Kayaking needs?

[cj1000]

I was wondering if water shoes are necessary to go kayaking? If you wear tennis shoes, will they get wet? Thanks.

[SourDoughSteve]

Typically not a problem.

[wolfie11]

Yes, your feet will get wet. I normally wear Ketchikan sneakers, otherwise known as ExtraTuffs (or Wellies for you Brits), unless you are getting into a kayak from a boat and returning to a boat. Neoprene socks or diving booties will also work. Also, your butt (can I sat "butt" on this list?) will get wet, as will your head and arms from water dripping off your paddle (and your buddy's paddle) when you flub a stroke. If it's raining, pretty much everything gets wet. I wear polypro and fleece with a brimmed hat to keep that cold water from running down my neck. I don't like waterproof rain gear because I get too hot and sweaty, but gore tex works fairly well unless it's pouring.

[geoherb]

I took my kayaking shoes when we went kayaking in Haines. They're a heavier duty than the less expensive water shoes. I probably could have gotten by without them. It was warm enough to go barefooted and the rocks did not look very jagged. But my feet are tougher than a lot of folks'. For instance, I did not wear shoes to climb Dunns River Falls.