Cool Weather Gear to Extend Your Season

It’s officially that time of year. Those days when pretty much only the diehards are out in northern states and even southerners are starting to see temps dip a little uncomfortably low in the mornings.

Still, that doesn’t mean you have to pack it in for the season. Add a few pieces of clothing to your wardrobe and maybe consider a little shelter from the wind and you can still push back the calendar, in some areas even comfortably ride year-round.

Ready to chill out? Here are a few proven items to stay toasty in the face of fall’s chill.

Two-Piece John/Jacket Wetsuit

Perhaps the most obvious piece of gear on this list, wetsuits extend the season like no other piece of gear. Typically made from neoprene rubber sandwiched between nylon to add color, abrasion resistance and make the suit easier to wriggle into, wetsuits work by actually letting a little of the outside water in then relying on your body’s own engine to naturally heat it up and provide an insulating layer against the cold.

Why choose a two-piece john-and-jacket? Versatility. In colder temps that extra layer doubles up protection for the torso. In warmer temps, you can strip off the jacket and still have warmth and protection for torso and legs, but not overheat.

We suggest opting for a PWC-specific style. They’re typically cut to follow the typical PWC riding position and often have added protection to the knee and shin area, key for when you’re climbing back aboard via the aft platform.

Gloves and Booties

Chances are your mom told you to cover your hands and feet to stay warm. She’s right. Exposed extremities hasten a chill out on the water, quickly turning a fun day into a potential sufferfest. Again, look for neoprene-based construction. It’ll not only complete the look, but more importantly, ward off the chill on body parts likely to be most wet when riding.

Neoprene PFD

Every layer counts when winter is just around the corner. Neoprene PFDs are superior to nylon in chilly conditions as they add that extra layer of neoprene to the mix. As most neoprene jackets fit more snugly than their nylon counterparts, they also trap in that heat better and avoid excess wind and water intrusion.

Ride Coat

A favorite of racers, ride coats are essentially hooded neoprene jackets, often loose fitting, with a simple front zipper closure. Pull one on over both your wetsuit and PFD and you block the wind from chilling nearly every vital part of your body while adding yet another layer of neoprene to your off-season armor.

Headwear

Don’t forget your head! If you’re relatively sure you won’t get dunked, a basic winter beanie will avoid the tremendous amount of heat loss that will happen to that exposed noggin. Neoprene hoods are also available, often with necks that can be zipped in below your wetsuit jacket.

Windscreen

Looking to fend off that chilling bite of wind before it hits your body? A windscreen has long been the choice for all types of powersports enthusiasts, from snowmobilers to motorcyclists. Sea-Doo is currently the only OEM to offer models equipped with windshields from the factory. Both the Explorer Pro and new Fish Pro Apex offer a curvy piece of acrylic to shelter riders from the elements. Aftermarket alternatives also exist for other brands. Windscreens aren’t just about fending off a chilly breeze. By diverting wind and spray up and over the rider they also lessen the fatigue that can build up on longer rides from constant wind pressure and noise. One caveat? Look for a windscreen that can pivot down, or “break away” in the unlikely event a rider gets flung forward over the handlebars. Sea-Doo’s solution does this well, with a sliding mechanism for limited movement, and a snap-down feature should the screen receive any significant force from behind.