Whitewater paddlers in the Northeast have to be slightly crazy (or is it seriously committed?) to pursue their passion to the fullest. Some of the best, most exciting conditions don’t occur during the warm days of summer. They tumble down in the frigid days of late winter and  early spring, when rain and snowmelt flood the region’s waterways with ice-cold excitement. If you’re a fairweather paddler considering a plunge into cold-water adventure, or just curious how winter whitewater junkies stay warm out there, brace yourself for this tour of cold-water clothing options.

A FULL SEAL   Most avid cold-weather paddlers wear a drysuit, a full-body waterproof garment with gaskets around the neck, wrists, and ankles that keep the wearer entirely dry, even when submerged. Though not for the faint-of-wallet, drysuits ($600-$1,000) offer maximum warmth and protection in the coldest conditions. “If you know you’ll be out every March, a drysuit is the way to go,” comments Janet Cowie, director of instruction at Zoar Outdoor, a paddling outfitter and guide company in Charlton, Mass. Nice features to look for include a “relief” zipper for convenient bladder drain (men’s and women’s versions available), integrated waterproof booties that negate the need for ankle gaskets, and fabric that extends over the gaskets to protect them from UV damage.

HALF AND HALF   Paddlers looking for more versatility will often choose a drytop—essentially just the upper half of a drysuit—and then wear either separate drypants or a neoprene wetsuit to protect the lower body. Though not as warm or as water-tight as a drysuit, this combination provides the flexibility to adjust clothing systems for warmer conditions than would be comfortable in a drysuit. “It’s a balance between versatility, comfort, and coverage,” Cowie notes. When it comes to wetsuits, Farmer John (or Jane) styles are preferred. Like a pair of form-fitting overalls, their open shoulders allow the full range of motion desired by paddlers. Most are between 2 and 3 millimeters thick; for major cold, 5 millimeters is a better option.

HANDY OPTIONS   Perhaps the biggest cold-water challenge is keeping your hands warm while maintaining dexterity with the paddle. Two options are available: gloves and pogies. Neoprene gloves are warm and stay on even in the event of a swim, but make it harder to grasp the paddle. Pogies are a specialized type of handwear that wraps entirely around the paddle shaft and seals shut with Velcro; paddlers insert their hands inside them to directly grasp the paddle. Though this provides greater dexterity, it also means that your hands are exposed when not holding the paddle. (Some paddlers wear a lightweight neoprene glove inside their pogies as a compromise between the two options.) Tight-sealing pogies can also be difficult to put on; the second one must often be pulled into position with your teeth. “It’s purely personal preference,” Cowie says.

TOP TO BOTTOM   Your head, that bulbous case of brain and heat drain, needs to be protected and insulated. Paddlers usually wear close-fitting, skull-cap-style beanies that fit under their helmets. Some helmets even offer additional ear coverage for extra warmth. At the footy end, wearing neoprene socks inside neoprene booties will provide maximally warm toes, but watch out that this combination doesn’t fit so tightly that it restricts blood flow and defeats the entire purpose.

UNDERNEATH IT ALL   The layering system used beneath a drysuit, drytop, or pair of drypants is similar to other outdoor activities: synthetic layers (no cotton!) that dry quickly and insulate even when wet or damp. And like wetsuits, these layers should ideally allow a full range of motion for paddling. Nevertheless, cold-water paddlers are bulkier beasts than their warm-water peers. “I think the big thing is that everything fits differently,” Cowie cautions. “You’ve got to get used to your gear.”