What do you wear in winter?
The colder weather and darker evenings doesn’t stop play out on the water. A few changes in clothing will keep you going all year round. Below is an idea of what other members of the team wear, it’s important that you dress for your individual level of comfort and take into consideration what would happen if you have an unexpected splash. Come test your kit on a splash session to make sure it’s providing the right level of warmth and that you can get back on board.
All the guidance here is given for the type of paddling we do on a daily basis. Inland, sheltered water, where we don't expect to be in the falling in unless we get unlucky, and usually paddling hard enough that it gets a bit sweaty. Disciplines like whitewater and surf have different kit requirements so please take that into consideration.
Grab a brew and think warm thoughts as we breakdown #TeamSUP's winter wardrobe.
Footwear
There are three main options for your shoe: neoprene boot, winter walking boots, or wellies. Go 1 -2 sizes larger than usual so that you can accommodate Socks and Accessories ( see below ).
Neoprene Boots
What to look for : Either dive boots or surf boots at least 5 mm thick. Keep an eye out for fleecy lined ones too. If you’ve got chunky ankles look for zipped ones.
Pros: Cheaper end of the options, easier to get hold of, easy to dry. Easy to get back on your board with and you still have a good feel for the board when standing.
Cons: Not waterproof and provide mid-range warmth (see how to improve warmth under Socks and Accessories).
Recommendations
DECATHLON 6mm Dive Boots : Cheap and robust.
XCEL 8mm Infiniti Round Toe Boots : Snuggly Warm.
Winter Walking Boots
What to look for: Low step heel or barefoot style sole. Waterproof. Insulating properties and designed for snow.
Pros: Very warm and waterproof.
Cons: Can be expensive, best to shop around. Hard to dry out if you do take a splash. Difficult to “feel” the board under you when paddling.
Recommendations:
KEEN Womens Terradora II Wintry Waterproof Boots https://shorturl.at/cpyM6 and https://shorturl.at/eAGJL: There’s a few different versions of this shoe. Warm and waterproof, but on the more expensive side. No men’s or larger sizes available.
XERO Alpine - Men's and Women’s Snow Boot https://shorturl.at/vFK38 / https://shorturl.at/xBIYZ: Not as waterproof as they claim. Super warm and come in a good range of sizes. Barefoot style boot so you can feel the board when paddling and lots of toe wriggling room. Expensive and has to be shipped from mainland Europe.
SOREL Women's Whitney 2 Short Lace Waterproof Winter Boots https://shorturl.at/nPXZ1: Warm and waterproof, but on the more expensive side. No men’s or larger sizes available.
DECATHLON Women's Warm Waterproof Snow Lace-Up Boots - SH500 X-WARM https://shorturl.at/wXZ34 and Men’s Warm Waterproof Snow Hiking Boots - SH500 X- WARM https://shorturl.at/myVZ2 : Cheap and warm. Good range of sizes. Thicker sole so harder to feel the board under you.
PURESTEP Polar- Winter Barefoot shoes for Men and Women: Cheap. Nice thin and flexible sole so you can feel the board. Comes up narrow, so are not suited for wide feet. Imported from China so you’ll have a bit of a wait on delivery.
PALM Gradient Boot : Designed for water sports. Not as insulated as other boots mentioned. Sturdy build without compromising the feel of the board under foot.
Wellies
What to look for: Low step heel or barefoot style sole. Think sailing boots not dog walking wellies.
Pros: Completely waterproof and hard wearing. Easy to dry out if you do splash.
Cons: Best to pair with waterproof trousers / gaiters if its raining or if you’re a splashy paddler. Water can go in the top of your boot. Not the warmest option (see how to improve warmth under Socks and Accessories). They can fill with water if you take a splash.
Recommendations:
GILL Short Cruising boot: Cheap and warm (you get discounts with Gill with your British Canoing License). Sole flexible if you take out the insole. Good range of unisex sizes.
XERO Rain Boot: Hard to get hold of and expensive. Super lightweight and flexible. You can easily feel the board under foot.
Socks and Accessories
Socks
If your footwear is waterproof, a pair of thin socks and a pair of thick socks like Heatholders will be perfect. Alternatively if you're getting soggy feet, try a pair of waterproof socks. Sealskinz and Otter Socks are popular choices. If you're layering socks, make sure they are not too tight. You want as much blood pumping down to your cold tootsies, as humanely possible.
Heat Pads
When the temperatures really start to plummet, and/or if you suffer with any circulation conditions like Raynaud's, disposable heat pads make a huge difference. Hot Hands do a range of shapes and sizes. Placing them on the outside of socks and on the topside of toes, works well.
Insoles
Swapping out insoles or in the case of neoprene boots, adding them, can give a better barrier against the cold coming through the board. Look for thermal and flexible soles like these vivofoot ones.
Silica Gel
If your footwear gets wet it can be a massive pain getting them dry in the winter. Silica gel can help speed things along. Either gather up those little packets that come in all sorts of deliveries or you can purchase some cheaply on amazon. Shove them in damp footwear (not sopping wet!) and they'll help draw moisture out. Then leave the packets on the side to dry out before their next use.
The very cold Gla Gla Race in January, France. Andy wearing neoprene boots from Decathlon, layers of technical running clothing, and a beanie. Rhona in Winter Leggings by Sturdy, Winter boots from Decathlon, waterproof Socks, technical tops layered up and a buff. Dry bag with spares on for both of them.
Body
There' a few different ways to approach this and it really depends on how hot your blood runs and how well you take a unexpected cold dip. You also need to make a judgement call on what is appropriate for the air, wind chill, and water temperatures for the duration of the paddle.
Thermals
The cheapest way to keep warm is to layer up just as you would if you were going for a chilly walk. You may already have everything you need in your wardrobe.
