The last two months have been HOT across Europe, with back-to-back heat waves. I’ve been very grateful that white water kayaking gives me an excuse to get on the water and cool off. Dressing well for summer paddling makes a huge difference, and my warm weather kit looks very different from what I wear in winter.
In this article I am going to share my favourite summer kayaking gear options, from what I actually use, why I use them, and when each piece works best.
Palm NeoFlex women’s long-sleeve top & leggings
What is Neoflex?
Adding some Palm NeoFlex items to my kayaking gear was an absolute gamechanger. They are such versatile pieces of gear and I adore them! NeoFlex are Palm’s thin neoprene items. They still provide protection and warmth but it feels more like you are wearing gym wear! It keeps you warmer than a base layer but cooler than dry clothes, making it ideal for 15-25°C days.
My NeoFlex top and leggings have become my go to summer outfit, and the fact both items comes in both men’s and women’s fits is a huge bonus.
Palm Neoflex women’s leggings
The leggings were the first NeoFlex item I got, and I instantly loved them. They’re flexible, breathable, and far less restrictive than thicker neoprene equivalent leggings, while still giving great knee protection inside the kayak. Paired with a cag, they’re perfect for warm days when you still want coverage.
Palm Neoflex women’s long-sleeve top
The top is just as brilliant. I wear it with leggings if I expect to be swimming, or with shorts if I’m mostly staying dry in my kayak. It’s the perfect middle ground when you don’t want a cag but know you’d be too cold in just skins. Mine is the long-sleeved version, but the short-sleeved option is great too.
White water cags: Long-sleeve vs. short-sleeve
The benefits of a cag: Keeping the water out!
Even in hot weather, white water kayaking means getting splashed or fully submerged. Your sprayskirt keeps water out of the boat, but without a cag, water can still get in from above, especially if you’re playing, rolling, or intentionally going upside down (my favourite summer activity).
That’s why I often still wear a cag, either long-sleeve or short-sleeve depending on the session.
Palm Fuse Action Jacket (long-sleeved)
My current long-sleeved cag is the Palm Fuse Action Jacket. This is a unisex cag and I love it. It’s a unisex, athletic‑fit cag with soft glideskin neoprene seals that are far more comfortable than latex. I wear a medium, the small Fuse fit me, but getting it on and off was a challenge!
The Fuse is lightweight enough to wear in hot weather. I paddled in Italy during a 30°C heatwave, and despite the heat, the cag was perfect. It kept me comfortable without overheating.
Palm Zenith Short-sleeve Jacket
A short-sleeve cag is a great in‑between option. My Palm Zenith Short-sleeve Jacket keeps water out of the kayak but feels cooler than a long-sleeve cag. It fits slightly looser than the Fuse, so I wear a small.
The only downside is sun exposure. I try to cover my arms as much as possible, so I often choose long sleeves for protection. But on days where there is more shade through either cloud cover or river side trees, I’ll happily wear the shorty and just apply sunscreen.
A rash guard – the perfect alternative to paddling in ‘skins’
What is the benefit of a rash guard?
When it’s hot, it’s tempting to paddle in just your swimwear. I used to do this, but now I never would and here’s why:
1. Sunburn risk
The more skin you expose, the more likely you are to burn. Cold water masks the feeling of burning, and sunscreen rubs off easily while paddling. Covering up is simply easier and safer.
2. Chafing
Paddling in just a bikini top led to chafing on my hips, back, and underarms from the backband and buoyancy aid. A rash guard prevents this and is absolutely worth it! There is nothing worse than getting burned and sore on the first day of a week long trip and then having to be in pain every day afterwards!
Palm long-sleeve women’s rash guard
My favourite rash guard, and one of my most beloved pieces of gear ever, is the Palm Long-sleeve Women’s Rash Guard. Palm no longer makes it, but I had to include it because it’s perfect.
It’s tight‑fitting, has a women’s-specific fit and has a slightly raised collar that prevents neck chafing. It never rides up, works beautifully under a cag, and is comfortable enough to wear on its own. Mine is nine years old, full of thumb‑holes and sun‑fading, but I still wear it constantly.
What I am saying is, if you see a second hand Palm pink rash guard for sale – you should definitely buy it! Who knows – maybe Palm will remake them one day!
Palm Helios Tops
Palm may have discontinued my favourite rash guard, but their Helios Tops are excellent replacements. They come in men’s and women’s fits, long or short sleeves, and hooded versions.
They work well under a cag or on their own, dry quickly, and the blue colour scheme is gorgeous.
My favourite is the hooded version. I wear it for flatwater and sea kayaking, especially when I’m not wearing a helmet. The hood adds sun and wind protection, and I often pair it with a cap for extra coverage.
Something surprising about the Helios tops was how much I love wearing them off the water. I actually wear my hooded top more off the water (for example, when you are at camp or hanging about waiting for a shuttle) than I do on the water. They are great to keep you covered but also help keep things like midges off you. If you have ever camped by the river in Wales on a calm summer night – you know this is needed!
A good pair of shorts!
I wear shorts more often than short-sleeved tops in summer. Your legs stay mostly covered inside the kayak, so burning is less of a concern, although I still apply sunscreen.
Dewerstone LifeShorts
My Dewerstone LifeShorts are the best paddling shorts I’ve ever owned. They’re stretchy, comfy, and perfect for kayaking. Dewerstone may have shut down, but their shorts remain unbeatable.
Many shorts fit well when standing but become tight when sitting in a kayak, especially for women with strong thighs. LifeShorts don’t do this, which is why they’re my first choice.
Palm Skyline women’s shorts
The Palm Skyline Women’s Shorts also fit well and dry quickly. They don’t stretch as much as LifeShorts, so I don’t wear them for playboating, but they’re perfect for chilled river runs, SUP sessions, or wild swimming.
Don’t forget the shoes!
For me there are two options of footwear to choose between when paddling in the summer – wetsuit booties or trainers. Which ones I wear depends on what type of paddling I am doing, how long my session is and how much time I am likely to spend in the water.
Palm rock shoes (Wetsuit booties)
My wetsuit booties of choice are the Palm Rock Shoes. Booties are ideal when I know I’ll be swimming a lot, especially at Holme Pierrepont, where summer sessions often involve plenty of silliness. They stay on securely and are perfect for short sessions.
Palm Wave Sneaker
If I want more robust footwear, I wear the Palm Wave Sneakers. They’re proper shoes with great grip and support, making them ideal for scouting, portaging, and walking on uneven ground.
I have the pine coloured ones and they are gorgeous! I tend to wear my sneakers when I am paddling all day or actually out river running. They are actual shoes and therefore much more comfortable than the booties. If you are out river running, it means you can trust they will look after you.
They also look great and I have been wearing mine a lot as normal shoes when I am away on kayaking trips. (Less packing!)
Pack your sunscreen!
The one item you must pack for summer paddling is sunscreen. I recommend factor 50, waterproof, and easy to reapply.
I love LifeJacket Skin Protection. Their mineral stick fits perfectly in a buoyancy aid pocket, making reapplication quick and faff-free. Their sun gel is great for arms and legs.
At the end of the day though, it doesn’t matter what brand or type of sunscreen you use – as long as you use some! Skin cancer is no joke, and the risk is so much higher for those people who spend a lot of time outdoors. Better to be proactive about staying protected!
Conclusion
That’s all from me! If you have favourite summer paddling gear, share it in the comments – I love hearing what works for other paddlers. I’m off now for a sunshine surf session on my local run. Wishing you all a wonderful summer of paddling adventures!
