Spray Skirts
If you are engaging in whitewater activities, then you need a whitewater spray skirt. Whitewater skirts are made of neoprene, not nylon, and come in bungee and rand styles. Generally, if you are a beginner or intermediate paddler, then you need a bungee style skirt. Bungee skirts are suitable for recreational, touring, sea, and most whitewater paddling. If you're engaging with class V whitewater or steep creeks where implosion resistance is a priority, then a rand skirt is the right pick for you.
If you are a beginner and you decide to go with a rand skirt right out the gate, then make sure that you can pull the skirt and bail. Rand skirts are very snug and safety is paramount.