From Desert Nights to Arctic Racing
Morocco recently beckoned my daughter to compete as navigator in a multi day desert rally. Desert nights are notoriously cold so when she asked what to wear, I sent her a full set of Reed Chillcheater Transpire fleece tops, bottoms and socks. As plans often do, things changed. Instead of Morocco she ended up racing on snow and ice in Sweden. Her Chillcheater thermals kept her completely toasty and her appreciation for the warmth and comfort was overwhelming.
Reed Chillcheater gained another fan.
A very happy car racer! Now, what’s this got to do with paddling ?!
What Should I Wear for Kayaking
Below are just a few of the questions you may be asking yourself:
What kit should I buy?
What sort of paddling am I expecting to do?
Will I be working hard, and getting hot and sticky, am I expecting to swim?
What happens if I swim, will I get cold?
Will I be sitting around without much exertion?
Will there be a lunch or coffee break? What if I need a comfort break?
It is going to be warm or is the cold breeze going to make me feel colder?
What do I do if I feel cold?
Do I know how my body is going to react to adverse temperature exposure?
When it comes to paddling, these maybe some of the most common and frequent questions, even for seasoned, experienced paddlers! Starting paddling is a minefield of kit and equipment - even more so nowadays with access to the internet and worldwide retailers. It’s so easy to make unnecessary and expensive purchases.
The kayak paddle clothing we choose to spend our hard earned money on is going to be expensive. It’s our safety, to keep our bodies at a happy temperature. It needs to survive and perform in a harsh environment as well as protecting us from other critical factors such as sweating, relentless UV exposure, prevailing conditions such as wind, sun, salty sea air, and continually being wet. On top of this, we still expect it to last us for a good number of years. And, last but not least, we want to look smart and cool at the same time!!
I have made many mistakes and learnt many hard lessons. One of my earliest is shivering by my car in the pitch dark of a winter’s night after a paddle, fighting back tears of despair and helplessness, annoyance and frustration as my hands and body were numb with cold, refusing to work. All my early paddling was solo, so I was on my own and I needed to sort this out by myself. How was I ever going to get warm enough to move, let alone load my kayak? Maybe the new wetsuit I’d invested in wasn’t so wise after all, having already wasted money on pointless cags, tops and trousers….
Discovering Reed Chillcheater
What to do then? I had no idea what Reed Chillcheater was, not back then anyway. I was restricted to a local store and what they suggested. Everything was so expensive and beyond my nominal budget.
I first met Chris Reed, master craftsman and Guru of understanding the cold and paddling gear at the Anglesey Sea Kayak Symposium. What stood out was that the majority of the key paddlers and coaches and my new paddling friends were donned in their smart Chillcheater gear. There must be something in it. When I found out it was all made in their Devon factory, I was even more interested.
Tell me more !!
Prior to my first ever solo Anglesey circumnavigation and then my subsequent solo Outer Hebrides circumnavigation, I started to understand how the Chillcheater layering system worked and began trusting in it the more I used it. Firstly, I learnt about the selection box delight of fleeces, Aquatherm trousers and cags selection. The little design tweaks that stood out such as the pre-bent trousers, which keep your back warm and don’t roll down…. how exciting!
My Go To Kayak Clothing System
My “go to” choice of outer layers soon became Reed Chillcheaters Aquatherm pre-bent trousers, a short and long sleeved touring cag and a storm cag (Rip Stop Cag), with an amalgamation of transpire fleeces underneath. These fleeces are specially designed exclusively by Reed Chillcheater and outperform any other top end fleece I’ve ever worn.
The Chillcheater Storm cags (now known as Rip Stop Cags) are an essential on and off the water, and often I’ll even take two, “mine” plus a spare. The bespoke gold colour cags with a zip neck make it easy to slip over a helmet on or off the water. The one size fits all gives an emergency additional layer of spray deck for added warmth. The storm cag is a key item I will always refer to when I’m asked “what bit of kit do you never go to sea without”.
The Reed Thermal fleece (Transpire Fleece) under layers worn under short sleeve and long sleeve Aquatherm cags with an Aquatherm Coverall Cag Deck Warmer for those extra cold moments or on the beach to warm up.
