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Proven Sea Kayaking Camping Gear
I have a passion for multi-day trips on large bodies of water. Having the right sea kayaking camping gear has allowed me to fulfill my paddling passion. Over the years I’ve led trips or personally done adventures by sea kayak all over the world. Belize, Bahamas, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Alaska, the Great Lakes, along with my beloved coast of Maine have given me enough sea kayaking adventures to last a lifetime.
Sea kayaking is the ultralight backpacking equivalent of paddling. There’s no place for the kitchen sink in a kayak so all your sea kayaking camping gear needs to be compact. I’ve been kayak camping since the 1980’s so my equipment systems are very refined by now.
Related post -> Sea Kayak Camping on the Islands of the Maine Coast
Photo credit: TA Loeffler
Sure, camping on a tiny island in Alaska with glaciers calving in the background and seals bobbing on ice floes is a great story. But the experience is better if your camping gear kept you dry and safe. I’ve tried out numerous camping products and have my favorites. Sharing some of my field-tested camping gear might save you a lot of trial and error. As outdoor equipment changes all the time, let me know if you have some favorites that you can’t camp without.
What to Look for in Sea Kayaking Camping Gear
For sea kayaking camping gear, my criteria are compact, efficient, durable, and easy to use. When the wind is howling, I want a tent that I can pitch in an instant. I want a stove that won’t blow out during cooking. Plus, it all needs to fit into my kayak with the big gourmet food bag I bring. And don’t forget the bladders of freshwater taking up space. One advantage of ultra-light sea kayaking gear is that you can use it for backpacking, biking, or climbing overnights as well.
Sea Kayaking Camping Gear Systems
Shelter System
Tent
In over 45 years in outdoor adventure education, I’ve slept in enough different tents to fill an enormous circus lot. My go-to tents are the MSR Hubba Series. For solo trips, I love the MSR Carbon Reflex Tent. Besides being easy to pitch, it stays dry during torrential thunderstorms and when it’s raining sideways in an ocean squall. Plus, it packs down to a tiny lightweight package about the size of a loaf of bread.
For 2 people, I have the bigger version of the same tent, the MSR Hubba Hubba NX. Same lightweight, fast pitch, DRY features. And if you like a bit more room in your tent, go the next size up with the 3 person MSR Hubba Hubba NX.
The whole MSR tent family is durable and made with quality. The generous vestibules absorb a tremendous amount of gear. And MSR customer service is great if anything happens to the tent. I advise people to spend good money on a tent as it can make or break an enjoyable camping experience more than any other piece of gear.
If you are looking for a budget alternative, the REI Half Dome 2 Plus is a great choice. It’s not as lightweight or compact as an MSR tent but it has loads of room. Plus, there are enough pockets in the tent to make any pickpocket happy.
Pro Tip: A ground cloth will extend the life of your tent bottom. I save money by buying a plastic tablecloth from the dollar store. It’s surprisingly durable and comes in fun colors.
Cooking Tarp
An additional component of my shelter system is a lightweight tarp. On rainy windbound days, a tarp for cooking and hanging out is delightful. On tropical sea kayaking trips, it’s a must for shade. My tarp is the super lightweight silicon fabric Rab Silwing Tarp. Its lifetime warranty means you won’t need another one soon. Buy good gear once is my mantra.
Sleeping System
Sleeping Bag
For sea kayaking camping gear, I recommend a 3 season sleeping bag. Due to the potential to soak your sleeping bag on a paddling trip, get a synthetic one that will keep you warm when it’s wet. My first sleeping bag in 1973 was a Cat’s Meow by NorthFace. Since then I’ve bought a new NorthFace Cat’s Meow every time I need a new sleeping bag. Now, that’s loyalty to a product. For good reason though. The Cat Meow is toasty warm, has a super soft lining, and compresses well to fit perfectly into my sea kayak. In addition, the price is very reasonable for such a high-quality sleeping bag.
Pro Tip: Sleeping bags designed for women have more insulation, more room in the hip area, and are shorter, so they may be a good choice for some women. However, bag length is most important in sleeping bag selection. Choose a sleeping bag length equivalent to your height. You don’t want to lose valuable body heat by having to warm up dead space in your bag. If you do have dead air spaces, don’t wear your extra warm clothes in your bag. Instead, stuff them in the cold zones. You’ll be warmer as you are letting the sleeping bag work for you by reflecting your body heat back.
