Top 5 Waterproof Accessories Every Kayaker Needs
August, 2026 | Frogg Toggs
If you’re going kayaking, you already know there is a good chance you’re going to get wet. That is part of the experience. What you don’t want is to end up uncomfortable or find that the valuables and essential gear you brought along are soaked or damaged.
You don’t need much to be better prepared. A few well-chosen waterproof and water-friendly accessories are all you need to stay comfortable and keep your valuables safe.
1: Dry Bags: Essential for Clothes, Keys, and Phones
A quality dry bag gives you a protected place to store spare clothing, car keys, your wallet, and other items that need to stay dry. When choosing a dry bag, you want something lightweight, durable, and made of waterproof material. Pick a size that fits your essentials without taking up unnecessary space, and make sure everything fits and you can close the bag exactly as directed.
The Frogg Toggs Classic Stuff Sack is a practical bag for casual kayaking. It features an open drawstring and barrel-lock closure, so it’s not submergible, but it is made from the same water-resistant polypropylene material as our rain gear and can protect your belongings from light rain, splashing, and moisture.
Electronics need an extra layer of sealed waterproof protection. Always put items like your phone, camera, or anything that could be damaged by moisture in a waterproof accessory bag meant for electronics and water-sensitive items first, then place it in your dry bag.
The Frogg Toggs Tackle Vault Waterproof Accessory Bag is constructed with waterproof materials to provide an additional layer of protection from rain, splashes, and unexpected water exposure. While it is designed for use with the Frogg Toggs Tackle Vault, it can be used on its own and is the perfect size for small electronics.
One last tip: before you push off, don’t forget to secure your bag to your kayak or place it in a protected hatch to keep it from floating away if it falls overboard or you capsize.
2: Breathable Splash Tops and Pants for Paddling Comfort
Splash tops and pants are lightweight outer layers designed to protect you from paddle drip, spray, wind, and rain while allowing heat and moisture to escape.
Unlike a basic rain poncho, splash gear fits closer to the body, allows a full range of arm movement, and typically has adjustable or sealed openings at the neck, wrists, waist, and ankles to limit water entry.
While splash tops and pants are designed to help you stay drier and more comfortable while paddling, they can’t keep you completely dry if you capsize, so be sure to dress for the water temperature.
In warm conditions, a swimsuit or quick-drying shorts may be enough underneath. In cold water, it’s best to wear appropriate thermal protection. Regardless of temperature, avoid cotton, as it absorbs and holds moisture, dries slowly, and can leave you uncomfortable when wet.
If you don’t have a splash top or pants, a quality rain jacket and rain pants or a rain suit may work for calm recreational paddling, but could lack the paddling-specific fit and seals that provide better protection against repeated spray.
If you already own a wading jacket constructed of breathable, waterproof material, with fully sealed and reinforced seams, it may work as an outer layer for recreational kayaking in rain and surface spray, provided it allows full shoulder movement and fits comfortably under your life jacket.
3: Footwear for Kayaking: Water Shoes With Grip and Drainage
Footwear for kayaking should stay securely on your feet, provide traction on wet surfaces, and protect against rocks, shells, and other hazards when entering or exiting the water.
Loose sandals and flip-flops shouldn’t be worn kayaking. They can slip off easily and often provide limited protection or grip. Regular tennis shoes also aren’t the best option. They can become heavy and uncomfortable when waterlogged and typically take a while to drain and dry.
The best shoes to wear kayaking are lightweight, flexible water shoes with quick-drying materials, drainage holes that allow water to escape, and rubber outsoles designed for wet surfaces. A secure lacing or strap system is also important to keep your shoes in place while paddling, walking through shallow water, or launching from a slippery shoreline.
A Frogg Toggs best seller for water-based activities is the Outflow Drain Shoe. Available in both men’s and women’s styles, these shoes are designed to keep your feet comfortable and dry quickly. They feature multiple drainage holes that allow water to escape while helping keep debris out, breathable mesh panels, a lightweight and flexible design, and grip-enhancing, non-marking rubber outsoles. An elastic lacing system and pull tab also provide a secure fit that is easy to get on and off.
4: Waterproof Phone Cases and Tethers
If you are bringing your phone, the more protection the better. Even if you keep it inside a waterproof accessory bag and dry bag, a waterproof phone case and tether are necessary in case you need to use it for navigation, weather updates, photos, or emergency calls.
Choose a sealed case designed for water exposure that still allows you to operate the touchscreen and camera without removing the phone. Test the seal before your trip, and inspect it regularly for cracks, worn closures, or trapped debris that could allow water inside.
A short tether adds another layer of protection by keeping your phone connected to your life jacket or another secure attachment point if you drop it. Avoid long, loose cords that could become tangled while paddling or during a capsize.
5: Emergency Repair Kits for Gear on the Water
A compact emergency repair kit might not be the first thing you think to keep on hand, but it can help you address minor gear problems before they cut your trip short. Straps, cords, buckles, and other small components can break or come loose, and a small tear in your rain gear, bag, or other equipment can become a bigger problem once water gets in.
A repair kit should include waterproof repair tape or adhesive patches, alcohol wipes, zip ties, utility cord, and a small multitool. If you use an inflatable kayak, bring the manufacturer-recommended repair materials for that specific model. Serious damage to the kayak itself should never be treated as a quick on-the-water fix.
It’s also a good idea to throw a repair patch or two in your kit, like the Frogg Toggs NoSo Repair Patch. It’s a compact addition that can repair waders, jackets, pants, tents, tarps, backpacks, and other outdoor gear. Once the damaged area is clean and dry, simply peel off the backing, center the patch over the tear, and press it firmly into place.
Gear Up for Your Next Kayaking Trip With Frogg Toggs
Kayaking gear needs to handle wet conditions without becoming bulky or difficult to use.
Frogg Toggs offers lightweight rainwear, quick-drying footwear for men and women, waterproof bags and water-resistant packs, and other outdoor accessories for wet-weather activities and time on the water.
Explore our entire product line to build a practical kayaking setup for your next trip.