Kayak camping and SUP camping are beautiful contradictions: you can bring more than a backpacker… but space still disappears faster than snacks at a riverside lunch break. The trick is choosing compact, reliable gear that packs small, stays dry, and earns its keep on every trip.
Ultralight principles from backpacking translate perfectly here. Focus on the “big three” (shelter, sleep, kitchen), then refine everything else to be compact and waterproof.
Bottomline Tips
- Think “small + useful” first, always
- For kayaks, use multiple drybags, not big ones, to fit everything in your kayak hatches
- For SUPs, use drybags or waterproof duffle bags, to distribute weight front and back
- Test your full setup before your first overnight
- Prioritize multi-use gear to save space
- Keep critical items double-drybagged (sleeping bag, electronics)
- Balance your load front to back AND side to side
- Go lighter than you think—the more weight you carry, the more effort it is to paddle and the more likely you are to drag in shallow water
- Use two lightweight packable tote bags like IKEA totes, to carry drybags and gear for carrying in kayakSUP front and kayak/SUP back
Recommended Gear Examples
The following examples are meant to give you ideas of what works well, and a few items we wouldn’t camp without. If you’re a backpacker, you will already have a lot of these.
Shelter & Sleep System
One Person Tent with Footprint that’s inexpensive and easy to put up.
One Person Lanshan Style Tent using a hiking stick instead of tent poles. Ultralight and small, but not as easy to put up.
Two Person Tent with Footprint that’s inexpensive, roomy and easy to put up.
Two to Three Person Ultralight Roomy Tent that’s small to pack but roomy for two people.
Inflatable Sleeping Pad that can be connected together for two people.
Ultralight Sleeping Bag for warm weather, that compresses down to a small size and can be unzipped an used as a blanket.
Ultralight Sleeping Bag Liner for use instead of a sleeping bag on super hot summer trips.
Down Camping Blanket for extra warmth in a small compressible size.
Cooking & Food
Inexpensive Backpacking Stove with Built-In Lighter that’s small and easy to store inside a pot or sup.
Inexpensive Backpacking Pot with Two Cups that holds the above Inexpensive Backpacking Stove. Together with the small stove and a spork, this can make a complete tiny “camp kitchen” to cook in the pot, eat in one cup and drink in the other cup.
Backpacking Stove Cooking System with Adjustable Heat nicer all-in-one option that heats up fast to use fuel and time efficiently.
Inexpensive Backpacking Cooking Kit with Stove, Pots, Cup, Utensils for a nice compact all-in-one setup.
Fast Boil Stove and Coffee Press for coffee lovers!
Folding Backpacking Grill – a very helpful option when cooking over fires.
Inidividually-Wrapped Fire Starters and Collapsible Fire Tube, to ensure a fire is easy to start.
Collapsible Water Bags – super handy!
Water Filter with bags for individual use and 8L Gravity Filter for group use.
Scent-proof Bags to avoid attracking animals. Much more flexible than a bear cannister.
Safety & Lights
Waterproof Headlamp with Red Light – ALWAYS get the red light option to avoid blinding others at night.
Rescue Throw & Tow Rope Bag for use by those with safety and rescue training.
Extra Long Rain Poncho for use in rain, or as a warming layer, or to cover firewood if you don’t have a tarp.
Packing & Organization
Drybags are the unsung heroes of paddle camping. They keep gear organized and dry even when you capsize or set up camp in the rain. For kayaks, many smaller bags work better for packing into hatches. Paddleboarders can use one larger bag or duffel on back (and possibly front) with packing cubes or stuff sacks to organize gear inside. Be sure to write your name and phone number on the bag. If you standardize on certain bags for certain gear, label the bag with a marker or duct tape with marker.
Drybags Set in best sizes for packing into kayaks.
Waterproof Compression Sack for sleeping bags and other compressible gear.
Waterproof Duffel Bag 60L for paddleboard camping.
Mesh Stuff Sacks for organizing gear in larger drybags, or gear that doesn’t require a drybag. Easily see what’s in the sack without opening it.
Comfort & Camp Life
Folding Backpacking Seat Cushion for use in your kayak, on river banks for lunch, and as a mat at your backpacking tent door to make it less painful on knees.
Backpacking Chair that’s compact, with mesh back for hot summer days, and sand feet to prevent sinking into a riverbank, beach or sandy campsite. Cup holder is a bonus!
Camping Multi-tool with hammer for tent stakes, small hatchet for splitting off kindling, knife, and emergency flint.
Quick Dry Sun Hoodie with thumb holes – keep it wet to stay cooler, avoid sunburn including on the backs of hands, and wear it dry in evenings for a light layer.
Packable Sun Hats with neck flaps and Large Brimmed Sun Hats and Removable Sun Flaps to use with your favorite baseball caps.
Head Net for Mosquitos and Biting Flies – essential in many wildnerness areas, including Great Lakes, Boundary Waters, and Ozark Rivers at certain times of the year.
Long Compression Packing Cube for compressing clothes in a shape that fits easily into a dry bag.
Biodegradable Camp Soap and Camp Soap Sheets
Small Quick Dry Backpacker Towel
Ultra Compact Clothesline for drying clothes and gear each evening.
Final Thought on Kayak Camping and SUP Camping Gear
Great paddle camping gear isn’t about having more stuff. It’s about having the *right* stuff that fits into your boat or onto your board.
Pack like a minimalist. Paddle like an enthusiast. Sleep like you earned it. And join us at an upcoming Kayaking or SUP Camping event in the Kansas City area or paddling destinations. Check our events calendar!
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