The amount of gear you can take on a canoe or kayaking trip is super limited, so when it comes to buying Christmas gifts for kayakers, it pays to have done a little research first. Luckily for you, you can just use this list!

 

Not sure how to find a fun gift for the kayakers, surfers, and paddlers in your life this Christmas? We’ve got you covered with a list of great gift ideas that’ll help increase their comfort and enjoyment on upcoming adventures.

From nifty solutions to make their kayak seat more comfy, to wind-resistant hats, and even a folding kayak, we’ve got enough fodder here that you’re sure to find the perfect gift for your fave paddler. If you’ve got a surfer on your hands, we’ve got them covered too with a few beach-friendly items and gear to keep drinks cool when they’re fresh in from the surf.

Forget gifting paddlers yet another dry bag, this gift list will help you level up and ensure the gear your purchase is a great choice.

Lesssgo.

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1. Oceanpro Eclipse Unisex Mask and Snorkel Set 

RRP: $58.95

 

 

Everyone from kayakers, surfers, summertime swimmers, and snorkellers will get a kick out of this highly versatile gift that gives paddlers eyes beneath the surface.

Made with high quality materials and shaped to suit a wide range of face shapes for a snug fit with a good seal, the Oceanpro Eclipse Unisex Mask and Snorkel Set is an absolute steal for a gift that will literally show them a whole new world.

Everyone I know who has their own snorkel loves busting it out for a unique adventure every now and then, and it’s the kind of item your paddler is likely to enjoy, but hasn’t gotten around to investing in.

Gift the serious paddler some fun this Christmas with a snorkel set.

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2. Mont Flora Microfibre Travel Towel Extra Large

RRP: $49.95

 

 

All kayakers, paddlers, swimmers, fishers, and beachgoers need a travel towel. They are not, I repeat, not the same as a beach towel. The Mont Flora Microfibre Travel Towel is quick drying, highly absorbent, and super soft, but it’s also small and light for convenience and portability.

Travel towels are less about lazy days by the water, and more about keeping in your dry bags so you can eat your lunch without wet hands, or snap a photo on the point-n-shoot you bring everywhere. Anyone who spends time on the water regularly knows the value of a quick drying towel.

This large one is extra versatile in that you can roll it up to use as back support (if your kayak seat is anywhere near as uncomfortable as mine, you’ll know how great a gift that function alone makes this towel).

It’s also good for all the normal things like drying your feet off before you jump back in the car, or wiping clean your drink bottle when you accidentally dump it in dirt. All this makes a travel towel a great gift for paddlers.

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3. Klymit Litewater Dinghy Packraft 

RRP: $574.95

 

 

If you and your fellow paddlers have been inspired by the increasingly trendy sport of packrafting (rumoured to be the adventure sport of 2025!), this inflatable Klymit Litewater Dinghy Packraft will be right up your alley.

It’s a great option for your super outdoorsy kayaker friend who wants to get the most out of every trip. It packs down small enough to carry (it’s the size of a 1.5L water bottle!) so you can hike > paddle > hike. The integrated seat cushion guarantees better comfort out on the water and you can even recline if you’re more keen to float than power around.

Factor in the ripstop fabric on both top and bottom, plus a lifetime warranty and I’m not sure there’s a reason we shouldn’t all have one. You know, just in case.

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4. Yeti Hopper Flip 8L Soft Cooler Bag

RRP: $300.00

Most paddling trips are long enough to warrant taking some drinks and nibbles along for a picnic, lunch stop, or snack, and that’s precisely what the Yeti Hopper Flip 8L Soft Cooler Bag is designed for. The DryHide Shell is made from a high-density fabric that withstands punctures and UV rays so it won’t matter if it’s sitting in full sun all day.

With an 11-can capacity it’s plenty big enough to store enough drinks for two if a mate comes along, or to take enough food for a sneaky picnic mid-paddle.

Also consider the Yeti Insulated Can Cooler for $40 if you want the functionality without such a steep hit to your wallet.

