Kayaking is rapidly gaining in popularity around the globe as the most popular paddle sport. As it becomes more and more popular, kayakers are being exposed to an array of different kayaks, as well as an abundance of equipment and accessories available on the market.
Kayak spray skirts are something that the majority of those that take a ride in a sit-in kayak will eventually end up getting. This is particularly true for those kayakers that partake in whitewater and sea explorations.
What is a Kayak Spray Skirt?
A kayak spray skirt is a garment that kayakers wear to keep the water from coming inside the boat and wetting them. A cloth which is waterproof is fastened to the kayaker’s waist and is draped over the opening of the kayak.
The kayaker’s legs and the inside of the kayak are protected from any precipitation and moisture.
A kayak spray skirt is essential for kayakers who wish to remain dry, especially when the water is turbulent.
When you kayak without wearing a spray skirt, you will be able to see your legs up to your knees or higher. In the event of a downpour, you can estimate how wet you may get, starting from the waist and down, and how much water the internal part of the kayak would collect.
If you go kayaking on rough water, such as whitewater rapids, it is simple to grasp how your vessel can become flooded with water within several seconds if there is not a barrier prohibiting the water from entering your kayak’s interior.
Is a Spray Skirt Necessary?
In rough water conditions or rapids, utilizing a spray skirt is essential as it will help prevent waves from coming onto the deck of the kayak. Thus, it is highly recommended to have a spray skirt whenever the environment is turbulent.
It is strongly recommended that a kayaker wear a skirt while practicing rolling the kayak. It may be feasible to do a few rolls with minor water accumulating in the kayak, but in the end, the boat will be full of water.
If you’re kayaking in wet weather, you’ll quickly accumulate water in the boat, which can go up as far as your seat and make paddling not only uncomfortable but inefficient.
Taking into account the increased cost and hassle that come with investing in and utilizing a kayak skirt, it is sensible to contemplate the several situations in which a skirt is not necessary or even urged.
If you are just boating leisurely on a tranquil, sunny afternoon on a serene river or harbor, a skirt will be more of an obstacle than a positive feature. The garment will only provide warmth to your torso and lower body, and it won’t be useful at all unless you are in a stormy environment with strong winds and fast-flowing currents.
Parts of a Kayak Spray Skirt
Skirts may not all be the same, but they typically share the same elements. This Perception TrueFit kayak skirt is enhanced with special features that elevate the kayak skirt experience.
The TUBE is the part of the skirt which encircles the kayaker’s waist. The fit should be snug, yet not so tight that it impedes comfort and breathing.
The deck of a kayak is the main component that attaches on the lower part of the cockpit and the upper part of the tube. A zipper may be incorporated in order to let hot air out, and an implosion bar can be utilized to prevent the fabric from drooping and becoming inundated with water.
The part of the Grip Edge that holds the lip or outer edge of the boat cockpit is the actual securing point. Skirts generally will have either a bungee cord or a string loop for closure.
Most skirts come with a loop known as a GRAB LOOP, which greatly facilitates the process of attaching and detaching it to the kayak. The user grabs the loop attached to the skirt and pushes the skirt away from him/her in order to put it on or take it off.
IMPLOSION BAR – Not all skirts have this feature. The goal is to decrease or get rid of bowing of the deck caused by water pressure or pooled liquid. The bar forms a steady incline up to the highest level of the skirt.
A tunnel zipper is not always included on skirts. The point is to let out any hot air if needed or provide some ventilation when the guard around the bottom of the skirt is not urgently required.
Some kayak skirts come with straps for a secure fit, but not every one of them does.
How Do You Use a Kayak Spray Skirt?
To put it simply, a kayaker should enter the hole of the skirt and draw it up from their toes to their chest. Next, the person gets into the kayak, and the bottom of the skirt is fittingly fastened to the boundary of the open inside of the kayak to guarantee that the cockpit remains water free.
The skirt is connected to the edge of the cockpit by either one of the two standard connecting systems that come with the skirt. There are two types of edge systems, namely the bungee grip edge, and the rand grip edge.
Bungee vs. Rand Grip Edge
A skirt that uses bungee cords is made of neoprene and can easily be put on the edge of a kayak cockpit thanks to its flexible elastic cord.
The zipper style is much simpler to put on and take off than the rand style and it is also much more ubiquitous. There is a greater assurance that the person in the canoe can quickly evacuate if they were to flip over.
A rand style skirt has a more snug fit and isn’t as popular or widely seen as the bungee style, which is more easy to put on. A rand is more complex and includes a rubber rim around the whole boundary where the skirt connects to the kayak.
The rubber edge of the item is similar to what a kitchen storage container for sandwiches and leftovers would have. This seal is reliable, yet more intricate and challenging to put in place and take out.
Rand skirts are a great option for whitewater and turbulent waters since they are less likely to collapse and will be secure against pressure from both the surface of the water and the underneath.
Some canoeists do not enjoy the rand style skirt as they feel it could be harder to get away from the boat when compared to a bungee skirt. It is feasible to become proficient at leaving both with some practice. Make sure you can get to the handle quickly, and you should still be able to escape with whatever type of clothing you have on.
5 Best Spray Skirts For Kayaks
1: Seals Sea Sprite Spray Skirt (Best Overall)
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Material: Neoprene and nylon
This Seals Sea Sprite Spray Skirt is available in multiple sizes to fit different types of sit-inside kayaks. This spray skirt is ideal for individuals who seek a reliable product for moderate to challenging paddling trips. It is composed of a blend of neoprene and nylon fabric and is suitable for high-performance settings.
The deck of the product is constructed from 4 millimeter thick neoprene material and has a three-layered waterproof/breathable nylon passage for enhanced comfort. There is also a gap of three inches filled with neoprene between the deck and the tunnel, in addition to a neoprene chest strap that can be adjusted.
This product has a ? inch bungee border connection and the seams are closed watertight with a grasp loop which has an integrated safety whistle.
A wonderful aspect of this Sea Sprite spray skirt is how it has adjustable, take-off suspenders, granting better steadiness when wearing it.
Features
- Removable shoulder straps
- Neoprene deck
- Breathable fabric
2: Seals Shocker Whitewater Spray Skirt (Best For Whitewater)
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
- Material: Neoprene
The Seals Shocker Whitewater Spray Skirt has been specifically created for the most rigorous kayaking situations and is perfect for whitewater kayaking. This garment is constructed from 4 millimeters of neoprene material and contains a neoprene tunnel that is 9 inches in height and fits snugly.
The skirt has a ? inch elastic cord that wraps firmly around the edge of your vessel and has spring grip/safety slide features to keep the skirt in position. This garment features Sealtex wear guard, and its seams are glued, sealed, and double stitched for enhanced longevity.
