Canoeing & Kayaking Clothing
Specialist Kayaking, Canoeing, and Paddle Sports Clothing
Paddling clothing for kayaking and canoeing. Southampton Canoes stock a wide range of appropriate clothing for all types of paddling in any weather.
Home >> Clothing for Canoeing & Kayaking
Buyer's Guide
What features should I look for in a Cag or Jacket?
Adjustable Neck & Wrist Seals
This type of seal is the easiest to get on and off; velcro closures mean that the seals are easily adjustable so when its cold you can fasten them tight to stop water ingressing but when its warmer you can open them up to vent hot air and keep you cool. The downside of this type of seal is that even when done up tight, water can still get in if you end up capsizing.
Latex Neck & Wrist Seals
Latex seals are the driest type you will find on a cag, their tight fit means that the seal created is very good and even when submerged little- no water will get in through them. Because of the tight fitting nature of the material, cags with latex seals are generally harder to get on and off and can cause irritation to the skin (especially neck seals when used in salt water). It is important to remember that latex seals, being made of rubber, are perishable and as such not covered under warranty- with care they will last many years but even if the seal does perish, they can be replaced cheaply.
Neoprene Neck & Wrist Seals
Neoprene seals vary in performance depending on model and manufacturer but generally they are easier to get on and off and more comfortable than latex seals, the downside of this is that they are not quite as dry as latex. Neoprene seals do not perish in the same way that latex can, but still rely on a tight fit to keep water out so are not adjustable and cannot be opened to vent heat. Neoprene seals are particularly popular for those using their jackets in salt water as it does not chafe as badly, and is more comfortable when worn for a whole days paddling.
Twin Waist
Twin waist seals are normally found on Dry, Semi Dry and more top end Sea Kayaking Cags. They are designed to be used with a spraydeck and when layered correctly (with the spraydeck waist tube between the two layers) they will reduce the amount of water which can enter the boat for the waist of the spraydeck.
Spray Hood
Sprayhoods are standard features on most of the Sea Kayaking jackets and are a great way to keep cosy and warm on the really cold and windy days. Some stow away, some are fixed as standard and on some models they are removeable; generally though they will have volume adjustment so you can get the best fit for your head size.
