Depending on where you live you may be dealing with some chillier temperatures as we make our way into the winter months.
For some, the paddle board likely gets stashed away until the weather and water gets warmer.
However if you have the right gear and protect yourself properly, you may be able to keep paddling year round. – If the water is not frozen over of course!
Below is a winter paddle boarding gear checklist with all the essentials you will need starting with the three most important layers.
Base Layers
The base layer is extremely important and needs to be comfortable.
So starting with the base layers we recommend avoiding cotton at all cost! Cotton will stay damp and cold against your skin when wet and is a paddlers worst nightmare in the winter months.
Merino wool base layers are a great choice. Merino wool feels soft and will keep you warm but will also wick moisture away from your skin.
It is an ideal base layer for paddling. When you paddle hard, even in the winter months, you will sweat. You may feel warm when paddling but once you stop that sweat can turn prickly cold.
Merino wool base layers will wick that moisture away from your skin and keep your temperature regulated and comfortable.
A merino wool top, tight and even underwear are a great investment for any activity during the winter months.
Mid Layers
The mid layer is your insulation layer. This is where you’ll want a good fleece sweater or sweatshirt to keep you insulated and warm.
You can’ really go wrong here, just wear a fleece top that fits well and doesn’t restrict your range of motion when paddling.
Outer Shell
The outer layer is your protection from the rain and water.
This layer can vary depending on how cold it is where you are paddling.
I often use a waterproof jacket when paddling on calm lakes or rivers close to my home.
However for ocean paddling I like to have a little extra protection in case I fall in the water.
That is when a good dry suit will come in handy. A dry suit will keep your entire body dry if you fall in and may be necessary for cold ocean paddle boarding.
A dry suit is not cheap so unless you really plan to get out there several times per week you may want to avoid the cost.
If you stick to paddling on calm water close to shore you can likely just get away with a regular goretex waterproof jacket. I would suggest the jacket only if you feel confident you won’t be falling it so use your common sense and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger.
The Wetsuit
I have also used a wetsuit before which can be a cheaper option than a drysuit.
With a wetsuit, specifically a thicker one designed for cold weather you will be protected if you fall into cold water. The neoprene material traps a layer of water between the material and your body to insulate you.
They work well and are definitely a viable option for cold weather paddling.
Head, Feet and Hands
Now that the body is protected and warm you’ll need to consider your head, feet and hands.
These are the areas that tend to get the coldest when winter paddling. Wet hands or feet will cause you to stop paddling in cold weather very quickly and can be painful.
Gloves
Get a good pair of neoprene winter paddling gloves. You’ll need the thicker neoprene for added warmth.
Once these gloves get wet they trap a layer of water between the neoprene and your skin, which keeps your hands warm. They work quite well.
Otherwise you could also use a regular pair of winter gloves that have grip on the palms. These will keep your hands warmer if they don’t get wet, but could be trouble if you fall in.
Feet
Winter paddling boots are a MUST. I would also suggest a pair of water socks (or you can also use a pair of wool socks).
Get a pair of winter paddling boots from somewhere like NRS.com. They work similar to the neoprene gloves where they trap water in the boot to keep your feet warm.. Add a water sock and you’ll be toasty warm in most conditions.
Your feet will feel the initial shock of cold when you first step in the water but it only lasts a second and then they feel warm again.
I use a pair of NRS water boots for paddling all winter long and have never had any issues. They work great.
Head
My head tends to get hot even when paddling in cold weather, however I always start off with a fleece toque and then just put it in my jacket pocket if I feel too warm.
For ocean paddling expeditions you’ll need full head such as a neoprene full head toque. However for most recreational paddlers sticking close to shore a wool or fleece toque will be all you need.
PFD
That’s about it! Put on a PFD for safety and added warmth and enjoy some cold weather paddling. It is surprisingly exhilarating and fun. The hardest part is just getting out there but once you get going, it feels amazing!