Guides, how-tos & gear advice

Field Notes / Gear Guides

Expert-desk guides on paddling, surfing, tow sports, snorkeling, safety and gear — researched, practical and written for real water.

Canoes stacked upside down by a lake with autumn trees behindGear Guides
The Gear Desk9 min read

Winter Storage for Boards, Wetsuits and Water Toys

How to store kayaks, SUPs, inflatables, wetsuits, life jackets and small gear for the off-season so everything is ready to go next spring.
Surfer in a black full wetsuit riding a waveGear Guides
The Gear Desk7 min read

Wetsuit Thickness by Water Temperature: The Complete Chart

The complete wetsuit thickness chart in °F and °C: when to wear a 3/2, 4/3 or 5/4, when to add boots, gloves and a hood, and how to adjust.
Person holding a camera underwaterGear Guides
The Gear Desk8 min read

Waterproof Ratings Explained: IPX7 vs IPX8 vs IP68

What IP codes really mean, IPX7 vs IPX8 vs IP68, what lab tests don't cover (saltwater, waves, jumps), and how to protect your tech on the water.
Feet in strapped water sandals wading through clear shallow waterGear Guides
The Gear Desk9 min read

Water Shoes: What to Wear on Rocks, Reef and Boat Decks

Aqua socks, water shoes, sandals, booties or amphibious hikers? Match your footwear to rock, reef, sand and deck, and get the fit right.
Woman in a black wetsuit standing on a white sand beachGear Guides
The Gear Desk8 min read

How a Wetsuit Should Fit (and How to Make It Last)

How a wetsuit should fit from neck to ankles, how to put one on without tearing it, and the rinse, dry, store and repair routine that makes it last.
Kayaker paddling across open blue seaGear Guides
The Gear Desk7 min read

Dry Bags: Sizes, Roll-Tops and What to Pack

Dry bag sizes from 5L to 55L+, waterproof vs submersible, how to seal a roll-top properly, materials, and packing kits for paddling and boating.
Woman in a red long-sleeve rash guard giving a thumbs up on a rocky beachGear Guides
The Gear Desk9 min read

Rash Guards and UPF: Sun Protection on the Water

What UPF ratings mean, why water days burn faster, and how to choose a rash guard or sun shirt that keeps protecting season after season.
Paddleboarder on sheltered waterGear Guides
The Gear Desk3 min read

The after-water reset: a gear-care routine you will actually keep

Organize rinsing, drying, inspection, and storage so the next outing starts with ready equipment.
Paddleboarder on sheltered waterGear Guides
The Gear Desk3 min read

Wetsuit fit: comfort, movement, and a care routine that lasts

Make sense of size charts and thickness guidance, then protect the suit after every session.
Paddleboarder on sheltered waterGear Guides
The Gear Desk3 min read

Inflatable SUP setup: a routine that protects your board

Build a clean inflation, inspection, drying, and storage routine around your board’s own manual.

Our expert desks

Advice from people who get wet.

Every guide is built by a topic desk, checked against official safety sources and manufacturer documentation, and cited at the bottom of the page.

The Paddle Desk

SUP and kayak sizing, technique, care and trip planning.

Read the desk The Surf Desk

First boards, forecasts, etiquette and the small gear that matters.

Read the desk The Tow & Wake Desk

Tubes, ropes, wakeboards, skis — and how to run a safe tow.

Read the desk The Dive Desk

Masks, fins, snorkel skills and underwater photography.

Read the desk The Safety Desk

Life jackets, cold water, weather and teaching kids.

Read the desk The Gear Desk

Wetsuits, dry bags, waterproof ratings and storage.

Read the desk The Fishing Desk

Kayak and small-boat fishing setups and electronics.

Read the desk The Field Notes Team

Lake days, transport, beach shade and trips.

Read the desk
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