If you’re planning on kayaking this summer, you’re probably wondering what to wear and what kayaking gear you need to pack. Kayaking clothes are pretty similar to hiking clothes; you want to wear comfortable, quick-drying gear that protects you from the sun and really wet conditions.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, I spend my summers finding the nearest body of water for kayaking and SUP. This blog shares my go-to clothing for women kayakers, plus all the essential summer kayaking gear.
Quick links:
- Life jacket: Women’s Mustang Survival Moxie PFD
- Shirts for kayaking: REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt | REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve Shirt
- Bottoms: Patagonia Baggies | REI Co-op Trailmade Shorts
- Shoes for kayaking: Teva Universal Sandals
- Kayaking gear: REI Co-op Sahara Guide Hat | 13-liter dry bag | Quick-drying towel
>> Nature takes care of us, let’s return the favor. Practice Leave No Trace on your next kayaking adventure.
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What To Wear for Kayaking in the Summer
Table of Contents
What To Wear for Summer Kayaking
When it comes to what to wear for kayaking in hot weather, here are some tips to keep you safe and comfortable while paddling.
Always wear a personal flotation device (PDF). A PDF, or life jacket, is essential and, in some places, such as Arizona, is required by law. You can rent life jackets from a local shop, or if you plan on kayaking a lot, it’s worth investing in your own.
Dress for sun protection. If you’re kayaking in warm weather, prioritizing sun protection is essential, even on cloudy days! From sunscreen to UPF clothing, sun hats, and sunglasses, protecting your skin from the sun will ensure you enjoy your time on the water.
Avoid wearing cotton. When cotton gets wet, it stays wet. And when you’re kayaking, it’s guaranteed you are going to get wet. I suggest wearing quick dry fabrics like nylon or polyester. Wool is also a good choice, but it takes a bit longer to dry.
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Kayaking Clothing for Women
Kayaking clothing for women is pretty straightforward: prioritize comfort and sun protection. Oh, and you want to wear something you’ll be okay with getting wet! I always dress in layers for kayaking. Here’s a look at what I suggest women wear kayaking in the summer.
Baselayer for Kayaking
Starting with the base of your outfit, you have two choices: a swimsuit or a quick-drying sports bra. I usually like to dunk in the river after my kayak trip, so I typically wear a swimsuit under my clothes.
Shirts for Kayaking
When picking out a shirt to wear for kayaking, I avoid cotton because when it gets wet, it stays wet, and the friction hurts. I opt for moisture-wicking, quick-drying shirts, and bonus points if the fabric is UPF-rated!
My favorite UPF-rated shirts are the same shirts I wear while hiking.
A budget-friendly, quick-dry summer shirt for women is the REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt. It’s comfortable, flattering, lightweight, and has UPF 50. I usually wear this shirt hiking, but it is fantastic for sun protection on the water when kayaking or SUP.
The REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie is my top choice for outdoor summer shirts. Its lightweight design, UPF 50+ protection, and generous hood offer all the sun protection I need on the water. I love the classic design and the new straight hem design!
Another favorite long-sleeve summer shirt to paddle in is the REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve Shirt. With a button-up design and breathable back panel, it’s perfect for staying cool and comfortable in the heat. The added pockets are nice for keeping small essentials close at hand. I prefer sizing up to a large for a looser fit.
Shorts for Kayaking
When it comes to picking bottoms to wear while kayaking, I usually wear lightweight, quick-dry shorts. You could wear board shorts or your favorite hiking shorts. Whatever you wear, just make sure it’s comfortable enough to sit in for a couple of hours.
Patagonia Baggies are a classic go-to short for kayaking. They are quick-drying, lightweight, and comfortable enough for all-day wear. Plus, they are super versatile! If you aren’t wearing them kayaking, I guarantee you’ll wear them hiking, camping, and casually. They come in a 5” inseam or a 2.5” inseam.
Another great option is the REI Co-op Trailmade Shorts. They are perfect for warm and sunny days on the water. They are super comfy, quick-drying, and have a total of six pockets.
