Assuming you are thinking ONLY of warm weather summer paddling in a
recreational boat, touring yak, or canoe: buy a good PFD (life jacket)
first, and KEEP IT ON! Even when you shower, eat , and go to bed lol..ok
just kidding, but wear that thing when you paddle. Most any type of clothing
will work for summer, river shorts, bathing suits...IF it's cold
weather....NO COTTON.....cotton kills, it is a no no where possible
hypothermia is concerned. Those shorts\pants zippered combo thingies are a
good choice. Foot wear, in a kayak with a foam center support....no sandals,
they can get snagged on the heel if you need to wet exit quickly, basic
watershoes from Walmart are fine....lots of other choices from a catalog
such as NRS http://www.nrsweb.com/.
Stay tunes for alot more advice........RBP GUYS & GALS?

wrote in message
...
Since I live right on banks of Mississippi River I want
to take up paddling

My first purchases will be clothing since I can also
use the clothing off river

Need advice on the flowing:

1. hat for sun and rain

2. Rain cape?

3. Shorts and pants. Maybe zip off convertible pants
that can be made into shorts as needed

4. Proper sandals and shoes for muddy, wet, conditions.
They don't call it the big muddy for nothing

5. Floatation vest?

So..any advice what specific brand/models of clothing
to get?