What to Wear Kayaking in Seattle: A Month-by-Month Guide
- Dylan
- Mar 20
- 10 min read
Updated: Mar 23
Seattle-area kayakers deal with a mismatch that catches a lot of people off guard: the air can feel genuinely warm while the water stays cold enough to make a capsize dangerous. On a 72°F July afternoon on Puget Sound, you might be sweating into your paddle jacket while the water below you is 51°F. Cold water removes heat from your body about 25 times faster than air, and within 10–15 minutes of immersion most people lose meaningful dexterity in their hands — exactly when you need it most for a self-rescue.
If you are newer to paddling and want a broader overview of getting started, our How to Start Sea Kayaking guide covers gear, skills, and what to expect on Puget Sound.
This guide covers what to wear for three Seattle-area paddling environments: Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Lake Union. We organize by water temperature first, with months for reference — not a guarantee.
If you’re unsure what you need for an upcoming paddle, we rent drysuits and wetsuits by the day and can help you choose the right setup. Call us at 206-281-9694 or stop by the shop.
The Core Rule: Dress for the Water, Not the Air
This is the single principle that changes how you think about paddling clothing. The air temperature determines how comfortable you are on the water. The water temperature determines how safe you are if you end up in it.
A wetsuit or drysuit that feels unnecessary on a warm day can be the difference between a manageable capsize and a serious emergency. The gear only helps if you’re wearing it.
Decisions about immersion protection aren’t all-or-nothing — they exist on a spectrum.The most common version of this: it's a warm day, you're planning a short paddle, and a wetsuit feels like overkill. Sometimes that instinct is reasonable. What it tends to miss is that the water temperature hasn't changed, and most capsizes aren't planned.
There are situations where wearing a suit is clearly the right call and skipping it would be a mistake: cold water, exposed conditions, distance from shore, limited rescue options. There are others where it would help but is genuinely your call, based on your experience, risk tolerance, and where you’re paddling. What tips the scale in most cases is simple: wearing a suit usually costs you nothing more than a little sweat. Not wearing one in the wrong situation can cost you a lot more.
Your skills and the skills of the people you're paddling with are also part of the equation. Paddling with experienced companions who can execute a rescue quickly changes the risk calculation, as does staying together, which matters more than most people realize. Groups that spread out lose the safety margin that comes from paddling with others. That said, where you're paddling and the conditions still set the floor. An experienced group doesn't change what cold water does to your body.
If you’re trying to choose between a wetsuit and a drysuit for your style of paddling, our drysuit vs. wetsuit guide covers the trade-offs in detail.
Quick Reference: Water Temperature and Clothing
If you just want the quick answer, start here. The table below maps water temperature to clothing, with approximate months for each environment.
Water Temp | Typical Clothing | Puget Sound / San Juans | Lake Union |
Below 48°F | Drysuit with warm layers | Nov – Mar | Nov – Mar |
48–50°F | Drysuit recommended; wetsuit + dry top acceptable | Mar – Apr, Oct | Apr, Oct |
50–53°F | Wetsuit + paddle jacket, or drysuit | May – Sep | Early May, late October |
53–60°F | Wetsuit recommended; lighter clothing for short calm sessions on protected water | Rarely | Early to mid-May, October |
Above 60°F | Quick-dry clothing; wetsuit still wise | Not typical | Mid-May through September |
Water temperatures are approximate. Puget Sound and the San Juans are influenced by tidal exchange with the Pacific and remain cold year-round. Lake Union warms more in summer but can still be cold in spring and fall.
Puget Sound
Bottom line: Cold water year-round. Dress for immersion every time.
Puget Sound is connected to the Pacific Ocean through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which keeps water temperatures cold and relatively stable year-round — typically 46–53°F even in midsummer. Wind and tidal current also create conditions that make capsizing more likely: open crossings, boat wake, chop from wind opposing current, and eddylines. That combination means a capsize here is less predictable and more consequential than it feels on the shore — which is why many experienced paddlers treat Puget Sound as a wetsuit-or-drysuit environment even in summer.
One note specific to Puget Sound: conditions here can develop faster than forecasts suggest. Wind opposing an ebb current can turn a manageable chop into short, steep waves in 20 minutes. Whatever you choose to wear, factor in the conditions you might encounter if things change, not just conditions at launch.
Month(s) | Water Temp | Recommended Clothing |
Nov – Mar | 45–48°F | Drysuit with synthetic base layers and fleece insulation. Neoprene booties, pogies or gloves, neoprene hood. |
Mar – Apr | 47–50°F | Drysuit strongly recommended. Wetsuit (sleeveless, paired with paddle jacket) is an acceptable alternative for shorter, protected paddles. |
May – Jun | 49–52°F | Wetsuit with paddle jacket, or drysuit. Pogies useful on cold or windy days. Layer under a drysuit for comfort on cooler mornings. |
Jul – Sep | 50–53°F | Wetsuit with paddle jacket remains appropriate. Drysuit paddlers often wear lighter layers underneath. Don’t let warm air temperatures lead to underprotection. |
Oct | 50–52°F | Return to wetsuit plus paddle jacket minimum. Drysuit for longer or more exposed paddles. Temperatures drop quickly in October. |
San Juan Islands
Bottom line: More exposure, more consequence. Err toward a drysuit.
