New to Kayaking or Canoeing? Here’s the Gear You Need for a Safe, Comfortable Start

If you’re just getting into kayaking or are a seasoned pro who’s short on storage space, it’s hard to beat the convenience of an inflatable. This one from Aire has a wide, stable base and buoyant side tubes that make it less tipsy than a more traditional hard-shell, helping beginners to balance and recover (hopefully instead of flipping). Plus, the Aire Tributary Strike can handle a range of conditions, whether you’re out for a whitewater adventure or you’re more into recreational paddling.  

You probably don’t want to have to buy a whole lot of additional gear or add racks to your car, especially if you’re a beginner and aren’t sure kayaking and canoeing will become a long-term hobby.

“I love the convenience of an inflatable,” says Mike Abramczyk, a seasoned boater (and my husband). “You don't need extra racks on your car for transportation; you just inflate it before you go paddling, and deflate it at the end of the day. Most inflatable kayaks are also self-bailing, so you don't need a bilge pump to remove any excess water from the boat.”

The Bote Koda Aero Tandem allows you to have a buddy in front of or behind you, making it easy to share the adventure. It’s another inflatable option with a wide base that stays stable, even with two people on board. The setup of this lightweight option is fast and easy, so you spend more time on the water.

This kayak has a cushioned neoprene seat and an adjustable footrest, so it’s comfortable for whoever your partner is for the day. It has built-in magnetic mounts that are compatible with Bote’s line of magnetic accessories, including drink-ware and speakers, so nothing gets lost on the kayak floor.

Solo paddling gets an upgrade with this Esquif canoe. It’s made of a composite plastic that’s much lighter than aluminum or fiberglass. While it fits one person, it still has plenty of room for gear, overnight stuff, or even a furry companion or a smaller human.

This one is light and flexible enough to carry but tough enough to handle rocks, roots, and repeated use.

“Don’t skimp on the paddle! This will be in your hands all day,” Abramczyk says. Built for rivers and rough currents, the Werner Rio is tough and responsive. The midsize blades are easy to use and work well for beginners; they deliver gentle power and a smooth, easy stroke that should help you go longer without fatiguing.

Not chasing whitewater? Werner’s Skagit paddle has you covered for flat-water days.

Your paddle quite literally keeps you moving all day, which is why it's ideal to get a good one. The Sawyer Glide Canoe Paddle is lightweight and easy to handle, letting you take smooth strokes without quickly tiring your arms. It comes in six lengths for a custom fit, and its slightly curved blade slices through the water efficiently.

Made of wood but still surprisingly affordable, this paddle has the kind of durability and classic look that could make it something you hand down through generations.

The paddler who hates bulk but likes protection will love this soft, lightweight, and quick-to-dry option, which is perfect for a day on the water. This Patagonia shirt is one of my personal favorites. While it’s a go-to for river days, it’s also what I throw on for a workout class or to pick up my kids at school.

In addition to being buttery soft, the modal fabric contains a bit of spandex, allowing it to stretch so you can paddle with ease. It has 40+ UPF sun protection that works whether it's wet or dry. It also has thumb tabs to keep the shirt pulled over your hands (where it’s easy to forget to reapply sunscreen). But my favorite feature on it is a hood that’s roomy enough to pull over a hat.

When the weather turns, you'll be glad you packed your splash jacket, which keeps wind, rain, and cold spray away. This NRS jacket is a lightweight, packable option you can store easily and whip out when you need it.

While you can wear the jacket on rainy days when you’re not on the river, it has boating-specific features that help it stand out. For starters, it features a special design that allows for proper torso rotation, and it has splash-proof, zippered pockets on the sleeve and chest that can be accessed even while wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).

By the way, this also comes in men’s sizes.

When you’re on the water on a sunny day, reducing glare is paramount. These Costa sunglasses have polarized lenses that maximize clarity and contrast while filtering out most harmful light. (Costa only sells polarized eyewear.) These are also scratch-resistant and 100-percent UV-protected, shielding your eyes from harmful rays and your glasses from bumps, drops, and the inevitable (fun) chaos of a day on the water.

For an additional cost, you can get your frames engraved, so your buddy doesn’t try to pass these off as their own.

The elephant in the room: Yes, these are mountain biking shoes. But they have an incredible grip for navigating slick rocks and wet terrain. My (notoriously thorough and picky) husband found these while looking for the best shoes to wear rafting. A kayak friend told him about these Adidas shoes, which are designed to grip pedals and muddy trails.

“When you’re shoving off for the day or hopping out of your kayak, you’ll want your feet protected and your shoes gripping whatever you’re stepping on,” Abramczyk says. He adds that the Five Ten Trailcross shoes are lightweight, drain quickly, and have excellent traction.

I’ve been testing these around the house, and they’re so comfortable. I can actually hear them suctioning against the wood floors as I walk, which I take as proof that the grip is the real deal.

This lightweight PFD from Astral features a clamshell opening and plenty of storage, including dedicated pockets for a phone and a VHF radio. It comes in bright, fun colors with reflective accents to help increase visibility. It’s easy to tighten with straps at the waist (so nothing will be flying into your face or neck as you’re navigating rapids).

A PFD should be comfortable but snug, says Winston. “You should always sit down when you try one on in the store. While seated, it should fit snugly in the chest but not rub against your neck. Always keep it buckled and zipped,” he says.

When you're out on the water, you'll need a way to keep your accessories dry and secure. Watershed makes some of the toughest and driest bags out there; the Chattooga is big enough to store your accessories and an extra layer.

In addition to its roll-top design, the duffel features a waterproof closure system that creates an airtight seal, keeping water out even when fully submerged. In our research, we found that some boaters use this as a first aid kit for a large group, a blind bag for waterfowl hunting, or even just a durable overnight bag that works for any trip, camping or not.

I have this bag, and it really does keep things dry. Plus, I love the bright colors that make it nearly impossible to accidentally leave it on shore. You just have to make sure to close the bag properly so it does its job of keeping everything inside dry. (I practiced using the seal a few times to make sure I had it down before taking this on the water.)

A good headlamp is one of those things you don’t think much about until you really need it. This one from BioLite is lightweight and comfortable, with a 400-lumen beam that reaches up to 90 meters.

One of the standout features is how quickly it charges: Eight minutes gets you another hour of light, and 30 minutes brings it up to about 80 percent. Whether you’re heading out before sunrise or wrapping up after dark, this headlamp is built to keep up. The four-way tilt and brightness memory (so it stays right where you set it) make it easy to use without fuss.

It’s also fully waterproof, so it can withstand rain, splashes, or even a quick dunk. Just don’t plan on going for a swim in this one (if you can avoid it).

“If you're on an extended or overnight trip out of cell range, you'll want a way to communicate if things turn ugly,” Abramczyk says. And I, as his partner who’s often holding down the fort while he’s away, appreciate that he can get in touch to send a quick update every now and then, thanks to his (slightly different) Garmin device.

The Garmin fēnix 8 Pro is an all-in-one satellite communicator watch that can send texts or SOS signals when you're out of service. It also has an LED flashlight, music storage, sleep tracking, built-in mapping, and more. Plus, the battery lasts 15 days when it’s always on, or up to 27 days. So you shouldn’t have to worry about it dying when you need it most.