Essential Paddleboarding Clothes You Need For All Weather Conditions
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Paddleboarding is a fantastic way to connect with nature and get some exercise. However, it’s essential to be well-prepared for the unpredictable weather conditions that Mother Nature might throw your way! That’s why the paddleboarding clothes that you choose to wear is critical.
Let’s dive into the world of paddleboarding clothes and discover what you need to stay comfortable and safe in all weather conditions ☀️⛅️☔️❄️
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Table Of Contents
- Paddleboarding Clothes: The Essentials
- Quick Dry Swim Shorts:
- My Recommendation: Silkworld Men’s Quick Dry Beach Shorts
- A Bikini That Stays On (Even If You Fall Off Your SUP)
- My Recommendation: Cupshe Women’s Bikini
- Rash Guards:
- My Recommendation: O’Neill Men’s Long Sleeve Rashguard
- My Recommendation: Roxy Whole Hearted Rashguard
- Paddleboard Shoes:
- My Recommendation: Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch Shoe
- Life Jacket:
- My Recommendation: Onyx M-16 Belt Life Jacket
- First Aid Kit
- My Recommendation: 263 Piece First Aid Kit
- Leashes
- My Recommendation: BPS Storm Coiled Leash
- Cold Weather Gear
- Warm Weather Gear
- Conclusion
- Paddleboarding Clothes: FAQs
Paddleboarding Clothes: The Essentials
So what are the essentials? First off…
Quick Dry Swim Shorts:
For warm and sunny days, swim shorts are the way to go. They offer comfort and freedom of movement, making them perfect for leisurely paddling sessions. Look for quick-drying materials to ensure you stay comfortable throughout your adventure.
And you definitely want to have a draw string because it’s embarrassing to lose your shorts if you fall off (just saying 😉 ).
My Recommendation: Silkworld Men’s Quick Dry Beach Shorts
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– 100% Nylon with a drawstring
– Quick dry fabric so you’re not wet all the time
– Mesh lining that is comfortable and doesn’t chafe you
– Looks really awesome & is a great price!
So that should sort all you men out, but what about the ladies?
A Bikini That Stays On (Even If You Fall Off Your SUP)
Admittedly I don’t own a bikini personally, but my wife loves this 🙂
My Recommendation: Cupshe Women’s Bikini
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Wrapped bikini top with shoulder straps that won’t fall off in the water
– High waisted bottoms with drawstrings to make sure that they stay on.
– Removable pads on the cups for extra support.
– Really cute design.
Rash Guards:
Rash guards are not only about preventing skin irritation; they also provide excellent sun protection. These lightweight, long-sleeved shirts are designed to shield your skin from harmful UV rays, making them ideal for hot, sunny days on the water (and cold ones).
For The Men:
My Recommendation: O’Neill Men’s Long Sleeve Rashguard
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– UPF 50 ultraviolet protection to keep you away from sunburn
– Minimal seams (so you won’t get chafe or rashes)
– Fits really well and drys very quickly.
– Non-wick fabric keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer
For The Ladies:
My Recommendation: Roxy Whole Hearted Rashguard
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Fitted, snug fit that will keep you protected from the sun and chafe
– 21 different styles and designs
– Quick dry and UPF 50 sun protection
– Larger collar binding so it doesn’t choke you or chafe your neck when paddling
Paddleboard Shoes:
Paddleboard shoes are essential to protect your feet from sharp rocks, shells, and other underwater obstacles. Opt for lightweight, quick-drying shoes with a good grip to ensure stability on your board.
My Recommendation: Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch Shoe
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Barefoot feeling water shoe that protects you from rocks and coral
– Flexible, breathable and quick to dry
– Three individual toe pockets that protect your smaller toes.
– You can actually feel the board beneath your feet (which is huge for a good experience)
Life Jacket:
A life jacket is actually crucial because you’re out in the water. It’s easy to think that you don’t need one, but believe me you don’t want to be in a situation where you need it and it isn’t there. Sometimes the most important paddleboarding clothes aren’t the most obvious ones.
My Recommendation: Onyx M-16 Belt Life Jacket
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Small and clips on your waist so you hardly feel it.
– Quick to inflate when you need it
– Doesn’t inhibit your movement or your paddling.
– Keeps even the heaviest people afloat when needed.
First Aid Kit
Always carry a basic first aid kit to address minor injuries and incidents that may occur on the water.
My Recommendation: 263 Piece First Aid Kit
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Small so you can just keep it in the car for when you need it.
– Contains 263 essential items that you can use to treat anything from cuts, burns or sprains.
– Comes in a waterproof case if you want to bring it along for a paddle
Leashes
A leash is crucial for keeping your board within reach in case you fall off. It also prevents your board from becoming a hazard to others.
My Recommendation: BPS Storm Coiled Leash
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Coiled leash so it doesn’t get stuck in seaweed or rocks
– 10 foot length gives you ample length to maneuver without getting tangled in it.
– High quality, comfortable materials that don’t chafe or hurt you.
– Comes with a waterproof waist bag for your phone and keys.
Cold Weather Gear
So when you are jumping into some cold weather then you need to make sure that you’re warm, right?
So first off, you need:
Neoprene Gloves:
When the temperature really drops, neoprene gloves are a must-have. They keep your hands warm and dexterous, allowing you to maintain a strong grip on your paddle. This is a crucial bit of paddleboarding clothes if I’ve ever seen one!
My Recommendation: Palmyth Fingerless Gloves
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Leather reinforced palm for better grip on your paddle when they get wet
– Stretchy, lightweight and breathable material that not only keeps your hands warm, but also drys fast.
– Fingerless so that you can feel the paddle while protecting your palms from blisters and calluses.
