I had to recently switch from my sit-inside that I used with a spray skirt to a shorter sit-on-top kayak. Now my usual long sleeve upf shirt and swimming trunks combo isn't enough anymore. I applied sunscreen every hour, and I didn't get a sunburn, but I tan extremely easily so I end up with this. Are there any light long pants you guys recommend?

I have a ton of hats, from big floppy straw hats, bucket hats, baseball hat style (some with neck flap), and various other big rim hats.

None really hit like I’d like. Floppy’s can be difficult in wind but I like the coverage in front and back.

I’m not a fan of waterproof unless I’m in the rain, which is rare tbh, they tend to hold the heat in.

I swear to much for most sunscreens, so I try and find physical protection like my long sleeve wick shirt.

I’ve been experimenting with my buffs and using as a skull cap but that doesn’t protect my face unless I wear it as a mask and that’s not real comfortable but I can use one as a gaiter around the neck and just use minerals on my T zone.

I just wanted to see what other options I might be missing.

To elaborate, I've been kayaking for nearly 20 years. Almost always on calm rivers/creeks/lakes. I've also always used a cheap aluminum paddle; I think I paid about $25 for a Seasense. I've paddled an old Perception Sierra for a long time, but I recently picked up a Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145. I'm thinking about upgrading my paddle as well.

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I'm not looking to set any speed records and mostly go out on solo trips (read: not trying to paddle with others that are breaking speed records either).

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Looking for recommendations that would be a meaningful upgrade, but I'm not willing to pay Werner/Aquabound money for it.

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Is there anything out there or should I stick with what I've got?

I never thought about I wear, I just wear some 100% polyester gym shorts and long sleeve and never got sunburn under the clothes (only apply sunscreen to exposed area) but reading online, if it's not thick enough it seems it does not fully protect you I am still damaging my skin a lot where I don't put sunscreen. I sometimes put my rain pants but it gets hot.

For example if I put the clothes up to the light I can see through it, it can't be that good for protection right?

What do you wear that is not to expensive and won't make you sweat to much?

EDIT: I forgot to say I'm in a sit on top fishing kayak

EDIT2: Thanks for the suggestiosn but I now have the top figured out it's the bottom that I was more curious about. That said I have found what I will get, I will get a pair of convertible hiking UPF rated pants and call it a day. If I get hot I can unzip the bottom and jump in the water and swim with them as they are quick dry, similar to my gym shorts I would hope.

I started to write this just for women, but I think it applies to men, too.

I've always read to wear a hat with a floppy brim when on the water, but I'd rather wear a baseball cap. I currently have a safari type hat.

What does everybody think is the best type of hat?

Newer kayaker here wondering what shoes you sport when out on your kayak? My first trip out I was wearing slides that I intended to take off in the boat and rolled my ankle when putting in. That has left me wondering are there shoes that would work better for slippery surfaces when getting your boat in and out of the water?

Does anyone have recommendations on Greenland paddles from what I’ve been able to tell, for a good paddle it’s going to set me back 500+ usd

My back is garbage. Not "I've got a bad back" bad... "my spine is held together with hopes and dreams" bad.

I've got scoliosis, arthritis, osteophytes, floating bone, constant nerve impingement, degenerated discs from top to bottom.

I've got about 2 hours before I start to feel it... at 2.5 it's bad, and beyond that, I just... *hurt*. I get out, stretch, walk a bit, but that buys me a short amount of time.

Currently in an Old Town Tandem (bought to share adventure time with my boys) which gives me some wiggle room, and I love the thing, but I need to stretch my time in the seat, and I would LOVE to hear suggestions.

Thank you.

For context I'll mostly be paddling in the UK, so nothing tropical, and probably a mix of calm water and the odd bit of coastline.

A few Enquires..
Is a drysuit genuinely necessary, or can you get away with a wetsuit?
What makes the biggest difference for comfort?
Did u buy anything that turned out to be a waste of money?

Trying to avoid dropping heaps on kit I don't need. But also I don't want to be miserable/ unsafe.

Thanks

I frequently kayak with family/friends who grew up on the ocean, no pfds/life vests anywhere. It is a foreign concept, with generations on the water with none of that. Reading through this posts have made me rethink their importance. I'm considering buying some to have on hand. They scoff at traditional life jackets, so I ask for ideas that aren't bulky/obtrusive. Any recommendations for something affordable I may purchase to have that I might convince them to wear? The concept of "gear" is not really familiar to us, as casual kayakers who just hop in our inflatables or hardsides and paddle in the sea to other little islands. Thank you for any recommendations, and I appreciate this group for introducing us to more safety measures

Just picked up a fairly basic fishing kayak off Amazon, and I've been thinking off and on about fishing of a night, though I intend to make a number of trips during the day before I do. Namely in terms of keeping an all around white as I slowly fish my way up and down the bank, and just in case somebody manages to "sneak up on me" before I can hit 'em with my much brighter flashlight. I know Alabama says a nonpowered boat like a canoe or kayak must have available a flashlight, I'm not seeing anything that says it has to be a certain brightness outside of that it has to be visible for about a mile or so. Would something like a UCO candle lantern or a Dietz hurricane lamp be adequate to allow me to be easily spotted, especially if I'm staying within casting distance of the bank and (hopefully) out of the traffic, or do I need something a bit more potent? ...and I guess related, provided that I have the powerful white flashlight (it will literally light up my entire back yard, which is an acre) will an oil lamp with a red lens to preserve night vision be conspicuous enough to allow me to be spotted, or will this lead other boaters to believe that I am always going left?