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5. Volare Waterproof Adventure 40L Backpack

RRP: $149.95

 

 

An excellent gift for frequent kayakers and canoeists is a waterproof backpack. This bag of all dry bags means business – just look at it! It’s kitted out to the nines with storage options and is a great choice for the Explorer who goes on a variety of water-based trips.

With 40L capacity, the Volare Waterproof Adventure Backpack can be used for carry-on luggage if they’re headed interstate and seamlessly transition to the storage hold on a kayak for that multi day paddle they’re doing. It’s tough as, will keep the water out and their valuables dry and organised.

Can’t go wrong.

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6. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Waterproof Jacket

RRP: $249.95

 

A close up of a coat

 

You know you’re onto a good thing when you review a jacket in 2020 and it’s still going strong years later. The Torrentshell 3L Waterproof Jacket from Patagonia is not only made using a 100% recycled outer shell, but the waterproof finish has been done without using PFCs.

Not sure what PFCs are? Check out this article about PFCs and how they’re harming our planet.

Back to the jacket! A waterproof outer layer is a no brainer on multi day trips and I’m a strong advocate for always bringing one in a dry bag just in case the weather turns. It’s much easier to find cover on land when unexpected weather rolls in, but out on the river/lake/ocean/rapids it might take a few hours to reach land.

Make sure your paddler is comfy on every one of their outdoor adventures with a raincoat that’ll never let them down.

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7. Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket – Blue Dusk

RRP: $179.95

What’s better than a kayaking adventure? Kayaking adventures with your dog! Take your furry water baby along for your casual paddle with this float coat life jacket which’ll ensure they stay safe.

Suitable for all play around water this is just as handy for beach dogs who splash in the waves in case they get surprised by a rogue wave as it is for the superstar talented dogs who ride on surfboards in viral memes. I’m yet to see one in real life but the one’s in the videos all have safety coats like this on for a reason.

The Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket is equipped with a durable handle on the back so you can easily grab them should they get too close to the edge of the canoe or paddleboard, or need help getting out of the water. For kayakers and canoeists who go everywhere with their pets (or want to!) this is a really practical gift.

Want more doggo-related gift ideas? Check out our list of the best gift ideas for dogs and their people!

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8. Teva Original Universal Sandals

RRP: $120.00

If your favourite paddler isn’t already rocking Teva Original Universal Sandals, this Christmas is the prime opportunity to set things right. These shoes are probably the best investment I ever made for water adventuring.

A must have when out canoeing, SUPing, or even plain old camping by a creek, is a pair of shoes that dries quickly, has decent grip, and obviously is water resistant or waterproof. Specifically made for water-based activities, sporting a pair of Teva’s means you can walk straight into the water and back out again without a thought.

Protecting the feet of your favourite paddler is a thoughtful and useful gift that any water lover will appreciate. And the best thing is, they come in a full range of different colours so if the pair you buy ends up being their second pair, chances are they’ll look different anyway!

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9. Stratus Outdoors Beach Towel

RRP: $69.00

 

 

If there’s one thing I never spend money on, but spend plenty of time envying, it’s trendy looking beach towels. Even when you paddle often, it’s hard to justify spending significant cash on towels when basic options exist just about everywhere.

But that’s precisely what makes beach towels the perfect gifts for paddlers and kayakers. We won’t buy them ourselves but are beyond grateful for a new design and the luxurious soft new-towel experience. This stunning Stratus Beach Towel is oozing the kind of retro style that never goes out of fashion.

If any family members of mine are reading this – please take note that I think this is very cool and an awesome gift. K thanks. Let’s continue.

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10. Overboard Pro-Sports Belt Pack – Black

RRP: $64.95

Hiking isn’t the only activity where you find ultralight aficionados – there are plenty of gram counting kayakers and canoeists out there too! This Overboard Pro-Sports Belt Pack is an awesome gift for paddlers who prefer to travel light.

