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Warm Gear | Cold Water

a group of people riding skis on a snowy surface

What to Wear in the Off-Season in NYC

Graduates of our four-lesson series can join us to paddle every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, weather permitting. See the real-time air and water temperature at our location.

    • over 40°F air
    • over 32°F water
    • under 16 knots sustained wind
    • daylight hours for river trips

Body: Wetsuit or Drysuit

For autumn, wear a 3-4mm wetsuit. We borrow them. Some wetsuits are sleeveless, so cover your arms with a warm long sleeve shirt. On top, protect from wind and water with your own drytop or borrow our splash jackets. Underwear should be quick drying, not cotton, and bring extras for after.

From Dec 21st to May, a drysuit is required. Kokatat is the favorite for kayakers and SUPSkin for SUPers. You must insulate from cold air under the drysuit. These tops and pants are THE BEST base layers. Wear our inherently buoyant lifejackets, not inflatable belts.

Hands: Gloves or Pogies

Kayakers LOVE pogies on top of their kayaking gloves. SUPers should have 1.5mm neoprene gloves. All gloves must have pre-curved fingers, not straight fingers.

Feet: Booties and Socks

Wear 7mm booties with a side zip. 3-5mm booties are too thin for winter. Rinse and air-dry booties or they stink. Wear wool socks to prevent smells. Bring extra socks for after.

Head: Your Hat

For cold days, wear a fleece headband or hat with earflaps. The brighter the better.

Other Necessities

Use a 10-20L dry bag to store your energy bars or blocs, gloves, and hat. Tether your waterproof phone case to your lifejacket. On your boat deck, keep an insulated bottle or two…Tea, Earl Grey, Hot?

 

3 Golden Rules: Dress for Submersion. Bring Extra Layers. Zero Cotton (here’s why).

 

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In the fall, use our wetsuits and paddle jackets.

Clockwise from top left: NRS Ninja PFD; MTI Trident PFD; NRS Jane & John 3.0 Ultra wetsuits; NRS Endurance splash jackets.

 a group of people standing around each other

In the winter and spring, wear a dry suit.

Clockwise from top left: Kokatat Swift Entry dry suit; Kokatat Meridian dry suit; Stohlquist Shift dry suit; Crewsaver Atacama dry suit; SUPskin Dynamic dry suit.
a person in a suit and tie

Under the dry suit, wear a union suit or base layers.

Clockwise from top left: IR Thick Skin union suit; Smartwool 250 shirt; Patagonia Capilene Air shirt; Decathlon Simplewarm bottoms; Smartwool 250 bottoms.

 a group of people posing for the camera

Kayakers wear pogies and SUPers wear gloves.

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.
a pair of shoes

Wear wool socks and neoprene boots. 

Clockwise from top left: Smartwool Hiking socks; Kokatat dry socks; NeoSport 5mm low top boots; Henderson Aqua Lock boots; Neosport 7mm high tops; NRS Remix water shoes.

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Bring the essentials every time.

Clockwise from upper left: Thermos 24oz Stainless King bottle; Clif Blok chews; Sea Dog 4-3/4” carabiner; AquaVault floating phone case; Rheos floating sunglasses; Sea to Summit Lightweight 13L dry bag.

PS: We sell nothing, make no commissions, and get no free stuff. Enjoy your off-season paddle, all!

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