Gear: Waterproof Accessories

Get out on the water with these splash-ready accessories

It’s finally spring, which means it’s time to stop making excuses and get back on the water. However you like to enjoy it—by sail, motor, paddle or board—it just wouldn’t be any fun without all your e-gadgets, and that’s not a problem, thanks to these enterprising gear-makers. Here are a few of our must-have accessories to make your time on the water more enjoyable.

Pair this waterproof portable Braven BRV-X speaker ($230; braven.com) wirelessly with your phone to take your music with you anywhere—it’s small enough to fit in a kayak cockpit. A separate “outdoor” setting provides maximum sound quality in an open-air environment. Pair two for surround-sound performance and keep your phone charged with its battery bank.

Weighing just 250 grams, the amphibious Keen Class 6 shoes ($110; keenfootwear.com) feel like a gardening shoe, but perform like a hiker. A skeleton of foam protects piggies and allows water to drain; a grippy outsole sticks to slimy rocks and muddy paths; and a bungie lace and adjustable heel ensures it won’t fall off.

Of course you’re going to bring your phone and maybe your tablet, too. Keep them dry and functional in a waterproof Seal LIne E-Cases ($25-$50; cascadedesigns.com). There’s a model to fit just about every device. Despite being totally waterproof, screens remain touch-sensitive and an earphone port keeps the tunes accessible.

Until recently, capturing fun on the water meant ho-hum results with a waterproof point-and-shoot camera or bringing your DSLR and stressing over every splash. Compromise no more. The sleek new Nikon 1 AW1 camera ($850; nikon.ca) takes the best of both to create an impressive shooter, in and out of the water. It’s one of the first interchangeable-lens cameras that is also waterproof to 15 metres and rugged enough to take a two-metre drop. SLR-level picture and video quality includes full manual control, 14.2 megapixel stills, up to 60 shots per second and 1080p full HD videos. In other words, you just lost your excuse for not getting the shot.

Direct rays can burn your eyes and glare can cause headaches. The REVO Harness sunglasses’ ($190; revo.com) wraparound shape and water-specific polarized lenses block both for better vision on the sunniest days. Recycled material in the frame is good for the environment.

With tide charts for 230 beaches onboard, Nixon SuperTide watch ($225; nixon.com) will help you catch the best surf and keep your boat off the sandbar. The stainless- steel case and silicone band are waterproof to 100 metres, protecting a vibrant digital display that includes a 48-hour tide graph.

When wet meets dry, soggy happens. Luckily, the Seattle Sports Wet/Dry TopLoader Duffel ($120; seattlesportsco.com) separates the two. Stuff dry gear in the waterproof end of the duffle and wet and dirty in a mesh compartment. Between the two there’s enough room for big day trips and even overnight adventures.