what to wear paddle boarding in fall
what to wear paddle boarding in fall：For those of you new to SUP, we bet you didn’t realise just how easily accessible the sport was. We often get asked What to wear sup boarding? You needn’t have fancy expensive garments to hit the water, in fact, as long as you have some sort of active/leisure clothing, you’re pretty much ready to go.
With tips from us all here at Red Paddle Co HQ, our expert Red Original accessories team and professional paddle boarder, Sam Ross, let us give you our Paddle boarding what to wear guide!
WHAT TO WEAR PADDLE BOARDING UK / USA / EUROPE / AUSTRALIA / EVERYWHERE!
So the first thing to note is that some of you are fortunate enough to live in places where it can be hot, (or cold) all year round. So we have based our what to wear guide on ‘normal seasons’. You can simply adjust our recommendations as you see fit for your climate!
CLOTHING FOR SUMMER SUP BOARDING
Probably our favourite time of year and the most popular time of year for paddle boarding – Summer. In terms of clothing, its probably one of the easiest months to dress for as well.
With average air temperatures of 20 degrees in most European countries, you can be safe in the knowledge, you probably won’t be getting too much of a chill when you hit the water!
For both males and females, we recommend board shorts and some sort of light-weight tee-shirt, not forgetting a hat such as our Paddle Cap to shelter your face from the sun and easy layer for when a cooler breeze blows.
Our Performance T-shirt is available in Men’s and Women’s styles and is perfect for paddling with special dri-release fabric technology which will keep you dry and comfortable.
BE SUN SMART WITH YOUR PADDLE BOARDING CLOTHING
Spending the whole day paddle boarding is an amazing activity to enjoy during the summer months but always keep in mind how long you spend out on the water. You are more vulnerable to sunburn as the sunlight will reflect back up from the water so be sure to protect yourself with sunscreen and carry layers during longer tours or when paddling through into the cooler evenings. Our Red Original on water clothing is all 50+ UPF to protect you from the rays.
It is especially important if you are paddling on the coast where a breeze may mask just how hot your skin is getting as you ride your SUP.
SPRING/AUTUMN PADDLE BOARDING WEAR
As the seasons change you may find you need to add a few more layers to your SUP outfit in order to stay comfortable but very little changes from your summer attire.
Adding an extra layer for your upper-body and potentially, some neoprene shoe boots, or a light water proof jacket will give you added protection depending on the outside temperature.
Of course, if you’re more prone to the cold, you can wear as many layers as you wish. We find body warmers or a high tech gilet paired with a lightweight long sleeve top is a perfect outfit for SUP during the Spring and Autumn seasons. Our Performance Top Layer helps regulate your body temperature so is an ideal long sleeve solution, plus it has the added benefit of being super comfortable and looking great too.
WHAT TO WEAR PADDLE BOARDING IN WINTER?
Winter attire really depends on what you plan to do. If it’s riding the waves on our 8’10” Whip SUP, then we would advise a full-length wetsuit with gloves and neoprene boots to keep you toasty for your winter paddling.
If you plan to just go for a recreational paddle on a Touring paddle board, you will be able to avoid splashing the cash on a wetsuit and alternatively, wear some thermal base layers, a waterproof top and waterproof trousers.
Remember being active will help keep you warm in winter on your SUP so don’t overdress. Thinner layers are easier to regulate your temperature when you are on your paddleboard.
WHAT SHOES TO WEAR PADDLE BOARDING?
This is again going to depend on temperature. The grip on the top of our boards is designed for bare feet, so if it is warm, you don’t need to wear any shoes paddle boarding. If the temperature drops and you still want to get out on your SUP, then light barefoot trainers or neoprene boots are a good option even in Winter.
Be careful of outdoor shoes with grips because stones might get wedged in which could damage the top of your board. We advise you don’t wear heavy shoes because in the unfortunate event you fall in, they will make it more difficult for you to get back on-board your SUP.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR SUP YOGA
For SUP Yoga, you need to be comfortable and have the freedom to move and stretch with ease. Consider the seasonal dress tips above but in most instances, your normal yoga or gym wear is going to work fine.
There are now plenty of brands with stylish and comfortable leggings which are perfect for SUP yoga practice and day to day paddling. One of our favourite brands is Lulu Lemon – these guys offer a great range of leggings, joggers and tops and are designed for performing yoga moves and for paddling longer distances.
GETTING CHANGED
If you are getting changed before or after hitting the water, or simply want to wrap up warm to avoid a post paddle chill setting in, an outdoor changing robe such as our Red Original Pro Change Jacket is a great solution. You can even throw it on directly over a wetsuit, it will keep you warm, dry you off and is perfect for the journey home.
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When you are heading out on the water to paddle board, knowing what stand up paddle clothes to wear is important. Being out there on the open water without the right clothes can makes things less fun than they should be. You want to wear the right types of clothing for the conditions, so you are comfortable and able to enjoy your outdoor experience. There’s no reason to make things hard on yourself. SUPs have more than enough storage to pack an extra layer or two.
Most people can comfortably paddle through all of the seasons, summer months straight through to the winter months. Yes, winter paddleboarding is a thing and it’s beautiful. There is no limit to the temperature extremes if you are dressed properly. However, while the colder winter weather calls for wetsuits or drysuits, the warmer weather has more options and is less restrictive. But you still want to prepare yourself for a full range of weather conditions during your paddle session.
When Choosing What to Wear Paddling Remember, Safety First
No matter what the season or weather, wearing safety gear is a must when it comes to paddle boarding. Having a leash attached and a USCG-Approved life jacket with you is important. Paddle boards are considered to be a vessel by both Canadian and US water patrols so all boarders must have a personal flotation device (PFD) with them on the board. While not all will wear them, it is suggested that all paddlers keep them on. Children under 12 must wear life vests at all times if they are on a paddle board. The only exemption to this is if someone is SUP surfing and then there is no requirement to have a life vest with you.
