IMPORTANT DON'TS

            Don't wear clothing that you don't want to get wet or dirty. In the rain, don't wear a billowing poncho or hip boots, because they will interfere with your ability to survive if you have to swim. Hoop-type earrings are a no-no, because they are likely to get caught on overhanging branches and take part of your ear with them as they sink to the bottom. Loose necklaces also get caught and broken. Cold, wet fingers shrink, and slightly loose rings fall off. Slip-on type foot wear usually slips off leaving you barefoot at the take-out where you will probably find broken glass to cut your feet. Blue jeans are a poor choice for cool weather paddling, because when they are wet they act like an evaporative cooler, cooling the body more quickly than bare skin.

GENERAL

            The most important factor in deciding what to wear is the weather. On a pleasant summer day in the Pinelands of Southern New Jersey, a swim suit and sneakers are just fine. Lightweight slacks or shorts, and shirts or blouses with a sweater or light jacket are OK in cooler weather. In the rain, a rain jacket and pants are needed, and you'll like having a rain hat. Because there is a risk of getting wet when paddling, wool garments have been the favorite of paddlers in chilly weather because they retain more of their insulating properties when wet than cotton does. In recent years, synthetic fibers have been developed that are better insulators when wet than wool and dry more quickly. Thus, various forms of polypropylene and pile have become popular with paddlers.
            For camping you should have a lightweight jacket or sweater and pants for cool evenings and in the morning. "Sweats" and/or Polartec pile are popular because they can be put on and removed quickly as the weather requires.

KAYAK & COVERED CANOE PADDLERS

            Closed boaters should keep in mind that they are closer to the water than open boaters and are more likely to get wet!

FOOTWEAR

            Barefoot paddlers always bleed into the water. WEAR SOMETHING because all of the rivers we paddle are visited by others who have left their broken bottles for your bare feet to discover. Old sneakers are OK, but cold, if the water is chilly. Neoprene booties, available from diving or surfing shops, worn as socks with larger cheap sneakers are good. Many people like the Maine Guide-type boots, which have a flexible rubber bottom and a leather upper, because they keep your feet dry - unless you step in water too deep or wade too long. Best, and most expensive, are the wet suit boots with vulcanized soles, designed for paddlers and sold through catalogs and by the better canoe, kayak and accessories dealers.

COLD WEATHER WHITEWATER WEAR

            If the air temperature is below 50°, ALL paddlers have to take some special precautions because the risk of hypothermia is much greater than with other outdoor activities. (Hypothermia is the reduction of body temperature, due to the loss of heat more quickly than the body can replace it.) Whitewater paddling is an early spring sport; the water is freshly melted snow that's COLD!, and whitewater paddlers should expect to get wet often.
            The least expensive hand protection for cold weather is a pair of wool gloves under rubber dish washer's gloves. Better are neoprene gloves or mittens from dive shops, or "poggies", which cover your hands and the paddle together.
            On your feet, neoprene booties with wool or polypropylene socks are usually OK. In very cold weather, you may find that plastic bags between the socks and booties may keep your feet dry and warmer. Don't wear stiff rubber boots or fishing waders. If you capsize, they can jam in the boat and make swimming difficult.
            When the sum of the air temperature and the water temperature is less than 100°, a wet suit or a dry suit is essential. They are also a good idea anytime the water temperature is below your personal comfort level. Their protection will reduce your fears and help you enjoy cold water paddling. Wet suits work by letting your body warm a thin layer of water then slowing its replacement with cold water. You stay wet, but warm. Wet suits come in different thicknesses. Avoid the thick ones, over ³/16", which are for divers and make you feel like a gorilla.
            Dry suits work by keeping you completely dry. You can wear whatever warm clothing you like under the dry suit. Dry suits are made of durable waterproof materials and have latex seals at the neck, wrists and ankles to keep out all the water.
            Don't go out and buy a wet suit or a dry suit for your first whitewater trip, rent one first. If you find that you enjoy whitewater, talk to your fellow paddlers about what to buy.

Last updated: January, 2000