Autumn and winter paddle boarding can be beautiful, but colder water and weather does need a different dress code to shorts and a bikini. So, read on for our guide on what to wear paddle boarding in the winter and when the weather is starting to get a bit colder.
What to wear paddleboarding In Winter
When we read social media posts we do often read comments that start with ‘does anyone know of a cheap [fill in the item of clothing] for paddleboarding?’ Cheap clothes are ok for summer but they are not expected to function (other than keeping you from being naked of course :) But when looking for clothes that need to keep you warm in the colder months, we try to steer paddlers towards premium kit that will keep you warm and last a long time.
How does a consumer know that the product is too cheap to work? If it’s neoprene, there will be little or no stretch in the neoprene and the cut is often tight with the designs coming from kitesurfing and windsurfing patterns. This means that there is limited stretch in the arms for paddleboarding, making it uncomfortable. There may also be a half zip or no zip on the jacket (not to be confused with premium kayaking cags).
When looking for SUP specific kit, there are a few things to look out for! Really stretchy neoprene is comfortable to wear, more breathable and fits the body’s curves with enough stretch to still allow movement. It keeps the rider warm but not overly hot and if the rider does accidentally fall in, the neoprene will be good enough quality to effectively allow the water that is trapped between the skin and the neoprene to warm up and warm the rider (this is how neoprene works).
Paddling in colder months, from Autumn right through to the cold of winter is preferred by lots of paddlers. It’s much quieter, the air is clear and the beauty of the changing seasons is just as pretty as a hot summer's day. Once a rider has got the right kit and toasty toes a they can paddle all year round.
First, the paddler needs to decide what type of paddleboarding they are going to be doing and where are they going to paddle. Is the rider going to be SUP surfing or paddling on flatwater? Is it going to be on rivers, canals, lakes, or the sea? These questions are to help establish the likelihood of falling in and the consequences of that so that the rider can make a sensible informed decision on what to wear paddle boarding.
If the paddler is going to be SUP surfing in colder weather then a premium winter wetsuit is definitely advisable. For other paddleboarding experiences, there are more comfortable options.
Winter Paddle Boarding Drysuit
Paddleboarding kit is advancing, and with the onset of more riders wanting to paddle board in the winter, the paddle board brands that get uber excited about conceptualising amazing paddle board wear can get a bit more confident about designing it… as they can now see it starting to sell.
With the above in mind we have a couple of favourite 2 piece drysuits which are revolutionising winter paddleboarding for a lot of riders. Budget and affordability, the perfect fit , performance and safety are the key factors that have to be covered and met.
There’s a few things that make a 2 piece drysuit perfect for paddleboarding.
1. The bottom of the jacket and the top of the trousers have to have a ‘Twin Waist Seal’, it’s this seal that keeps the suit dry if you fall in.
2. The bottom of the trousers - We prefer latex or neoprene cuffs on the bottom of the trousers, teamed with some waterproof socks to keep feet cosy, warm and dry… That said, Integrated boots are great for those who are going out all day on sub-0 paddles and 100% waterproofness is more important than 100% comfort.
3. Comfortable neck, We prefer an open neck, with velcro closure rather than latex or neoprene, it’s way more comfortable and still holds out the water in a 'falling in’ scenario but keeps you comfy, and your body at a pleasant temperature whilst your paddling.
Comfortable SUP Wear
SUP-specific kit has been designed with longer arms, to allow for paddle stretch, a longer back on jackets so the rider doesn’t get a cold back and bum and full zips on the front of the jackets so they can undo the jacket with one hand and still paddle. SUP-specific leggings and long john's /jane's don’t have any reinforcement on the bum as it’s not needed and the legs are suggested to be full length rather than three-quarter as it’s the riders’ ankles and bottom of legs that are going to be in the water or getting splashed.
SUP specific wear includes jackets, long jane/john and long-legged leggings, warmer insulated long and short sleeve tops and quick dry 50+ for warmer days. If the rider is really getting into paddling and is going out in all weathers it's a good idea to invest in a SUP-specific drysuit; you will only ever need one so the investment is worth it! SUP-specific drysuits are more comfortable around the neck as the seal isn’t as tight, if you’re wanting a drysuit to be fully dry, for example, if you think you will want to take a swim or enjoy being in the water as well as on top of it, get a drysuit with a full dry neck.
Warm Head
Keeping your head warm is super important in any cold-weather sport and paddle boarding is no different. SUP Inflatables is always on the hunt for functional and fun SUP wear and the challenge was on to find a great paddleboarding hat! We do love a good bobble hat and we have found a UK brand that has answered the prayers of all paddleboarders and sea swimmers alike and has made a funky bright bobble hat with an internal waterproof lining that allows you to have a warm head in the most cold and wet of weathers. If you’re looking for something less ‘bobbly’ we have also found some great brands that offer less 'bobbly' options too!
