If you’re new to canoeing or simply looking to up your game, knowing what to wear will significantly affect your comfort, safety, and overall experience.
However, deciding what to wear canoeing can be tricky. You want to be comfortable, warm when it’s cold, cool when the sun beats down.
You must be prepared to get wet but dry when you get off the canoe. This, combined with the lack of space, means that planning your canoeing attire needs to be a strategic process.
To help you out, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dressing for canoeing.
We’ll prepare you for everything, from what to wear in the boat to what to change into at the campsite and how to prepare for varying weather conditions.
My pro tip: We also wrote a detailed guide on what to wear kayaking—check it out for more ideas and helpful tips.
Why Clothing Matters in Canoeing
When you’re on a canoe trip, your clothing is about more than staying comfortable; it’s about staying safe.
Conditions can quickly change in the water, so the right gear can protect you from sudden rain showers, cold winds, or even the risk of hypothermia if you get wet.
Beyond safety, choosing the right canoeing outfit will seriously enhance your enjoyment.
Whether paddling across a calm lake or navigating through whitewater rapids, knowing what to wear canoeing will help you have much more fun.
What to Wear While Canoeing: 5 Essentials
First, when deciding what to wear for canoeing, you must understand the difference betweenkayaking vs canoeing.
Many people mistake the two, but they provide very different experiences.
The main thing to know is that a canoe is generally less exposed to the water, so you’ll probably get less wet in a canoe. However, you still need to dress for the elements.
With that in mind, here’s what to wear when canoeing.
1. Lightweight Clothing
While in the canoe, try to wear quick-drying and lightweight materials.
Canoeing involves a high chance of getting wet from splashes, unexpected rain, or the occasional tip-over.
Therefore, every piece of clothing should be chosen with water in mind.
Safety should always be a top priority when loch canoeing in Scotland.
Choose non-cotton materials like polyester or nylon that wick moisture away from your skin.
Unlike cotton, these shirts dry quickly if they get wet, which can become heavy and damp. Carrying two or three shirts for multi-day trips allows you to rotate and stay comfortable.
3. Quick-Dry Athletic Shorts or Lightweight Hiking Pants
In warm weather, opt for quick-drying athletic shorts. For cooler weather or days with heavy portaging, lightweight hiking pants offer more protection against scrapes and the elements.
These pants often come treated with Durable Water Repellency (DWR) to keep you dry during light rain.
4. Life Jacket (PFD)
A properly fitted life jacket is non-negotiable when canoeing.
Even on flat water, wearing a life jacket can be a lifesaver in unexpected swells, boat tipping, or weather.
Modern life jackets are designed for comfort and range of motion, so there’s no excuse not to wear one.
5. Warm and Waterproof Layers
Store a lightweight fleece sweater, rain jacket, and rain pants in a dry sack. These items should be easily accessible in case the weather turns.
A fleece sweater provides warmth without adding bulk, while a rain jacket and pants keep you dry during sudden showers.
Look for high-quality materials like Gore-Tex for optimal water resistance and breathability.
A good tip here is to dress in layers. Instead of bringing along one heavy jacket, pack a few lighter layers.
This makes it easier to dress up or down and choose layers as needed. It also means you’ll have backup layers if your jacket gets wet.
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If you’re planning what to wear canoeing, there’s a good chance you’ll be on amulti-day trip.
You’ll also want something dry to fit into when you get to the campsite.
After a long day of paddling and portaging, changing into fresh clothes is the best way to transition into relaxation mode. These clothes should be comfortable and warm.
Here are our top suggestions:
Flannel shirt or wool shirt: A flannel shirt is cosy and provides warmth for cool evenings. However, flannel can take time to dry if it gets wet. If space is limited, a wool base layer shirt offers the same kind of warmth without the bulk and dries much faster. Wool is naturally moisture-wicking, so it keeps you warm even if it gets a bit damp.
Fleece pants: These are a canoe-tripping luxury that you won’t regret packing. Fleece pants are perfect for lounging around the campsite after you’ve changed out of your wet clothes. They’re also thick enough to provide some protection against mosquito bites.
Pyjamas: Synthetic long underwear and a base layer T-shirt make ideal sleeping attire. They wick moisture away from the body, ensuring you stay warm throughout the night. Avoid cotton as it holds moisture and can leave you feeling clammy.
