Fitting guide
Check the product page for our size guide. If you fit a medium jacket, it's likely you will also fit a medium in the rest of our complementary thermals, trousers and PFDs; but everyone is different. The best way to find a good fit is to try our gear at a local shop. Check our shop finder for your nearest stockist here.
Measurements
Head
The circumference of the broadest part of your head, a little way above your eyebrows and ears.
Chest
Horizontally under the armpits and around the fullest part of your chest and shoulder blades.
Bust
Horizontally around the fullest part of your bust.
Waist
The circumference at the smallest part of your stomach. For most women this is about an inch above your belly button. For men it is usually at the top of your hip bone.
Hips
The circumference at the fullest part of your hips.
Inside leg
From the ankle bone to your groin.
Hands
From the tip of your longest finger to the base of your palm at the wrist, this is your hand length measurement. Then wrap the tape measure around your hand at the widest part of the palm and lightly close your hand before taking the measurement – this is your hand circumference.
Fitting a PFD
- Loosen all the straps and buckles.
- Put the PFD on (over your head or by the front zip) and fasten any buckles. Do not tighten chest harness yet (if fitted).
- Tighten all straps, starting from the waist and working upwards to the shoulder straps. If your PFD has a chest harness, fasten and tighten this last. Finish by sitting down and checking shoulder straps.
Fitting a helmet
- Try on your helmet – it should cover your forehead with the peak just above your eyes – it should be a close fit, but not uncomfortably tight.
- The helmet should not be able to move around on your head or be pulled back to expose your forehead.
- Tighten or loosen the cradle at the back of your helmet to fit your head.
- To change the helmet’s front/back balance slide the straps through the three-way adjuster – take time to tension the chin straps equally.
- Pull the chin strap through the quick release buckle to tighten under your chin – the fit should be snug, but not uncomfortably tight.
- Try on your helmet – if the fit is still not satisfactory, repeat the steps. Add or remove fit pads (if supplied with your helmet).
Fitting a spraydeck
Putting on your spraydeck
- Step into the body-tunnel and pull it up until the base of the tunnel is level with your hips.
- Sit in your kayak being careful to avoid sitting on the back of the spraydeck.
- Lean back and hook the rear edge of the spraydeck under the back of the cockpit rim.
- Lean forward, keeping tension on the elastic, and feed the edge of deck around and under the sides of the cockpit rim.
- Stretch the deck away from you and hook the front of the deck over the front of the cockpit rim. At this point it is important to ensure that the release strap is outside the cockpit and easily accessible.
- Sit upright and check around the edge to ensure the deck is properly fitted and sealed under the cockpit rim.
Removing your spraydeck
- Find the release handle at the front of the deck by running your hand forwards along the edge of the cockpit.
- Pull the handle forwards (away from you) and up to release the front of the deck from the cockpit rim.
- Practise removing your spraydeck and getting out of your boat in a controlled situation so that you are able to remove the deck easily, even when upside down. The swimming pool is a good place to familiarise yourself with the capsize/wet-exit drill.
Choosing a paddle
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