Warm when Wet
The Lap no. 44 - D-Day - 24 Days* (I've moved my start date ahead from June 20th to June 16th).
George: It's Gore-tex. You know about Gore-tex?
Jerry: You like saying 'Gore-tex,' don't you?- Seinfeld
Kōkatat, a California-based paddle sports apparel brand, has supported many of the boldest expeditions in sea kayaking. Their ambassadors and team paddlers include some of my kayaking heroes.
I’m stoked and honored to have their backing as the official gear sponsor for this trip.
You see a lot of kayakers wearing old Kōkatat stock because it lasts forever: throwback logos, discontinued models, faded neon--still keeping the wearers warm and dry in conditions that challenge even the toughest gear.
“Into the water” with Kōkatat
I wear a bib and cag combo along with a Kokatat Neptune PFD (always).
Whirlpool bib
When you’re sitting in a boat for 10+ hours per day, it’s important to keep your… seat dry. The Whirlpool bib does just that. It has built-in GORE-TEX socks for dry toes and a relief zipper for… relief on a long paddle.
Dry top
On cold or rough days, I pair the bib with an Ōm Drytop. With latex wrist and neck seals, this top keeps me completely dry when “mated” with the bib to form a two-piece drysuit.
I do most of my training in this combo.
Paddling jacket & Storm Cag
On mild and calm days, I wear a lightweight paddling jacket. It’s worth mentioning that this combo is splashproof but not suitable for prolonged immersion. I’m taking a calculated risk when I swap the dry top for the lighter jacket.
I also carry a storm cag which is oversized to fit over my PFD and paddling layers when the weather turns nasty or I need some extra warmth. Game-changer on cold lunch breaks or setting up camp in the rain.
GORE-TEX
All my outer layers are made of GORE-TEX, a waterproof, windproof, and breathable membrane that's ideal for sea kayaking. The fabric is made up of microscopic pores (9 billion per square inch of material) that are small enough to let vapors from sweat escape but too small to let water droplets in.
GORE-TEX, when paired with wicking and insulating layers, keeps me warm in cold wind and cool in hot, humid conditions.
Wicking and warming
Cold water expert Moulton Avery has said a drysuit on its own has “all the insulating properties of a shower curtain.” That is to say, none.
For a drysuit or paddling top to keep you warm, it needs to be used as the outer shell of a layering system along with a wicking baselayer to draw moisture away from the body, and an insulating layer to trap heat.
Here’s the United States Coast Guard explaining how it works:
Wicking and warming layers have to be made of a material that stays warm when wet: usually wool or polyester.
I wear a Merino wool base layer and wool socks because wool is naturally antimicrobial and doesn’t stink (as much) on a multi-day trip away from washing machine access.
A few readers have asked about the difference between wetsuits and dry suits. See the FAQs on my Team Fox page.
Thank you, Team Fox donors! 🦊
Thank you to everyone who donated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research so far.
Thanks for reading,
-Charlie
Thank you to Mike Jones for coaching and guidance.
Kokatat is the official gear sponsor of The Lap.
The lap will be fueled by Resilient Nutrition’s Long Range Fuel and bars.
Expedition coffee by 3fe.
CH Marine will be providing a VHF radio and other safety equipment.
Tent and cooking gas provided by Paddle & Pitch. Trolley by KCS.
REAL Field Meals at a discount from Adventure.ie.