Canoe and kayak touring generally involves being off-grid, so it’s important to pack the right gear to ensure that you stay safe, warm and well fed.
Here are my top tips for packing for a kayak or canoe touring trip, followed by a detailed packing list.
Gear Tips for Kayaks
Most tandem kayaks generally have two or three storage compartments, in addition to the two cockpits that you sit in. The first thing you notice when packing your boat is how small the opening to these compartments is, relative to the overall storage inside of them. For this reason, consider bringing bags that are easily separated into smaller items or smaller bags.
- Keep your water in your cockpit. You won’t have many opportunities to fill up, therefore you need to know if it’s leaking.
- Total water requirement will depend on the weather and individual. However, as a rough guide, look at the container pictured below by Jerome’s right hand. We had that much water, each, for three days.
- Bring bags within bags, that can easily be separated to fit through the small entrances to the storage compartments.
- Below you can see the rough distribution of our gear across the three kayak compartments.
Gear Tips for Canoes
When touring in a canoe you have far more space available, which offers you an amount of freedom when packing. But remember, everything you pack in, you’ll likely have to pack out everytime you pull up at a beach or overnight stop.
When packing a canoe, I pack very similar to a backpacking trip. One big bag pack. One smaller day pack. I also like to bring rope to tie down my bags and ensure nothing goes overboard.
Rental Gear
These items will be provided by your kayak or canoe rental shop, but it’s worth have a list to hand so you can make sure you have everything.
- Canoe or Kayak
- 1 paddle per person + 1 spare paddle
- Paddle flotation device (helps with kayak capsize recovery)
- Spray Deck (covers the cockpit to prevent water coming in)
- Throw rope
- Life jacket or Personal Flotation Device
- Pump to get water out
- Tidal charts, timings, and forecasts
- Map and trip plan
Water Specific Gear
- Waterproof head torch
- Dry bags for valuables and electronics
- Extra rope to tie down gear in the boat
- Sunglasses and sunscreen – you’ll burn far faster with the reflection of the sun from the water.
- Dedicated dry bag for 1 change of clothes and your sleeping bag. Everything else you can afford to get wet. These items you cannot.
- Sandals that you don’t mind getting wet. You’ll need these to haul the boat in and out of the water, often with rocks underfoot.
- 4 or 5 spare bin liners. You never know when they’ll come in handy.
Regular Camping Gear
Everything else really is the same as you would take on a regular camping trip. For me this falls into three categories:
Eleven Essentials (to keep you alive)
- Tent or other means of shelter or emergency shelter
- Source of light such as a headtorch (waterproof)
- First aid kit (checked and in date)
- Navigation (map, compass and/or GPS)
- Source of fire
- Reliable communications for your destination. Will your phone suffice or should you have a satellite GPS or emergency device
- Knife or multi-tool
- Change of clothes
- Sun protection
- Water supply. This means water, as well as any filtration or tablets that you might need for a longer trip.
- Food. This means enough for all your meals and a couple of spares.
2. Overnight & Sanitation
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Floor mat
- Toothbrush, toiletries
- Soap (preferably eco friendly)
- Small travel towel
- Toiletpaper (in a zip lock)
- Cooking stove + gas
- Pots and handle
- Lightweight mugs and bowls (bowls are better than plates as they double up as both)
- Cleaning cloth for dishes
3. Clothing
Whatever clothing you choose you bring, lightweight and quick drying is always better when doing any kind of water activity.
- Quick-drying pants (trousers)
- Warm pants for evenings
- Base layer
- Warm mid-layers (fleece or other insulation)
- Good waterproof/windproofs
- Cap & warm hat
- Sunglasses
- Gloves
- Spare underwear and socks
- 1 complete set of spare dry clothes
Bonus. Optional Extras
- Camera equipment
- Earplugs and eye mask for sleeping
- Thermos flask to keep drinks warm
- Beers!
