Kayaking in colder weather question

I use a calf high neoprene mukluk from NRS. They are waterproof, flexible and warm when wet. They fit the calf like a wet suit, so even if you go in over the tops, you get very little water and it warms up pretty quickly. I've seen the same thing in other brands too. Some have a stiff sole; some have a flexible sole. A flexible sole is better for kayaking; a stiff sole is better for portage.

This link leads (I think) to a photo of them airing in camp on a tripod made of paddles.

<a target='_blank' rel=nofollow target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href='http://home.att.net/~thomas.w.taylor/wsb/html/ view.cgi-photo.html

and can be rolled down sortof, when they're not needed, but they sure are handy when you have to portage a beaver dam or something.

Hip waders (or even rubber boots) in a watercraft? That's a recipe for disaster! Should you tip out, boots prevent the wearer from rising to the surface without great effort.

Neoprene socks are cheap and work well...and unlike the booties you don't get a lot of water sloshing around inside, even if the water does go above the 'sock line.' A great solution if you are just doing some day trips in the fall and don't want to have cold feet.

Keenan www.gokayaking.ca

two words Wet Suit.

i wear a wet suit almost all the time with light neoprene booties. my feet always get soaked. i own a glass boat so don't want to scratch it coming and going. my friends who paddle on the east coast , and paddle all year round; wear dry suits often with built in booties. they paddle on the ocean where the water goes below 0 C . peeling socks and shoes is not an option there. my light neoprene wet suit is completely unsuitable there in June and July. i would recommend neoprene booties or kayak mucklucks, they are great. i would avoid hip rubbers or other wellington type footwear for safety sake. unless you launch and take out at a jetty you will get wet. if you launch from a wharf or jetty it would be wise to be dressed for a possible swim. i have a super roll and cold water shock took me out of my kayak on a deliberate roll two years ago. don't show off to your cousins!!! it must be nice in ottawa now.