Seven pairs of pants for paddle boarding compared on warmth, stretch and how well each one handles spray and chafing.
Paddling legwear splits into three groups that solve different problems: a waterproof shell that keeps spray off, neoprene that keeps you warm once you are wet, and light swim leggings that keep the sun off your legs. All seven pairs below are full length, and each one is here for a different reason.
How to choose pants for paddle boarding
Start with water temperature, not air temperature. Above roughly the point where a swim is pleasant, the job of the pants is sun and chafe protection, and a light UPF 50+ legging does it for very little money. Once the water is cold enough that falling in is a problem, you need neoprene, and 2 mm is the usual thickness for legs because it keeps the knee bend you need to balance.
The third case is the one people forget. On a cold, dry day you are not swimming, you are standing in wind getting hit by drips off the paddle, and what you want is a waterproof shell with sealed ankles over your normal clothes. That is a different garment from a wetsuit pant and it is worth owning if you paddle into the autumn. Whatever you pick, check the waist closure and the seams, since a drawstring that slips and a seam that rubs are the two things that ruin a long day on a board.
- Best overall and the only waterproof pairNRS Rio Paddling Pants
- Warmest for menGoldFin Mens 2mm Wetsuit Pants
- Warmest for womenGoldFin Womens 2mm Wetsuit Pants
- Best value for sun protectionATTRACO Womens Swim Legging
| Pants | Type | Material | Sun protection | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NRS Rio Paddling Pantsbest overall | waterproof shell | urethane-coated nylon oxford | not stated | Cold, windy days you stay dry on |
| GoldFin Mens Wetsuit Pantswarmest, men | wetsuit pant | 2mm neoprene, 90 percent neoprene and 10 percent nylon | not stated | Cold water you expect to swim in |
| GoldFin Womens Wetsuit Pantswarmest, women | wetsuit pant | 2mm neoprene, 90 percent neoprene and 10 percent nylon | not stated | Cold water, women's cut |
| ZCCO Mens Wetsuit Pantsvalue neoprene | wetsuit pant | neoprene and nylon blend | UPF 50+ | Neoprene warmth on a budget |
| Cressi Hunter Rash Guard Pantsbest over a wetsuit | rash guard | elastic synthetic fabric | UPF rated | Wind protection and an extra layer |
| Ubestyle Mens Swim Pantsbest sun cover, men | swim legging | four-way stretch swim fabric | UPF 50+ | Long sunny days on the water |
| ATTRACO Womens Swim Leggingbest value | swim legging | lightweight elastic fabric | UPF 50+ | Summer paddling for very little money |
The seven pairs in detail
- Typewaterproof paddling shell
- Fabricurethane-coated nylon oxford
- Seamstaped
- Ankleselastic closures to keep water out
- Waistbungee with a barrel-lock cinch
- Inseam36 in on size large
Best for: Cold-weather paddling where the plan is to stay dry
The Rio is a shell, and that changes what it is for. Urethane-coated nylon oxford with taped seams keeps spray, drips and rain out entirely, so on a cold autumn morning you paddle in your normal clothes and stay dry rather than getting wet and relying on neoprene to warm the water back up.
The details are the ones that matter on a board. Elastic ankle closures stop water tracking down your leg when you step off at the launch, and the bungee waist with a barrel-lock cinch actually holds instead of loosening every time you kneel. NRS gives a 36 in inseam on the large with a deliberately roomy cut, which is there so you can layer underneath. If you fall in regularly, buy neoprene instead.
Pros
- It is the only genuinely waterproof pair here, which is a different job from keeping you warm
- Taped seams mean the water does not come through the stitching, the usual weak point
- Elastic ankle closures stop drips running down into your shoes
- A roomy cut leaves room for thermals underneath, so one pair covers a wide temperature range
Cons
- It is the most expensive pair in this list
- A shell offers nothing once you are actually in the water
- The relaxed fit flaps in wind compared with a neoprene pant
- Typewetsuit pant
- Thickness2mm neoprene
- Blend90 percent neoprene, 10 percent nylon
- Stitchflatlock
- Stretchfour-way
- Fitcompression fit with shape recovery
Best for: Men paddling in water cold enough that a swim is a real risk
This is the default answer for cold-water paddling. Two millimeters of 90 percent neoprene keeps the water against your legs warm without the stiffness a 3mm pant brings, and the difference is very obvious when you are trying to stay balanced.