When you are shopping for a life jacket, there are lots to choose from. They are much smaller and lighter than older styles you may be used to. These days you can find some pretty compact life jackets, There are even some that attach around your waist and are barely noticeable. Try them on before choosing to make sure they fit well and do not impede your stroke or mobility.
Warm Weather Paddle Boarding Clothing Styles
There are very few places in North America that are not going to have a warm summer. While many hard core paddle boarders will try to paddle all 12 months of the year, the numbers are going to grow when the warm summer sun is out. Enjoying the sun and warmth makes everyone happy to be out on the water. But remember; even if the sun’s out, cold waters and cool winds can leave you shivering. However if you pack the right paddle clothing, you have nothing to worry about.
Sun Protection for Summer Paddle Board: Paddle Board T-Shirts and Natural Sunscreen
When the warm weather comes, paddlers are going to enjoy the board as well as a cool dip in the water. This means you will need something other than a wetsuit. Having a bathing suit, a short sleeve shirt, a rash guard or other water-resistant (hydrophobic shirt) wear is going to make time out on the water comfortable and fun. Men will often wear board shorts and women a bathing suit, be it one or two-piece.
Whatever stand up paddle clothes you choose, keep in mind that you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun. Add in some waterproof UV sunscreen wherever your skin is exposed. These days you can even find some natural sunscreen options. There are also clothes that use sun protection in their fabrics if you are going to be on the water for extended periods of time. While bathing attire with or without UV protection is good for comfort and mobility, your feet have options as well. Many enjoy paddling barefoot, but you can also purchase paddle shoes. These are great if you are in areas that tend to be rocky or rough on the bottom.
Rash guards are important as well, particularly when surfing. They help reduce friction on your skin when climbing back onto the board. Rash guards also keep friction low when paddling and work to decrease soreness caused by repetitive movements on the water. They come in all shapes and sizes including short and long sleeve options.
Layer Clothing Even if It’s a Summer Paddle Board Outing
When choosing clothes for a day of paddling, the best trick is to wear or pack layers. The weather may be cooler in the morning and warm up as the day goes on (and the opposite is of course true for sunset). Carrying a dry bag on the board is helpful as layers come off. It allows some versatility and clothing changes as the temperatures go up and down.
Sun Protection for Your Head
The other things to consider wearing is a hat and sunglasses. Even on hazy days, it is important to protect yourself from UV rays. Hats will help keep the sun off the top of your head, working to keep you cool and protecting you from sunburn. And sunglasses will protect your eyes from the sun and glare off the water. The reflection off the water can be intense and leave you squinting instead of enjoying the scenery. Plus, everyone looks cooler in sunglasses.
Stand Up Paddle Clothes for Cooler Temperatures: Wetsuits
Choosing to wear a wetsuit is not a tough decision in the winter. As it gets colder out, the suit you choose should get thicker. There are times such as early morning and night when you need something more than a bathing suit to stay comfortable as summer fades to autumn. Even some summer nights when you head out for a sunset paddle board excursion can make a long sleeve shirt or some other form of warmer paddle clothing worth packing.
If you are heading out for a cold weather paddle a neoprene wetsuit can make the experience much more enjoyable. It also protects you from hypothermia if you do end up falling in. A winter jacket or waterproof jacket will help you if it’s raining or protect you if you get splashed, but it won’t keep you dry if you fall in. That being said you don’t need a heavy-duty wetsuit necessarily, but one that is matched for the conditions and temperature you choose to paddle.
If you do not want to go the route of a wetsuit, then wear a long sleeve shirt over your bathing suit and sweatshirt over that. Leggings, long johns and gloves can be worn as well. Just be careful about the weight of the clothes and depth of water if you happen to fall in. You need to be able to swim and be safe as well. And again, if the water is too cold and you fall in it’s simply not enough.
SUP Yoga Stand Up Paddle Clothes
Being properly dressed for SUP yoga will improve your session. Be mindful of the weather so you are aware of how much you may need to layer your clothes. Keep the swimsuit or board shorts underneath, a rash guard if needed and then warmer yoga clothing can go over the top. If it is too hot out, then go with just the swimwear and rash guard. As you can see layering is key regardless the weather or activity。
SUP Fishing Stand Up Paddle Clothes
If you are hitting the water to go out fishing, you do not need a lot of extra clothing other than what you would normally wear. However, sunblock or UV protective clothing, and a hat are worth strongly considering. With fishing you tend to spend a lot of time on the water, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. Another thing to consider when SUP fishing is bugs. Unlike regular paddle boarding, there’s a good chance you’ll be moving slowly or not much at all, and stick to the edges of the water, marshes, reeds, etc. Those are the places you’ll find fish because they’re looking for the insects that live there. Your regular insect spray, pants, and longs sleeves will do the trick.
RELATED: Stand Up Paddleboard Fishing: The New Fishing Vessel of Choice?what to wear paddle boarding in fall
Proper Paddling Clothing for a Quality Time on the Water
No matter what stand up paddle clothes you choose to wear, make sure they provide you comfort and allow for a full range of motion. Layering is a great option because it provides you with a variety of choices throughout your day, so you can adjust as you paddle. The changing weather conditions, open water, and wind that comes with it make an extra layer worth it. Even if you don’t use it, you have it with you in case the air temperature changes and surprises you with cold conditions. In warm or cold weather, you’ll appreciate the options. Some items will be better suited for the water, but you’ll figure that out as you go. Just don’t wear something you’d prefer not to get wet. Eventually you may even have a stand up paddle boarding clothing section of your wardrobe.