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Do you know the best sup gear and apparel you should have before your next adventure? No worries. We got you covered!
Stand up paddle boarding has become a very popular sport and hobby in many cites across the united states and around the world. If you paddle board often. You should consider what type of clothing you will need to wear depending on the climate and temperature of your location.
In this post we go over the best apparel and gear to wear depending on the season you are in for great comfort and overall performance on the water.
Most men and a lot of women like to use broad shorts for this sport since they are very comfortable. Broad shorts are a bit longer than a regular pair of shorts and they come in many different colors and designs. These shorts can be used with bikini tops or with a T-shirt. Some women don’t like these type of shorts. They prefer to use a bikini or a one-piece bathing suit.
We found some Broad Shorts for men and bikini bathing suits for women that are comfortable, good for any lifestyle and are easy to maintain:
In the summer you should always use a waterproof sunblock or a thick layer of zinc protection because the suns rays are super strong! Consider wearing a hat or cap to keep your head and face protected from those strong daylight sunbeams. If you are afraid to lose your hat you can always buy a clip leash. We actually wrote in another blog post 10 must have accessories you should have with you when you go standup paddle boarding. Definitely check that article when you have time.
If you love the cold weather, you will not resist doing this sport during the winter. To reduce the risk of hypothermia we suggest that you use long length wetsuits. Wetsuits store a thin layer of water in between your body and the inside part of the suit. Your body will heat that thin layer of water and that will help you keep a warm body temperature. These suits must fit tightly around your body otherwise if they are loose cold water will enter braking the heat barrier that your body provides.
You can find different lengths of wetsuits but we recommend the full body size, especially in extremely cold weathers. Some wetsuits are thicker than others, that is because the thickness determines the level of warmth that you will receive. Three to six mm is what’s recommended in the winter season. Remember the thicker the suit, the less mobility you will have.
Here are a few wetsuits we found that will provide comfort and help maintain a normal body temperature in colder climates:
Another winter option is drysuits. These suits keep your body completely dry, but in order for that to happen the drysuit must fit very tightly all around your body. This may be a problem for some people because such tight fitting can be very uncomfortable at times.
During any time of the year, you must wear a rash guard under your wetsuit or drysuit because these suits can irritate your body. The board can also rub against your skin and cause rashes. Some people use them as tops or over a swimsuit. They must fit snugly or tightly around your body. You will find them made out of different types of materials.
Rash guards are not only used to avoid chafing or rashes, but they also help protect your body from the sun and keep your body warm.
While some people prefer to do paddle boarding barefoot so they can feel the board, others prefer to use water sport shoes because of the grip and protection that they provide. So, if you want to wear something on your feet here are some options.
Here are a few footwear choices you might like for standup paddle boarding:
Not all countries have strict laws about wearing a personal floating device while paddle boarding but we truly recommend wearing one to prevent any type of accident. Any life jacket will be ok but if you want you can buy a paddle boarding vest. These vests have wide armholes so they provide a full range of motion. You can read the article we wrote up on the 10 best PDF ( Personal Flotation Devices) for standup paddle boarding.
You can also find air belts that are more comfortable than jackets and come with a pocket so you can store things in it and they won’t get wet.
Leashes are used in case you fall off your board. The leash is attached to the board and is fastened around your ankle or calf, this way when you fall off , your board will not float away. Leashes can be either straight or coiled, either one is ok. You must buy a high–quality leash if not, it can break off.
We highly recommend carrying a light and a whistle just in case you need to call for help. Don’t forget you can read a list of accessories we recommend when you go out SUP paddle boarding.
Where you can paddle board depends on you because you can do it in the oceans, lakes, rivers, or specialized parks. If you are just beginning you should go in shallow and flat waters. These waters are usually predictable and much easier to do paddle boarding as a beginner. The best time to paddle board is when it’s a windy day.
Now, if you like a challenge then you would probably like to paddle board in the ocean. The ocean is quite unpredictable you can be in calm sunny weather and all of a sudden the waves can make the water very choppy and difficult to balance.
It is always best to recognize your limits and choose the best location that fits with your skillset. As you get better and improve your balance on the SUP board. Then you can challenge yourself on other water locations.
Hope you enjoyed this blog post. Let us know if we missed something or if there is apparel or gear you had a great experience with!
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The best time to paddle is NOT on a windy day.... that’s the worst time to paddle!!
Why would you say that?