The San Juan Islands are colder than southern Puget Sound for most of the year and more exposed. Water temperatures run roughly 46–52°F across seasons, but the Islands add factors that require more conservative decisions: multi-day exposure, longer distances from shore, and tidal currents that can run 3–5+ knots through passes like Deception Pass and Active Pass. Many experienced paddlers bring both a wetsuit and a drysuit and decide based on the forecast and route. For multi-day trips, the drysuit is the more common choice — staying dry matters more when you’re camping and managing core temperature over several days.
Month(s) | Water Temp | Recommended Clothing |
Nov – Apr | 45–49°F | Drysuit with layered insulation underneath. Neoprene hood, pogies or waterproof gloves, neoprene booties. This is serious cold-water territory. |
May – Jun | 48–51°F | Drysuit recommended, especially for crossings or multi-day trips. Wetsuit with dry top acceptable for shorter, protected paddles close to shore. |
Jul – Sep | 50–53°F | Wetsuit with paddle jacket, or drysuit with light layers. Drysuit preferable for multi-day trips. Layer for mornings and evenings, which can be significantly cooler than midday. |
Oct | 50–52°F | Back toward drysuit territory. Wind and rain return in October. A drysuit keeps you warm and dry through conditions a wetsuit won’t handle well. |
For San Juan Islands paddling, one principle worth remembering: it is easier to cool off than to warm back up. If you are unsure whether to bring the drysuit, bring the drysuit.
Lake Union
Bottom line: More forgiving than Puget Sound, but still cold outside of summer.
Lake Union is where most NWOC paddlers start. The thermometer we run from behind our front desk directly into the lake has shown temperatures as cold as 38°F in winter. Surface temperatures typically cross 60°F around mid-May — varying with spring runoff and weather — and Army Corps of Engineers monitoring shows peak summer surface temps reaching around 75°F at swimming depths in mid-summer. By October, temperatures are dropping back below 60°F. Outside of roughly mid-May through September, treat Lake Union as a cold-water environment.
Because Lake Union is protected and close to shore, we manage risk differently here than on Puget Sound. In colder months, we focus rentals on calm conditions and keep paddlers in a protected environment where shore is always nearby. In winter months we're also more selective about who we send out and in what boats — newer paddlers go out in doubles or stable single kayaks, and we're more conservative overall about conditions than we are in summer. That lowers the overall risk, but it doesn’t eliminate the need to think about immersion protection. A capsize is still possible, cold water still removes heat faster than most people expect, and a wetsuit or drysuit is still the right call for newer paddlers, longer sessions, or anyone who wants to stay genuinely comfortable outside of summer.
Wetsuit rental is free with any kayak or paddleboard rental. For paddleboarders, we require a wetsuit until lake temperatures reach 60°F — regardless of air temperature. Paddleboarders spend more time standing and are more likely to end up fully in the water than kayakers, which is why the threshold is firm. For kayakers, our recommendations are more flexible — based on conditions, experience, and how long you’ll be out.
Recommendations below assume calm conditions and protected water. In rougher conditions or for less experienced paddlers, move toward more protection
Month(s) | Water Temp | Recommended Clothing |
Nov – Mar | ~38–50°F | Drysuit recommended; wetsuit with paddle jacket for shorter sessions in calm conditions. In winter we limit rentals to experienced paddlers or newer paddlers in stable doubles, close to shore. Immersion protection strongly advised. |
Apr – mid-May | ~50–60°F | Water still cold despite warming air and spring runoff. Wetsuit with paddle jacket or drysuit. A sunny April morning can be deceptive. |
Mid-May – Jun | ~60–68°F | Surface temps cross 60°F. Wetsuit remains the sensible choice. Lighter paddling clothing reasonable for short, calm sessions in good weather by late June. |
Jul – Sep | ~65–75°F | Warmest window. Quick-dry paddling clothing is reasonable for protected paddles. A wetsuit is still sensible for anyone practicing rescues. |
Oct | ~50-60°F | Temperatures falling. Wetsuit with paddle jacket is the right call. Drysuit for evening paddles or longer sessions — evenings cool off faster than expected once you’re wet. |
A note about rescue practice in our Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking class: we almost always wear drysuits for water sessions, even on hot days. Lake Union is the right place to discover you didn’t fully close your entry zipper. A damp afternoon here is a much better outcome than that same mistake on Puget Sound. Have someone else check your zipper — especially if you’re new to drysuits — and don’t forget your relief zipper.
