Shopping for river runners can feel tricky, but as a kayaker myself, I can tell you that we always appreciate gear that earns its spot in the boat. I’m Ava Christensen, and this is my curated holiday gift guide packed with some of my favorite gear that I’d get for the paddlers in my life.
Riverstation Drylap Pro Bag
Space inside a kayak is tight. This compact drybag is shaped to slide smoothly into the bow or stern to keep your phone, lunch, and small essentials bone-dry.
Riverstation Throw Bag
Safety gear takes a beating over a long season and everyone needs a reliable throw bag – or even a backup! The Riverstation bags are compact, with a fast-deploying throw line packed with high-visibility rope that feeds out during rescues.
Clay by Shays
If you’ve paddled around the West, especially in Idaho, chances are you have seen the paddlers wearing some of Shay’s jewelry. She crafts a unique selection of earrings and necklaces sustainably made for life on the river, or you can design your own custom piece!
Nobody
Winter paddling – and even in the summer when your playboating can get chilly. Keep your head warm and stylish with a Nobody hat. Started here in White Salmon, these cute hats comfortably fit under your helmet to keep you a bit warmer and the sun out of your eyes.
River Rescue Course
A hands-on, scenario-based course teaching swiftwater swimming, rescue protocols, and boat retrieval techniques. These certifying courses at Wet Planet are taught by highly experienced rescue instructors, trained and certified through Sierra Rescue International.
Biodegradable Glitter
For river festivals, joy laps, or just adding a little extra personality to a multi-day trip. It’s plant-based and ecosystem-safe, so it breaks down naturally without leaving microplastics in our watersheds.
Work of Harris
Bright patterns and fun whitewater designs from local artist Harris Wright, perfect for the river or the dance floor!
Surf Ears
If the water is cold enough for a drytop, you should be wearing ear protection. These block ice-cold water and wind to prevent surfer’s ears, but still let ambient sound in so you can hear every callout from the group.
Miir Drinkware
Double-wall vacuum-insulated tumblers and bottles built to keep drinks hot or cold all day long. Plus, every purchase supports clean water initiatives across the globe.
Immersion Research Layers
IR designs technical, hyper-breathable insulation engineered specifically to fit seamlessly under drysuits and paddling jackets without bunching or binding. From lightweight, sun-defending hoodies for breezy summer playboating to thick, heavyweight grid-fleece union suits for mid-winter laps, IR makes an all-season piece for every thermal strategy. Warm, durable, and quick-drying, these layers are built by boaters to keep you comfortable on the river year-round.
On Tap Duffel Bag
My go-to versatile drybag. It is the perfect size to stuff behind your seat for overnighters or keep right in your lap for quick access on day trips.
Gift Voucher for a Kayak Course
Skip the gear guesswork entirely. A flexible instruction voucher through Wet Planet can be used for anything from dialing in a bombproof roll to swiftwater rescue clinics and mastering advanced boof technique!
At the end of the day, the best river gear is the stuff that keeps us safe, warm, and smiling out on the water. I hope this guide makes your gift shopping a little easier this season. See you out on the river!
Author: Ava Christensen.
Ava first discovered her love for whitewater kayaking at the US National Whitewater Center, at a kids’ kayak camp. Between taking her first strokes at age nine and many years of paddling later, she is now living in the Columbia River Gorge. Ava is a pro-kayaker, sponsored by Dagger and Kokatat, and when not kayaking, or traveling for kayaking, you’ll be able to find her in the Wet Planet office, always near the river, or up at Mt. Hood!