Putting on thermal leggings and a top under your summer wardrobe is sometimes enough to keep the windchill off and will mimic neoprene to a point. However, you will experience cold water shock to a greater degree than if you were wearing neoprene.
Neoprene
On a daily basis we find full wetsuits to be too sweaty, even on the coldest of days. If you were planning on spending either extended time in the water, or paddling on very cold water (think Scotland Loch’s) than by all means look at full wetsuit and drysuit options.
But for our general paddling neoprene separates are a nice compromise, especially for those that feel the cold a bit more. Our favourites are wetsuit leggings, especially those from prolimit that are 1.5 / 2mm thick (we sometimes have a stash of these for sale).
You can also get a range or neoprene jackets and hoodies, although the most helpful top half layer is a very thin neoprene undershirt. NRS Hydroskin comes in male and female fit and are very snuggly.
Waterproofs
Look for high breathability and stretch. Waterproofs designed for cycling and trail running work well. Waterproof jackets should be big enough to throw over your personal flotation device. If you are a wearing a waist / chest leash, you MUST move it so it is the top most layer and accessible.
Decathlon do a fab pair of waterproof trail running overtrousers in male and female fits.
Beeston Canal at the end of a sunrise paddle in the snow.
Tracy kitted up in neoprene separates, rain coat, high vis, head torch (paddle started in the dark) and a bobble hat. Snow and ice on the board can be tricky, remember to paddle within your limits.
Head
You'll probably find yourself constantly taking hats on and off, and tha’ts normal. An range of headwear is nice, from a thick bobble hat to a lightweight buff and anything in between. Having a couple of buffs handy is a good idea, they can be made to multitask from scarf to head band to hanky; on those cold snotty nose days.
Headtorches
You'll need be seen in the dark, and its a requirement if you are out with us. The easiest way is to buy a cheap headtorch. Some people favour a chest mounted torch and/or lights on the board. Aslong as other water users can see you, and you can see the water it's all good. A red light on your back or on the back of the board is also preferable. If you are paddling in the dark out at sea there are certain legal requirements to lighting that we won't go into here.
Some of our favourites:
Head Torch Rechargeable, USB Super Bright LED Headlamp £14.99 Amazon
Beanie Hat with Light Unisex £9.90 Amazon
Time To Run High Visibility Reflective LED Lights £7.99 Amazon
Nottingham Canal Sunrise Paddle, March. Lights on to make sure you are visible and can see where you are going.
Hands
For some, a thin pair of running gloves will be enough to keep the windchill off and keep your fingers happy. If you're more prone to cold hands, go for some ski mitts and chuck heat pads in (see Socks and Accessories). On wet and cold days try and find something waterproof, it'll keep your hands happy but also give you a better grip on that slippery shaft ; ) . Whatever you chose, make sure they fit well, ill fitting gloves are highly irritating.
Some of our favourites:
Enjoying some January sunshine on the Trent an Mersey Canal.
Jane and Tracy , bobble hats on, spare kit and flask of coffee on board.
Spare Kit
It’s really important to take extra kit out on your board over winter. If you don’t plan on being out for long then it can be as simple as putting a warm jacket and a hat in a dry bag. If you’re out for extended periods of time you need to think about a full change of clothes and extra gloves/hats etc.
Your risk of afterdrop ( where your body temperature can continue to decline after getting dry and warm) and hypothermia is greatly increased the longer you leave your wet clothing on. Neoprene is a little different and if it’s not too cold you should be able to keep them on, any sign of starting to feel cold you need to get changed.
A flask of hot sugary beverage of your choice is a good idea to help warm up from the inside if you do take a plunge.
Put all your kit in a dry bag, that definitely keeps the water out! Always test dry bags, phone cases etc before use and periodically. You’d be shocked at how many let water in. Buy a RUCKSACK style drybag, it makes life so much easier than having something swinging off one shoulder when you’re carrying your board.
Some of out favourites:
Overboard do a good range of bags. They’re a bit like DFS, they’ve always got a sale on so sign up for the newsletter. Note that the “packaway” bag is NOT waterproof! All the others should be fine, and they have excellent customer service and a 5 year warranty.
Stay Safe
Paddling over winter can be just as enjoyable, if not more so than summer. The waterways are less crowded and there is nothing quite like a hot shower after a cold paddle. But like all paddling know your limits and paddle within them.
Here’s a quick check list before you go out:
What is the weather like for the DURATION of the paddle? - Direction and speed of wind, precipitation, thunder warnings, air temperatures (when we hit below zero be aware that the deck pad of your board will freeze making it very slippery!).
What are the water heights? - NEVER go out in flood conditions. Note that when a river is within the ‘normal range’ on a monitoring station, it does not necessarily mean its safe to paddle. You need to get to know your local river and take note of the conditions at certain heights.
Am I going to be paddling in the dark?- Pack high vis and torches.
What are the average water temperatures? - Is it a neoprene or thermal day?
Have I packed enough spares if I take a splash?
Does someone know where I’m going and how long I’m out for? - Ideally paddle in a group, and always have a phone on you.
Is the water frozen? - Go check the water before you start unpacking, canals freeze over pretty quick if we’ve had a cold spell. Don’t ever attempt to go on the ice.
We’d love to see you out on the water with us, we have lots of sessions and adventures on over winter.
Some Highlights:
Night Paddle and Floats are a lush option to have a little paddle in the dark and eat biscuits
Beginners, Tempo, and Thursday adventures carry on throughout the winter and you are very welcome to join us, everyone paddles at their own pace and we usually end with coffee, cake and chips.
Santa SUP and Boxing Day Paddle for some Christmas fun.
Check out the What’s On for a daily breakdown.
See you on the water!
River Trent in November. Lou wearing Winter Leggings by Sturdy, which are another great neoprene alternative.