Happy Feet
Paddling in bare feet or an old pair of trainers in Summer is perfect but cold feet is not so fun in the colder months. We absolutely love Prolimit and Level Six creek boots for the must-have boot for warm feet in cold weather. These boots both have strong soles for walking to and from the waters edge (and maybe to the pub that’s on the journey) and both are super warm, with the 7mm boots being the warmest out of the choices. Buy this boot one size up if you would like to add to the warm and comfy feel with a pair of waterproof socks underneath.
We have also been doing a lot of research into recreational waterproof trainers and have found a brand called Tropicfeel. Look out for their waterproof t-shirt range next summer but for now, we are looking forward to adding their range of trainers to our shelves. As with all our technical wear these have been tried by us for a season before adding to our shop and we are excited by what this new trainer adds to paddleboarding and an outdoor lifestyle. When water gets in to these trainers it is released by one way flow holes (so rain water or water from puddles etc can’t get in). These trainers are a perfect shoe for a hot summers day without socks and then by adding a pair of waterproof socks they are great for colder day paddling.
Warm Hands
Keeping hands warm whilst paddling is possibly as hard as keeping hands warm whilst cycling as they are in front of the rider getting the cold wind over them and they’re not really moving. This is why we called on cycling brands with waterproof gloves to help us out with the problem. Showerpass has a range of waterproof gloves (and socks) that have a waterproof membrane sandwiched between the fabric allowing the product to feel super comfy but when out on the water, and on a cold wet and windy day, the membrane stops the wind chill and also stops your hands from getting wet if it rains. If you’re looking to keep your hands warm and if you’re paddling and expect to fall in, then this is where we suggest neoprene gloves as, even though they’re not waterproof, they are a warm option as the neoprene warms up the water between the fabric and the rider’s hands to keep the hands warm. We have again fallen back on Level Six and Prolimit for neoprene gloves as both brands understand that the neoprene has to be cut in a way that allows the glove finger to curve so it’s easier to hold onto the shaft of the paddle.
Extras
Once you have all the SUP wear you need to paddle warm and dry some other great things to have with you are:
Paddle maintenance kit. Check which screw fitting your paddle takes and keep the right screwdriver or Allen key in your dry bag. Check the screws on your paddle before going out.
If paddling a long distance consider getting a ‘get home’ paddle. We have noticed with the influx of paddleboards on the water that paddleboarders may not have come from a background of outdoor activities like cycling for example, so the paddleboard rider is not used to thinking about spares for when it goes wrong. Like a cyclist traveling with a spare inner tube and pump, we feel that paddleboarders paddling longer distances should carry a spare paddle or at least paddle maintenance tools as this is the main part of the kit that is affected by wear and tear and is, of course, essential for paddling home safely.
Choosing paddleboarding clothes as a ‘plus size’ paddler
We have been working with a few key brands over the last couple of years to ensure that riders of all sizes and weights have a great choice of clothes to keep paddling through all seasons.
Our favorite brand for taller 'plus-size' paddlers is Prolimit. They offer a great selection of products with the clothing design being similar enough through the women’s and unisex/men’s range to allow all riders a legging, long jane/john, and a jacket that’s going to fit great and keep the rider warm on the water. The brand is working on extending the range to suit the growing needs of all paddlers with the range fitting up to a size women’s 22 and a men's XXXL at the moment.
Our favorite brand for shorter plus-size paddlers is Level Six. Their leggings have been designed to have the capability to be cut, meaning that shorter legs don’t end up with a bulk of fabric around the ankle. Again the women’s and unisex clothes are similar enough to be switched between so if a rider prefers a lower waistband they can choose the women’s sizing but if they prefer a higher waist they can choose the unisex size. Level six leggings have a sweaty betty type design with lovely wide deep pockets on the side, great for phones, quick pics and energy bars.
What should you do if you fall in when it’s cold?
If you fall in when the weather is cold, it’s advised to get out of any cold wet clothes and take a minute to have a warm drink and get warmed up again before carrying on. Get yourself a drybag, the Riding not Hiding 35l dry bag is a great bag for day trips, and pop some spare clothes in and a flask of tea or hot chocolate. The Red Originals hot and cold bottle is a great solution if you don’t already have a flask.
If you are new to cold weather paddling, please begin slowly and cautiously. Make conservative plans. Don’t try to set speed or distance records. Prepare meticulously. Paddle with more experienced mentors. And always place safety first.
We love to chat, so if you have any questions at all about paddleboarding in Autumn and Winter, feel free to get in touch.
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