The Best Kayaking Wetsuits

Kayaking allows us to enjoy nature in a unique way. The freedom of making your way through the sea, fighting against the waves and the wind, admiring the natural landscapes … These incredible sensations get us hooked on this activity, and make us love the sea as well as the elements.

However, natural elements can be our enemies if we don’t protect ourselves properly. Long sun exposure, strong wind, and cold water can pose a serious risk to our health. In the worst-case scenario, we could even get hypothermia, which is something that we certainly want to avoid. You must wear a high-quality kayak wetsuit to avoid sunburn and cold-related problems.

In this article, I’m going to talk about materials, thicknesses, designs, sizes, and other important characteristics of wetsuits. In addition, I’ll review the best models of the year so that you can find the one that suits your needs.

Take a look at other articles to find the best ocean kayaks, SOT kayaks, inflatable SUPs, and SUP paddles.

THE BEST KAYAK WETSUITS

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O’NEILL REACTOR II 3/2

The O’Neill Reactor is one of the best suits for kayaking in moderate to cold weather. It’s 3 mm thick around the torso and 2 mm in the arms and legs, providing greater flexibility and range of movement.

It features knee pads made of nylon and spandex, which increase protection and durability. The Smoothskin outer layer is wind-resistant, which provides extra protection against the cold. Best of all, it comes at a great price.

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O’NEILL REACTOR II SHORTY

Similar to the previous model, but in a shorter and thinner version, the O’Neill Reactor Shorty is better suited for slightly warmer conditions.

The back zipper is really easy to use and includes a safety closure so that it won’t accidentally open in the middle of the activity. This suit is made with ultra-stretch neoprene that is soft to the touch, and flatlock seams that keep out much of the water while avoiding irritation.

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NEOSPORT WATERMAN JOHN

Built with premium quality neoprene, reinforced knees, and flatlock seams, the Neosport Waterman John is designed for activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking in cold weather. Some people might wonder: Am I going to feel warm in a sleeveless suit? The answer is yes. In fact, many kayakers prefer these types of suits.

The advantage is that you can add extra layers, such as neoprene jackets or hoods, if you need to increase the thermal protection. Then, you can remove them if the temperature rises. Also, these wetsuits allow for greater freedom of movement while you are paddling.

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O’NEILL O’RIGINAL JOHN SLEEVELESS

The O’Neill O’Riginal is specially designed for water sports in warmer conditions. The 2 mm neoprene on the torso area keeps your body isolated, while the 1.5 mm Fluidex on the legs provides great flexibility and comfort.

Thanks to its sleeveless design, this suit offers the freedom of movement that you need while paddling. Please keep in mind that due to its thinness, it’s not recommended for very cold weather.

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HENDERSON THERMOPRENE

The Henderson Thermoprene is ideal for those seeking maximum comfort. This suit is made with thermoprene, a type of neoprene that is 75% more stretchy than standard neoprene. Not only is it really comfortable to wear but it’s also easy to put on and take off thanks to the front zipper.

Also, the suit’s design keeps out water, which improves thermal insulation. This model features glued blind-stitched seams as well as an abrasion-resistant outer layer that ensures durability. It can be worn with extra layers when the temperatures drop.

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LAVACORE FULL SUIT

The Lavacore kayak suit is built with three layers. The flexible outer layer is water repellent, preventing cold water from getting through the fabric. The middle layer is breathable but highly windproof, improving sweat-wicking and reducing that annoying feeling of cold due to the sea breeze.

The inner layer is an antibacterial fleece that reduces odor and kills bacteria. Another great advantage: Although it provides the same thermal protection as 3 mm neoprene, it’s thinner and lighter. In addition, its packs quite small, making it an excellent option for kayakers who like to travel.

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STOHLQUIST STORM JOHN

The Stohlquist Storm John is a sleeveless long suit that provides great leg and torso thermal protection while allowing for maximum arm movement. It features SupraTex reinforcements on the knees and rear for greater abrasion resistance and durability. It also has a helpful front zipper for easy donning and doffing.

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CRESSI LIDO

The Cressi Lido is a shorty wetsuit, popular for water sports such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and others. This model has a very comfortable fit (almost like a second skin), double-layer neoprene for extra insulation, and YKK zippers for extra durability. Another advantage is that it’s very reasonably priced.

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NEOSPORT JOHN

The Neosport John stands out as a really comfortable-to-wear sleeveless suit. Unlike other models on the list, it doesn’t have zippers. Instead, it uses Velcro closures on the shoulders. Overall, it’s a fantastic option for kayaking in moderate or cold weather, as the 3 mm neoprene provides good insulation. For very cold weather, you can wear an extra jacket compatible with the suit.

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CRESSI RASHGUARD

Keep in mind that this is not a wetsuit. Rather, it’s a rashguard, which is perfect for practicing water sports in warm or tropical weather.

This model protects you from damaging UV rays, provides light thermal protection, and also works as a windbreaker. It’s so thin and stretchy that you’ll forget you’re wearing it. However, the thermal insulation it provides is not sufficient for cold weather.

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HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR KAYAKING SUIT

PROTECTION

Kayak suits protect you from cold conditions, UV rays, and abrasion. Thermal protection is achieved thanks to thousands of tiny air bubbles inside the neoprene. Because it’s a wet suit, the neoprene gets wet and lets in a thin layer of water trapped between the suit and your skin. Your body heats this layer of water and keeps you warm during the activity.