Sleeping Pad
An ultralight sleeping pad that packs down to a tiny tube won’t take up valuable space in your kayak. I swear by the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad. I’ve had 3 different Therm-a-Rest Pads over almost 50 years of sleeping on the ground. They sure are durable since I averaged about 17 years per pad! While you might pay a little more for a sleeping pad, a good one will last a long time and, more importantly, you’ll enjoy years of a good night’s sleep.
Camp Pillow
You can make a camp pillow by stuffing your fleece or puffy into a stuff sack. However, the extra dose of comfort a good camp pillow provides makes it worth carrying. Therm-a-Rest Airhead Lite Pillow is a comfortable resting spot for your head that fits perfectly in your sleeping bag hood so it doesn’t wander away at night.
Camp Kitchen System
You won’t find me pouring hot water in pouches of freeze-dried meals on a sea kayaking camping trip. My camp kitchen is set up to be able to cook amazing gourmet camp fare on a trip. It’s still possible to go compact and lightweight in a well-designed camp kitchen. Next, I’ll share how.
Camp Stove
Canister fuel stoves
My stove system depends on how many people are on the trip. If I’m by myself a Jetboil MicroMo does the trick. Tiny, efficient, and with integrated pot and eating systems, the Jetboil is the standard for ultralight.
If there are two or more fellow paddlers, I bring the MSR PocketRocket 2 stove. It’s still tiny but has more capacity for a larger pot needed to feed more hungry campers. Both these stoves run on a propane/isobutane mixture in a canister. Canisters are notoriously tippy so throw an MSR Universal Canister Stand in your cart for peace of mind. I wish I’d had one when I burned the whole top of my foot when I tipped over a pot of hot soup on a camping trip.
Liquid fuel stoves
Finally, I have to mention the classic MSR Whisperlite. There’s so much I love about this stove. Since it runs on white gas or just about any other petroleum product, you don’t have to panic on an international trip when you can’t find a canister with the right screw top for your stove. Just pack your empty fuel bottles and easily find the liquid fuel you need when you arrive. The MRS Whisperlite also can be repaired in the field, unlike the canister stoves. Most importantly, the Whisperlite is the go-to camp stove for larger groups. It can boil up a big pot of spaghetti in no time.
Sure, it doesn’t simmer well and it doesn’t whisper, but it can have hot water for tea faster than most stoves. And I’ve baked a lot of yummy gooey cinnamon rolls on this gem of a stove.
Pro Tip: To bake on a Whisperlite, use a big paper binder clip to hold the windscreen together to make a chimney above the stove flame. Then put your frying pan on top of the chimney to get the indirect heat needed for baking. Put a tight lid on the pan to hold the heat in and be patient. It’s a great way to make fresh cornbread on a trip.
Kitchenware
My kitchen bag has all the essential tools to create hearty, yummy camping meals. I recommend a 2 pot nesting system with all your eating utensils packed inside. If I’m paddling with my family or a few friends I bring the GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper cookset. The nifty triangle-shaped cups cleverly fit into the sturdy pot set.
A simpler bomb-proof pot for 1-2 people is the MSR Alpine Stowaway pot. The locking handle secures everything inside, making it a great place to stow your kitchenware. You can nest a couple for a complete pot set.
Did I mention gourmet cooking? The GSI Outdoors Spice Missile holds all the spices I need for a good curry. Plus a good kitchen knife helps turn me into the Julia Child of the camp. The MSR Alpine Kitchen Knife fits the bill for me.
Last but not least is a thermos. When people ask me to name my favorite piece of sea kayak gear they expect me to say a carbon fiber paddle or the newest slick kayak. Nope, it’s my thermos. A hot drink on a chilly crossing is a lifesaver. The Stanley Go Series with Cermivac Vacuum Bottle is a great choice.
Pro Tip: Need a handy cutting board for your camp kitchen? Buy a plastic cutting sheet at the dollar store. Now, take a sharpie and trace the circumference of your cooking pot on the plastic sheet. Use scissors to cut the circle out. Trim so it fits perfectly in your pot to be pulled out to cut up your veggies for dinner.
