy to think as a beginner that cheaper gear is the way to go, but there are some things a beginner should never skimp on, like a good helmet and proper winter gear.
If you like this video, make sure you like and subscribe to keep the project going. I'll see you, on the river!

[@southernfriedheathen994]

I swear I could listen to you talk about tea spoons. You have such a soothing voice.

[@derichhofmann4667]

Jealous of your SE warm waters where a dry top is ok for beginners for 1/2 the year. But the PNW, dry top for beginners…..maybe for month of July and August only. Just a little caveat I’d have punctuated a little more for the beginners watching this video. Else, I think you did a fantastic job with covering the spectrum of options for the whole body! Love your videos Boyd! Keep ‘em coming!

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

Excellent!

[@waverley610]

Great walk through. Cashmere 🐐 as a base layer is actually 4 times warmer than merino, my friends laugh at me in my Cashmere but it's just an old sweater where the elbows have worn thin so has become my go to base layer, also I use a Cashmere v neck vest, under the thermals, no funky smell and keeps you both cool and warm. UK paddle season is winter btw 🥶

[@CleanLineKayaking]

good to know! I think if I did that I'd bake

[@oldguyriders]

Nice video, well done, very informative and lots of good advice. Thanks

[@stevensuhar8302]

I gotta say, your explanation of this subject is probably the best I've watched so far. I Purchased a drysuit for Oregon ocean and deep lake kayak fishing. This is insurance against hypothermia. I am thinking of a thin wetsuit for spring, but maybe that's unnecessary as there would be no benefit. Pushing off, I only get wet up to my shins in 45-degree waters, but I'm not comfortable wearing chest waders or hip waders in case I do flip. I fish rough waters, so I do get wet from white caps and rain. I'm also usually the Lone Ranger on those days. (Not likely to flip in my Old Towne) I do wear comfortable wading boots to protect my drysuit booties. Good content here!

[@chrisbusenkell]

He's so right. I've survived some nasty scrapes with whitewater and hypothermia. I csnnot stress strongly enough how important it is to listen to the people you are with when you start suffering from hypothermia. Your judgement will be one of the first things to go as hypothermia begins. In my experience, hypothermia was the result of a long day on cold water. Try to identify as early as you can whether or not your bodys core temperature is going to become a determining factor in how you conduct your float. Conditions can change, equipment can fail and your body is designed to shed heat. Due to these factors, and countless others that you can't influence, your decision making capability(or lack thereof) can get you in to serious trouble. Just wanted to warn everyone. So dont be afraid to ask for help or take the easier way through or around areas of a river that are going to put you in to serious danger

[@zachwoodworth1984]

I have a cap that I wear in the winter that helps a lot, especially if you spend much time upside down. It has a fleece inner liner and synthetic exterior.

[@misterthegeoff9767]

Just starting to get back into kayaking after 20+ years off (I lost my bottle after a disastrous swim in the Austrian Alps) and it's amazing how long those latex seals can last if kept out of the sun. I dragged a 20 year old dry top out of storage and the wrist and neck seals were still functional. The waistline seems to have shrunk but that may be more down to me being 44, disabled and unfit. Anyway really enjoyed this video and your others as a refresher on stuff I used to know.

[@CleanLineKayaking]

I’ve definitely had a waist line shrink on me before too, usually after Thanksgiving 😂. Thanks for watching!

[@oldreliable303]

I use a 7 mil wetsuit for the winter, it was good for 8 hour shifts gold dredging in 45°f water, it fine for a cold river run. For a little warmer times a 3 mil farmer john does good.

[@NJintheImagination]

Excellent advice but it only applies to certain types of kayaking, principally white water and sea kayaking where you are certainly going to get wet, including being thrown out of your kayak and/or needing to roll. For those types of kayakers, he is dead on. However, there are a great many kayakers whose environments and situations differ. Kayaking or kayak fishing in calm, protected waters, on days where there is little wind and in very stable kayaks, including many - but not all - inflatable kayaks, do not need 1k dry suits. I really wished he had addressed those kind of situations.

[@CleanLineKayaking]

For those situations, you're better off in merino layers or cheap (also heavier) fleece and rain gear as a shell. It doesn't keep you dry if you flip, but you'll stay warm if you get wet. A wetsuit will feel warm while it's dry, fine in the water, but once back out of the water your core can drop too much to warm it so still not a good option for even those more recreational paddling moments. Cheap option though is goodwill synthetic/wool fleece and cheap rain coat and pants. Thanks for watching!

[@parzable]

This channel is awesome kid! ☝️🍋

[@andreas956]

Awesome advice. Subscribed. If you were those normal shoes for winter, what kind of socks do you wear to keep warm?

