Paddling Apparel

Recent Paddling Apparel Reviews

NRS H2Core Silkweight Hoodie

A super comfortable, sunproof, and fast-drying hoodie that works as well as for home, hut, and camp lounging as on the river. On our May 2018 raft trip through Cataract Canyon, most of the guides and some of the repeat clients wore these hoodies all day out on the river, often with the hood up as full protection from the relentless Utah sun. My wife and I ordered a pair after getting back to Tucson and haven’t been out on a river since. But right now these shirts are on closeout at NRS for a nice… Full review

NRS Extreme SAR Drysuit

Very durable dry suit for long duration use. I have used this suit for swift water and ice water training for many years and highly recommend this product As stated above, I have used this suit for many years teaching swift water and ice water rescue. Also use it for SUP paddling in all conditions year round. In my opinion this is the best rescue suit made. Full review

Body Glove Siroko 4/3 Slant Zip Full Wetsuit

Great full suit for cold water paddling, surfing or stand up paddle board. As a member of another website, I often receive gear in exchange for a review. My husband is passionate about being out on the water in any way possible, and this wetsuit is helping him enjoy being there even when it’s cold, or in this case, in Maine’s frigid gulf waters. While on the coast of Maine this summer, he's been learning how to surf a stand-up paddle board on the wave created during the tide change at Blue… Full review

Buff Sport Series Water Gloves

Great gloves for fishing or paddling and sun protection. I received these fingerless gloves as a gift right before a five-day paddling trip. I brought them along and wore them whenever we were in the canoe. They definitely kept my hands from getting sunburned and were very comfortable. They have a grippy material on the palm which is great for holding onto your paddle. These gloves are also great if it is windy out.   However, I did notice that once they got wet, they stayed wet even overnight. Full review

Level Six Bonavista

This paddle jacket is completely windproof and rainproof. It keeps me warm on rainy days paddling, when I wear it over a shortie wetsuit or over a merino wool shirt and shorts. This men's jacket suits women too. It's a fairly close-fitting style, so buy a size larger if you plan to layer it over a thick sweater. Kayaking on the West Coast near Vancouver and Seattle means needing rain gear — the real thing, not cheap stuff. This jacket is listed as "Made of eXhaust 2.5-ply waterproof-breathable… Full review

Stohlquist Contact Fingerless

A surprisingly good pair of gloves for the price. Decent fit and breathable enough in most conditions. Have held up really well over the past few years. I bought these because they were on sale and I need something to stop my hands from blistering. I get terrible blisters on the sides of my thumbs and between my thumb and first finger when I kayak or canoe without gloves. I’ve been using them for about three years now, and they have minimal visible wear. There’s nothing that stands out as making… Full review

NRS Boaters Gloves

A boaters glove that dries very slowly and falls apart when wet. As an occasional kayaker I would hope a boaters glove would hold up for more than one season. The palm material is thin and got even thinner with use. It is now falling apart. They take a long time to dry. I have bicycle gloves that dry faster. Full review

NRS Extreme SAR Drysuit

I have been teaching swift water rescue and swift water boat operations since 1985. I have used this suit now for the last 7 years and it is always dry. Very rugged and dependable. There is not another drysuit that will compare if you REALLY use it in rugged environments and use it often. Buy smart the first time, folks! Full review

Stohlquist Amp

Best drysuit I've ever owned. This is my second Stohlquist drysuit, and it's a replacement for a Stohlquist Multi-Sport that I got on sale nearly 10 years ago. The Multi-Sport was imported from China, was very difficult to put on or take off, and ultimately leaked like a sieve through the fabric when I used it on a Memorial Day Middle Fork Salmon trip (i.e.; when I really needed it) in 2013, about 7 years into my ownership. It supposedly was under a lifetime warranty, but to Stohlquist that meant… Full review