Post by Alistairslalom on Oct 15, 2012 17:04:41 GMT
So it's that time again when it's starting to get cold and people are keen to invest in their first set of kit.
I've stolen and modified Mark Mulrain's guide (Strathclyde ex and Yak gear importer). It's a bit of a read but quite useful. The red stuff is what I've added. Best advice I can give is speak to someone who's been kayaking a few years. They can save you a lot of money making sure you don't buy the wrong thing.
I've put some links to decent kayaking companies at the bottom. Note that generally you'll be able to find the gear cheaper when it's not direct from them (with the exception of PeakUK who sell off previous years design dirt cheap)
Here we go:
In Scotland it's all about staying warm and during your first year of kayaking you'll get away with using club BAs and helmets so don't bother wasting money on these until you have some decent dry gear and thermals. Don't bother buying the centre gear or "splash" cags, your just as well using club kit. Unless your loaded, then buy what you want.
Buying priority:
Some guidlines
Warm Stuff
A wetsuit is the traditional way of keeping warm. If you are getting wet lots and swimming, it’s probably still the best way of keeping warm. For a bit more mobility you might want to consider a sleeveless wetsuit. Or just use a club wetsuit, they are there for being used!
www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/Storm-CX-farmer-John-Wetsuit-Centre.html for the cheap option, but be wary of them getting confused for club kit.
www.canoesandkayaks.co.uk/product/9378/Recreational_Mens_Long_john_Wetsuit_Moby for a something a little different.
Personally I think these are brilliant: shop.peakukshop.com/epages/es140809.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es140809/Products/SSLS/SubProducts/ssls-0001 they'll keep you warm even if the cag your wearing is pretty crap as they will keep a lot of water off you. Once you have a good cag, neoprene shorts and trousers are a good investment
Shoes
First of all, you will need a grippy sole. Next, you will need to see how much space you have in the front of your boat. If you have loads of space a good pair of trainers or cross trainers will be the business. Try TK Maxx for a bargain.
If you have a restricted amount of room then a wetsuit boot will be the best choice.
A wetsuit sock might be a good option for cold days or if you use light shoes. www.tribord.com/EN/sck-330-14465445/
I'd avoid going for trainers etc straight away as chances are they won't fit in a boat. Neoprene shoes are the best choice. They can be picked up pretty cheap in a lot of places. Palm and PeakUK shoes are a good choice.
Dry Wear
Scotland is cold! If you buy a jacket for paddling I wouldn't bother with anything that doesn't have latex wrist and neck seals.New "Ti" neck seals are now almost as good as latex necks, a little cheaper and will avoid latex rash if you get it
Lomo do ok dry tops so this is an option, make sure you put your name on it and dont let it get mixed up with club stuff. www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/evo-yellow-dry-tops-cags.html
For something a little more personal and high quality, the Palm Switch is good.
If you are looking for something that will last you a long time try and find a dry top that is put together without 3 or more seams intersecting (a classic weak and leaky spot) and some quality feeling fabric. You will probably end up paying a little more for a garment like this; www.immersionresearch.eu/store/#ecwid:category=254318&mode=product&product=745106
Dry trousers are great for keeping wind and water out but will not make a completely dry seal when combined with a dry top, so don't buy the 2 and expect to be bone dry. www.canoesandkayaks.co.uk/product/144/Viper_Paddling_Trousers_Palm Save your money until you can afford to buy the Palm Sidewinder bib or equivalent
Drysuits cost lots, save your money and buy some other kit for now.
Helmets
The best helmet for the money is the Shred Ready Standard. It comes in loads of different colours and will adjust the fit most people’s head.
If you struggle to get a comfy fit with this helmet, I'd suggest a WRSI Current.
Bouyancy Aids
If you want to progress on to harder rivers and safety things, then you will need one with a harness and straps that go continuously down from the shoulders to the waist.
The cheapest half decent option is buying the Palm Symbiant.
It’s a good idea to try on different designs to get a good fit. For girly shapes Palm and Astral buoyancy aids are highly rated.
Spraydeck Wait until you have your own boat and spend the money on a decent one. A crap deck is one of the most frustrating things
Get something made of neoprene. Having some sticky coating on the underside of the spraydeck is good for keeping the deck on your boat and keeping you a little drier. Make sure the deck is the right size to fit the boat you use.
www.canoesandkayaks.co.uk/product/187/Classic_Neoprene_Spray_Deck_Palm for budget
www.immersionresearch.eu/store/#ecwid:category=254322&mode=product&product=745129 for something with a little more quality
Some Links:
shop.peakukshop.com/ - Look for previous seasons kit to pick up a bargain. Not always the best looking kit but it's good value and will last.
www.palmequipmenteurope.com/ - Do a good range of gear for all budgets.
www.nookie.co.uk/ - Nice gear, they have a good range of cags among other things and I own one just now. I can happily say its the best cag I've owned.
www.immersionresearch.eu/ - More at the top end, they have the best spraydecks and I've heard good things about their other gear but it's quite rare so never come by it.
www.canoesandkayaks.co.uk/ - They have a shop in Perth and stock a good range. Not the cheapest though.
www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/ - Sell a bit of everything and you can find some bargains.
www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=10 - Great resource for 2nd hand kit.
I've stolen and modified Mark Mulrain's guide (Strathclyde ex and Yak gear importer). It's a bit of a read but quite useful. The red stuff is what I've added. Best advice I can give is speak to someone who's been kayaking a few years. They can save you a lot of money making sure you don't buy the wrong thing.