Our Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking class covers all of this on the water — rescues, conditions, and what your gear actually does when you need it.
During our weeknight sessions, the sun drops behind Queen Anne Hill earlier than you expect. Once you’ve been in the water, evaporative cooling takes effect quickly, and the combination of damp clothing and shade can chill you fast even on a warm evening. This is part of why we practice in full gear rather than a swimsuit, and why Lake Union rescue practice teaches you something that calm conditions alone cannot.
Gear Choices by Condition
Drysuit
The most reliable option for cold-water paddling. Breathable waterproof fabric, latex wrist and neck gaskets, waterproof entry zipper. The suit itself provides no warmth — warmth comes from layers underneath: synthetic base layer, fleece mid-layer. Avoid cotton.
Here's an example of a drysuit we recommend for Puget Sound paddling:
Breathable, front-entry design with built-in socks, a practical option for cold water kayaking. We stock this in men's and women's options.
Wetsuit
Paddling wetsuits are typically sleeveless, a Farmer John or Farmer Jane cut, which keeps your arms free for full range of motion through your strokes. They work by trapping a thin layer of water your body then warms, so fit matters: a loose wetsuit flushes constantly with new cold water and loses most of its effectiveness. Pair with a paddle jacket or dry top to cover your arms, add wind protection, and reduce flushing at the neck.
We stock the NRS Ultra Jane and Ultra John, which have a fleece-like interior that makes them warmer against the skin and easier to slip on when wet. The NRS Farmer John is less expensive with a smooth interior — functional, but not as comfortable as the Ultra version.
Paddle Jacket and Dry Top
A paddle jacket with snug wrist and neck closures reduces cold water flushing over a wetsuit. A dry top uses neoprene or latex gaskets for a more water-resistant seal. Neither replaces a wetsuit or drysuit for immersion protection, but both extend how long you stay comfortable in moderate conditions.
A well-fitted sprayskirt is the other piece of the system — it determines how much water reaches your cockpit in the first place. See our Sprayskirt Buying Guide.
Hands, Head, and Feet
Pogies attach to the paddle shaft and keep hands warm while preserving direct grip feel — most paddlers find them more practical than gloves on the water. Carry waterproof gloves as backup for rescues or time off the paddle. A neoprene hood packs small and provides significant warmth if you end up in the water. Neoprene booties are standard footwear for sea kayaking.
Common Mistakes (Quick Check)
These show up consistently — across all experience levels.
Dressing for the air temperature. A 70°F day on Puget Sound with 51°F water is still a cold-water paddle. The air tells you what to wear on shore. The water tells you what to wear in the boat.
Assuming summer means warm water. Puget Sound peaks around 50–53°F in August. The sun on your back is real. The water temperature is also real.
Wearing a loose wetsuit. A wetsuit that gaps at the neck and ankles flushes constantly with cold water. Your body spends its energy reheating that water instead of keeping you warm. Fit matters as much as thickness.
Never testing gear in the water. A drysuit or wetsuit you’ve never worn in the water is an unknown quantity. Our classes practice rescues in real conditions specifically so paddlers understand how their gear performs before they need to find out the hard way.
Leaving the drysuit in the car. Gear that’s accessible only in the parking lot isn’t protecting you on the water. If it’s cold enough to matter, wear it.
What Most Paddlers Actually Need
If you just want the short answer, this is it:
Lake Union, July–August: Light paddling clothing is reasonable for short, protected sessions. A wetsuit remains sensible for beginners or anyone practicing rescues.
Puget Sound, most of the year: Wetsuit with paddle jacket at minimum. Drysuit for longer paddles, colder months, or any conditions with real wind and chop.
San Juan Islands or exposed paddling: Drysuit. If you’re on the fence, the drysuit is the right call.
When in doubt, err toward more protection. It’s much easier to cool off than to warm back up — splash water on your deck, get in the water before you launch, or just take the drysuit off at the put-in if you decide you don’t need it. None of those options exist once you’re out on the water.
Rent Gear at Northwest Outdoor Center
NWOC rents drysuits and wetsuits by the day — a good option if you’re not ready to invest in a suit, want to try a drysuit before buying, or just didn’t pack your own. We can help you figure out what makes sense for your paddling.
Contact us:
By phone: 206-281-9694
By email: mail@nwoc.com
In person: 2100 Westlake Avenue North STE1, Seattle
You can browse drysuits, wetsuits, paddle jackets, pogies, and other immersion wear in our online store.
Northwest Outdoor Center has been teaching sea kayaking on Lake Union since 1981. Our classes include real-water rescue practice so you understand how your gear performs before you need it. See our full class schedule at nwoc.com.
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