Durable Water Repellent for your Kayaking Clothes

When the warm months are over you can keep paddling if you are well protected from the elements. One of the key factors in staying happy and warm is to keep dry. This can be difficult especially if you live in a wet and cold fall/winter climate like I do.

It is important to have the right cold weather paddling clothes and once you have them you can use a Durable Water Repellent such as ReviveX in order to keep any water from leaking through.

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is used by technical clothing manufacturers in order to waterproof breathable outerwear such as:

• drysuits
• drytops
• splash wear
• rain gear
• ski and snowboarding jackets
• and all other wet and winter sports wear

What is Durable Water Repellent

• Durable Water Repellent is made up of chemical substances that bond with the individual fibers in the threads of the fabric.
• The chemical properties prevent water from soaking into the threads. The water will instead ‘bead up’ and roll off the fabric.
• In turn this keeps the spaces between the threads open and allows moisture from your body to escape more easily through the waterproof coating.

Although this type of water repellent works really well it does not last forever. Over time dirt, oil and abrasion will wear it down and possibly mask it.

When that happens the water will no longer bead up. Instead it will soak into the fibers and interfere with the breathability.

How to Use DWR

For paddling gear and clothing made from neoprene it is recommended to use a Durable Water Repellent spray that does not need heat in order to activate it. For an air dry water repellent spray follow the instructions below.

1. Machine wash garment: Close all zippers and Wash garment in warm water without detergent. If garment is heavily soiled, wash with detergent and rinse twice.
2. Spray: Place the garment on a hanger. Shake bottle well. Hold 6”-12” from garment and spray exterior of garment.
3. Allow to air dry.

What to do when your DWR wears off

If you suspect that your DWR treatment has worn off there are a few things you can do to get it back on and working again.

1. Clean the clothing garment with warm water thoroughly. Avoid detergents as these will interfere with DWR performance. If it is dirt that is masking the DWR, this will likely solve the problem and reactivate the water repellency.
2. Once your garment is dry again spray a little bit of water on it and watch to see if the water beads up. If not go to step 3.
3. Reapply the DWR treatment to the garment. Spray until evenly wet and follow the instructions on the bottle.

What Type of DWR to Use

Many DWR products require heat in order to activate it. For example they will require you to heat the garment in a clothes dryer after you have sprayed it on in order to set it.

However with most paddling gear that is made of neoprene or latex, heat is a very bad idea. Therefore for kayaking gear you should look for a Durable Water Repellent such as ReviveX Air Dry Water Repellent Spray that does not require heat in order to active it.

For more paddling tips see our Kayaking Tips & Advice Section.

Advantages of Neoprene Clothing for Kayaking

Layering for cold weather paddling is always a bit of a challenge. Figuring out the right kayaking clothing to wear takes some consideration.

The air temperature will likely be a lot warmer than the water temperature. Dressing for the air temperature is one thing but what if your kayak should capsize? You will lose your body heat twenty-five times faster in water than in the air.

Before you dress for your kayaking trip make sure to consider the air temperature, the wind as well as the water temperature.

One of the more popular choices for cold weather clothing for kayakers is neoprene.

Facts about Neoprene

• Neoprene is one of the best insulation materials, especially when it is wet.

• Kayaking clothes made of neoprene are usually 3mm thick. The thickness will determine the amount of insulation. Too thick means extra insulation but it is not comfortable. 3mm is a good amount of thickness for ease of movement as well as for good insulation.

• When wearing neoprene clothing the thin layer of water between the neoprene and the body is heated by your body warmth and stays there without being replaced by cold water.

• You will not normally find kayakers wearing one-piece neoprene suits. This is because their mobility will be restricted and the ventilation will be poor.

• If you wear neoprene clothing for insulation you will want to then layer on top with either fleece or wool – not cotton, for extra warmth.

• Neoprene is very durable. It tends to be one of the longer lasting insulation type of materials for clothing.

• Neoprene tends to be quite economical. It is possible to get neoprene kayaking clothes for an affordable price.

Types of Neoprene Clothing

Types of neoprene clothes for kayaking are:

• Wetsuits – usually consists of pants and attached bib – no arms
• Shorts
• Gloves
• Footwear – wet shoes and wet boots
• Wetsocks
• Long sleeve tops
• Short sleeve tops
• Vests
• Helmet and head liner

Where to Find Neoprene Clothing

Just about any kayak shop will sell neoprene clothing. See our list of kayaking online retailers for a list of kayak shops.

Gift Guide for the Kayak Enthusiast

If you are looking for the perfect gift for the kayak enthusiast or if you are simply looking to spoil yourself over the holidays I have compiled a list of great kayak accessories that any kayaker would love.

Many of the below items I own myself and love and some of them are on my own special wish list. They are categorized by price so there is something to fit everyone’s budget.

Gifts for Under $15

• Kayak Ornaments – These are a really cute idea for the person who has everything. They are very inexpensive and can be hung from a tree, from a mirror or from anywhere you choose. There are some really cute ornaments that would make any kayaker smile.

• Dry Bag – If you kayak and you want to bring any type of gear along with you for the ride you will need a dry bag. Dry bags can vary in price depending on what size they are.

