What to Wear Stand Up Paddle Boarding in the UK
Figuring out what to wear for stand up paddle boarding in the UK can feel like a bit of a guessing game. The secret? Always dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. This simple rule of thumb means your kit will change with the seasons, with the focus firmly on staying safe and warm, not making a fashion statement.
For most of the year in UK waters, that means a good wetsuit or clever layering with synthetic clothing is your best bet. A practical example would be choosing a 3/2mm wetsuit for a spring paddle on a sunny day, even if the air feels warm, because the water is still cold enough to be a shock to the system.
Your Essential SUP Clothing Checklist for UK Waters
Getting into stand up paddle boarding is brilliant fun, but getting your clothing right is the foundation of a great day out – especially with the UK's famously fickle weather. It's best to think of your clothing as another piece of essential technical gear, just as important as your Loco paddleboard.
The name of the game is thermal protection. Even on a scorching summer's day, UK waters stay surprisingly cool. Taking an unexpected dip without the right gear can quickly lead to cold water shock, which is why layering up with proper watersports materials is non-negotiable for paddling safely and happily.
The RNLI stresses that any water below 15°C can be dangerous, highlighting the need to prepare for accidental immersion on every trip, regardless of your skill level.
Before you even think about heading out, make sure your kit ticks these fundamental boxes:
- Core Body Protection: A wetsuit or drysuit is your first line of defence against the cold. For example, a quality full-length wetsuit like one from our Loco Motion range.
- Footwear: Neoprene boots or proper water shoes are a must for grip and warmth.
- Safety Gear: A Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and a leash are absolutely vital. No excuses.
- Extremities: Hats, gloves, and sunglasses are your friends, protecting you from the elements all year round.
Let's break down exactly what you'll need for every season on the water.
Dressing for the Seasons: A Year-Round Guide
Figuring out what to wear for stand up paddle boarding in the UK is a game that changes dramatically with the seasons. A glorious July day on the water calls for a completely different kit than a crisp December morning, so let’s break down the year.
Summer Paddling Essentials
During the height of summer, it's all about sun protection and staying comfortable. Lightweight, quick-drying materials are your best mate. A practical example of a great summer outfit would be a pair of board shorts or neoprene leggings combined with a long-sleeved rash vest. You'll want to be reaching for synthetic rash guards and neoprene leggings, not your standard gym gear which gets heavy, cold, and miserable the moment it gets wet.
Even on those typically British overcast days, the sun’s UV rays bounce right off the water’s surface, making a long-sleeved rash vest a seriously smart move. Don't forget, the water here is always chilly, so that extra layer gives you a bit of insulation if you decide to take a dip.
Spring and Autumn Transitional Gear
The shoulder seasons – spring and autumn – are famous for their wonderfully unpredictable weather. This is where versatility is king. A 3/2mm wetsuit often hits the sweet spot, giving you a fantastic balance between warmth and flexibility for paddling.
A "3/2mm" wetsuit simply means it has 3mm thick neoprene on the torso to keep your core warm, and thinner 2mm neoprene on the arms and legs for better movement.
A quality suit like the Loco Motion Mens Wetsuit, for example, is designed for exactly these conditions. It provides just enough insulation to take the edge off the cool water without making you overheat when you’re paddling hard. It’s the perfect workhorse for a huge chunk of the UK paddling year.
Winter Warriors: What to Wear
Right, winter paddling. This requires a much more serious approach to staying warm and safe. As the temperatures plummet, you have to upgrade your gear to fend off cold shock and hypothermia. Thicker wetsuits or even drysuits become non-negotiable at this point.
Your winter wardrobe should absolutely include:
- A 5/4mm Wetsuit or Drysuit: This is your main line of defence against properly cold water. For instance, the Loco Motion 5/4mm Wetsuit provides excellent thermal protection for UK winter conditions. A drysuit is the ultimate choice as it keeps you completely dry, meaning you can layer up with warm clothes underneath.
- Thermal Layers: Pop some moisture-wicking thermal tops and leggings on under your main suit. It makes a world of difference.
- Neoprene Accessories: A neoprene hood, gloves, and boots are essential. You lose a massive amount of heat through your head, hands, and feet, so cover them up.