Unlike with scuba diving or surfing, when you’re kayaking, your body is not constantly submerged in the water. Therefore, you’ll typically need a lower protection level than you would for other water activities. However, those who like kayaking in whitewater know that they will end up completely wet. To find the right thermal protection, you must think about the type of activity, the exposure time, and the water temperature.

WHEN DO I NEED TO WEAR A WETSUIT?

If you plan to kayak in warm weather or tropical waters, you might not need a wetsuit. A rashguard could do the job. On the other hand, if you are kayaking in moderate to cold weather, you must wear a high-quality wetsuit.

The American Canoe Association recommends that you always wear protective clothing or a kayak suit in the following conditions:

• When the water and air are below 15ºC, even during a short exposure.
• When you are repeatedly exposed to water below 21ºC, even in moderate weather.

When the water temperature drops below 7ºC, where the risk of hypothermia is high, it’s strongly recommended that you use a dry suit.

DESIGN

The most popular wetsuit styles are: full, shorty, and sleeveless. Your choice will depend on the water conditions and your cold resistance.

Full suit

Recommended for cold water, full suits cover your entire body, from your ankles to your wrists. Some models include a hood.

Shorty

Recommended for cold to moderate weather conditions, shorty suits cover the torso and the upper part of the arms and legs.

Sleeveless or Long John

As the name suggests, this type of suit has no sleeves, which allows for greater freedom of movement—something that many kayakers appreciate. There are several styles of sleeveless suits. Some have long legs while others have short legs. These suits are commonly used for kayaking in moderate waters.

MATERIALS

Most suits are made from neoprene, a synthetic rubber material with excellent insulating properties, stretch, and durability. Some models may include Lycra or nylon layers to increase flexibility and durability.

There are two types of neoprene wetsuits: open cells and closed cells. Kayak wetsuits are made of closed-cell neoprene. These suits let in a layer of water that is quickly heated by your body, achieving the desired protection.

Open-cell suits don’t have an inner layer, so the neoprene is in direct contact with the skin, preventing water from getting trapped between the neoprene and the skin. This system drastically increases the thermal protection of the neoprene, but also makes donning and doffing quite difficult. These types of suits perform very well for freediving and spearfishing, but they are not the best options for kayaking.

THICKNESS

The thickness of a suit, which is generally indicated in millimeters, is directly related to the thermal protection it provides. The most common thicknesses are 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm.

Thin neoprene tends to be more flexible, offering a greater range of movement. Wetsuits up to 3 mm thick are the favorite option of kayakers who practice in warm to moderate waters.

Wetsuits between 4 mm and 5 mm are best suited for cold water, while 7-mm models are ideal for kayakers who practice in very cold water and need great thermal protection all over the body.

Some suits have different thicknesses. For example, a 5/3 suit means that the torso is 5 mm thick, while the legs and arms are 3 mm thick. This achieves greater thermal insulation in the torso while providing more flexibility in the legs and arms.

SIZE

Finding the right size is essential to achieving good thermal protection without restricting freedom of movement. Your model should feel snug but never too tight or uncomfortable.

If your wetsuit is too big, it will let in too much water, making it difficult to maintain good thermal insulation. On the other hand, if it’s too tight, you won’t feel comfortable when moving and paddling.

Because everyone has a different body shape, it’s normal for some parts of your suit to be slightly looser than others. What is most important is that the torso area fits well. Also, make sure that the neck and wrists seals are snug.

SEAMS AND ZIPPERS

Seams greatly affect the suit’s strength and durability. Generally, high-end models have premium seams that offer the best performance. There are several types of seams:

Flatlock seams: These are the simplest seams, often used on mid-range models. This type of seam allows some water through, so it performs well in moderate water but not in very cold water.

Sealed seams: Glued and blinded stitches don’t allow much water in, which makes them more appropriate for colder water.

Zippers also affect the suit’s performance as well as the ease of donning and doffing. Most zippers are located on the back of the suit, although some models feature chest zippers. Back zippers are a bit more difficult to open and close, but they are not complicated to use after some practice.

WHAT TO WEAR UNDER YOUR WETSUIT

If you feel warm enough with your model, you won’t need to wear extra clothes underneath it. However, if you are kayaking in cold weather and want to increase thermal protection, you can always add inner or outer layers.

You must wear garments that perform well under the suit, such as rashguards, nylon or polyester T-shirts, etc. Don’t wear cotton T-shirts or any clothes that can hold water. Keep in mind that garments worn under the suit can provide extra warmth, they can also limit freedom of movement.

ACCESSORIES

Hats or caps

If you’re kayaking in sunny weather, consider wearing a hat or cap. Make sure your model has a chin strap, so you don’t lose your hat if the wind blows too hard. If the weather is cold, wear a thermal cap to keep your head warm.

Gloves

When you wear gloves in cold weather, you’ll protect your hands from the elements and avoid blisters.

Booties

Neoprene booties are really helpful when kayaking, as they improve your grip while protecting your feet from scratches or injuries (for instance, if you need to enter the water from a rocky beach). Avoid wearing sandals, as small stones can easily get inside your feet. Flip-flops aren’t a good option either because they fall off easily and you can end up losing them.

PFDs

PFDs or life jackets are essential safety elements that you should wear whenever you’re kayaking. Whether you are paddling near the shore or going on long-distance tours, life jackets will keep you afloat in the event of an accident. Also, they provide extra warmth. In some countries, their use is mandatory.