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Subject Topic: Wet suit or dry suit for Kayaking? Post Reply Post New Topic
Personlattytatty
via mobile 22/12/2019 at 9:16pm
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Good evening. I usually visit the caravaning and camping abroad section but feel my query relates more to this section. As a family, we have recently taken up Kayaking. So far, we have been fair weather kayakers as we don't have the right kit for colder weather and waters. We're currently unsure of what to buy, and whether a wet suit or a dry suit would be best for us. Before we take the plunge (excuse the pun!), which suit do you prefer for kayaking - wet or dry? We have two hard single sit on top kayaks and one inflatable kayak so don't tend to get too wet as we stick to lakes or rivers (not white water ... yet!). Many thanks for any advice.


Persongedsjeep
22/12/2019 at 10:37pm
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without stating the obvious....



it depends on if you want to get wet or stay dry.?

last time i wore a dry suit we were playing in south georgia, and it was still bloody cold.


Personmarg6
23/12/2019 at 4:30am
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we don't use either of them, just normal clothes, ie in my case lightweight layers of t shirts and quick drying leggings, like you we tend to only do rivers and canal kayaking, only once doing a grade 3-4 section on the river dee ( wasn't intentional) I find that and then the life jacket more than warm enough, we do carry a spare set of clothes in a wet bag tho just I case one of us ends up in the water, footwear is mainly crocs. the only time we have seen anyone wearing wet suits has been the paddleboarders on the river dee, I guess they have a tendancy to get wet more than we do, we have 2 inflatable kayaks and have covred many many miles on the water, we don't use them in the sea tho and doubt we ever would as the risk of being taken out is too great


Personlattytatty
via mobile 23/12/2019 at 9:20pm
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Thanks Marg6. Funny, I hadn't even considered not needing either!!
Maybe we've been summer season kayakers only for no reason!


Personnavver
24/12/2019 at 7:12pm
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Not kayaked but sail a dinghy in winter so have dry suit and wet suit.
Dry suit keeps you warm when out of the water as well as in but if you do anything too strenuous you will get hot.

A wet suit doesnt keep you warm out of the water and you need an extra layer for warmth.

Having capsized and recovered, a dry suit will keep you warm. A wet suit will tend to get cold.

So a wet suit is fine if you stay in the water but not so good out of it.

You can get a 2 piece dry suit, top and trousers. Also get a front zip so you can put it on without help.

A dry suit is only warm if you have a warm layer underneath. A teddy bear suit (fleece) is ideal.


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PersonGCMS2012
25/12/2019 at 8:23pm
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I took up (sea) kayak fishing earlier this year, and I'm currently saving for a dry suit...

I've read loads of advice and info since - dry Vs wet suit, and I'm sticking with going for a dry suit - with the CORRECT clothing underneath...

I've learned there's a saying that 'cotton kills!'...

You need to wear the correct 'base layers' under a dry suit as your normal cotton type thermals can make you sweat, not wick away the sweat, thus inducing hypothermia...

Another thing I was told is, dress for the water - NOT the weather....!



-------------
Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


PersonKelper
07/2/2020 at 1:00am
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As we always kayak in summer lakes, rivers, and copastal waters on the continent, we've never used anything but normal day lightweight hking type clothing.

However, if winter of cool weather, and coastal kayaking, then either wet or dry suits are a very good idea ...


This is a good guide


Personlattytatty
via mobile 07/2/2020 at 10:38pm
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Great article Kelper, thank you!



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