Water Shoes for Kayaking
Water shoes are a great choice for kayaking, as you’ll eventually need to step out of your kayak to get off the water. I’m always finding broken glass bottles in my favorite places to kayak, so I never go barefoot.
If you don’t want to purchase water shoes or sandals, you can wear an old pair of tennis shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.
My favorite water shoes for kayaking are from Teva! I’ve been wearing Teva for years and rotate between my 10-year-old Teva Universal Sandals and the Teva Hurricane XLT3 Sandals.
What To Pack for Kayaking
Life jacket, always. The most important thing to pack for kayaking is a life jacket, or personal flotation device (PDF). Not only does it keep you safe on the water, but in some places, it’s required by law. I’ve been wearing the Mustang Survival Moxie PFD for women for a couple of years and love it.
If you’re looking for a guide on how to choose a life jacket, this guide by REI helps you decide which one is best for your needs.
Dry bag. If you’re planning to bring your phone, car keys, a camera, or anything else you don’t want to get wet or lose in the water, I highly recommend packing a dry bag. I’ve been using this 13-liter dry bag for years, and use a carabiner to attach it to my kayak.
Sun hat. As you can see from all my photos, I always wear a hat while kayaking. I highly recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap. After losing a baseball cap in the water, I prioritize hats with a chin strap. I love the Outdoor Research Mojave II Sun Hat and my REI Co-op Sahara Guide Hat.
Sunglasses. When sunlight reflects off the water and directly into your eyes, you’ll want to wear a pair of sunglasses! I prefer polarized sunglasses to protect my eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, and if they are pricey or my favorites, I like to pair them with a pair of glasses retainers. Here are some standard retainers, and a pair that floats.
Sunscreen. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, I’m always prioritizing sun protection. Be sure to pack a bottle of sunscreen on your kayaking trip, and reapply every hour. Don’t forget the tops of your feet and the backs of your hands!
Drinking water. Kayaking can be physically demanding, especially if it’s hot and sunny. I follow the general rule for drinking water while hiking: one liter of water per hour.
Snacks. Promise me, you’ll get hungry on the water! Pack your favorite snacks, like granola bars or fresh fruit, and as always, be sure to pack out your trash. Even your fruit scraps!
Quick-drying towel. You might want to pack a lightweight, quick-drying towel for your kayaking trip. You could keep it in a dry bag, sit on it to make your kayak chair a bit more comfortable, or sometimes kayaks come with a built-in dry storage hole.
A change of dry clothes. For the drive home, I like to keep a pair of dry clothes in the car! And if I know it’s going to be a particularly long and hot kayak trip, we like to also like to pack a cooler with cold drinks.
My Kayak + Kayak Rack
My old next-door neighbor gifted my husband and me his old kayaks over ten years ago! We’ve taken them all over Arizona (here’s a look at our favorite places to kayak in Arizona), and even to California!
Our kayaks are nothing special, but they get the job done. We’ve been kayaking on 8-foot Sun Dolphin kayaks for years, and they’ve held up great. If you’re shopping for your own, be sure to check out second-hand retailers like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
To transport our kayaks, we use the Thule Compass 4-in-1 Kayak/SUP Rack on our Toyota RAV4. They are easy to use, and even though it’s an investment, we like the reassurance that we won’t lose a kayak on the freeway.
Final Notes on What To Wear For Summer Kayaking
The best advice I can give when picking an outfit for a warm-weather kayak trip is to dress for comfort and sun protection. While you can paddle in only your swimsuit, you might end up looking like a lobster the next day. I’m super sensitive to the sun, so I’ll always kayak in UPF-rated clothing, wear a wide-brimmed sun hat, and pack plenty of water.
Here’s a final look at my most-used kayaking clothing and gear:
- Life jacket: Women’s Mustang Survival Moxie PFD
- Shirts for kayaking: REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt | REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve Shirt
- Bottoms: Patagonia Baggies | REI Co-op Trailmade Shorts
- Shoes for kayaking: Teva Universal Sandals
- Kayaking gear: REI Co-op Sahara Guide Hat | 13-liter dry bag | Quick-drying towel
Have fun on the water!
