How to Dress for Cold Weather Paddling: by Kokatat Ambassador Kim Russell

Winter is upon us, and it’s time again to re-learn how to dress for cold-weather paddling. Dress for the water temperature (unless the air temperature is colder than the water – in this case, dress for the air temp). By assuming this “dress code,” if you take a swim in really cold water, you are ready for it and are far less likely to find yourself hypothermic afterward.

I suggest wearing an InnerCore and OuterCore layer underneath a GORE-TEX® dry suit for the coldest of days. The InnerCore is a thin layer that moves moisture away from your body. It keeps your skin dry and decreases evaporative heat loss. The OuterCore is a thicker insulation layer. OuterCore is available as long sleeve or short sleeve shirts, pants, or liners. They keep you warm, and transfers moisture to the protective outer shell (dry suit).

Dry suits act like a shell, and provide a barrier between those insulative layers and the elements. They keep your insulation dry, so you stay warm. While dry suits are expensive, they keep you completely DRY and are worth every penny.

Kokatat’s GORE-TEX® Meridian dry suit is my gear of choice on the water. I am often out paddling in very cold temperatures, and find myself on the river when swimming is not an option, which is why it is important to me to have a suit I can rely on to keep me dry. My Meridian dry suit is lightweight, breathable, and still keeps me dry after a season of full use. In fact, it keeps me so dry that I can wear the same layers I wore on the river home. If you are having a hard time staying warm, and have never tried a dry suit, beg, steal or borrow one and you’ll be amazed.

In addition to keeping your torso and legs warm, it’s important to pay attention to your head, hands, and feet. Upon exposure to the cold, your body shunts blood from your extremities to your core in order to conserve heat and protect core body temperature. This is good news for your core, but bad news for your head, hands, and feet.

Head and Hands:

 A Surfskin Skullcap is often worn under your helmet. It protects your ears from the cold and keeps your head a lot warmer. Neoprene Gloves are great to keep you hands warm and toasty. The gloves come in different thicknesses to match temperature and personal preference. Pogies are great if you dislike having neoprene between your hands and the paddle.

For your Feet:

If you’re wearing a dry suit, chances are you’ve got a pair of wool socks underneath those GORE-TEX® socks. Wool keeps you warm, and isn’t so thick it restricts blood flow once crammed in a shoe and your GORE-TEX® socks. Be wary of wearing too thick a pair of socks, or more than one. The booties or shoes you choose to wear over them may end up feeling very tight and restrict blood flow making your feet even colder. Once you’ve got your socks, throw on a pair of Neoprene booties or shoes that you can comfortably fit in your boat and you’re ready to rock! Stay warm out there! – Kim Russell