As safety organisations are always pointing out, UK water temperatures can dive as low as 5°C in winter, which makes proper thermal protection a must all year round. Even in summer, a 3/2mm wetsuit is often seen as the minimum for staying safe from cold water shock, which can seriously mess with your muscle function if you fall in unexpectedly. You can get the latest safety insights from the annual report by Paddle UK.
Layering is the secret weapon for adapting to whatever the day throws at you. For a proper deep dive into getting your cold-weather strategy sorted, check out our guide on essential winter SUP tips.
Choosing Your Core Protection: Wetsuit vs Drysuit
When you're figuring out what to wear for paddle boarding in the UK, the biggest decision you'll face is the classic showdown: wetsuit versus drysuit. It's the core of your kit and makes all the difference to your comfort and safety on the water.
Think of a wetsuit as your personal central heating. It cleverly traps a thin layer of water between the suit and your skin, which your body heat quickly warms up. This warm water layer then acts as insulation against the cold. Simple, but very effective.
A drysuit, on the other hand, is more like a high-tech waterproof shell you wear over your normal clothes. Its job is to keep you completely, totally, bone-dry. The warmth comes from the thermal layers you choose to wear underneath. There's no single "best" option; what's right for you comes down to the kind of paddling you do and the conditions you'll be in.
This visual guide is a great starting point, breaking down the best clothing choices for UK paddle boarding, season by season.
As you can see, your core protection needs get more serious as the temperature plummets. You'll move from lighter layers in summer to essential wetsuits or even drysuits when winter really bites.
When to Choose a Wetsuit
A wetsuit is your go-to gear if you expect to get wet. Simple as that. A practical example is if you're trying SUP surfing for the first time; you'll be falling in a lot, so a wetsuit is perfect. They’re generally more affordable and give you fantastic freedom of movement, which makes them ideal for recreational paddles in spring and autumn, or any session where you fancy a swim.
For most of the UK paddle season, a 3/2mm wetsuit hits the sweet spot between warmth and flexibility. To get into the nitty-gritty of thickness and finding the right fit, have a look at our complete guide to understanding wetsuits.
When a Drysuit is a Better Option
For seriously cold water or long-distance touring where staying dry isn't just a luxury but a necessity, the drysuit is the undisputed champion. A practical example would be a multi-day expedition along the Scottish coast in February. If you've got a winter expedition planned or you're heading out in near-freezing conditions, a drysuit is a significant investment in your safety and enjoyment.
The real beauty of a drysuit is its adaptability. You can totally customise your warmth by changing what you wear underneath – anything from a single thermal top in autumn to multiple fleece layers in the depths of winter.
They do come with a higher price tag and demand a bit more looking after. Some people also find the tight seals at the neck and wrists a bit restrictive at first. But for the dedicated cold-weather paddler who puts staying dry above all else, a drysuit is simply unbeatable.
Essential Accessories You Cannot Forget
Once you've sorted your wetsuit or drysuit, it's the accessories that really dial in your setup for a great day on the water. These aren't just nice-to-haves; they're the bits of kit that can transform a session from just okay to absolutely brilliant.
First up, and without a doubt the most important, is your Personal Flotation Device (PFD). This is the one piece of safety gear you should never, ever skip. For most casual paddling on calm, inland waters, a compact waist-belt PFD is a fantastic option. It stays completely out of your way until you need it, deploying with a simple pull of a cord.
If you're heading out to the coast, going on a longer tour, or just aren't a super confident swimmer, then a traditional buoyancy aid is the way to go. You wear it like a vest, and it gives you instant flotation and makes you much easier to spot. A great practical example is choosing a brightly coloured buoyancy aid for sea paddling so you are visible to other water users like boats and jet skis.
Headwear and Eyewear for All Conditions
Protecting your head and eyes from the elements is non-negotiable. What you wear on your head will obviously change with the seasons, but you should always have something.
- Summer: A wide-brimmed sun hat or a simple cap is essential to keep the sun off.
- Winter: A thermal beanie is an absolute must. A neoprene one is even better, as it’ll stop a huge amount of heat from escaping.
Just as vital are your sunglasses. The glare coming off the water's surface can be incredibly intense and genuinely damaging to your eyes, even when it’s cloudy. Protecting your eyes from glare and UV rays is right up there with sun cream and a water bottle. You can learn more about choosing the best sunglasses for eye protection. Polarised lenses are the gold standard for watersports because they are specifically designed to cut through that surface glare.
