On a trip, comfort and safety start with what you have on. It is not about the outfit that looks best in photos, but about clothing that dries quickly, protects you from the sun and doesn't chill you when you end up in the water. The most important rule is simple: dress for the temperature of the water, not the air.
Why the water temperature matters, not the air
On a warm, sunny day it is easy to dress "for the weather" and forget that the water is often much colder than the air – in spring or autumn by as much as a dozen or more degrees. If you capsize, what will decide how you feel, and sometimes your safety, is not the temperature on the bank but the temperature of the water you find yourself in. Cold water draws heat away far faster than air and can lead to hypothermia. So start choosing your clothing from the question: how cold is the water?
The layering principle: dress in layers
Instead of one thick item, layers that are easy to take off or add work better. The first layer, next to the skin, should wick moisture away and dry quickly; the second keeps you warm; the third protects from wind and water. In summer a base layer and something for the sun are often enough, but even then it is worth keeping a warm layer in a dry bag in case the weather turns or you stop for a longer break.
Cotton on the water? Better not
A cotton T-shirt or jeans stay wet, heavy and cold for a long time once soaked – instead of keeping you warm, they chill you. On the water, quick-drying materials work better: synthetics such as polyester and stretchy sports fabrics, or merino wool, which keeps you warm even when damp. The same rule applies to socks and underwear.
What to put on your feet
On a trip your feet almost always get wet – getting in, launching and at portages – and the bank can be rocky, muddy or slippery. That is why shoes that hold onto your foot and protect your toes work better than flip-flops: neoprene footwear, lightweight water shoes or trekking sandals with a fastening. The important thing is that they don't come off while you wade and that you can safely step out onto an unfamiliar bank in them.
Protection from the sun
On the water the sun is stronger, because there is also the reflection off the surface – it is easy to burn even in moderate heat. A cap or hat, sunglasses (ideally with a strap, so they don't sink if you capsize), sunscreen and a breathable long-sleeved shirt, which protects your arms and neck better than another coat of cream, all come in handy.
Cold water, early spring and autumn
Outside high summer, when the water is really cold, a quick-drying shirt alone is not enough. In such conditions kayakers put on a neoprene wetsuit, and in very low temperatures a dry suit, which lets no water through. This is not overkill: in cold water even a short dip after a capsize can quickly sap your strength. If you don't have a wetsuit and the water is icy, it is more sensible to put the trip off until a warmer day.
The buoyancy aid – always on you
The single most important piece of gear is the buoyancy aid, or life vest. It helps only when it is on and done up, not when it is lying in the bottom of the kayak. It should be matched to your weight and fitted well, so it doesn't ride up under your chin. Treat it like a seatbelt in a car: you put it on at the start and take it off after you step ashore. You'll find more about the rules on the water in the guide to safety on a trip.
Spare clothes in a dry bag
Even the best-chosen outfit is worth backing up with a change of clothes: a dry shirt, a warm layer and socks, packed in a waterproof bag. After an accidental dip or a spell of rain, a dry change can save the rest of the day. What else to take, I describe in the guide on what to pack for a trip.
In short: how to dress in summer, and how in early spring
Warm summer and warm water: a quick-drying shirt (ideally long-sleeved for the sun), shorts or sports leggings, water shoes, a cap, sunglasses with a strap, a buoyancy aid and a dry change in a bag. Cooler season and cold water: add a neoprene wetsuit or a dry suit, a warm layer of merino wool or fleece, and a hat, for warmth too. In every version the rule is the same – you dress for the water you might end up in.