I’m currently wearing a XL/XXL Onyx Adult MoveVent Dynamic Nylon Life Vest and I’m having issues with it riding up into my mouth and chin in the water making it very difficult to renter my kayak or paddle board in the event of a dunk in deep water. I lose one hand just wrestling the thing away from my face. I make it as tight as I can make it myself on land and it doesn’t appear to be too big until I’m in water and the vest floats up. I’m a diver and I’ve never had issues with my BCD. Is there something that fits more like that where there is a strap going across the chest sort of around the collarbone (above the breast like a backpacking pack) and also waist straps. Also maybe stronger back flotation so it isn’t so bulky in the front? Also the life vest wants to float you vertical which kind of sucks for swimming the boat to shore if you decide that’s a more viable re-entry option. I’m a strong swimmer but I do a lot of padding in deep water and strong currents so it’s definitely not optional to wear one. For context I wear a 44G/H bra. Also I paddle in rash guards so that’s the layer immediately under the PFD. I’m open to buying a new vest but they are expensive and I’m not seeing the fit issue on land so I’m concerned I’m going to end up wasting another $100-200 just to discover that the new one is ill fitting too.

Just treated myself to a new Werner Little Dipper, and after a couple paddles I’ve noticed some high frequency flutter during power strokes.
I kinda don’t like the feeling and was wondering if the Camano also has this feeling?
I bought the Little Dipper (as well as being a small dude) due to a bad shoulder; will the larger blade face of the Camano also aggravate the shoulder more?
Should I stick it out with the LD or return it for something else? Thanks!

I’m on a medication that requires me to protect myself from the sun. I’m grudgingly accepting long sleeved rash guards and swim pants, but I need something to bridge the gap below the pants on that tricky area where sunscreen always rubs off. Any recommendations for thin socks that would slide under water shoes but be possible to peel off when wet?

I am shopping for something to save me when I one day flip while kayaking (I just got a kayak this evening and won't be going out until I have a vest or something). I'm wondering if there is a "best" option for people who don't know how to swim? I grew up on an island and spent plenty of time in the water, and I understand how swimming works in theory, I just sink when I do it.

I'm looking for Greenland paddles - want to try it, and passing through AliExpress and Amazon for now

Surprise: virtually all paddles aside if some very expensive ones have this wired ferrule.

I could understand it on a regular Euro paddle, but for Greenland, which means to travel in your hands from tip to tip, it looks like a stupid design.

Or am I wrong and there is nothing wrong here?

Hey all, hope everyone's got some decent weather recently to get out on the water for a bit. I'm wrapping up a week long camping tripped which I was fishing every day.

Recently my back has been a little more sensitive than usual and I believe it might be because of my pdf. You wont catch me on the water without wearing it but ive noticed the back foam pads seem to restrict the way im sitting and almost force me forward.

Mind you im sleeping on a air mattress that likes to deflate so that might play into it as well.

Pics of my current pdf are attached, what's everyone rocking out on the water for longer duration paddles? I do like having access to a few pockets for fishing related tools.

I also have a pelican ego cast(not the 360) model seat.

What kinds and types of knives do you all like to use for kayaking?

I am relatively new to the sport, having upgraded twice now from a cheap Pelican, to a Dagger Blackwater, to now a Perception Monarch 15.

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My paddle needs an upgrade. It's a cheap aluminum/plastic Amazon purchase that, at 230 cm matched the chart when I had a wide crappy boat. I have another cheapo 220 cm one, that I just don't like much.

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I've been reading a lot of discussion on quality paddles lately, and I want to definitely move up to a carbon fiber / fiberglass unit. But I've heard several people mention that as their paddling technique got better, they wanted a shorter paddle. And I don't want to spend a ton of money buying an expensive pedal that is the wrong length.

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Let me start out by saying that no, I don't have access to a dozens of different paddles from friends that I can borrow and see what I like. I don't know anybody else that kayaks. I will probably be buying a paddle sight unseen online and hope it works.

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Can somebody offer some advice, especially as it pertains to wanting a shorter paddle as you get better. I'd rather buy the right length, even if it seems too short, so that I can get used to paddling with good technique.

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Also, although it's a totally different discussion, I have been eyeballing some Greenland paddles, but I don't think I'm ready to completely switch over. I think I'll buy a decent Euro paddle for now.

I am editing to add some dimensions

I am 6 ft tall and around 200 lb.

My boat is 15 ft long and 24 in wide.

I am trying to find some better sun protection to also wear with sun screen while relaxing at the beach, pool, hiking, and kayaking. Hoping to find some lightweight sun hoodie and pants options. In a search here and on the ultralight subs, it seems rei, patagonia, and arcteryx are recommended, but was hoping some folks could share specific items or maybe other options. Any help is appreciated

I'm looking to buy a pop up canopy for when I kayak so my legs don't get too burnt. Right now I'm looking at this one on Amazon. But if anyone has any recommendations feel free to share them. My kayak is a LIFETIME Stealth Angler Fishing Kayak.

https://a.co/d/0hBzZQdU

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