What To Wear Paddleboarding In Summer - A 2025 Guide

Summer SUP trips are hands down some of the highlights of the whole season, with warmer weather offering the opportunity to experience both new and favourite SUP sights in a new light. At this time of year, wearing the right gear is absolutely vital yet surprisingly hard to get right. Though we’re optimists, summer doesn’t always mean glorious sunshine and this has to be accounted for, as does the possibility of high temperatures and the risks that come with them. To give you a hand, we’ve put together a quick guide covering the most important information on what to wear paddleboarding in summer 2025.

Swimwear Or Other Suitable Quick-Drying Clothing

Let’s start with the basics. Especially if you’re new, you should be expecting to get wet when you’re out on the water. Because of that, it makes sense to dress appropriately, which means that when you’re choosing what to wear paddleboarding, you’ll want to be in swimwear. A wetsuit is probably not necessary at this time of year, so a pair of swimming shorts or a swimsuit will do perfectly. If you’re more comfortable with the idea of layering up, opt for moisture-wicking and fast-drying clothes like the Red Performance T-Shirt.

Buoyancy Aid

Protection is the number one priority, and even if you’re an experienced paddler, you should always be putting on a buoyancy aid when you’re heading out onto the water. Accidents do happen, so don’t fall into the mistake of thinking that you’re 100% safe without taking proper precautions. A high-quality buoyancy aid like the specialist option in Red’s range will be lightweight and not restrict your movement at all, meaning that it won’t be an inconvenience or cause you to overheat or chafe when you’re paddleboarding in warmer conditions.

Sun Protection

Don’t forget to factor in sun protection when you’re choosing what to wear paddleboarding this summer. It’s easy to forget the role that water reflection plays over time, so don’t think you can just get away with a hat. Polarised sunglasses and waterproof sunscreen are a must. These will protect your eyes and your skin from any harmful effects of prolonged sunlight exposure during your trip. Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen often to make sure you remain protected.

Waterproof Changing Robe

A changing robe is probably not the first thing you think of when you’re choosing what to wear paddleboarding during the summer. It’s certainly not the most obvious pick for summer paddle board clothing, but the Red Alter Evo Changing Robe is a great companion for a summer SUP trip. You don’t want to be using it during a paddle, but after, where you can take advantage of the moisture-wicking inner lining and side stretch panels to quickly dry off and change in comfort.

Waterproof Bag

It’s not just clothes for paddle boarding that you need to consider. Having a high-quality waterproof bag, such as the Red Waterproof Kit Bag, is crucial. This will allow you to keep your kit and valuables safe from the water while they’re on your person. You want to be sure that your bag will be able to completely repel the water in case you fall in, so keep an eye out for features such as welded seams and diving spec zips.

We hope this guide on what to wear paddleboarding in summer has been useful. If you have any questions or concerns about any of the products we’ve covered in this blog or any of the others available from the Red store, then get in touch with the team today. Our experts will be happy to help you get the most from your time on the water this summer.