Paddling After Summer: What to Wear to Stay Warm and Keep Progressing
Cool and cold water paddling in NYC is safe and surprisingly comfortable when you’re dressed right. Many of our paddlers discover that fall and winter trips are calmer, less crowded, and more beautiful than peak months.
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Life Jackets: A Constant
We provide Coast Guard-approved foam life jackets for every paddler and all seasons. The thick foam adds a layer of warmth on cooler days. Just show up and we’ll fit you with the right one.
Wetsuit Season: Cozy & Calm
Nov 1 to Dec 20 / Water Temp 50–60°F. In cool water, we outfit you with a sleeveless wetsuit, splash jacket, and neoprene booties. All you have to bring are the simple underlayers: non-cotton undies/briefs, a rashguard, and wool socks. A warm beanie is a smart extra. If you bring your own wetsuit, know that thick sleeves do restrict shoulder movement…that’s why we prefer sleeveless wetsuits for cool water and switch to drysuits once the water turns cold.
Wetsuit Season: Gear Included. Clockwise from top left: NRS Ninja PFD; MTI Trident PFD; NRS Jane & John 3.0 Ultra wetsuits; NRS Endurance splash jackets.
Drysuit Season: Serene & Special
Dec 21 to Apr 30 / Water Temp Under 50°F. Our winter regulars love these drysuits. They keep you dry, thanks to gaskets at the neck, wrists and ankles. Most paddlers bring their own drysuits. If you’re a member, you may be able to borrow from our pool of donated ones – ask us. The most affordable and eco-friendly option is eBay, just check your size measurements first. Drysuits last for decades, but gaskets can tear. Contact The River Connection for gasket repairs.
Drysuits. Clockwise from top left: Kokatat Swift Entry drysuit; Kokatat Meridian drysuit; Stohlquist Shift drysuit; Crewsaver Atacama drysuit; SUPskin Dynamic drysuit.
Underlayers: Finding Balance
Underneath the wetsuit, wear a rashguard and quick-dry undies. Drysuits don’t insulate, so warmth depends on your tops and bottoms underneath. A heavier, airtight suit (like Kokatat) needs only a light base layer, while a thinner suit (like SUPSkin) calls for thick underlayers. Once you find your balance, you’ll be cozy all day. Wool and polyester are best.
Drysuit Underlayers. Clockwise from top left: Immersion Research Thick Skin top and bottom separates; Smartwool 250 shirt; Patagonia Capilene Air shirt; Decathlon Simplewarm bottoms; Smartwool 250 bottoms.
Handwear: Keep Fingers Warm
The right handwear makes all the difference on a cold day. For kayakers, pogies are essential: they velcro around the paddle shaft, create a warm shell for your hands, and stay attached even if you let go of the paddle. We recommend thin neoprene gloves under pogies on cold days. Paddleboarders rely on a 1.5 mm curved glove or 3 mm mitt on cold days. If gloves are thicker, they need a pre-curved design like this to avoid hand fatigue.
Handwear. Clockwise from top left: Brace Master ski gloves; NRS HydroSkin Forecast 2.0 gloves; Glacier Gloves; Shaalek heated gloves; Stohlquist Toaster pogies; Kokatat kayak mitt.
Footwear: Warm, Dry, Easy to Use
Wool socks inside neoprene boots = warm, happy feet, even when wet. 3 mm neoprene booties work for cool water. For cold water, 7 mm neoprene booties are the best. We have many booties to borrow. If you get your own, look for booties with a side zip so they’re easy to pull on and off. Rinse and air-dry booties after use or they’ll stink. Wool socks are essential yet bulky, so size up the booties.
Footwear. Clockwise from top left: Smartwool socks; Kokatat dry socks; NeoSport 5 mm boots; Henderson Aqua Lock boots; Neosport 7 mm high tops; NRS Remix water shoes.
Headwear: Hold Heat
Your head loses heat quickly, so bring a hat even if the day’s warm. A fleece headband or a hat with ear flaps works well, and bright colors help you stay visible on the water.
Simple Extras: Small Comforts
Cold-weather paddling doesn’t require much more than summer. A 10–20 liter dry bag holds spare layers or hat. Pack easy snacks for steady energy and calorie-fueled warmth. And don’t underestimate a good drink! An insulated bottle filled with hot tea or cocoa can make a chilly day feel blissful. I remember our late kayaker Doron bringing a big thermos of Turkish-style coffee and cups to share during lunch on a wintertime George Washington Bridge Trip. ☕🥰
Simple Extras. Clockwise from upper left: Thermos 24oz Stainless bottle; Clif Blok chews; Sea Dog 4-3/4” carabiner; AquaVault phone case; Rheos floating sunglasses; Sea to Summit 13L dry bag.
Plan Ahead: Test Before Winter
When you get new gear, test it on a calm day or at a Rescues Training. Return anything that doesn’t feel great. The earlier you start, the sooner you’ll dial in your setup.
While others take months off and return rusty, year-round paddlers do a leapfrog. Our most skilled paddlers built their foundation in the off-season! The river’s calmer, boat traffic fades, and only familiar faces remain.
With the right gear, paddling after summer is safe, comfortable, and rewarding.