Storage System
To keep all your sea kayaking camping gear dry, invest in good waterproof bags. Dry bags take a beating on a sea kayaking trip so look for durability in selecting them. I swear by NRS Tuff Sack dry bags. These rugged PVC bags have taken years of use (and sometimes abuse) and I’ve never had to retire one.
I use the 5-liter NRS Tuff Sack for my day bag to hold things I want quick access to–sunscreen, snacks, my camera, and a warm hat. Since lots of small bags are easier to pack in a sea kayak than one big bag, I use a combination of 5 and 10-liter dry bags in different colors for storage. I know if I grab the red dry bag I have the first aid kit or the green one for the repair kit, and blue is always food.
For my clothes bag and sleeping bag, I use a coated nylon dry bag such as the SealLine Discovery dry bag. These bags are more flexible and slide easily into the kayak.
Chart Case
A map case will protect that expensive chart you just bought of your sea kayaking route. I’ve tried the ziplock type map cases unsuccessfully, always ending up with a wet chart then I didn’t zip the lock securely. The SealLine HP Map Case has a velcro closure that works like a charm. Plus it’s big enough to see the area you need to navigate. If you are going to buy a chart case, this is the one.
Pro Tip: Nautical charts are essential navigation guides for multi-day sea kayaking trips. But charts can run $20-30 each. A budget alternative is to use Booklet Charts which are free on the Web. Find the chart area you need and print it out in booklet form. The reduced scale of the Booklet Charts is perfect for sea kayaking trips.
Sea Kayaking Gear on a Budget
There is no doubt that outdoor gear is an expensive investment. Cutting costs without sacrificing safety and comfort is possible. Discount outdoor equipment outlets such as Gear Trade, Steep and Cheap, and REI Outlet sell cheap or used gear. I’ve also found amazing outdoor clothing and gear at thrift stores especially those stores near outdoor meccas.
Also, consider renting gear, especially the big-ticket items, until you can afford your own. Renting is a good way to try out equipment to see what works best for you.
Buying quality outdoor gear makes a lot of sense. I save up so I can buy gear that will last a long time and has a generous warranty. Quality outdoor brands stand behind their products so the extra money spent has paid off. If gear breaks or underperforms, a reputable company will replace it. Broken cheap gear just goes in the trash.
Sea Kayaking Gear for Camping Wrap-up
I hope you have enjoyed this tour of my sea kayaking gear closet. The equipment I recommend here has been on countless trips with me and worked hard to earn its place on my list of favorites by being dependable, durable, and supremely functional. On multi-day sea kayak camping trips, every bit of storage in the kayak is precious. The camping systems I’ve outlined here will fit perfectly well in the boat. And you will still have room for the other items you need to bring such as food, clothes, first aid, water, and rescue/repair gear. What’s more, you will have room for a ton of fun and safe adventure.
If you are looking for other gear from hiking and camping visit my post on gifts for outdoor adventurers recommended by an outdoor professional.
Read more about sea kayaking adventures:
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45 Comments
Kelly · July 1, 2020 at 10:59 pm
I loved this and I love kayaking. I have never been on a kayaking camping trip but I would love to. I travel solo so I’d have to find a tour to start. I do regular camping and your tips about the sleeping bag are awesome. Thank you!
Emmeline · July 2, 2020 at 12:46 am
What an in-depth and helpful article. I love kayaking, but I’ve never been kayaking on a multi-day trip. This has just introduced something new for me to look into. Thanks for the resource!
Olga Maria · July 2, 2020 at 7:19 am
I’d love to say I’m quite adventurous by nature and I would love to give kayaking a try sometime in the future. I’d be bookmarking this article for when I need gear when I am able to do some kayaking.
Kirsten Wendlandt · July 2, 2020 at 12:40 pm
What an incredibly detailed and informative article! I love kayaking but I don’t think I could make a long trip out of it. I’m more of a leisurely kayaker. I have a friend who’s family doesn’t week long kayaking trips though! Im going to send them this post.
