Winter Paddling: Essential Cold Weather Gear Guide

You always need to dress for the water temperatures.
Cold water? No problems!
Stay warm, comfortable, and safe. Learn what to wear and gear to think about when it comes to cold weather and winter paddling.
What I'm Wearing:
Wetsuit: amzn.to/3LD1UEv
Roxy Swell Series 5/4/3 Front Zip Hooded Suit: Size 8
Drysuit: amzn.to/48yxAED
Level Six Freya: Size Small
*check out my size comparison Reel / co0jhh2htct
I'd also recommend Mustang Survival.
US Site: bit.ly/3utQg8Z
Canadian Site: bit.ly/3AsZzGv
Mitts: amzn.to/3PSBuB3
Xcel Infiniti 7mm
Booties: amzn.to/468LL1S
Xcel Infiniti Round Tow 8mm *1 size up to fit over my socks and drysuit.
Check out my blog for more info
Cold Water Paddling
paddleadventurer.com/cold-wat...
Winter Paddling
paddleadventurer.com/winter-p...
Wetsuit Temperature Guide
xcelwetsuits.com/pages/temper...
Check out Winter Paddling Overview
• An Overview to Winter ...
Winter Paddle Boarding Tips
• Unlock Your Winter Pad...
00:00 Intro
00:27 Wetsuit
2:32 Drysuit & Underlayers
5:59 Gear Failure & Maintenance
7:14: Wetsuit or Drysuit
7:44 Head
8:49 Hands
9:31 Feet
10:07 PFD
10:53 Safety
11:19 More Info
Drone and additional winter shots by ‪@tonyfphotography‬
👋🏼 I'm Marybeth, Paddle Adventurer, here to take you on outdoor adventures, and provide tips and information to ensure you have the safest and best next adventure!
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#winter #paddleboard #whattowear

[@bebolover08]

Great video, your positivity is inspiring! I live in Ireland, our sea temperatures range from about 8° C to 16° C (46° F to 61°F). So not as cold as the Great Lakes where you are, but still cold enough to induce cold water shock and hypothermia, even in the Summer. I personally opt for a wetsuit, a hooded 5/4 chest zip with 5mm booties and gloves. And yes, as you say, you get really hot and sweaty in this gear (even on cold days) so I always have to jump off my board to cool down, which isn't too bad, in fact jumping in the sea and going for a swim is part of the fun. I wear a type 3 PFD (foam vest) which, as you say, insulates from the wind chill. And of course, an ankle leash as well. The hooded wetsuits with chest zip are so much better than the back zips with no hood, much less cold water flushing through the neck. Much harder to put on and take off though 😂😂 !! Although I would definitely like to upgrade to a dry suit in the future, they look to be really toasty!

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words, Kevin! 🙏🏼 I love your attitude; fully agree that jumping off the board is half the fun! And the fact that you aren't afraid to gear up and still get out there when the temps are cooler! 🔥 Sounds like you have some great gear. Drysuits are great for layering for different weather and temps plus they are a lot easier to get on and off than a wetsuit, especially the thick hooded ones 🥵! Happy adventuring on and off the water! 🤙🏼

[@AlvaInTheWorld]

Thank you very much! I am a newbie and just started looking into this, I’ve bought a combination SUP recently and I live in Sweden so soon it will be cold here, and your video helps a lot! And also very inspiring!

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I'm glad you found the video helpful. I hope you're enjoying time out on the water so far! 🤙🏼 If you end up getting into cold water paddle boarding check out my video on Winter Paddle Boarding Tips! kzbin.info/www/bejne/maCVmIOGm8R-fpYsi=G_GNUaCnS8X_iEcp

[@herbalhealing39]

Now I got inspired….Thanks for the informative video

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for the kind comment. I'm glad the video was helpful and inspired you! Happy adventuring!

[@AngelaAng-nearaquietstream]

I want to keep paddling through the winter. This is such good information. Thank you!! ❤

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Awesome! 🙌🏼❄️ I’m glad the video was helpful!

[@nicolereiss]

Thanks for the tips! Safety!

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for watching! ❄️👌🏽⛑

[@atlantic_nomads]

Ich wolte im Winter mit dem Kajak 🛶. Vielen Dank für die Infos ❤

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm glad you found it helpful! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@graemewillgress3780]

Great advice for us newbies about to take our first steps (strokes) Thank you :)

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for watching and for the kind comment. I'm glad it was helpful! Happy wintery adventures ❄️🤙🏼

[@eronladia4592]

Right on! 🙌🏽

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for watching!

[@Chris-hu9cw]

Love your videos. What thickness would you recommend for neoprene leggings for spring/fall in Michigan? I don't plan to paddle in the winter. Thanks.

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for watching and for the kind comment, Chris! Thickness will depend on water temperatures. Check out this chart cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0360/4473/4523/files/xcel_surf_temperature_guide.jpg?v=1589478076 Depending on the water temps and general conditions I'd say you'll likely want 2mm to 4mm for spring and fall paddling.

[@EckieOutdoor]

Despite 30 years of paddling experience, I learned a lot from your video Marybeth, class info! I recently switched from neoprene to a drysuit, that was a good decision 😆 Cheers Eckie

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks so much for watching and for your kinds words, Eckie! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and learned a few things! Great to hear you made the switch and are enjoying the new drysuit. Happy adventuring 🤙🏼

[@joethi4981]

What was the main differences? I am thinking the same thing.

[@PaddleAdventurer]

For me a dry suit is much more comfortable, you can layer up or down depending on the water temperatures, they are easier to put on and take off and I find it a lot warmer than a wetsuit. However, a wetsuit is the way to go if you're doing something where you're always in the water like surfing as it's a lot less bulky.

[@shanebplante]

I’m in boston . Anyone else in boston area ? I do 20 min ice plunges in the morning and swim open ocean in winter. . If anyone wants to connect or knows a group that does winter paddle boarding give me a shoutout.

[@PaddleAdventurer]

This is amazing! Well done on open ocean winter swims and cold plunges. I hope you find some buddies to adventure with!

[@joriss5]

I'm struggling to find the ideal footwear to go with my drysuit. My neoprene booties are a bit tight to fit around the integrated socks with socks inside and they have a thin sole that's uncomfortable to walk with on rocks. I have tried sneakers and canvas boots but they get lots of sand inside and I fear it'll wear the socks up... In some sequences of this video it looks like you wear rubber boots with you drysuit, would it be a good solution instead of looking for wider and sturdier booties ?

[@PaddleAdventurer]

I had the same issue! I bought neoprene booties one size up in order to fit my socks and drysuit. I use this system the most as it keeps your feet the warmest wet or dry (they are the ones I talk about here 9:55) I wear insulated rubber boots when the launch is muddy typically late fall/early winter or late winter/early spring. They work well but it's important remember they don't fully seal: if you dunk you won't be as warm. Hope that helps!

[@johnmaggiorino4493]

What range of temp can one expect inside a 6mm suit +/-between skin and suit 👍

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for watching and for the question. A proper fitting 6mm suit will be good for water temps 46F/8C and below. Fit not only plays a part but the construction, quality and your comfort will come into play too.

[@andrewglover1269]

Where do you bug all of your gear from?

[@PaddleAdventurer]

Thanks for watching the video. My gear is from all different places. Xcel Wetsuits booties are from Surf Ontario and the mitts are from Jack 'n Jills. The drysuit is from Level Six and the wetsuit is from Roxy. Surf the Greats and Frontenac Outfitters sell cold water gear you can check out too. Was there something specific you wanted more info on?