GoldFin builds it as a three-layer elastic fabric with flatlock stitching and a compression fit. Flatlock is the detail worth paying for: the seam sits flat instead of standing proud, so it does not saw at the inside of your thigh over a couple of hours. It works over the full range of paddle sports, from kayaking to kiteboarding, and it pairs with a rash top rather than needing a full suit.
Pros
- Two millimeters is the right thickness for legs, warm without locking up your knees
- Flatlock stitching lies flat against skin, which is what stops chafing on a long paddle
- Four-way stretch keeps a deep knee bend available when the board moves under you
- GoldFin lists shape recovery, so it does not bag out at the knees over a season
Cons
- Neoprene has a smell out of the packaging that takes some airing out
- A compression fit is a fight to get on when you are already damp
- No stated UPF rating, unlike the lighter pairs here
- Typewetsuit pant
- Thickness2mm neoprene
- Blend90 percent neoprene, 10 percent nylon
- Constructionthree-layer elastic fabric
- Fitcompression fit
- Usekayaking, rafting, surf, kiteboarding and swimming
Best for: Women who want the same warmth in a cut that actually fits
Buying a men's small instead of a women's pant is a common mistake and it shows up as a waist that will not sit and a rise that is wrong. This is the same 2mm build in a cut that fits, so there is no performance trade for getting the right shape.
The construction is identical to the men's GoldFin: 90 percent neoprene with 10 percent nylon, three layers of elastic fabric, a compression fit that stays put when you go in. GoldFin lists it across the whole range of water sports, and on a paddle board the useful part is that it keeps your legs warm without limiting how far you can bend to brace. Expect the usual neoprene smell for the first few outings.
Pros
- Same 2mm construction as the men's pair, in a women's cut rather than a smaller men's size
- The three-layer elastic fabric keeps legs mobile, which matters more than raw warmth on a board
- Skin-friendly nylon face means it can be worn against bare skin all day
- Slightly cheaper than the men's version
Cons
- The compression fit is hard work to pull on over damp skin
- Neoprene needs airing before the first outing
- GoldFin states no UPF rating for this pair
- Typewetsuit pant, full length
- Blend70 percent neoprene, 30 percent nylon
- Sun protectionUPF 50+
- Stitchflat stitch construction
- Stretchsuper stretch neoprene
- ServiceZCCO states a lifetime service commitment
Best for: Neoprene warmth without paying wetsuit prices
ZCCO undercuts the GoldFin pants and gives you a UPF 50+ rating on top, which none of the other neoprene here states. For summer paddling in cool water that combination is genuinely useful, since you get warmth in the water and sun cover out of it.
Read the listing carefully before you order. The title says 2mm and the first bullet says 1.5mm ultra soft neoprene, and the fabric is given as 70 percent neoprene with 30 percent nylon rather than the 90 to 10 blend the GoldFin pairs use. That points to a thinner, stretchier and less insulating pant than the two above it. For cool water it is fine and it moves beautifully. For genuinely cold water, spend the extra on the GoldFin.
Pros
- It is the only neoprene pair here with a stated UPF 50+ rating, so it covers both jobs
- A higher nylon content makes it lighter and easier to move in than a pure neoprene pant
- Flat stitch construction keeps the seams from irritating skin
- Cheaper than either GoldFin pair
Cons
- The listing contradicts itself on thickness, giving 2mm in the title and 1.5mm in the description
- At 30 percent nylon it is less warm than the 90 percent neoprene pairs
- Stock levels on this one move quickly
- Typerash guard pant
- Fabricstrong elastic synthetic
- Cutanatomical
- Protectionwind and UPF ultraviolet rays
- Layeringworn on its own or over a wetsuit
- Origindesigned in Italy by Cressi, a brand active since 1946
Best for: Paddlers who already own neoprene and want a layer over it
The Hunter Pants come from Cressi's spearfishing range and that is the clue to what they do well. A strong elastic synthetic with anatomical cuts is designed for someone spending hours in and out of water, and the specific claim Cressi makes is protection from wind as well as from UV.
On a paddle board that combination is more useful than it sounds. Wind on wet legs is the thing that ends a session early, and a light layer over your neoprene fixes it without adding thickness where you need to bend. Worn on its own in summer it works as a rash guard. Just do not expect it to keep you warm in cold water, because that is not what it is.