Cold Weather Extras and On-Board Storage
When the temperature drops, looking after your hands and head is key to staying warm and enjoying your paddle. Neoprene gloves are a game-changer, keeping your hands warm enough to grip the paddle properly. For serious cold, a neoprene hood makes a massive difference by preventing precious body heat from escaping through your head.
Finally, you'll need a solid way to keep your essentials dry and safe. A waterproof phone case is a smart, simple investment. But for your keys, snacks, and a spare layer, you really need a proper dry bag. For ultimate convenience, a dedicated deck bag, like the Loco deck bag, straps securely to your board, keeping everything you need right there at your fingertips.
Finding the Right Footwear for Your SUP Adventure
Let's talk about what's on your feet. It’s an easy part of your kit to forget about, but it’s absolutely vital. While the feeling of paddling barefoot on a warm, sandy beach is hard to beat, it’s a risky move on rocky shorelines or riverbeds where sharp surprises can end your day fast. Good footwear is all about grip, protection, and warmth.
What you wear really comes down to the conditions you’re paddling in. For the often chilly UK waters, neoprene boots are the undisputed champion. A practical example is using 5mm neoprene boots for a paddle in December; this will keep your feet toasty even when they’re soaked, saving you from that dreaded cold shock and numbness on longer winter paddles.
Choosing Your SUP Shoe Style
When the weather's a bit warmer or you're launching from a stony beach, a solid pair of water shoes with a tough sole is a brilliant choice. They give you fantastic grip on the board and shield your feet from anything nasty lurking under the surface. For those milder days, a simple pair of neoprene socks can be perfect, offering a great balance of warmth and board feel.
If you need serious grip and protection on slippery surfaces, especially when it’s cooler, it's well worth looking into specialised deck boots for water activities. They can be a real game-changer.
Remember, warm feet are happy feet. Cold toes don't just ruin a session; they can seriously throw off your balance. Investing in good footwear is one of the smartest gear decisions you can make.
Getting your footwear right is a massive part of figuring out what to wear for stand up paddle boarding. For a much deeper dive, check out our complete guide on choosing the best shoes for paddle boarding.
Your SUP Clothing Questions Answered
Even with the best guides, there are always a few niggling questions that pop up when you're trying to figure out what to wear for a paddle. Getting these sorted will give you the confidence to get kitted out properly for whatever the famously unpredictable UK weather decides to throw at you.
One of the biggest questions we get is whether a wetsuit is an absolute must. While you might get away without one on those rare, scorching summer days in warm water, we’d still recommend it for most of the year. UK waters stay chilly, and a wetsuit is your best defence against cold water shock if you take an unexpected dip. A practical example is opting for a flexible Loco Motion 2mm shorty wetsuit, which is a solid, safe choice for summer paddling when you want freedom of movement but still need that core protection.
Can I Just Wear My Gym Kit?
Another one we hear all the time is about wearing normal gym gear. Honestly, we strongly advise against anything made of cotton, like your favourite t-shirt or joggers. As soon as cotton gets wet, it becomes incredibly heavy, loses all its warmth, and takes forever to dry. That’s a fast track to getting dangerously cold.
Always go for synthetic, quick-drying fabrics. Think polyester or Lycra – the stuff you find in proper technical sports tops. This gear is designed to wick moisture away from your skin, keeping you much more comfortable and, crucially, a lot safer if you end up in the water.
What's The Most Important Bit of Safety Gear?
Finally, people often ask what the single most critical piece of safety kit is. Putting your board and paddle to one side for a moment, your Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and your leash are completely non-negotiable. The PFD keeps you buoyant, and the leash makes sure you and your board – which is your biggest float – never get separated.
For most paddling on UK inland waters, a quick-release waist belt leash is the way to go. It’s a vital safety feature for avoiding snags on things like low-hanging branches or marker buoys. Always pick a PFD that fits you properly and is right for the kind of water you’ll be on. A practical example is ensuring your PFD is rated with at least 50N of buoyancy, which is the standard for competent swimmers in sheltered waters.
At Loco Surfing, we live and breathe this stuff and want to get you out on the water with the right gear. From high-performance boards to all the essential accessories, we’ve got everything you need to kick-start your adventure. Check out our full range of expertly designed SUP equipment at https://www.locosurfing.com.
