Winter accessories: No need to freeze - what you need for a winter session
Bonnet or cap
A "Dawn Patrol" cap with a chin strap offers the advantage that the head and ears are well protected while the neck can move freely. A neoprene "beanie" without a chin buckle, on the other hand, looks cooler but quickly flies off in the wash. Pleasure freeriders therefore often opt for a beanie, especially in the transition period, while wave freaks look for a firm hold.
Protection for the ears
If even a hat is too much for you, you can use a headband or earplugs to protect only the bare essentials (your ears) from cold water and wind and leave your head free before it gets really wintry. Because in the long run, surfing in cold water can lead to "Surfer's Ear" with painful inflammation. Many people therefore use earplugs such as "SurfEars" all year round.
Undershirt with bonnet
However, closed bonnets, either with an integrated shirt or without, come into play at the latest when temperatures drop into single figures. A plus point of the shirt is the extra layer on the chest, which easily and cheaply turns a 5 mm neo into almost a 6 mm winter neo with bonnet. The disadvantage is that cold water that penetrates through the side edges on the face often lands directly on the bare chest - which can be avoided by combining an external bonnet and a normal undergarment shirt without an integrated head piece.
Surf shoes and neoprene socks
It is also possible to work in layers on the feet, neoprene socks are available in high and short cuts and can quickly turn transition shoes into winter shoes. It is important to ensure that the shoe with which the sock is combined is wide enough so that it is not too tight on the toes - if the circulation is only slightly restricted, the toes often get cold more quickly than in a thinner, suitable shoe.
Surf gloves
Question of faith: open or closed gloves for winter surfing? Open gloves offer direct contact with the boom, which guarantees a more relaxed grip and prevents the forearms from swelling too quickly. However, during longer swimming sessions, water immediately penetrates through the opening on the palm of the hand, causing your hands to go numb more quickly. Last winter, we extensively tested which closed gloves give you the best grip on the boom:
Ponchos and overcoats
While thick, lined coats such as those from Dryrobe or HiFly are intended for changing or taking a tea break, neoprene hoodies with an extra hole for the harness hook on the stomach are even suitable for surfing. When swimming, especially in the surf, you are slightly restricted, but this option, which offers a lot of warmth on the upper body, is becoming increasingly common, especially in surfing areas.
Winter Neos
Modern wetsuits with bonnets and good cuffs keep you cosy and warm even in single-digit or even lower temperatures. We last tested the thick 6mm wetsuits for men and women in winter 2023/2024. Some models are still on offer or available as discontinued items:
What you should bear in mind when winter surfing
Winter sessions can be magical - but you should be aware that there are a few things to consider in low temperatures so that you don't take any risks:
