The 12 Days of Yakmas: Gift Ideas for the Kayaker on Your List
Quick take: The best gifts for kayakers are the things they use up, lose, or never have enough of: paddling gloves or pogies, dry bags, a skull cap for under the helmet, wool socks, merino base layers, earplugs for cold water, a changing poncho, and, for the serious boater, a breakdown spare paddle. Stocking stuffers like a small dry bag are always welcome.
Are you one of the thousands of folks who struggle every holiday season to figure out what to buy the paddler in your life? You have come to the right place. As a longtime paddling enthusiast, I know exactly which gifts will get your kayaking consort stoked. Here are the 12 Days of Yakmas.
1. Warm hands: pogies, mitts, or paddling gloves
Many of us do not put our boats away for winter. A solid pair of pogies, mitts, or gloves made specifically for paddling makes getting out in the cold much more fun. Pogies suit whitewater boaters, hand-jacket style mitts like Kokatat's suit sea kayakers, and paddling gloves like Level Six's work well for recreational kayakers.
2. Dry bags
Anyone who spends time on the water will tell you that you can never have enough dry bags. They come in all shapes, sizes, and qualities. For a stocking stuffer, a small 1.5-liter dry bag keeps a phone, wallet, and keys dry. To get them the best, look at a heavy-duty bag like the Watershed Ocoee or Chattooga.
3. A breakdown spare paddle
Whitewater fiends can be hard to shop for, so dig for something they do not realize they need. One of the most overlooked pieces of kit is a backup breakdown paddle. If they lose their paddle on the river, getting to the takeout becomes a daunting task. A multi-piece paddle, such as a Werner four-piece, stows in the back of the kayak and gets them right back on the water.
4. A skull cap
Whitewater and sea kayakers typically wear helmets, which protect the head but do not do much to keep it warm. A neoprene or fleece skull cap, like the Immersion Research Thermo Hood, keeps brain freeze at bay all winter.
5. A GoGirl
Need a clever stocking stuffer for a woman who paddles? Digging through a drysuit and base layers to relieve yourself in winter is a chore. The GoGirl is a compact female urination device that makes it far easier. I bought one for my partner years ago, and I am still convinced it is the most useful gift I have ever given her.
6. A giant tennis ball for the paddle pup
Got a four-legged friend who joins your paddling adventures? They probably already have a dog PFD, but an oversized tennis ball will keep them entertained when winter keeps everyone inside. Dogs, kids, and adults alike tend to get excited about a giant neon ball.
7. A fillet knife for the kayak angler
For a kayak angler, a good fillet knife is always welcome. A purpose-built fillet knife like the Gerber Controller makes processing fish much easier, and you might even get a few fillets out of the deal.
8. Good wool socks
You were probably going to give socks anyway, but some socks just do not work well for paddling. Our paddling staff are big fans of Wigwam wool socks for cold-water kayaking, and merino socks from other brands are a great choice too.
9. Earplugs to prevent surfer's ear
Few people know about surfer's ear. Repeated exposure to cold water and wind can cause bony growths in the ear canal that trap water and can lead to infections and hearing loss. If someone you know paddles in cold water often, earplugs designed for water sports are a thoughtful gift. Doc's Pro Plugs come in multiple sizes and are the best I have found for keeping water out.
10. A changing poncho
Driving home from a day on the water in wet clothes or sweaty base layers stinks. My partner once gave me a changing poncho, and it changed my life. Not only am I dry on the ride home, it is so comfy that I keep it on at home. Maybe it weirds people out when I walk into a restaurant wearing it, but if they knew my comfort level, they would understand.
11. Base layers
Like dry bags, a paddler can never have too many base layers. Staying warm and dry through the cold season is a struggle, and many paddlers run out of clean layers before they hit the water. Merino wool is a great choice because it works for a day on the water, on the mountain, or walking around town.
12. A new kayak
Did your favorite kayaker really knock it out of the park this year? There is one thing no kayaker can ever have enough of: kayaks. There is always something new on the market guaranteed to provide countless hours of fun on the water.
Shop paddler-friendly gifts online
Most paddling-specific gear, including pogies, dry bags, paddles, PFDs, and kayaks, is available in-store at our Grand Avenue store in Portland's Central Eastside. These gifts can be ordered online:
- Kayak Deck Bag Keeps essentials within reach on deck
- Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Midweight Crew Merino base layer for cold-water days
- Helly Hansen W Lifa Merino Midweight Crew Women's merino base layer
- Showers Pass Waterproof Socks Warm, dry feet for launch and landing
- Showers Pass Neck Gaiter Easy stocking stuffer
- Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket Rain shell for the drive to the put-in
Kayaker Gift FAQ
What is a good cheap gift for a kayaker?
Small dry bags, wool socks, a skull cap, earplugs for cold water, or a neck gaiter are useful, budget-friendly gifts that paddlers go through quickly.
What do kayakers need for winter paddling?
Warm hand protection like pogies or paddling gloves, a skull cap under the helmet, wool or merino base layers, and appropriate immersion wear for cold water.
What is surfer's ear?
Surfer's ear is bony growth in the ear canal caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind. It can trap water and lead to infections and hearing loss, and earplugs help prevent it.
Why should a whitewater kayaker carry a spare paddle?
If a paddle is lost or broken on the river, a breakdown spare stowed in the boat lets the paddler get back to the takeout safely.
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