How to Choose a Kayak Spray Deck

Spray decks – also known as spray skirts – are essential for most kayaking endeavours, but it’s often tricky to work out which one is right. To help you decide, here at NorthShore Watersports, we’ve created a guide to spray decks, including the pros and cons of each material and what features to look out for before you buy.

What is a kayak spray deck?

Simply put, a kayak spray deck is there to prevent water from entering your boat. They feature a tunnel, a deck and rind. The tunnel sits tight around the paddler’s torso while the deck covers your boat’s cockpit, and the rand fastens over the sides to keep it taught and in place. 

When paddling on choppy water or tackling the rapids, spray decks stop the waves and spray getting into your cockpit. By protecting you from cold wind and water, they help to keep the inside of your boat warmer too.

Kayak spray deck materials

Neoprene

Neoprene spray decks are usually best when you’re tackling whitewater or going surf kayaking. This is because they fit fairly snugly around your midsection and across the cockpit. Such a set-up is perfect for keeping out most of the water, which assaults your kayak during rolling, bracing, and surfing breaking waves. They also typically use rubber rands to grip the cockpit lip, meaning that they’re incredibly unlikely to shift in situations when kayakers would be endangered by a loosened skirt.

However, these benefits make neoprene spray skirts inadvisable for sea kayaking or other endeavours which are likely to be of a longer duration. The extra warmth and tight fit will quickly become uncomfortable, so look for something lighter for those situations.

Nylon

In contrast to neoprene, all-nylon skirts are perfect for long-distance events. They still maintain adequate dryness and security, but they are roomier than neoprene versions and should include a venting function that makes them comfortable to use during even multi-day trips. Most are made from waterproof, polyurethane-coated nylon, but you can also find ones made from materials that are both waterproof and breathable, meaning that moisture can leave the cockpit when you’re working up a sweat.

Additionally, nylon spray skirts are far easier to attach and remove than neoprene skirts, though this is partly because they don’t create the same incredibly tight seal. This makes them problematic in surf or rougher water since too much water may flood the cockpit.

Nylon/Neoprene Combination

This type of skirt clearly offers kayaking enthusiasts the best of both worlds. The nylon torso tube means that comfort is retained and venting can still take place, while a tight seal is created by the neoprene deck. This makes nylon/neoprene combination skirts perfect for sea kayaking long distances since they will provide the comfort of nylon while still protecting against breaking waves.

However, it should be noted that these skirts are typically the most expensive.

There are other considerations to take into account when choosing a spray skirt, but none is more important than material. Ensure that you decide on this first, and you won’t have any regrets once you’re in the water.

Kayak spray deck features

Spray decks often come with handy features. These are some you might like to consider when purchasing yours:

• Braces – Some kayak spray decks have adjustable shoulder straps that help to keep the tunnel extended. Some people find they get in the way, so this comes down to personal preference.

• Pockets – Found on the tunnel or deck, pockets are useful for storing things like bottles of suncream and snacks! 

Kayak spray decks at NorthShore Watersports

Want to browse some options? Take a look at our full range of kayak spray decks from many of the UK’s leading brands here at NorthShore Watersports.