• Nose Plugs – These are great for whitewater kayakers who have a habit of taking on some big water and doing lots of rolls.

• Ear Plugs – Same as above, great for whitewater kayaking to avoid water getting in your ears.

• Wetsuit and Drysuit Shampoo – If your kayaking friend uses a wetsuit or a drysuit they will need shampoo to clean it. This tends to be very inexpensive and to last a long time.

• Gear Deodorizer – This is great for getting rid of odors that aren’t easily washed away.

• UV Inflatable Boat Protectant – If you use an inflatable kayak, canoe or boat then you will need some UV protectant to help preserve the quality and life of the material.

• Boat Sponge – An excellent tool for soaking up extra water which really helps with comfort.

• Kayaking Books – There are so many good ones to choose from that talk about everything and anything to do with kayaking.

Gifts from $15 – $30

• Kayaking DVD – Always inspiring to watch.

• Waterproof cell phone case or camera case

• Kayaking Gloves – A must for all season kayakers, whitewater kayakers and from those who suffer from blisters.

• Wetsocks – Will protect your feet in cooler weather

Gifts for $30 – $50

• Kayaking Survival Kit – Hopefully you will only ever need one of these

• Waterproof Cooler – This is a fantastic idea for those who like to bring food along for the ride.

• Rescue Throw Bag

• Water Shoes

• Performance Shirts

Gifts over $50

• H2O Waterproof Headphones – Bring the tunes along with you

• Hydroskin Shirt

• Waterproof Jacket

• Paddle Bag – Protects the paddles and great for traveling

• Drysuit or Wetsuit

• New Paddle

Now for those who really want to splurge… you can never go wrong with a new kayak!

To find the best shops to purchase these gifts see our list of popular kayaking online retailers.

Paddling Gear – Where to Go & What to Get

If you have a kayak or a canoe you may want to suit up with proper paddling gear.

Over the course of several years of buying different kayaking equipment and apparel I have narrowed down my shopping to a few favorite online stores as well as a few favorite apparel items and accessories that I don’t like to be without.

Where to Shop

Except for the odd time that I might find a really good sale in a kayak shop in my hometown, I almost exclusively shop for paddling gear online.

There are a couple of specific websites that I tend to gravitate to for my kayaking gear. They are:

• NRSWeb.com – I really like NRS because they have it all. They are one of the original inflatable kayak manufacturers and offer everything from kayaks to every paddling apparel item and accessory you can think of.
  
  I have a fair amount of NRS gear and I know that if there is something I need to enhance my kayaking experience… they will usually have it. I have never once had any type of problem with anything I have purchased from their online store. They are a great place to shop for paddling gear and accessories.

• Amazon.com – Who doesn’t shop at Amazon? After I have decided on something that I want to buy I will normally do a search for it at Amazon to see if they have it as well. Amazon is known for having some great deals and for carrying just about every item imaginable.
  
  If I can’t get a better deal at Amazon I will usually take my service to NRS but if I can I am always happy to save a buck or two. Just remember if you are shopping at Amazon to check out the shipping rates before you buy. I sometimes think the item is cheaper on Amazon until I factor in the shipping costs and realize it is going to end up costing me more. Still, they are always worth checking out.

There are lots of other paddling stores of course and you may have one or two that you favor. For myself I may stray every now and again but for the most part I have found these two websites to meet just about all of my kayaking gear and apparel needs.

To view a more complete list of where to buy paddling gear please see our Kayak Retailers page.

What to Buy

As far as what type of paddling gear you need is really up to you. Some items are not completely necessary but will certainly enhance your paddling experience and keep you comfortable and happy.

Below are some paddling gear and accessories that I personally use on a regular basis:

• PFD
• Water Shoes
• Water Socks (for colder weather)
• Paddling Gloves
• HydroSkin Shirts
• Hat
• Bilge Pump
• Boat Sponge
• Paddle Bag
• Waterproof Camera
• Paddle Grips
• Dry Bag
• Helmet – only necessary for whitewater paddling

If you would like to view some of our own kayak gear reviews and information please see our Kayak Gear page.

Using a Kayak Skeg

Whether your kayak is an inflatable kayak or a hard-shell kayak it will likely have the option for either a rudder or a skeg. A rudder is used for steering but a skeg is simply used to help keep your kayak straight with minimal effort.

There are other specifics that are also important to know so that you get the optimum performance from your kayak. Below we will describe important facts to know about using a kayak skeg. Read more

NRS HydroSkin Shirts

These HydroSkin shirts are the perfect mid-layer for all kayaking expeditions. It can be worn alone on semi-cool days and will provide a fair amount of warmth. Or it can be a fantastic mid-layer in between a thermal inner layer and a windproof outer shell in colder weather.

You can’t go wrong with this shirt… it is comfortable, warm, moisture wicking and looks fantastic.

Available At: – NRSweb.com

• Men’s NRS HydroSkin Shirt
• Women’s NRS HydroSkin Shirt

Product Features:

• 0.5 mm Terraprene – stretches easily and keeps you warm
• ThermalPlush inner lining – repels moisture and dries quickly
• 4-way stretch PowerSpan outer layer – easy movement
• Lycra underarms
• Titanium laminate adhesive helps with body heat retention
• DWR coating forces water to bead and roll off the material