Hello, I've been out solo a bit lately in Wisconsin getting in a few late season paddles and it's got me thinking about cold water paddling safety in general and maybe an early spring solo trip. But I know that water will be very cold! I think I need to figure out a better approach to insulation and type of shell worn.

What I already do:
- Always wear PFD
- Paddle close to shore
- Waterproof drybag with dry clothes, emergency blanket, firestarter
- No cotton clothing
- Layering of synthetic insulation
- Outer shell (either nylon for wind protection or rain gear as appropriate)
- Warm neoprene boots (Muck boots)

But when the water is very cold and you're in a self-rescue/solo situation I think even with these precautions capsizing would be a dicey affair, so i'm starting to think about "clothing" that will help avoid an accidental swim becoming life-threatening and preventing a self-rescue. In particular shell, neoprene options, or even dry semi-dry clothing that work well for canoeing on lakes.

I have a hydroskin 0.5mm top layer I could wear underneath my regular layers and even a 1mm neoprene vest that I could wear over that. I suppose this would take a bit of the edge off of a dump and buy a little time to self rescue. Anyone have experience with that approach combined with "regular" clothing when paddling?

What about actual wet suits? I have worn wet suits many times when white-water paddling and it makes a lot of sense there (you're getting wet repeatedly). But I think it might be pretty uncomfortable and impractical for flat water and portaging.

Then there are "splash pants" for paddlers, semi-dry tops and bottoms, and dry tops and bottoms. And of course whole dry suits. Not sure if splash pants or paddling jackets would do a lot in the case of a dump. Maybe help a little. I have no experience with dry or semi-dry options when paddling and I do wonder how practical they'd be for portaging.

I'd love to hear any input based on experience with cold water capsize and recovery (especially solo) and specifically clothing that has worked well for you to minimize risk associated with immersion in really cold water! ...yet still be reasonable practical for canoeing and portaging. Most of the information I find out there is more geared toward kayakers and not toward canoe paddling/portaging.

Thanks!

Disclaimer: I'd never do whitewater in shoulder season alone. Being done with this issue - in my limited experience neoprene is extremely uncomfortable on portages. But 0.5mm neoprene layer makes huge difference if you swim in freezing water and might even allow to continue a trip afterwards before making a fire and changing clothes. My worst experience was dumping early morning, just a short swim, but after that I didn't have a chance to change from my wet suit for some hours - and it felt warm enough in outside temperature around 32... well, almost.

Splash pants and jacket (with good velcro on wrists and tight shock-cord on the waist) will provide necessary insulation from the wind. I routinely wear them on early spring trips. They are difficult to swim in, but are priceless before and after the swim.
Even thermal synthetic underwear - thick and reasonably tight - worn under nylon provides same kind of protection as a wet suit, but of course on a smaller scale. This is what I'd wear on a spring flat water trip that involves portaging, with as many layers above it as necessary. But if I have to do some serious open water crossing I'd probably invest in a wet suite.

Had a mustang suit when on lakes in cold open water or thin ice conditions.
Its like a snowmobile suit with floatation. Up by Alaska fishermen and Coast Guard use them a lot.

Got to raft the Six Mile Creek in Hope, Alaska in September. It was incredible.

We wore drysuits and to build your confidence, they make you swim to the raft to start your trip. The water was frigid (not as bad as in May they tell me), but it was a HUGE confidence builder to know your gear worked.

Someone suggested that nylon over layers would keep out water, but I'd be afraid it would trap it in. If I was spending time solo around cold water, I'd schedule a few practice dips close to home with a buddy around, so you know how your body and gear will react.

I don't know if this will help but check out neoprene wading jackets for duck hunters.

Out here in Northern California, where the water is always on the cold side, the casual kayakers wear wetsuits and the serious ones wear dry suits. As the water gets colder, the dry suits are even more dominant. For portaging, I think I would look for a dry suit that has a zipper you can reach easily to vent things while portaging. Everything less than a wet suit or a dry suit will buy you some time. In really cold water, when you may be in the water for a while, I think you need to go to a dry suit to really have a good degree of safety.

Here's the attitude of the kayakers around here. Being ready for immersion means that you are perfectly happy to simply jump in the water at the start of your trip.

Depending how cold you're willing to go out on the water, there's are floating ice fishing suits that might be a good option...

For the guys...
Striker Ice Suits


For the gals...
DSG Ice Fishing Gear

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I think for now I'll take a crack at using some affordable splash pants with neoprene waistband and ankle cuffs. And I'll just use my regular rain jacket as a shell. If the water will be icy I'll try using 0.5mm neoprene top as a base layer and maybe even a 1mm neoprene vest over that, since I have these on hand.

Then I'll do some practice dumps and see how it goes!

I'm in SW Michigan. I basically do what you already do...lots of layers of synthetic with the base layers being tight-fitting...through perhaps December (and lots of dry clothes in a dry bag). Last year I bought a Kokotat semi-dry suit which I wear in January or on other very wintry days...it's a good piece of gear and provides peace of mind (and warmth) and it's not uncomfortable...just a bit awkward wearing it to and from the put-in. I also carry some kind of heat source like those chemical boot warmers or those reusable heaters that you boil or a hand warmer powered by fuel. I also have a thin NRS top that can be used as a base layer but I don't like it so I'm shopping for a very thin neoprene top and perhaps shorts so I have more options that are still comfy.

I also cross the river less often in winter. My closest river is a good size with some current so dumping during a crossing could be substantially more troublesome than dumping close to shore since rescuing the boat and gear could be difficult and would also require spending time in the water. I did dump once in the winter wearing just synthetic clothes and they worked quite well to delay the initial impact of the cold water on a smaller river where I could get out and change immediately.

