What To Wear While Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is a great way to get in shape and enjoy the water. But, the clothing you wear while paddleboarding will make all the difference when it comes to comfort, safety, and enjoyment.

Therefore, in this post, we’ll cover which clothes are appropriate for different paddleboarding activities.

Moreover, we will also discuss how to combine them for optimal protection during the summer and the winter!

Afterward, as a bonus, we’ll share a few tips and tricks to pick the most suitable attire for your future paddleboarding adventures.

What Should You Wear To Paddleboard Safely? 

Safety is paramount when you are out paddleboarding in the deep lakes or raging waves. After all, SUP boards are relatively small crafts, and the weather can be pretty unpredictable!

Thus, a paddleboarder should never forget to wear the proper safety gear before heading out.

We may view these safety measures,

• First of all, you will need an efficient PFD. 
• Wearing a Coast Guard-approved life jacket will not only save your life in an emergency but also let you paddle legally in most waters. 
• Afterward, ensure you have a sturdy, coiled SUP safety leash. 
• With it, you won’t have to swim after your floating away board. 
• Moreover, you may want to wear bright color clothes. These will make you more visible in the water.
• In addition, if you wear an emergency whistle, you can call for help from a long distance in case you fall off and injure yourself.

Aside from these, you can also use waterproof sunscreen, rash guards to enhance your safety while paddling in the ocean. But, the PFD is the core gear for paddleboarding safely in any weather.

To learn more about these flotation devices, check out the best PFD for SUP.

What To Wear For Different Paddleboarding Activities?

Paddleboarding is a versatile watersport that supports many different activities. 

For instance, while paddleboarding, you can have a recreational paddling session, practice yoga, tour places, compete with other paddlers in a race, or even go on a fishing trip!

Moreover, you may choose to paddle on flat or moving water. Plus, you can SUP inside or outside of the surf zone and by yourself or with friends.

As such, it can be difficult and frustrating to find the perfect outfit for each activity that is both practical and stylish.

Thus, in this section, we’ll take a look at what clothes to wear for different paddleboarding activities, so you can stay safe and comfortable while enjoying your time on the board!

What To Wear For Recreational Paddleboarding?

If you are new to paddleboarding or plan to have a refreshing short recreational SUPing trip, you may want to wear something comfortable.

For men, simple boardshorts and tee-shirts will suffice. Moreover, you can also go with light flannels and sweatshirts. 

As for footwear, the VIFFUR or Hiitave watersports shoes will complement this activity better.

For women, bathing suits, one-piece, or bikinis can be excellent options. Also, you can pick light flannels, sweatshirts, and waterproof performance shorts.

Furthermore, to protect the feet, you can use Seekway shoes or the Teva Sirra sports sandal. 

Moreover, if the water is not safe for swimming, both men and women should wear rashguards. Plus, wearing hats and sunglasses can enhance your recreational paddleboarding experience even further.

What To Wear For SUP Yoga?

Unlike recreational paddling, SUP yoga requires you to wear more specialized clothing.

Men can choose between cruise boardshorts, bank shorts, and performance joggers. Moreover, Tee shirts will help provide another layer of warmth.

Since yoga deals with flexibility, men can wear shoes like the Barerun or Hiitave. These will let you practice a wide range of yoga moves.

In contrast, women can wear energy tops along with studio shorts, leggings, or performance joggers.

To take your yoga practice to the next level, you can also use the Hiitave women or the Barerun watersports shoes.

What To Wear For Paddleboard Touring?

When planning to go on extended paddleboard tours, you may want to bring clothing that fits you well and keeps you comfortable throughout the journey.

Here, wetsuits or drysuits will be the better option for both men and women, depending on the water temperature.

Wetsuits are a bit more expensive, but they are also more effective. These suits will trap a layer of water and assist you in keeping your body near the optimal temperature level.

In contrast, drysuits will hold a layer of air. They are great if you are going to paddle in frigid waters. But, they are also expensive and are not as comfortable as wetsuits.

With any of these, you won’t have to carry around different clothing articles, and they are also pretty efficient when it comes to protecting your body from rashes, sunburns, and frostbites.

What Attire To Pick When SUP Racing?

In a SUP race, you will want to reduce air resistance as much as possible. After all, when standing up, your body works like a sail for this small watercraft!

As such, both wetsuits and drysuits are excellent for racing.

But, you can also wear thermal shorts with neoprene tops. If the weather is a bit cooler, you can even pick up a long sleeve neoprene top along with waterproof or quick-dry boots.

This way, your clothes will have minimal air resistance, and your shoes won’t hold onto any water.

Moreover, you may wear a hydration pack. These will let you combat dehydration on the go!

What To Wear For A SUP Fishing Trip?

SUP fishing can be pretty thrilling when you have the right outfit. So, you want to pick the best clothes if you wish to land most hits and catch those monster fishes.

First of all, there are specialized PFD for SUP anglers. These will often function as a tackle box, and some even have rod holders!

But, if you are an experienced swimmer, you can also wear a fishing waist-belt PFD.

Afterward, you can wear the regular clothing that any recreational paddler tends to wear.

Moreover, you can further enhance the effectiveness of your fishing outfit by adding a polarized sunglass or a wide-brimmed hat into the mix.

Last but not least, you may want to bring a SUP anchor if you plan to fish in peace.

To know more about these paddleboarding accessories, check out the best paddleboard anchor.

The Most Efficient Paddleboarding Outfits For The Summer & Winter

There are numerous outfit combinations for paddleboarding during summer or winter.

Thus, in this section, we will go over the most efficient SUPing outfits for the warm and cold weather.

During summer, you can combine board shorts with lightweight neoprene tops. Or, you can wear a short-sleeved wetsuit.

Plus, if you are not planning to paddle in rock-infested waters or rough waves, you can go barefoot.

On the other hand, when paddling in colder waters during the winter, you can wear a full-length wetsuit. Moreover, you will find palmless mitts very helpful in keeping the cold at bay while still letting you paddle comfortably.

For winter, you can wear the Vifuur watersports shoes along with neoprene socks.

A Few Tips & Tricks To Choose The Most Suitable Attire For Paddleboarding

The best way to pick the most suitable attire for paddleboarding is to look for some specific factors. 

For instance, the material of the clothing, affordability, and versatility will determine whether the attire is fit for paddleboarding or not.

Materials such as cotton will keep you comfortable, but they won’t absorb sweat very well. In contrast, calico materials in sportswear will offer the same comfort and better sweat absorption.

Afterward, you can take a look at its price tag. Wetsuits and drysuits are pretty impressive, but they can sometimes break your bank. In such cases, you may look for suitable alternatives like a long sleeve layer and jacket combination.

And finally, you need to consider how well the attire suits you and if it will come in handy for your paddleboarding adventures.

Once you have considered these aspects, you can quickly pick out the best SUPing outfit for yourself and the entire family.

Bottom Line For What To Wear While Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is a fun activity to try when you want to enjoy the great outdoors. Furthermore, you can go paddleboarding during the summer and winter.  

As such, no matter what season or activity you decide on, there’s always an opportunity for some adventure in your life!

However, before embarking on any aquatic excursion, you need to consider what type of attire will be most appropriate for paddling.

Therefore, considerations such as environmental conditions or activities along with personal preference should go into planning out your wardrobe accordingly.

So, choose your outfit carefully and enjoy your next paddleboarding journey!