What to Wear for SUP Paddling: My Essential Clothing Guide!
So what to wear when SUP paddling in the North Atlantic to stay cozy and focused on enjoying your session? I’ll take you through my go-to paddling gear that suits my sessions here in North Finistère, France, and also what I wear when I go paddling in Scotland. Especially when I go to my annual Wild Womens SUP Symposium!
The Best SUP Trousers for North Atlantic Paddling
Starting with the bottom half — what trousers should you wear while SUP paddling in the Atlantic? I rely on the Vaikobi V Cold Flex Paddle trousers. Originally designed for the surfski world, these trousers are perfect crossover training gear for SUP paddling in cooler ocean conditions.
The material is super soft, stretchy, and extremely comfortable. The Vaikobi V Cold Flex Paddle trousers combine fleece softness with Lycra-like flexibility. Technically, they’re made from a hybrid of super-stretch perforated neoprene and hydro fleece fabric. The plush inner fleece lining maintains body temperature optimally for peak performance without overheating— perfect for the variable temperatures of Atlantic paddling.
Underlayer
On my top half, I wear a thermal paddling top from Decathlon made from neoprene and a cotton blend. This keeps me insulated during cooler Atlantic sessions and also doubles as sun protection for summer paddling.
Top Layer for Atlantic Conditions
When rain or cold Atlantic winds hit, I switch to the Palm Vantage Cag — a lightweight, breathable shell layer that shields me from harsh weather. It features a storm hood that tightens to protect against rain or horizontal spray. While it’s not designed for full immersion like a semi-dry top, it’s perfect for making paddling more comfortable in typical Atlantic conditions.
I also have a Palm Atom Dry Suit, this is my go to when I m in Scotland and I know there is going to be a bit of weather. But it is not always what I wear. on a recent trip to Knoydart I was paddling in shorts and t-shirt!
As you see there was no need for any thermal ideas!
Dry Suits!
The great thing about this dry suit is that you can layer up inside so you are nice and toasty. There is also a zipper on the rear so it means I can go the toilet easily during paddling sessions. However this dry suit is not cheap so it is not the first piece of clothing I bought!
Headwear
Headwear is essential. For cold but dry days, I favor my Breeze SUP Wear Beanie, made of wool to keep my head toasty. For wet conditions, I always bring a baseball cap to keep rain and spray out of my eyes — it’s proven especially effective even in hailstorms!
Footwear
For Atlantic paddling, I wear my 5mm Ripcurl booties. I prefer open-toe booties over split-toes because they’re easier to put on and still provide great protection and warmth.
Alternatives for Extreme Conditions
If paddling in very cold regions like Scotland, I use a drysuit like I said above. While not necessary for most Atlantic paddling off the French coast, it’s invaluable for colder water. Drysuits are a significant investment and mostly recommended if you regularly paddle in freezing waters.
I also have a semi-dry SUP skin, but I find it a little too cool for North Atlantic conditions, especially if I expect to fall in the water. For sessions with higher water exposure — like foiling — I rely on my Ripcurl Flashbomb wetsuit and hood combo. When I wore this recently in 8°C water, I stayed extremely warm and comfortable.
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Whatever you choose to wear for SUP paddling in the North Atlantic, consider your paddling environment and style. Sprint sessions call for breathable, loose clothing, while foiling requires warmer, more protective gear.
Keep an eye on clothing innovations from other paddle sports — they often translate well to SUP and are battle-tested.
Whatever you wear, have fun and see you on the water soon!
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