Might be worth thinking about your hat too. I wear a tight-fitting synthetic beanie hoping that it would reduce cold shock a little if my ears go underwater. Some sort of neoprene paddling hat/hood might be good additional insurance.

I'm also trying to be more consistent about having a painter line on bow or stern to make it easier to rescue the boat if it gets swamped in moving water.

Great tips, thanks!

When I used to do whitewater I would wear a Paddling jacket . With good layers underneath I felt comfortable in poor conditions

apk: "...I'd love to hear any input based on experience with cold water capsize and recovery ,,,"

Based on my experience (link) it pays to be lucky and have a float plane and ranger pass over soon after you enter the water.

I'd skip the cold water practice. I don't think your clothes will be a major factor in survival. Your best effort is to work to avoid entering cold water alone.

Wow, yeah sounds like that was a very close call. Definitely an eye opener. Glad you survived.

Were you quite a ways from shore when you capsized?

I still see a benefit in practice immersion, if only to show me the inadequacy of my clothing and help me understand what my response window is (and if it is even realistic).

I agree with you I don't think regular clothing will do a lot, but hopefully a layer or two of neoprene in the base layer would. But maybe still not enough. Maybe the only option really is a dry suit if one wants to be able to self rescue and survive a capsize in truly cold water.

apk: "... Were you quite a ways from shore when you capsized?"

Oh yeah...

Here is a quick article on the topic, some very general but good advice.

I paddle a canoe in the BWCA, and I paddle a kayak on Lake Superior whenever the wind and ice allow it. I wear a drysuit the vast majority of the time I’m on Gitche Gumee. For both endeavors I’m alone most of the time. I would not paddle the canoe from mid-October to May 1 without the drysuit. Here’s why:

Cold Water Boot Camp

If you test the clothing you just described, I strongly suggest that you have someone at hand who is ready and able to assist you.

Thanks! Definitely have read a bunch of articles I know it is no joke and will surely have a friend and a place to warm up standing by when doing any tests!

Maybe I just need to experience it once in some neoprene and synthetic layers and a splash jacket so I'll know how much I actually *need* the dry suit.

gravelroad , I definitely agree a dry suit would be a must on Superior in the colder months. Do you wear a drysuit in the BWCA? How do you find it works on a sunny day when portaging (but when the water is really icy)?

I know we need to dress for the water, but I wonder some about the impracticality. Impractical is better than dead, I know.

Really appreciate all the input here!

apk: "Thanks! Definitely have read a bunch of articles I know it is no joke and will surely have a friend and a place to warm up standing by when doing any tests!


Maybe I just need to experience it once in some neoprene and synthetic layers and a splash jacket so I'll know how much I actually *need* the dry suit.

gravelroad , I definitely agree a dry suit would be a must on Superior in the colder months. Do you wear a drysuit in the BWCA? How do you find it works on a sunny day when portaging (but when the water is really icy)?

I know we need to dress for the water, but I wonder some about the impracticality. Impractical is better than dead, I know.


Really appreciate all the input here!"

I don’t wear a drysuit in the BWCA but I am conservative in my trip planning. Mid October can be a whole different creature from October 1 in my experience. I have cut an October trip short to ensure a safe departure. Being solo the vast majority of the time also influences my decision making.

I did a week long fall trip in the ADK this year and it was cold and raining. I have a lot of different rain gear but don’t like wearing it, especially hooded jackets. For that trip, I opted to where splash pants with neoprene ankle cuffs and waist and a NRS splash top with neoprene cuffs and neck. With a wide brimmed hat during rain, I stayed perfectly dry the whole time and didn’t overheat from within during portages. This will be my new norm. I was on a large windy lake at one point and while this combination kept me warm and dry, I believe if i would have dumped I would have succumbed to the cold water before reaching safety. A next to skin neoprene base layer could be a life saver, but I hate wearing neoprene so I invested in a drysuit.

Here in PA I regularly paddle rivers class 2-4, most often alone. I use a dry suit for these paddle days and believe that it is a game changer. A good fitting drysuit and some gloves would take away the time element if you end up in the water. The amount of heat generated while swimming in a dry suit is a life saver. You still have to put the right layers on to suit the water temps, and therefore you sometimes may get a little overheated, but I’ve paddled these rivers alone in sub zero temps with windchill with no worries. Mid to late winter I’m wearing a wool base with fleece pants and capiliene top and extra fleece short sleeve paddle top over that. I know they are crazy expensive, but I’ve had my goretex drysuit for about 14 years and only replaced the gaskets once and a couple patches made on it and it still has more seasons in it. It is an excellent investment for extending your paddling season. Our rivers rarely ever freeze here. I would not recommend the investment if you have to portage through brambles where pinholes would be inevitable and compromise the suit. My suit is so old it doesn’t even have built in dry socks or relief zipper….highly recommended, and will be on my next dry suit for sure. By the way, I wear a single layer of thick wool socks and NRS neoprene booties and when submerged for more then a minute my feet get wet but they stay perfectly toasty that way.

Paddling in snow storms is one of the best times to go in my opinion but wear the right gear and be safe!

Cheers,
Barry

I invested in a drysuit a couple of seasons ago for cold weather and winter paddling. The price tag is definitely high, but they really are great pieces of gear and I now paddle more often in the cold - not to mention enjoying a calmer mind without the worry of getting wet. I agree with Copperdog, there's no better feeling than paddling in the falling snow.

Most of my winter paddling is on quiet rivers and I stay near the shore when paddling Lake Michigan in shoulder seasons. That said, without the suit it's still likely I could make it to shore after a capsize but I'd be very cold and wet for the long trip back to the car.