How to pack for a kayak trip
3.8.2023
Translation: Megan Cornish
With lakes and rivers all over the country, Switzerland is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Anyone who enjoys kayaking will find exciting alternatives to the more common hiking or cycling tours. Read on to find out how best to pack for a multi-day kayak trip.
There are plenty of incentives to go on a kayak tour: experiencing Switzerland from a new perspective, using a slow and an environmentally friendly method of travel, having a little adventure on your own doorstep. The SwitzerlandMobility Foundation has put together a whole series of beautiful routes – from Ticino to Lake Constance – with tour descriptions in its specialist «Canoeing in Switzerland» category.
Before you put your kayak in the water, you should think about what you’re taking with you. A large rucksack or wheeled suitcase isn’t always the right option – after all, you have to stow all your luggage in the kayak. So, I pack my gear into several small waterproof bags that I can then squeeze into any available space in the kayak. I like to use waterproof Sea To Summit Compression Bags, which – depending on the kayak model – I store in the sealed luggage hatches or robust buoyancy packs.
I keep equipment that must absolutely never get wet – like my sleeping bag – in another waterproof bag to be on the safe side. I squeeze the smallest waterproof bags into the tip of the kayak, packing in the larger, heavier ones near the seat hatch. I tie the waterproof bags together with string so I can easily pull them out of the front or back of the kayak when I’m unpacking.
Of course, the seat hatch has to remain free of larger bags or objects so that if you capsize and have to make an emergency exit in the water, you can get out of the boat easily and not get stuck. But you can pack things like shoes, extra water supplies or snacks behind the seat. You should also stow your bilge pump and a sponge in the cockpit – as the seat hatch is sometimes called – in case you end up with a lot of water in your kayak. The ensures you have easy access when you need it.
It’s important to load the kayak evenly and place the heaviest weight as close as possible to the middle – i.e. the cockpit – especially when there are waves. Too much weight at the front of the kayak makes it very difficult to manoeuvre. That’s why I recommend doing a small test run with the packed kayak and seeing how it feels. If it doesn’t feel right, you’ll need to repack it. This takes some time at the beginning of your trip, but it pays off later because it makes your journey safer and better.
The packable bedroom for a kayak trip
But first things first. I have to find space in the kayak for my outdoor bedroom. This could be a light tent, but a tarp is enough for me – i.e. an awning that can be stretched out as rain protection. If I want to travel very light, I take the Sea To Summit Escapist. If I’m expecting wind and rain, I sometimes pack a bivy sack like the Rab Ridge. If you want to be a bit more comfortable and have more space under the rain cover, I think the Amazonas Wing Tarp is a good solution. It fits well over a hammock, but it's also a good rain, wind and privacy screen on its own.
I recently wrote about sleeping pads. When I go kayaking, I pack the Therm a-Rest Z-Lite Sol as a base and as a support and seat for short breaks. For sleeping, I use the comfortable Sea To Summit Ether Light XT Insulated, which I place on top of the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sol when I sleep on the ground. Depending on the type of trip, I also pack a hammock. Last time, I had the Eno Sub6 hammock with me.
When it comes to sleeping bags, I look for water-repellent down. You can of course also use a sleeping bag with a synthetic filling, but I prefer down sleeping bags because of the warmth, the more comfortable sleeping climate and the lower weight. However, the air near lakes or rivers is often humid at night and down sleeping bags quickly struggle without specially treated down. I’ve had good experiences with the Therm-a-Rest 20 UL Quilt (detailed review to follow). Grüezi Bag’s sleeping bag is also exciting, using a mixture of wool and down, which is supposed to keep you warm even when it’s wet and is also very light (test report also to follow). For my pillow, I usually use the super-light Cocoon Air Core Microlight, which weighs just 48 grammes.
The mobile kitchen
Obviously, you can go to a restaurant in the evening or buy your coffee at the campsite kiosk. But I still think it’s good to have a gas stove with me in case I get the urge for coffee (this has happened before) or I want to cook something quickly in the evening. As for restaurants, I usually feel underdressed on kayak tours. I like the Jetboil Flash because it cooks really quickly – even in cold, windy conditions. However, the right gas cartridges aren’t available everywhere.
Cutlery and crockery are down to personal preference, and you’ll find a large selection in the shop. Of course, what and how much you take with you to eat depends entirely on where you’re paddling and whether you want to go down the self-catering route. After long days of paddling, when I’m too tired to cook, I like to eat freeze-dried outdoor food. I tried the Real Thai Red Curry on my last trip and it was fine – I thought it tasted good. However, the portion could have been a bit bigger.
It’s always advisable to have energy bars and small snacks with you when you’re out and about in case the wind and waves use up more energy than expected. I like the bars by Swiss manufacturer Peak Punk made with natural ingredients. I also pack nuts and raisins or ready-made trail mix and other sweets – preferably gummy bears so that I have readily available energy.
You should have water or an electrolyte drink with you. You can place a drinking bottle within easy reach. I prefer a hydration bladder that I attach to my life jacket so I can drink while I’m paddling without taking my hands off the paddle.
The right clothes
You wear your life jacket, so it doesn’t have to be stowed in the kayak. Here are a few tips: for Swiss lakes, your life jacket must have at least 50 Newtons of buoyancy and be EN ISO 12402-5-certified. It’s a good idea to choose a vest that has enough space on the shoulders and arms and doesn’t chafe. I find a pocket very handy for energy bars and other small items I like to have nearby when I’m on the go. Different rules apply to rivers, so I’ll stick to lakes here.
For paddling, I wear quick-drying sportswear or swimming shorts and a long or short-sleeved Lycra shirt. Ideally, the shirt should have a sun protection factor so that your skin doesn’t suffer, even on sunny days on the water. For cooler days, I like to have a water-repellent thermal shirt like the Gill one with me. I always have a light rain jacket within reach. It helps when it’s cooler on the water, but also when there’s a downpour in the camp in the evening.
Water shoes with good soles are important if you want to pull your kayak onto shore over moss-covered rocks or get out in places where it’s jagged underfoot. I had the Skinners Compression 2.0 barefoot shoes/socks with me on my last kayak tour and was really pleased with them. The Aquatec shoes are also suitable because of their firm sole. And if you want to wear the same shoes at camp instead of taking two pairs, the Terra Fi 5 sandals might be the right option. Depending on the weather and the terrain, I pack light trainers for the evening if the ground is very uneven or if just it’s swarming with ants and other insects.
Along with sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a small repair kit and a toiletry bag, you now only need to find space for your nightwear and – depending on the season – warmer clothes for the evening. That should be your kayak packing done. Before you set off, however, the waterproof first aid bag by Care Plus would be a good addition so that you can relax and enjoy your trip.
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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