Josy A · July 2, 2020 at 3:22 pm
Oooh interesting! Sea Camping seems to have most of the same essentials as wilderness camping. I guess that makes sense when you want to keep things lightweight and compact. We have an MSR tent too. I love it! Although, when we first got it, I put it up in the living room…and my cat put his claw right through it. Argh!!
Krista · July 3, 2020 at 10:11 pm
I would love to try kayaking so this post was really informative for me, thanks for sharing all of your tips!
Meghan · July 3, 2020 at 11:11 pm
Thanks for this! I’ve been wanting to step up my camping game, seeing that it doesn’t look like international travel is going to be an option anytime soon…
Cassie Bailey · July 3, 2020 at 11:49 pm
This makes me so excited for warmer weather and outdoors activities (it’s Winter here). Thanks for the inspo!
Emma · July 4, 2020 at 12:02 am
I’ve done my fair share of camping but I’ll admit it’s not my favorite. Maybe if I went camping on my own rather than in a group I would appreciate the solitude a bit note. That said I did learn something about sleeping bag selection so that’s helpful. I’m aiming to do a multi day hike next year so this is good to know
Louise · July 4, 2020 at 12:18 am
Wow, I don’t know if I have it in me to go on a multi-day kayaking camping trip, but the adventures you’ve been on inspire me! Especially sea kayaking by that iceberg in Newfoundland!
Jen · July 4, 2020 at 11:52 am
This is such a great list! I would never think to bring nautical charts. I do have a wet bag, it’s a lifesaver. Sea kayaking is no joke, serious exercise!
Margie · July 4, 2020 at 1:44 pm
I learned so much from this post. While I won’t be using it for kayaking camping, there is so much useful information about camping gear. Thanks!
Lia Garcia · July 4, 2020 at 1:59 pm
I’d looooove try sea kayaking! Thanks for all the helpful tips!
Mariah · July 4, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Just kayaked for the first time the other day and geesh, that was a serious workout!! I would love to do it again and this guide is super informative for when I get serious about it. Bookmarking this for later!
Anna · July 4, 2020 at 2:33 pm
I’ve been sea kayaking a few times and it’s a bit too much work for me haha. I prefer lakes or rivers. All this gear applies to that too though! This post has definitely given me a few ideas for birthday/Christmas gifts for my husband.
Ashley · July 4, 2020 at 3:14 pm
Great post! I love kayaking, I would love to take a weekend to camp and kayak.
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:34 am
Do it! With an emphasis on local travel these days, kayaking is a great way to explore a place.
Kelli · July 4, 2020 at 5:15 pm
So many great tips for kayaking! We definitely can learn from your expertise!
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:32 am
Thank you. I figure all the mistakes I’ve made over 35+ years of sea kayaking can be useful in advising people who are setting out sea kayaking.
Andrea Cannon · July 4, 2020 at 6:43 pm
What a thorough gear review! I have never been sea kayaking but it sounds like a blast!
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:30 am
It definitely is! Many travel destinations have companies that offer day trips. It’s a good place to start.
Francesca · July 4, 2020 at 7:12 pm
I enjoy Kayaking, but I have yet to do it in a sea. This looks gorgeous! I would love to do the one in the sea cave in Italy or in Lake Champlain.
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:28 am
Whether in the sea or freshwater, kayaking can be a wonderful way to explore a destination. Sea caves are amazing to find as not every trip has them.
Iona · July 4, 2020 at 8:11 pm
I really enjoyed this! I’ve bookmarked this, as I have only done one or two overnight kayak trips, but plan on doing plenty more!
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:26 am
Oh, I hope you do more. Contact me if you need any tips or inspirations. I love seeing women getting out in an outdoor sport I have done for many years.
Alina · July 5, 2020 at 6:08 am
Lots of great tips! I have a friend who is really into kayaking, now I understand why it takes him a couple hours to pack for every trip, I had no idea there is so much stuff needed!
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:24 am
Ok, sea kayaking is a little gear-intensive, I admit. But once you have your systems in place, packing can be easier.
Francesca · July 5, 2020 at 7:10 am
This is such an amazing roundup of camping equipment for a kayaking adventure! Looks like such a fun way to travel.
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:22 am
Sea kayaking is a wonderful way to see the natural world up close. It’s fun to do kayaking in other countries I travel to. Great way to see the place from the water.
