Don’t assume that paddleboarding is only a possibility during the warm summer months. Without question paddleboarders venture out onto the water when air and water temperatures fall. For this reason, deciding what to wear when paddleboarding is challenging. I paddleboard frequently and change up my choice of clothes depending on the weather. Here is your guide on what to wear for paddleboarding? during all seasons of the year.
Why Choosing The Correct Clothing Is Important
Without question, selecting the correct clothing when paddleboarding is important not only to remain cool or warm but to have a full range of motion.
Range Of Motion
Undoubtedly, range of motion is important when it comes to venturing out on a paddleboard. Clothing that leaves you feeling restricted, will limit your ability to move the paddle and adjust your feet to remain balanced.
For this reason, it is important to wear clothing that does not restrict mobility on either your legs or your upper body. Avoid tight clothes that are rigid and have minimal ability to stretch.
Temperature
It goes without saying that you want to avoid over dressing when it’s hot and conversely, underdressing when it is cold.
Importantly, you’ll want to check the air and the water temperature. In some cases the air temperature is warm and the water temperature is frigid. So what happens if you end up falling off the board and into the water. Unquestionably you’ll need to dress accordingly.
Remaining Afloat
Yes, you should always wear life saving equipment but I am not referring to life jackets in regards to remaining afloat.
In fact, I am talking about exactly the opposite. Heavy thick clothing absorbs a substantial amount of water. That being said, if you end up falling off the board you’ll be challenged to remain afloat to pull yourself back up and out of the water.
Without question, never wear clothes that become saturated with water when paddleboarding.
What To Wear For Paddleboarding During Each Season
As the seasons change you’ll need to change up your clothing to remain comfortable while standing upright or taking an accidental swim. Here is what to wear for paddleboarding? during each season.
Summer
Unquestionably, planning what to wear while paddleboarding is the most straightforward during the summer months.
During the summer I recommend wearing a bathing suit unless of course you’re talking about boarding near glaciers.
However, keep in mind that sun protection is essential. For this reason I suggest throwing on an SPF rated shirt and plenty of waterproof sunscreen.
Lastly, keep the sun out of your eyes and off of your face. My recommendation is to wear a baseball style hat. The hat should be in combination with floating sunglasses or sunglasses with a strap to avoid losing them if you take a dip.
Fall
Without a doubt the fall is a transition from hot summer heat to cooler dry air. During the fall you’re more likely to encounter warm waters compared to the spring.
I recommend going online and determining the water temperature before heading out paddleboarding. The water temperature will provide insight as to how to dress accordingly.
During the fall, I recommend wearing a long sleeve polyester shirt to retain heat on your upper body. Again, this is highly dependent on the water and air temperature.
However, as you progress into the late fall I suggest transitioning to a wetsuit if you live in a cold climate. Unquestionably, a 4/3 mm wetsuit should do the trick.
Importantly, don’t forget about sun protection. Always wear a hat and apply sunscreen as the suns reflection intensifies exposure.
Winter
I’ll venture out on a paddleboard in the winter but the air temperature must be in the 60’s at a minimum.
During the winter when the water temperatures drop I suggest wearing at minimum a 4/3 mm wetsuit. However, you’ll need to alternate with a 5/4 mm wetsuit if the water temperatures dip below 50 degrees.
Unquestionably, when paddleboarding in the winter I suggest avoiding paddling a long distance from your launch point. Should you fall in the water at a significant distance from land, your paddle back home will be less than pleasant to say the least.
Spring
The spring, comparable to the fall, is a transition however in the opposite direction. Slowly, the water temperatures warm as you progress closer to the turn of summer.
Comparably, the water temperatures during the spring remain colder compared to the shift from fall to winter. For this reason, a wetsuit is your best bet especially during the earliest parts of spring.
Again, I suggest a 4/3 mm wetsuit while the water temperatures hover in the 50’s and 5/4 mm wetsuit when the temperatures dip below 50.
What To Wear For Paddleboarding? Now You Know
Knowing what to wear for paddleboarding is essential to not only remain safe but to remain comfortable. Again, the options are significantly impacted by the season. For this reason, if you plan to paddleboard year round I suggest purchasing a wetsuit in addition to your standard summer wear.
