| A neoprene wetsuit is your best bet for warmth and | | | | several pieces of neoprene that are glued or sewn |
| safety while kayaking in cold waters. If you plan to | | | | together. |
| go paddling in any but the most comfortable | | | | Some wetsuits have special stitching that allows the |
| temperatures, a wetsuit is a must have item. You | | | | seams to flex for greater mobility. Neoprene is used |
| don't need too much exposure protection, for | | | | for wetsuits because it is nonporous and does not |
| example, if you are kayaking in the tropics where | | | | allow water to pass through it. It is also flexible so |
| both the water and air temperatures are warm. | | | | that it can conform to the paddler's body, which is |
| However, if you will be out in colder weather, you | | | | important for minimizing the volume of the water |
| should probably consider what kind of apparel you will | | | | trapped inside the wetsuit. The less water that is |
| be wearing for kayaking. | | | | trapped inside the wetsuit, the easier it will be for the |
| One general rule of thumb you may have heard is | | | | paddler's body heat to warm it up. |
| that if the air and water temperatures do not add up | | | | Neoprene is also very durable and comes in a variety |
| to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you need | | | | of thicknesses. A paddler may choose a different |
| to have exposure protection, such as a wetsuit, | | | | thickness of wetsuit depending on how cold the |
| drysuit, or at least a paddle jacket. | | | | water is. For example, if the weather is relatively |
| Wetsuits are among the most popular options for | | | | warm, the paddler may choose a thinner 3mm |
| kayakers who want to stay warm while paddling in | | | | wetsuit. If the paddler plans to go kayaking in cold |
| cold weather. A wetsuit keeps a paddler warm by | | | | water, say around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or so, he |
| trapping a thin layer of water between the wetsuit | | | | or she may opt for a thicker 5mm or 7mm wetsuit. |
| material and the paddler's skin. The paddler's body | | | | While the thicker wetsuits provide more insulation |
| heat warms up this layer of water, which is | | | | from the cold, they are also more difficult to move |
| maintained at a comfortable temperature. | | | | around in due to the stiffness of the thicker |
| The thin layer of water thus insulates the paddler's | | | | neoprene. |
| skin from contact with colder water. When the | | | | There is a lot to learn about the many different |
| paddler is initially submerged in the water, he or she | | | | styles of wetsuits and which is best suited for a |
| may feel an initial chill as the cold water enters the | | | | particular purpose. If you need to find out more |
| wetsuit, but this chill quickly goes away as the | | | | before purchasing one, you can find a lot of |
| temperature of the thin layer of water increases. | | | | information online, as well as from sales |
| Neoprene is an excellent material from which to | | | | representatives at outdoors recreation stores, |
| make a wetsuit. Neoprene can be described as a | | | | kayaking stores, and even scuba diving shops. Ask |
| foam rubber material which is usually sold in sheets as | | | | around and you can learn a lot about the simple, yet |
| a raw material. Wetsuits are usually constructed from | | | | versatile wetsuit. |