Pros
- It is built to go over a wetsuit, which none of the other pairs here claim
- Cressi states wind protection as well as UV, and wind is what actually chills you on a board
- An anatomical cut means the panels follow your legs rather than twisting
- The camouflage patterns come from Cressi's spearfishing line, so they are made to be worn in water for hours
Cons
- It offers no warmth of its own, so on its own it is a summer garment
- The most expensive option here that is not the waterproof NRS
- The mimetic patterns will not be to everyone's taste
- Typeswim legging, ankle length
- Fabricfour-way stretch swim fabric
- Sun protectionUPF 50+
- Waistmid-waist elastic band with a pull cord
- Coveragefull length, against sunburn and chafing
- Usepaddleboarding, swimming, waterskiing, fishing and boating
Best for: Long summer days where the sun is the only real problem
For most people paddling in summer, this is the pair that gets worn. Full-length UPF 50+ coverage takes sunburn off the list entirely, and the tops of your thighs and the backs of your knees are exactly where a day of standing on the water burns you.
The fabric is a four-way stretch swim material with compression and support, so it stays put through a fall and a remount rather than rolling. Ubestyle pairs a mid-waist elastic band with a pull cord, which is the detail that separates a swim legging from a running tight that sags once it is wet. Long coverage also means less chafing against the board when you kneel to paddle out.
Pros
- UPF 50+ over the full leg is far more reliable than reapplying sunscreen every two hours
- Four-way stretch with compression keeps the fabric from bunching behind your knees
- The waist pull cord stops the classic problem of leggings sliding down when you remount
- Ubestyle states it is not see-through, which is a fair concern with thin swim fabric
Cons
- No warmth at all, so it is a warm-weather garment only
- Compression fabric takes a while to dry compared with loose board shorts
- Sizing runs close to the body, so check the chart
- Typeswim legging, long
- Fabriclightweight, highly elastic
- Sun protectionUPF 50+
- Waisthigh waist with a wide waistband
- Coveragefull length against sunburn
- Useswimming, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, paddling and diving
Best for: Summer paddling where the budget is the deciding factor
This is the pair to buy first if you are new to paddling in summer and not sure what you need. UPF 50+ over the whole leg for the price of lunch covers the problem that actually catches people out, which is four hours of unbroken reflected sun.
ATTRACO builds it as a high-waisted legging with a wide waistband, so it stays in place when you climb back on the board, and the fabric is deliberately light and stretchy rather than supportive. That makes it comfortable and quick to move in but does mean it is the least hard-wearing option here. Treat it as summer kit, and add neoprene separately when the water gets cold.
Pros
- The cheapest pair in this list by a clear margin, and it still carries a UPF 50+ rating
- A wide high waistband stays where you put it instead of rolling down
- Lightweight elastic fabric means no restriction on how you move
- It doubles as ordinary swimwear, so it earns its space in a bag
Cons
- No warmth whatsoever, this is a summer-only garment
- Lightweight fabric is less durable against a rough deck pad than neoprene
- Nothing here protects against wind
Checklist: What makes a good pair of paddle boarding pants
- Material Quality: Look for a blend of neoprene and nylon or spandex and nylon for durability, flexibility, and comfort. Premium material also prevents environmental harm and ensures longevity.
- Fit and Comfort: Pay attention to high-waist designs, and those with adjustable waistbands or drawstrings for a secure fit; increased comfort during motion is important.
- Quick-Drying: Choose pants with quick-drying features that facilitate a smooth transition between water and land activities, keeping discomfort at bay.
- Sun Protection: Opt for fabrics with a high UPF rating to shield against UV rays during prolonged exposure, a critical feature for any outdoor water sport.
- Stitching Technique: Ensure that flatlock stitching is utilized to reduce skin irritation and chafing, an essential component for comfort during extensive wear.
- Functional Design: Select pants that offer practical design elements such as four-way stretch, elastic ankle closures, or taped seams for an enhanced paddleboarding experience.
FAQ
What should I look for in paddle boarding pants?
Look for high-quality materials, a comfortable fit, quick-drying features, UV protection, flatlock stitching, and functional design elements like taped seams and four-way stretch.
Why is quick-drying capability important for paddle boarding pants?
Quick-drying pants are important for comfort and convenience, allowing a smooth transition between water and land activities without prolonged dampness.
How does sun protection in paddle boarding pants benefit the user?
Sun protective fabrics in paddle boarding pants shield the skin from harmful UV rays, reducing the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage during prolonged exposure.
