As we move in autumn, the days are getting shorter and the temperature is starting to drop. But this shouldn’t mean that you pack away your kayak, canoe or paddle board. We have lots of great autumn paddles and make the most of the changing scenery. As with any outdoor activity, if you dress accordingly, you can keep going throughout the whole year. So, what should you be looking to wear paddling in the autumn months?
Base Layers
Getting the layers close to your skin is possibly the most important thing to consider when getting ready to paddle in cooler weather. Simply throwing on a woolly jumper might not cut it when you are paddling around on the water. Specially designed base layers paddling base layers will help to wick away the moisture from your skin and keep you warm. The thickness of the base layer is important too. Too thin and you will be chilly on the water. Too thick and you will be sweating and have an unpleasant time.
Outer layer
Once you have your base layers sorted, you want to keep them as dry as possible. Even when cruising around on the calm lake or canal, you can still get splashed from your paddle or any wind. You may also find water running from wet hands down your arms, so some kind of seal around the wrist is advisable. These waterproof layers will also offer protection from the wind, helping to keep you warm. The rest of the features offered by dry tops and cags are up to the user and environment it is going to be used in.
Hands & Feet
Your extremities will be the first areas of your body to cool down. Wet and damp trainers, or even bare feet, are not advisable as the temperatures drop throughout autumn. The best fabric for areas prone to getting wet is neoprene. The way neoprene works is by holding any water close to your skin, using your body temperature to warm it up and keep you nice and warm.
Extras
There are a whole range of extra bits you can wear to make your paddling experience even more comfortable. Things to keep in mind at this time of year are the low sun, rapid change in temperature, loss of daylight, and changeable weather conditions. From paddling hats to floating sunglasses, there are loads of bits designed specifically to be on the water.