Kayak clothing

[Jonas Staggs]

So I am wondering what most guys wear when they go out kayaking?

 

The SOT kayaks have scupper holes, so my understanding is that you will get wet anytime you use it? Since its winter and the water is cold, I would prefer to stay dry when I kayak. So i guess guys plug the skupper holes? But isnt plugging the skupper holes defeating the whole purpose/benefit of a SOT regarding flipping it and getting back in?

 

So what type of clothing/footwear are you guys wearing and are you staying dry or getting wet?

 

[moguy1973]

On my ocean kayak I use their brand of self bailing scupper plugs for the holes under my seat.  They have rubber gaskets that don't let water in, but when you are moving the pressure differential of the water moving under the kayak kind of sucks the water back out if any does end up getting in.  Can get them for about $12/pair on that A-Z selling site.  I leave the other holes open and when you paddle they will self drain.  Mind you the more weight you put in the kayak the deeper it will sit in the water and more water will come up the holes when you are sitting still.  People use plugs when they are weighed down or if the water is choppy and it's coming up through the holes and not draining.  A bailing sponge can help in those situations to keep the cockpit dry if plugs are being used.

 

I do wish my kayak seat was raised up off the floor of the kayak like some of the newer kayaks with the fancy lawnchair seats so my rear does get wet sometimes when the plugs don't drain like they should.  Not a big deal as I don't usually kayak in colder weather and when I do I wear some rain gear pants.  In the summer months I usually wear the nylon fishing pants that dry quickly and I don't really worry about getting wet.  For footwear I wear a pair of Teva water tennis shoes that I don't care if they get wet.

[Hawkeye21]

I always leave my scupper plugs in.  During the summer I wear a long sleeve sun shirt, sun pants and water proof shoes.  I also wear a baseball hat and either have a hood on my shirt or wear a neck gaiter.  Almost forgot, I will wear sun gloves as well.  I don't mess around when it comes to getting sun burnt or skin cancer.

 

When it's colder I usually just wear jeans and a sweatshirt.  Sometimes I'll where my chest waders to make sure I stay dry and so I can get in the water if need be.  I make sure to bring extra clothes to change into in case I fall in.  Try to always plan for the worse.

[Tizi]

My SOT has scupper holes that I typically leave open all year, except the ones directly under the seat those get plugged.  In the summer, I am wearing long sleeve sun-blocking shirts, pants, hat (I like the booney style), gloves, and Columbia boat shoes (all of these dry very quickly).  The winter is a totally different situation.  When it is under 50 degrees outside, I am wearing full rain gear with layering underneath (merino wool).  Warm gloves that can become fingerless and Columbia rubber boots.  Of course, I always were a life vest.  The trick is to stay warm and dry in the winter.

[Bird]

If we're talking fishing, in summer, just a pair of shorts and Keen water shoes. 

 

Winter fishing, first layer is always polypropylene then fleece. 

 

I only fish lakes in winter months and never have water intrusion. 

 

Very seldom do I kayak for recreation.....I must fish. Lol

[Dens228]

I only plug the holes under my seat.  I don't get much water in my kayak ever, maybe 1/8" around the scuppers, it flows in and out. Summer/warm I wear flip flops, water shoes, nothing once I'm in and fishing. Clothing isn't any different than if I was fishing from shore or a bass boat.  Cold water I wear knee high rubber insulated hunting boots.  I wear merino wool underlayers, thickness depends on temp and it still retains heat when wet, not that I get very wet.  Layers over that depend on the temp.  My last time out was 33 degrees, merino wool base layers, water resistant cargo pants, hooded sweatshirt with another one one over that.  Half finger wool gloves.  Oh, wool socks under the boots.  I was very comfortable.  The trick is to size the layers so you have good mobility.   

[Smalls]

I leave all my plugs in, but I have FeelFree “pop top” scuppers for the front and back. So if I get water in, it’s easy to get out. 
 

with no scupper plugs, you’ll only see minimal water inside, and usually only if the water is rough/ choppy, or you catch a boats wake. You’re not gonna see a puddle of water. 

 

If it’s cold, I wear water resistant boots, if it’s warm, I wear whatever. Or no shoes. 

[HookInMouth]

I have only kayak fished late-spring through early-fall so above 60*. 

 

I usually go in a pair of shorts or swimming trunks and a t-shirt (under my PFD) with old sneakers. I plan on buying a pair of dedicated water shoes this year. I usually plan on getting wet though. Getting in and out of the kayak, wade fishing (I'm almost 100% shallow river fishing). 

 

I've never used scupper plugs and water doesn't really come up through the scupper holes in my Kaku Voodoo. I do get wet from my paddle though. I've heard that I'm paddling wrong or using the wrong length paddle (260cm) if that happens. Might be. 

[Smalls]

1 hour ago, HookInMouth said:

 

I've never used scupper plugs and water doesn't really come up through the scupper holes in my Kaku Voodoo. I do get wet from my paddle though. I've heard that I'm paddling wrong or using the wrong length paddle (260cm) if that happens. Might be.

By design, The deck on SUPs sits up a little higher than other types of kayaks. That, and there being nowhere for water to pool, is why most don’t use plugs with em. You might get a little wetter on one, but it’s water coming over the side. 
 

My only real experience with a SUP is a Vibe Maverick, so I don’t know how high your seat sits, but a 260 should be plenty. I don’t think many companies offer a longer paddle. You’ll never eliminate paddle drip, either way. 

[HookInMouth]

39 minutes ago, Smalls said:

By design, The deck on SUPs sits up a little higher than other types of kayaks. That, and there being nowhere for water to pool, is why most don’t use plugs with em. You might get a little wetter on one, but it’s water coming over the side. 
 

My only real experience with a SUP is a Vibe Maverick, so I don’t know how high your seat sits, but a 260 should be plenty. I don’t think many companies offer a longer paddle. You’ll never eliminate paddle drip, either way. 

I believe sitting on the lower part of the seat it's about 11" off the deck and around 20" on the perch. The 260cm feels right.

 

It's funny. I don't at all think of the Voodoo as a SUP. I know it's a hybrid and I probably should. But it paddles and handles like a kayak. A really stable kayak with a big open deck and a high seat. 

[Smalls]

4 hours ago, HookInMouth said:

But it paddles and handles like a kayak. A really stable kayak with a big open deck and a high seat. 

Pretty much what everyone I’ve talked to who owns one has said about them. They look sweet. If I wasn’t too klutzy to not drop everything off the side, I might’ve looked into one of the Kaku’s. 

[kjfishman]

I have a sit in Loon 126 but still wear neoprene waders in the winter. I got lucky and got them at a garage sale for $25 like new.

[WRB]

Go to the source; Inuit Kayak clothing.

Tom

[NHBull]

Buy a pair of nylon dry bottoms  and never worry about it again.

You can find that at white-water kayak shops. They also make bibs that are even warmer

[Harold Scoggins]

I wear NRS Boundary Boots (newer model shown) and Endurance Pants in early spring when the water and air is still cold. There's plenty of room in the pants for base layers.