Hey there, Simon here from AQ Outdoors checking in with some tips and tricks around getting ready for winter (and spring) paddling with cold weather paddling gear.
Some people paddle year-round, down to -10C or so. At those temperatures, we're trying to dress for comfort and for safety.
So, if we do happen to wind up in the water and taking a bit of a swim, if we have proper cold weather paddling gear then we’re not gonna end up in dire circumstances as far as cold water immersion goes. This is especially important because the consequences of cold temperatures can sneak up on us very quickly.
Layering Cold Weather Paddling Gear
When I'm dressing for colder temperatures and longer days on the water, I'm thinking about layering. I wear a relatively thick fleece onesie.
Level Six Vulcan Mens Unisuit
$130.00
The Vulcan unisuit is a light yet warm layer to be worn under your paddling gear. The unisuit features a crew neck to ensure comfortable wear under a paddling jacket and is constructed with flatlock seams to prevent chafing and… Read More
I'll wear a base layer on my upper body and I'll wear ski socks on my feet. Then I wear my drysuit over the top. I’ll have some sort of thermal protection over my drysuit socks -- A for some thermal protection, but B, to protect the dry socks in the drysuit.
NRS Men's Expedition Weight Shirt
$74.95
$99.95
The NRS Men's Expedition Weight Shirt is purpose-built for advanced insulation and unrestricted mobility. Ideal for use underneath drytops, drysuits or even wetsuits. This garment doubles as a great winter layer for skiing and other activities in the frozen months!… Read More
For me, this is a thin pair of neoprene socks over the top and then some pretty beefy creeking river shoes over the top of that as well. This system means if I end up standing in the water for a rescue or for any period of time, I'm giving my toes the best chance of not freezing.
NRS Wet Sock
$34.95
For those shoulder-season days when it's too warm for dry socks but wading into the water chills your toes, the 2 mm neoprene NRS Wetsocks offer added cushioning and the right amount of warmth. Perfect for wearing with sandals or… Read More
Safety Gear for Cold Weather Paddling
We've got a neoprene spray skirt, which adds an additional layer of insulation here because we have that tunnel that goes up. We have our PFD, which is also some insulation.
Then I wear a neoprene hood. I just wear a half-cut one that just goes over my ears. It's nice to have a thick helmet with lots of foam, which is a lot of insulation on its own.
NRS HydroSkin 0.5 Helmet Liner
$34.95
Then NRS HydroSkin 0.5 Helmet Liner is a neoprene helmet liner to help keep your head and ears warm on cold days on the water. Whether it by under a helmet on a whitewater playboating session or on a cold… Read More
Gloves and Pogies
For the longest time I didn't wear gloves or anything on my hands, but now I've decided that wearing gloves is OK with me.
The kind of cold weather paddling gloves you wear really depends on the temperature of the water and the temperature of the day.
One option are NRS Maverick gloves, which are good really cold water gloves. They do take some feel off the paddle though, so some people don't like them.
NRS Maverick Gloves
$109.95
The NRS Maverick Gloves are one of NRS' most popular cold-weather gloves. They combine a raw neoprene exterior with a four-way stretch interior for maximum warmth and dexterity. The NRS Maverick Gloves offer great flexibility while maintaining a high level… Read More
Another option, and one that I've been growing increasingly fond, of is pogies.
Pogies allow you to put your hands inside the neoprene sleeve and still have feel on the paddle so you don't feel like you've got this big barrier between you and the paddle shaft.
They don't generally offer as much thermal protection as gloves or mitts, but they certainly do take the edge off with wind and it does keep a lot of the splashes off.
To learn more about gloves vs pogies, check out Should I Paddle in Gloves, Pogies, or Mitts?
Cold Weather Paddling Gear Summary
So I guess in a nutshell, when we are dressing for cold water paddling, we want to be comfortable and have freedom to move. We don't wanna feel all claustrophobic and that we can't rotate or anything because that really affects performance and, in turn, enjoyment.
But we also do need to be fairly aware of what the implications are if we do end up in the water. And so part of that can just be planning early season when it's cold and you're a bit rusty, maybe paddle stuff that you're really comfortable with and the likelihood of a swim is much lower.
As the water warms up and your strength and confidence builds, progress through the grades and by the mid-summer, late summer, then you're gonna be cranking and you can start pushing into some harder whitewater.
Hopefully that's a help when it comes to gearing up for paddling cold whitewater, both weather and water. If you have any questions feel free to visit us in store, or contact us below!
AQ Outdoors Paddling Insulation
AQ Outdoors Contact
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
