For warm-water kayaking, wear a UPF 50+ rash guard or sun shirt on top, quick-dry board shorts or a swimsuit on the bottom, and water shoes that can get wet. The one rule that matters most: dress for the water temperature, not the air, and skip cotton entirely.
Kayaking keeps your lower half close to wet the whole time and your upper half in full, reflected sun. That combination decides what works. Cotton is the classic mistake, because once a t-shirt or regular shorts get splashed they stay soaked, cold, and heavy for the rest of the day. Quick-drying synthetic fabrics do the opposite: they shed water fast and keep moving with you.
Up top, a rash guard does the heavy lifting. You are exposed for hours, and a UPF 50+ layer protects your shoulders, arms, and back without sunscreen that sweats off. It also stops the seat and backband from rubbing your skin raw on a long paddle. On your legs, board shorts or a swimsuit that dry quickly are all you need in warm weather. On your feet, water shoes or secure sandals protect against rocky launches and stay put if you step off into the water.
For the top layer, the NIXY Men's Rash Guard UPF 50+ ($29), with a matching Women's Rash Guard ($29), is made for kayaking and watersports: sun protection that dries fast and moves with your stroke.
Round it out with a hat and sunglasses on a bright day, and always wear a life jacket. In cold water the whole answer changes: that calls for a wetsuit for insulation, with a rash guard layered underneath to cut chafe.
Frequently asked questions
What should you wear kayaking in summer?
A UPF 50+ rash guard on top, quick-dry board shorts or a swimsuit on the bottom, and water shoes. Add a hat, sunglasses, and a life jacket. Choose synthetic, quick-drying fabrics and avoid cotton, which stays wet and cold.
Can you wear normal clothes kayaking?
Avoid cotton clothes, which soak through and stay heavy and cold once splashed. Stick to quick-drying synthetics like a rash guard and board shorts so you stay comfortable whether you stay dry or end up in the water.
What do you wear kayaking in cold water?
A wetsuit is the piece that keeps you warm in cold water, since it holds heat against your body. A rash guard can go underneath to reduce seam chafe, but it adds no warmth on its own. Always match your clothing to the water temperature.
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