The lochs of Scotland make excellent destinations for a group canoeing trip.
What to Wear While Canoening: Footwear
Choosing the right shoes is an essential consideration when planning your canoeing wardrobe. Here’s what you should bring:
Wet shoes: These are the shoes you’ll wear in the canoe. They need to be comfortable, quick-drying, and provide good traction. Trail running shoes or sturdy sandals are good choices. They dry quickly, offer excellent grip on slippery rocks, and protect your feet from debris.
Dry shoes: Once at the campsite, switch into your dry shoes. These should be kept dry throughout the trip, so avoid wearing them in the canoe or wet conditions. Open-toed sandals are a good call.
Wool socks: Wool socks are a must for canoe trips. Unlike cotton, wool retains warmth even when wet and dries much faster. We’d recommend you bring multiple pairs to rotate throughout the trip.
What to Wear While Canoening: Hats & Headgear
Protecting your head and face is essential when spending long hours in the sun or dealing with changing weather. Here’s what to bring on your canoe trip:
Sunhat: A full-brimmed hat offers the best sun protection for your face and neck. Tilley Hats are highly recommended for their durability, waterproofing, and sun protection qualities.
Sunglasses: Polarized sunglasses help reduce glare from the water, preventing eye strain during long paddling days.
Bug jacket or Hat: A bug jacket or hat can be a sanity-saver in areas with heavy insect activity, especially in spring and early summer. These items provide a barrier against mosquitoes and black flies without requiring you to constantly douse yourself in insect repellent.
Helmet (for whitewater paddling): If your trip involves navigating whitewater, a helmet is an essential safety equipment. It protects your head from impacts with rocks or the canoe itself in the event of a capsize.
Canoeing in colder weather requires extra layers. You have to be a bit more strategic about protecting yourself against the cold while still being comfortable when paddling.
Here’s what we’d recommend:
Base layer: Start with a moisture-wicking, long-sleeve shirt. Merino wool is the gold standard for cold-weather base layers due to its warmth, breathability, and ability to wick moisture away from the skin. If wool is too pricey, opt for synthetic base layers with similar moisture-wicking properties.
Sweater or jacket: A fleece sweater is a versatile mid-layer that gives you great warmth without adding too much bulk. Pack a down or synthetic down jacket for extra warmth, especially at the campsite. While not ideal for paddling since it doesn’t dry quickly, it offers excellent warmth for cool evenings.
Hiking pants and long underwear: Wear thicker hiking pants treated with DWR for water resistance in cold weather. Layer this with merino wool or synthetic long underwear for added insulation.
Wool hat and gloves: A wool hat or merino wool buff helps retain body heat. Water-resistant gloves are helpful in setting up camp in chilly conditions or paddling on cold, windy days.
Neoprene socks: In icy conditions, consider neoprene socks. They function like a wetsuit for your feet, trapping water and using body heat to keep your feet warm.
Top Tips for Choosing the Right Canoeing Clothing
We’ve covered what to wear canoeing, but we’ve learned from manycanoe trips that the small details of how you pack make an enormous difference.
Here are some top tips to keep in mind to help you pack smarter for canoeing:
Pack clothing in a compression sack: Save space by packing your clothes in a compression sack. This also helps keep them dry in case you capsize.
Avoid cotton: Cotton absorbs moisture and dries slowly, leaving you cold and uncomfortable. Stick to synthetic or wool materials that dry quickly and retain warmth even when wet.
Acquire high-quality gear slowly: High-quality outdoor clothing can be an investment. Start with the basics and gradually add to your gear collection as you gain more experience.
Test your clothing system: Before a long trip, test your clothing system on shorter outings to see what works best for you. Adjust as needed to find the perfect balance between warmth, dryness, and comfort.
Summary
Choosing the right clothing for canoeing can make a world of difference in your comfort, safety, and overall enjoyment. The last thing you want is to sit in cold and soggy clothes with a long canoe journey ahead of you.
Start with the basics, prioritise quick-drying and insulating materials, and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
With the right canoe outfit, you’ll be well-prepared and have much more fun on your canoeing adventures.
Inspired to get out there and go canoeing? Check out our many fantastickayak and canoe tours for the ultimate paddling experience.