Reed kit works across the seasons and for any expedition, just mix and match and layer up or down depending on the day.
As my paddling progressed, and leadership and coaching qualifications followed, I started getting more and more demanding with kit requirements due to the variety of countries and conditions I was fortunate to be paddling in. With the never ending energy and helpfulness of the amazing UK Chillcheater team, I have created a magnificent paddling wardrobe with various short sleeved and sleeveless tops for warmer days and extra cold ones, and including a bespoke extra wide leg for a swollen knee!
Then I discovered the magnificent Aquatherm Fleece which to date is my all time favourite. A beautiful dark inky blue (or red!) Aquatherm layer, covering a warm, soft layer of fleece. Perfect ! There are even matching socks, a lovely toasty bonus under booties. Naturally these are still an integral part of the layering system. A long and short sleeved inky blue Aquatherm Fleece cag and custom sized pre-bent trousers. That’s one of my favourite Reed Chillcheater luxuries - nothing is too much trouble. A friend even had a special bag made for a ukulele so he could take it expedition. Imagine a summer’s full moon, playing tunes on an offshore island on the SW corner of Ireland. A very special group memories for that particular week.
Cold Hands Sea Kayaking
As well as my body being lucky enough to benefit from this high tech gear, but oh so easy to manage layering system, my hands are also granted the same luxury and consideration. A pair of Reed Chillcheater Aquatherm open palm webbed paddle mitts, allow full feeling on the paddle and keep the wind off my hands and fingers. These mitts are so useful and streamlined and can be rolled back off my fingers, or onto my wrists. For extra cold days an additional set of low profile pogies are attached to the paddle to keep my hands fully functional without losing direct contact with the paddle. The pogies are small and neat on the paddle and it’s instantaneous to slide hands in or out. No bulk and no hassle. I always keep sets of mitts and pogies in my kayak as an emergency for group members.
If in any doubt, I’ll always put my open palm mitts on, as they don’t offer any hinderance to my paddling, and can spend the day nearly rolled back on my wrists if not needed. I always have a size larger than I’d normally go for as this ensures an easy fit, with no tightness or restriction to blood supply.
Don’t forget the Kayaking Socks!
I love my Reed Chillcheater Transpire Fleece socks so much. With seams are on the outside there’s even more smooth, soft warm material on my skin. For on and off the water, camping and around the house, the biggest downside is the dark colour- I always seem to lose one!
How long does the kit last?
So what about longevity? Does it really last so many years? My cags and gear from 2010 are still good. Logos are worn and gone, some thermals are a bit threadbare from years of use but still useable - it’s always a treat to get a new one. My body has changed size and shape but the gear is still in fantastic condition. If it does rip or need some care, it’s easy to send it to Chillcheater for a repair.
Sea Kayaking Expeditions
One of my Outer Hebrides circumnavigation challenges was landing in the Port of Ness, on the NE corner. A deceptively sunny and tranquil arrival after a high adrenaline, lumpy, sea and wind battered, challenging paddle around the Butt of Lewis. As I started the haul up of my Greenlander Pro “Mr Mustard” and all my gear, a kind lady stopped to chat and she asked if I’d like a cup of tea. The huge relief of having landed safely after such a traumatic paddle and her kindness, brought a stream of tears to my eyes. Later, calmed and composed, I string my tow line up to boat on the harbour wall. My Reed Chillcheater clothes are getting a moment to dry off in the sunny wind. Much to the bemusement of some of the locals. I never saw the article or photos, but my washing towline of Reed clothes and story made their way into the local paper, forever to remain in the history and life of that little haven, Port of Ness.
Nowadays, running my own courses and sea kayak centre, I’m proud and honoured to be able to offer my customers some of the best gear there is, keeping my visiting paddlers snug on the water. From touring cags and pogies, PFDs and cockpit covers, spray decks and mitts, I’m fully confident in the gear I use and provide.
Thank you Chris and the Reed Chillcheater Team for such exceptional, great value, thoughtful and top performance, not to mention smart gear.
Delighted it’s all made in the UK, at their own factory in Devon.
Eila Wilkinson