What to wear for stand-up paddleboarding in winter (Sydney edition!)
Ok, winter is officially here. We pretended it wasn’t for a fair while, but now it’s here and it’s time to gear up.
Now this blog post is specifically called ‘what to wear for stand-up paddleboarding in winter (Sydney edition!)’ because winter paddling gear varies dramatically depending on where you are paddling. Winter paddling in some locations (particularly if the water temp reaches alpine temperatures) can be extremely dangerous (due to risk of cold shock) so seeking localised advice about what to wear is vital.
Sydneysiders, this blog post is specifically for you.
In Sydney, we are blessed with sunny winter days with (mostly) calm winds, and the lowest water temperature being around 17.5-18 degrees mid-winter, so we can normally get away with just a few more layers than we’d wear for spring/autumn paddling and perhaps a pair of booties to ensure we’re comfortable too.
Let’s get into it.
p.s. my most vital piece of winter gear is shared at the end of this blog! HIGHLY recommend this item.
Should I wear a wetsuit?
If you are planning to be IN the water, then yes. Those who are attempting SUP surfing, are regular fallers or those who plan to jump off and swim, go ahead and wear a full neoprene wetsuit. However if you’re comfortable stand-up paddling and have full intentions to stay ON your board, I wouldn’t recommend a wetsuit. Wetsuits are designed for being IN water, that’s simply the way they work. When submerged, the wetsuit traps a small amount of water between the neoprene and your skin and that heats up and keeps you warm. If you’re outside of the water, this will obviously drain away and you’re left with a cold dripping wetsuit, that feels invisible if the wind blows and if you haven’t got it wet and you’re staying ON the board, you’re probably sweating buckets by this point.
If you’re going stand-up paddleboarding in winter and you plan on going for a 2-3 hour exploratory paddle without a spontaneous swim, my recommendation is wearing a series of light layers that you can put on and take off to support you throughout your paddle. Take a dry bag on the front of your board, and ensure you’re prepared for anything!
Firstly, let’s talk base-layers
When thinking about base layers for the winter months, our base layers (the clothes we are wearing closest to our skin) should prioritise warmth, moisture-wicking, and comfort. If you’re a keen hiker, you would know that Merino wool or synthetic base layers are great choices, with merino wool being particularly favoured by many outdoor enthusiasts for its natural warmth and moisture management. Now, Merino isn’t cheap BUT it does last. I have been wearing the same Merino tshirt on all of my outdoor adventures for over 10 years now and it’s still going strong! The key thing to avoid in winter is cotton base layers, as cotton absorbs sweat and moisture, making you feel cold and damp.
Secondary layer
Over the top of your base layer you’re going to want a jumper, and to be truly cosy and warm I highly recommend fleece. Fleece jumpers come in thousands of shapes and sizes, so just find a style that feels comfortable for you.
Top layer
Depending on the forecast for the day, this may be a windproof jacket, or perhaps a synthetic down-jacket or gilet (vest, for those who don’t know what a gilet is!) - there is a pic below!
If there is any wind on the forecast, I highly recommend a windproof jacket. This will make you instantly warmer and is actually a vital piece of kit to carry on any winter paddle.
Paddling in all conditions in Scotland a windproof & rainproof jacket was a MUST! Lifejacket rules are different in Scotland to Australia.
However if you feel like this is overkill as the sun is out, the wind is low and you just want a little something to keep you cosy, throw on a lightweight gilet (or puffa vest - like pic below) to keep your body warm and your arms fully flexible. Note, if you have a really fancy ‘down’ gilet or jacket, this will get DESTROYED if it gets wet. So stick to the cheaper options made of synthetic down material.
Pants
When it comes to pants for stand-up paddleboarding in winter, again, you have options. Of course your standard activewear leggings or shorts, always work well. I find as long as I have plenty of layers on top, I can wear less on my legs. However if you’re someone who really feels the cold, you may like some thermal aqua pants. The thermal aqua pants I have been wearing for the last 5 years are the Sharkskin Performance Wear pant. They are fleece lined, windproof and the fleece lining wicks away water from your skin keeping you feeling dry even if your pants are feeling wet. I swear by these pants in even the coldest conditions in Sydney. I will say though, the fit is a little weird. Don’t be put off if they are tight around your calves and huge around the waistline. Like many outdoor specialists, I think they have some work to do on their women’s fit. But hey, at least they have a women’s fit! Another two brands to consider would be the Adrenalin 2P Pants and the Vaikobi fleece pant. Both of these are only available in unisex styles so expect the sizing to be a little off.
