Kayaking is a gear-intensive sport. Just to get started, you need a whitewater kayak, a sprayskirt, a kayak paddle, a lifejacket [PFD] and a helmet – that’s just the bare minimum to make it down the river.
But there are a lot of other items that can enhance your water sports experience and make it better, more comfortable and more efficient.
These are the top accessories for kayakers.
Throw Bag
Every kayaker should carry at least one quick rescue throwbag inside the cockpit of their boat. Throw bags should be replaced every few years depending on the condition of the rope and the condition of the bag.
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Level Six
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NRS Pro Rescue Compact |
Mesh Duffel Bag
Kayakers need a bag to store gear in that also offers ventilation. Wet gear in a standard duffel gets gross while the mesh options allow your gear to breathe as you transport it.
We recommend 60L-90L of bag to fit a normal kayakers gear setup. Our favorite bags is the NRS Purest Mesh Bag
For a bag to fill with wet cam straps, we recommend the Down River Large Mesh Bag.
Hydroskin Layers
For the days that you *almost* want to go skin to the wind, NRS Hydroskin layers offer added warmth and protection from rocks while still providing a thin flexible material that won’t restrict motion.
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NRS HydroSkin
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NRS Hydroskin
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Astral Brewer Water Shoes
The Astral Brewer 2.0 Men's Water Shoes (and the Astral Brewess 2.0 Women's Water Shoes) are designed with mesh fabric that is both stout and breathable. These water-ready river shoes are durable, lightweight, quick-drying and are superb at draining any water that may get inside your shoe while on the river.
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Astral Brewer 2.0 Men's Shoe |
Astral Brewess 2.0 Women's Shoe |
Elbow Pads
You never need elbow pads until you really need elbow pads. Sweet Protection Elbow Pads allow aspiring kayakers to push their limits safely, protecting against rocks and mank common to Colorado creeks. There is nothing worse than a fun day of paddling ruined by a banged-up elbow – Get Elbow Pads!
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Watershed Dry Bag
Watershed has a reputation for making the strongest, driest, most durable bags in paddlesports. With a Watershed bag, you can store your, camera, lunch, phone, keys and wallet with confidence knowing that regardless of what happens on the river, everything inside your drybag will remain dry.
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Watershed Chattooga Dry Duffel |
Watershed Ocoee Dry Duffel |
Watershed Goforth Hybrid Duffel |