Big enough to stow valuables like phone, bank cards, and car keys, this nifty piece of gear allows you to strap your valuables around your waist. It’s particularly useful for SUPers or the kayakers who are fed up with their belongings swimming around the bottom of the kayak in the inevitable shallow pool of sandy water at their feet. (IYKYK!)

If you happen to fall in – no problem, the bag is waterproof.

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11. Tina M Copenhagen Beau Flexibraid® Fedora

RRP: $69

Made using UPF50+ rated raffia braiding, the Beau Flexibraid® Fedora by Tina M Copenhagen is the perfect gift for the Explorer who likes to stay fashionable on the move. The hat is crush-resistant, lightweight, and durable, so you can be sure it’ll emerge from your travel duffel or suitcase without looking like a dropped pancake.

Because of the timeless design, and internal comfy-fit adjustable sizing band (so it won’t fly off your head!), this is equally at home on a kayaking trip as it is beside the pool or walking along the beach. If you do happen to get it dirty – as is likely to happen on canoe trips – it only needs a quick hand wash and it’ll back to looking new again.

As effective as legionnaires hats are for being sun smart, they aren’t the prettiest options out there. And your wide brimmed hat is good until the wind lifts it off your noggin’. This hat (with a crazy high 50+ UPF rating no less) means you only need to take one hat. As a bonus, it’ll look good in your travel photos and survive everything you can throw at it.

The best gift ideas are the versatile ones and this hat is 100% that.

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12. Leakdry Waterproof Windproof Breathable Beanie 

RRP: $60.00

 

This list of best gifts for kayakers and paddlers wouldn’t be complete without a waterproof hat. Granted it’s not the best season to be recommending a beanie, but for keen winter paddlers, this Leakdry Waterproof Windproof Beanie is an awesome product.

With a fleece lining it’ll keep you nice and toasty, but the breathability of the fabric will ensure you don’t end up with a sweaty head once you get going.

Not just suitable for the water either, this is just as handy when hiking in the rain or out adventuring in unpredictable weather.

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13. Sport-Brella Premiere 8″ Umbrella Sun Shelter

RRP: $119.99

 

 

Perfect gifts for beach goers don’t get much better than a beach brolly. And this Sport-Brella 8″ Umbrella Sun Shelter is loaded with features that cement its status as a genuine high quality piece of gear your paddlers will have for years.

For a start, it’s got zippered windows to allow natural breezes to come through, but that also prevent the wind from attempting to pick it up and fling it along the sand. I’ve spent far too many days on the beach frequently adjusting, and sometimes just plain old holding onto beach umbrellas so this feature is not to be underestimated.

It also comes with pockets for gear (how is this the first umbrella I’ve seen that’s done so?!), extended side panels for added privacy, and is UPF 50+ rated. It’s a great item for paddlers and surfers to keep in the car as a reliable and portable waterside base for the next adventure life throws their way.

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14. Terravent K2 Foldable Kayak

RRP: $1922.73

If you’re shopping for Kris Kringle gifts you can probably (definitely) skip this one! Foldable kayaks have quietly snuck onto the scene and while they’re the perfect gift for paddlers and serious canoeists, they sure do come with a hefty price tag.

As the name implies, this Terravent K2 Foldable Kayak allows kayakers to fold it up. It makes the process of heading out for a kayaking trip a lot easier. This is especially true for the individual paddler (such as myself) who struggles to get their vessel from their kayak storage rack onto their roof rack without help.

Because you can fold the kayak and pack it up into a storage bag, it fits easily into the boot of your vehicle – no overhead lifting or additional humans required.

So if you’ve got a kayaker to buy for who doesn’t have space for a kayak storage rack, isn’t strong enough to lift their existing vessel overhead by themselves, or who just prefers lighter more manageable gear, this would be a great gift.

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More Christmas Gift Guides

 

Header image by @shaneo_braino

Table of contents image by @mweerasena

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