I've put some links to decent kayaking companies at the bottom. Note that generally you'll be able to find the gear cheaper when it's not direct from them (with the exception of PeakUK who sell off previous years design dirt cheap)
Here we go:
In Scotland it's all about staying warm and during your first year of kayaking you'll get away with using club BAs and helmets so don't bother wasting money on these until you have some decent dry gear and thermals. Don't bother buying the centre gear or "splash" cags, your just as well using club kit. Unless your loaded, then buy what you want.
Buying priority:
- Shoes and Thermals
- Semi-dry/Dry Cag
- Neoprene shorts/trousers
- Everything else- BA, Helmet, Dry Trousers, Dry Suit
Some guidlines
- Don't get the cheapest stuff. You may aswell just use the club kit.
- Shop around for the best deals. There's often special offers on www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/ or ebay. You could check www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=fcd564113bbef5698c7c30c28ee526f3 for 2nd hand kit too.
- Ask others what they use and if they like it or not. There are plenty of boaters in the club with a huge variety of kit so ask if you can try it on/have a look at their gear.
- When trying on gear try sitting in a boat or on the floor in a paddling position and move around as if you were paddling; gear that fits well when standing might not fit well when you are actually paddling.
Warm Stuff
A wetsuit is the traditional way of keeping warm. If you are getting wet lots and swimming, it’s probably still the best way of keeping warm. For a bit more mobility you might want to consider a sleeveless wetsuit. Or just use a club wetsuit, they are there for being used!
www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/Storm-CX-farmer-John-Wetsuit-Centre.html for the cheap option, but be wary of them getting confused for club kit.
www.canoesandkayaks.co.uk/product/9378/Recreational_Mens_Long_john_Wetsuit_Moby for a something a little different.
Personally I think these are brilliant: shop.peakukshop.com/epages/es140809.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es140809/Products/SSLS/SubProducts/ssls-0001 they'll keep you warm even if the cag your wearing is pretty crap as they will keep a lot of water off you. Once you have a good cag, neoprene shorts and trousers are a good investment
Shoes
First of all, you will need a grippy sole. Next, you will need to see how much space you have in the front of your boat. If you have loads of space a good pair of trainers or cross trainers will be the business. Try TK Maxx for a bargain.
If you have a restricted amount of room then a wetsuit boot will be the best choice.
A wetsuit sock might be a good option for cold days or if you use light shoes. www.tribord.com/EN/sck-330-14465445/
I'd avoid going for trainers etc straight away as chances are they won't fit in a boat. Neoprene shoes are the best choice. They can be picked up pretty cheap in a lot of places. Palm and PeakUK shoes are a good choice.
Dry Wear
Scotland is cold! If you buy a jacket for paddling I wouldn't bother with anything that doesn't have latex wrist and neck seals.New "Ti" neck seals are now almost as good as latex necks, a little cheaper and will avoid latex rash if you get it
Lomo do ok dry tops so this is an option, make sure you put your name on it and dont let it get mixed up with club stuff. www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/evo-yellow-dry-tops-cags.html
For something a little more personal and high quality, the Palm Switch is good.
If you are looking for something that will last you a long time try and find a dry top that is put together without 3 or more seams intersecting (a classic weak and leaky spot) and some quality feeling fabric. You will probably end up paying a little more for a garment like this; www.immersionresearch.eu/store/#ecwid:category=254318&mode=product&product=745106
Dry trousers are great for keeping wind and water out but will not make a completely dry seal when combined with a dry top, so don't buy the 2 and expect to be bone dry. www.canoesandkayaks.co.uk/product/144/Viper_Paddling_Trousers_Palm Save your money until you can afford to buy the Palm Sidewinder bib or equivalent
Drysuits cost lots, save your money and buy some other kit for now.
Helmets
The best helmet for the money is the Shred Ready Standard. It comes in loads of different colours and will adjust the fit most people’s head.
If you struggle to get a comfy fit with this helmet, I'd suggest a WRSI Current.
Bouyancy Aids
If you want to progress on to harder rivers and safety things, then you will need one with a harness and straps that go continuously down from the shoulders to the waist.
The cheapest half decent option is buying the Palm Symbiant.
It’s a good idea to try on different designs to get a good fit. For girly shapes Palm and Astral buoyancy aids are highly rated.
Spraydeck Wait until you have your own boat and spend the money on a decent one. A crap deck is one of the most frustrating things
Get something made of neoprene. Having some sticky coating on the underside of the spraydeck is good for keeping the deck on your boat and keeping you a little drier. Make sure the deck is the right size to fit the boat you use.
www.canoesandkayaks.co.uk/product/187/Classic_Neoprene_Spray_Deck_Palm for budget
www.immersionresearch.eu/store/#ecwid:category=254322&mode=product&product=745129 for something with a little more quality
Some Links:
shop.peakukshop.com/ - Look for previous seasons kit to pick up a bargain. Not always the best looking kit but it's good value and will last.
www.palmequipmenteurope.com/ - Do a good range of gear for all budgets.
www.nookie.co.uk/ - Nice gear, they have a good range of cags among other things and I own one just now. I can happily say its the best cag I've owned.
www.immersionresearch.eu/ - More at the top end, they have the best spraydecks and I've heard good things about their other gear but it's quite rare so never come by it.
www.canoesandkayaks.co.uk/ - They have a shop in Perth and stock a good range. Not the cheapest though.
www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/ - Sell a bit of everything and you can find some bargains.
www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=10 - Great resource for 2nd hand kit.