A spray skirt is one of the best kayak accessories. It is necessary for whitewater trips or ocean trips when dealing with waves or choppy water. A spray skirt will keep you dry and can keep you warm inside the boat. (Be aware, that a spray skirt will not protect you from hypothermia if you capsize or otherwise get wet.) Other brands are available, but SEALS is the most widely used, and widely reviewed skirts on the market.
Hybrid Skirts
1. SEALS Sea Sprite Sprayskirt Shop Now
- 4mm neoprene deck
- 3-ply waterproof, breathable tunnel w/ adjustable neoprene waistband
- Double stitched and sealed seams
- Removable suspenders
2. SEALS Extreme Tour Sprayskirt Shop Now
- 4mm neoprene deck w/ Sealtex edge guard
- 3-ply waterproof, breathable tunnel w/ adjustable neoprene waistband
- Double stitched and sealed seams
- Removable suspenders
Neoprene Skirts
1. SEALS Surf Sprayskirt Shop Now
- 4mm neoprene deck
- Neoprene 9″ tunnel
- Glued, stitched, and sealed seams
2. SEALS Pro Shocker Spray Skirt Shop Now
- 4mm neoprene deck
- Neoprene 9″ tunnel
- Glued, stitched, and sealed seams
- Top edge wear guard
- A little heavier-duty than regular Shocker
Nylon Skirts
1. Seals Tropical Tour Sprayskirt Shop Now
- 3-ply, waterproof fabric
- Double-stitched and sealed seams
- Tensioned deck to drain water
- Adjustable, neoprene waistband w/ removable suspenders
2. SEALS Coastal Tour Sprayskirt Shop Now
- Water-resistant, midweight nylon
- Tensioned deck to drain water
- Adjustable neoprene waistband & removable suspenders
3. SEALS Sneak Sprayskirt Shop Now
- Water-resistant, midweight nylon
- Tensioned deck to drain water
- Zippered tunnel w/ adjustable neoprene waistband & removable suspenders
Specialty Covers
Spray Decks
Seals Splash Deck Shop Now
- Great choice if you want some protection from the water, but don’t need a full skirt.
- Medium weight nylon deck
- Double-stitched, sealed seams
- Adjustable shock cord to secure skirt to coaming
- Adjustable tension deck to drain water
- Fits cockpit size 1.2-4.2
- Deck X fits 5.0-7.0 Shop Now
- Tandem fits T80-T400 Shop Now
Cockpit Covers
- See details in Storage Solutions
Most spray skirts do their job successfully, so instead of “What’s the best”, the question should be “What’s the best for me…?” For spray skirts, there are several things to consider when you are purchasing one.
Spray Skirt Materials
One of the most important things to decide when buying a spray skirt is what you want to use the spray skirt for. Your usage will determine what material you should consider. Nylon is usually lighter conditions, warmer climates, and generally calmer water. Neoprene is for harsher conditions, cooler climates, choppier water, eskimo rolls, etc. Hybrids give you some of the benefits of both. Review the chart below for some of the features of each material.
Neoprene
Waterproof material
Tight seal around coaming
Warmer
Tight, sized tunnel
Nylon
Can be waterproof or water resistant
Seal is tight, but won’t keep water out in a capsize
Cooler, venting material
Adjustable tunnel
Hybrid
Neoprene deck w/ nylon tunnel
Waterproof deck w/ tight seal like neoprene skirts
Adjustable, venting tunnel like nylon
Good for variable conditions
Spray Skirt Sizing
You need to make sure you get the correct size spray skirt for your kayak model. With differing cockpit sizes, the skirts aren’t a one-size fits all accessory. View the Seals sizing chart here. For other brands, you may have to review the manufacturer sites for proper sizing.