Shoes
I have a whole blog on shoes for winter paddleboarding HERE however this year (2025) I think it’s either got colder or I’ve got softer because in that blog I said how I prefer bare foot paddling in winter, but this year I’ve been in reef shoes for all winter paddles!! So let’s talk shoes, here are my top two options for cosy feet but don’t forget to check out that blog because there are a few further options to consider there too!
Option 1: Surf Booties
Surf booties are neoprene boots (wetsuit material) and these are the preference of surfers around the world when the water gets cooler. Now, there are a few things to note here. Neoprene as a fabric, is designed for IN water (as mentioned previously). So these boots work fantastic for surfers because when submerged, they gather a small layer of water between the neoprene and your skin and this is what heats up and keeps you warm. Obviously, when you’re on a SUP, this can happen too but you need to get your feet wet first, and then you’re essentially stood in a puddle for the whole paddle. Great for keeping feet warm, but will result in wrinkly feet! If you keep your feet dry wearing surf booties they will likely also stay warm but may start to get sweaty!! (An example of what they look like below - but please note, She SUPs does not endorse any specific brand or style! Please try a few styles and sizes in person as they all fit different!)
The other thing to consider with surf booties, is they often have a thin sole which is great for feeling the board underneath you (which is why surfers love them), but not so great for walking distances. So if having a shoe that can not only be suitable ON the SUP, but also is suitable for walking to/from the water, consider a Neoprene boots with rubber sole (something like these linked and in the image above), which is often used by divers! I wore a pair like these ones below on a 4-day overnight SUP expedition in Scotland. They were awesome at keeping my feet warm, and allowed me to easily walk over rocks and uneven surfaces while carrying my board.
Option 2: Reef shoes
Reef shoes (also known as water shoes) are essentially the baby cousin of the surf bootie. They are much easier to put on, much more breathable, but may not be quite as warm. They can also be cheaper as you’ll likely find them at any outdoor, diving or sports store such as Anaconda or Rebel Sports.
If you’re willing to spend a little more money, I also have been liking the look of these Sharkskin water shoes, they have a decent sole but also a ‘barefoot feel’ which is great for feeling the board beneath you.
Don’t forget a beanie!!
So we know our extremities are going to really feel it when it’s cold, so we’ve covered our toes, but now it’s time to cover our heads. A great winter beanie is always appreciated on those cooler winter days. I actually often get too hot eventually, but when you’re just starting off and everything feels super fresh, a beanie or warm woolly hat is just what you need.
And finally, my secret to winter paddling… 🤫
So I’ll be honest with you, the most challenging thing about winter paddling is actually getting from your cosy warm car or home TO the water. That’s the most painful bit, it’s the coldest bit and it’s the time where you think ‘what on EARTH am I doing going stand-up paddling in winter?’ So here’s my secret. Get yourself a super fluffy, mega cosy change robe (you can get yours here with a 15% She SUPs discount via this link only!) for before and after your paddles. This is my NUMBER ONE recommendation for winter paddling because it makes the set up and preparation for your paddle ten times easier. Every time I arrive at a paddle wearing this Red Equipment change robe (this colour is teal) I have paddlers around me looking on with envy as I’m mega cosy and happily setting up my SUP, not worried about the cold. I then keep it on until the very last second, and then as soon as I return from paddling it’s the first thing I get out of my car on the arrival bag. I’m wearing a size small in the photo below, I could also get away with a medium for extra length. CLICK HERE to get yours (for 15% off) and see what other colours they do! I promise it will become your favourite piece of clothing and you’ll most likely wear it around your apartment too… that’s what I do! It’s like a waterproof dressing gown that’s socially appropriate to wear anywhere - LOVE that for us.
So there you have it - my recommendations for Winter SUP gear ideal for social paddles including She SUPs half-day tours in and around Sydney. All these gear recommendations are made based on my own experience of paddling in Sydney over the last 10 years, but if you really love a certain brand of pants/top/shoes feel free to leave it in the comments so others can learn from your recommendations too!
And don’t forget winter stand-up paddleboarding does come with some additional risks due to falling in colder waters not being so fun (even though in Sydney we won’t get much colder than 16/17 degrees Celsius). So in Winter paddling it’s more important than ever that you have a change of clothes with you, ideally in a dry bag, or at least at your car so that if you do accidentally find yourself wet, you can get out of your cold wet clothes as soon as possible.
Stay safe and warm this Winter, and happy paddling!
Vikki x
Founder of She SUPs