Aireona · July 5, 2020 at 10:02 am
Sadlly, I live no where near the sea! But I do like kayaking on the few bodies of water that we have and some of this gear works just as well! This is definitely great inspiration to get out these days as well.
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:20 am
I’ve done some lovely sea kayaking trips on large lakes and even rivers using this same gear. In the US, the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain are some of my go-to sea kayaking destinations.
Emma · July 5, 2020 at 1:24 pm
I love doing adventurous activities when travelling so this is perfect for me! Will make sure to save this to help me plan for my next kayaking adventure! Thanks for sharing!
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:16 am
Enjoy your next kayaking trip. I’m heading off on one today as I write this.
Paloma Fts · July 5, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Love kayaking! This guide is so complete thank youuuuu so helpful <3
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:08 am
I’m happy to be helpful!
Carrie Mann · July 5, 2020 at 4:22 pm
Oooo, I have always wanted to go on a sea kayaking trip! This is super helpful. I’m looking for a new backpacking tent as well so I’ll definitely check out your recommendations!
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:07 am
The MSR tents I mention are perfect for ultralight backpacking. I use mine all the time for backpacking.
Tina · July 5, 2020 at 7:05 pm
Thanks for all the pro-trips!! I can only imagine how cool these types of trips must be. I love kayaking but have never been on an extended trip.
Karen · July 6, 2020 at 8:06 am
Tina, there is nothing like waking up on an island on the ocean.
Tranquil Trekker · July 7, 2020 at 9:44 am
Good tips, thanks! Sea kayaking is something I haven’t tried yet but I’ve always wanted to. I want to explore glaciers, caves, and rocks and hopefully see my sea life up close!
Farrah · July 8, 2020 at 12:38 am
I haven’t been kayaking in a while and have never gone on a sea kayaking along with camping, but that’d be super fun! I’d love to try that someday. :] I’ve been looking into North Face’s Cat’s Meow so definitely glad to hear that you love it! :]
Joseph Blackdog · March 6, 2021 at 1:57 pm
Hi!
I’ve read so many “best of” articles over the years. This is truly spot on. Excellent advice from someone who clearly knows their stuff.
I have been backpacking and canoeing for decades… I’m almost a senior citizen now! Took up kayak fishing several years ago and started kayak camping with the family on Saranac Lakes in NY a couple years ago. Awesome awesome awesome! I had all my backpacking fear already but have added gear this past couple of years.
I have not used the MSR Hubba tents.
My tents were purchase in about 1985 and are still going strong with no issues! Proving you wise advise true: research and spend the money on quality gear up front… Not only will you have well-constructed, well thought-out gear that will be a joy to use… It will last for decades with good care. Keep it clean inside. Accumulated leaf litter and gunk will encourage mold and other degradation. Brush it all out, clean with a sponge and mild bleach solution when you get home… Dry it well and repack it. Never put a tent away wet or damp. Yes, it’s such a bummer to open that wet tent when you get home, clean it, dry it and repack it… But this care will make it last for decades. If you have a good dry storage space, you can leave it loose in one of those giant sleeping bag storage bags
My go to tents are the Most Solet for single person ultra lighweight. Bill Moss in Camden Maine made AWESOME tents for many years.
I also use a circa-1985 Eureka Sentinel four season two person tent. Absolutely bomb proof and after hundreds of trips , still awesome.
The MSR Whisperlite is truly an awesome stove used one for many years. Nowadays I use one of the super lightweight folding stoves that use MSR-type isobutane gas cans. Mine is a Brunton. Super powerful, able to simmer and really lighweight. I like the stoces where they are connected by a hose, rather than sitting directly on the cylinder which always seems way too tippy for my liking… Especially on the uneven ground we usually find ourselves in.
I also use the MSR Stowaway stainless pots. And you can get a couple of them to nest which is very cool. Fry pans is almost another topic because those stowaway pots are NOT great at frying.
I also have the Cat’s Meow from Northface… Now about forty years old and still perfect! Compresses so small too!
Don’t forget water filtration if you’re not in the ocean. The Platypus gravity filtration system is easy, durable and FAST!
KAYAK CAMPING IS AWESOME!
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