[@billpeabody6998]

I find headliners to be a key piece of my cold weather paddling gear. They are great for helping regulate your temp.

[@eroomomni]

Boyd, I’m about to take the plunge and buy a dry suit, which I just discovered this week. While it appears that you do not necessarily endorse product lines, could you please recommend the best brand and where to purchase? By the way, I just discovered your channel and found it to be extremely informative. Thank you.

[@MrCosmonot1]

Got a lot of dry suits there bud! Got an extra XL to give a way to your favorite fan ;P

[@CleanLineKayaking]

😂 too bad I’m a medium… so much stuff! I just picked out one of each. I like to alternate drysuits and layer sets so I’m always putting on dry clothes and gear 😂🙈

[@magicw7338]

What should you wear on your bottom half if you are going for the dry top option in the cold?... neoprene leggings?

[@FeWolf]

I will have to check out that wool, you have any links to it, I have issue with over heating. I use a 2 piece Palm Zenith system, pants and top, I do carry an XL 5mm Short, front zip wet suite for emergency and thermal blanket.

[@CleanLineKayaking]

worth checking out for sure!

[@terencesingerline135]

Really good video! What do you wear for your head in colder rivers and temperatures?

[@CleanLineKayaking]

I don’t wear anything most of the time, but a merino or fleece beanie under your helmet (as long as it doesn’t prevent proper fit for protection) is great. Thanks for watching!

[@CyBORG1208]

Possible option for the ladies - carry a "SheWee" type device and you can use a men's style dry suit. This opens up more options and allows you to not have to deal with the hassles created by some of the more complex zipper systems. I'm a dude but I know several women, including my wife, who have found these "pee funnels" to be game changers in the outdoors! Obviously I can't speak to this myself but might be something to check out.

[@followingrj]

Check out the La sportiva tx Canyon shoes for footwear. They’re supposed to be great for Canyoneering and draining water. Pricey but I’ve heard nothing but great things.

[@CleanLineKayaking]

I've heard great things too, but they have a similar issue as FiveTen on the glue. I've been breaking in a set of Arc'Teryx shoes and I'm loving them. I've also found random Adidas options with Stealth rubber too, and their glue is great. I don't why FiveTen doesn't just solve such an easy problem.

[@Taematoe]

Dang I wish I had seen this a week ago. I bought a wetsuit thinking I would use it but when it came I knew it wouldn't be comfortable to paddle in so I bought a level six emperor dry suit. I guess I have a wetsuit for summer now.

[@johnrflinn]

I used a wetsuit surfing in Northern California with my K1 for years and it worked. Farmer Johns in the Pacific are not warm enough.

[@pdfahie]

I just bought a kokatat hydrus 3.0 semi dry suit. I’ve seen one KZbin channel that was very critical of this brand and model, and very critical of kokatat’s customer service. All of the other channels I’ve found seem to rate the suit good and the company’s customer service as excellent. Do you have any experiences with this company that you would be willing to share?

[@charanvantijn541]

I like to use my drysuit with neoprene seals. No leaks. No rips, like the previous suits with latex seals. Divers use neoprene seals, so they must be good enough for paddling.

[@CleanLineKayaking]

As a diver too, I can tell you that the neoprene used for diving drysuit applications goes through a special compression process to be more waterproof that paddling neoprene gaskets does not. In paddlesports applications, nothing is as effective as the latex. Thanks for watching!

[@charanvantijn541]

@@CleanLineKayaking That's new to me. Thank you!

[@rstats2127]

What size river shoes above your normal shoe size do you wear when wearing a dry suit with thin socks?

[@CleanLineKayaking]

I go a 1/2 size up typically… I’m 8.5 and buy a 9 for paddling. That includes wool socks, the drysuit booties and thin neoprene socks that I wear over those to protect the booties, something I wish I mentioned in the video. 🤙🏻 great question.

[@rstats2127]

@@CleanLineKayaking thank you very much for responding and all of your instructional videos

[@johnrflinn]

Could you recommend 3 dry suit brands? Not sure about the cheaper made in China suits. Would rather pay more for something that would last.

[@CleanLineKayaking]

top brands to look at are NRS, IR, Kokatat, Level 6, HKO, Sandyline, Palm, Peak UK, and Sweet. Used is okay if you’re careful, but care and maintenance is important. 🤙🏻

[@johnrflinn]

Thanks! I went with Level 6 as they have a 45% off sale. @@CleanLineKayaking

[@brentwade9346]

Cold??? Can't even see your breath, Boyd! ;-)

[@adamjhughes4385]

Don't ever use a rain suit learned that the hard way lol

[@jordanb1759]

Just spend $1,000 on a dry suit. Not the option for most people. I kayak fish in calm waters. Get some cheap waders and a waterproof jacket. Wear thermals under in winter