– Machine washable – so just throw them into the washing machine when done
Wetsuits:
When the water temperature drops, a wetsuit is your best friend for SUP. These snug-fitting suits are designed to keep you warm by trapping a thin layer of water between the suit and your skin. This water quickly warms up to your body temperature, providing insulation against the cold.
For The Men:
My Recommendation: Seaskin Men’s Wetsuit
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Designed for watersports so that it keeps you warm.
– Stretchy with larger sizes for bigger guys. It fits snug and keeps you warm
– Heavy duty front zipper so that you can get into the wetsuits (and out) significantly easier
– Three layers to keep heat insulation in cold conditions.
For The Ladies:
My Recommendation: Seaskin Women’s Wetsuit
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Designed specifically to match a women’s body for extra comfort
– Flat-Lock stitched seam gives you excellent durability and comfort in the water
– Made from stretchable and durable neoprene.
– Includes knee guards to stop you from getting bruises on your knees.
Wetsuit Hood
Hooded wetsuits provide added warmth and protection for your head and neck. They are perfect for those chilly days when you need all-over insulation.
My Recommendation: Skyone Thermal Wetsuit Hood
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Comfortable fit that has air vents that let bubbles escape without making you cold
– Made with thermal materials that will keep your head warm
– Stretchy, durable and less water absorption because of the blind stitches.
– You can DIY trim the face of the hood to make sure it doesn’t obstruct your mouth or eyes.
Drysuits
Drysuits are a step up from wetsuits, offering complete waterproofing. They are excellent for extremely cold conditions or when you expect to be fully submerged.
My Recommendation: O’Neill Unisex Boost Drysuit
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Allows you to get completely submerged without getting your body wet
– 3 layer breathable nylon shell stops you from sweating.
– Complete insulation so that you can paddleboard in the coldest conditions
– 1 year warranty
Warm Weather Gear
Along with the essentials that we spoke about above, it is a good idea to invest in some of these items:
Sun Hats
A wide-brimmed sun hat provides shade for your face and neck, reducing the risk of sunburn and heatstroke. Make sure it has a chin strap to keep it secure on windy days.
My Recommendation: Surf Bucket Hat
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– This is a hat that was designed for watersports
– It protects your face and neck from the sun and stays on your head during a wipeout (with the chin straps)
– It has a removable neck flap that you can use for extra protection.
Waterproof “Dry” Bags
Keep your phone, keys, and other essentials safe and dry with a waterproof bag or pouch. They are a lifesaver when unexpected rain hits.
My Recommendation: Skog Å Kust DrySåk
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– Holds up to 20L worth of items
– Completely waterproof so you can toss it in the water without worrying about your valuables.
– Bright color keeps you visible on the water as an extra safety measure
– Removable shoulder straps so that you can easily carry it.
Sunglasses:
The glare off the water can be blinding. Polarized sunglasses not only reduce glare but also protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
My Recommendation: KUGUAOK Polarized Sports Sunglasses
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– These are stylish, comfortable and have a polarized lens that eliminates all glare from the water.
– It comes with a rope to stop them falling off your face if you fall.
– They float for a while so if they fall off it’s not a disaster to find them again.
SPF Lip Balm
Your lips can easily get sunburned while paddleboarding. Use SPF lip balm to keep them protected and hydrated.
My Recommendation: Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– SPF 30 so you don’t have to worry about your lips burning
– It has aloe and vitamin E to moisturize your lips so you don’t have that dry feeling.
– Many different flavors so if you lick your lips they actually taste good 🙂
Sunscreen
This is also an essential item because sunburn can cause all sorts of discomfort (and cancer). I remember the number of times that I got burned and it was often so bad that I promised to never do it again. This is the best suncream that I’ve found to stop getting burned when jumping in and out of the water.
My Recommendation: Sun Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen
Where To Buy: Amazon
Why They Are Awesome:
– SPF 50 and completely water resistant so you don’t have to worry about burning if you go in the water
– It moisturizes your skin and is also oil free so you don’t have sand sticking to you.
– It was made for surfing so it’s a really good quality suncream that you’ll love.
Conclusion
Choosing the right paddleboarding clothes for all weather conditions is essential to ensure your safety and enjoyment on the water. From wetsuits to board shorts, sun hats to waterproof jackets, the gear you select can make or break your paddling experience.
So, gear up, stay safe, and enjoy the beauty of stand-up paddleboarding in any weather!
| Looking for insider guides to some amazing paddle boarding locations? Check the Paddleboard Insiders Location Guides |
Paddleboarding Clothes: FAQs
Do I need a wetsuit even in warm weather?
While wetsuits are excellent for cold water, they can be uncomfortable in hot weather. Opt for lightweight board shorts or bikinis when it’s warm (remember to put on some sunscreen), and they can be crucial paddleboarding clothes in the right conditions.
Are drysuits worth the investment?
Drysuits are perfect for extreme cold or full submersion situations. If you frequently paddle in such conditions, they are worth considering, otherwise you don’t really need one.
How do I choose the right PFD?
Ensure your PFD is the right size and type for your body and intended activity. Look for one with Coast Guard approval for added safety.
| Here are some of the best lifejackets on the market right now: The 8 Best Paddleboarding Life Jackets Of 2023 |
Can I use regular sunglasses for paddleboarding?
Regular sunglasses may not provide adequate UV protection or reduce glare. Invest in polarized sunglasses designed for water sports, and make sure that they either float or are connected to your head 😉
| Here are some key accessories that will make your SUP experience that much better: The 23 Best Paddleboard Accessories That You Need In 2023 |
How often should I clean my paddleboarding clothes?
Rinse your gear with fresh water after each use and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to maintain their performance and longevity.
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of essential paddleboarding clothes, go out and enjoy your paddleboarding adventures, no matter the weather!
