What to Wear for Rowing

You don’t need special or expensive sports kit when you’re getting started

But if you do decide that rowing is for you, then you will benefit from investing in some quality technical layers that will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, but above all, dry.

Your clothes need to be comfortable so you can move in them but not too baggy – you don’t want them getting caught in the oars or the runners.

On the water
Headgear	You lose a third of your heat through your head so in the colder months you need to keep it warm with a woolly hat. In warmer conditions a baseball cap can protect you from the sun. If you wear a hijab or sports hijab, you might want to tuck it into the neck of your top on a windy day if it’s a loose design.
All-in-one	An all-in-one is a lycra suit generally used for racing, but could become part of your regular training kit as they are made from good wicking fabric and allow you to move easily. In summer this might be all that you wear and in winter it can make a good base layer. You can race in anything so long as your outside layer above your waist matches the rest of your crew.
Tracksuit trousers	Tracksuit trousers are good in the winter to keep your legs warm, particularly when you’re off the water, rigging boats or at a regatta.
Leggings and shorts	Any type of leggings are good for rowing because the fabric tends to dry quickly when wet. Many rowers wear shorts in warm weather, but you can wear leggings all year round if you prefer.
T-shirt	Short- or long-sleeved t-shirts are great for all weather – worn on their own in hot weather or built up in layers in colder weather. In the cold it’s better to have lots of thin layers rather than one thick one! Bright colours help to keep you safe by making it easier for other boats to see you.
Body warmer	Body warmers or gillets are a good option for cold weather as they keep your trunk warm whilst not impeding your arms.
Splash Top	In wet weather it’s a great idea to wear a waterproof top layer. A normal waterproof will suffice but a splash top is designed specifically for rowing.
Technical top	A technical top (or tech top) is rather like a t-shirt and will keep you warm and dry as they are generally made from breathable fabric. Often you will see rowers using this under combination an all in one.
Gloves	Gloves are not ideal for rowing as you can’t feel or hold the blade handle correctly. However you can use ‘pogies’, which are specifically designed to keep hands warm when rowing – they’re like fleece bags that go over your entire hand and the handle. Gloves are essential if you’re coxing in cold weather.
Socks	It’s a good idea to wear socks when you’re rowing as chances are you’ll be putting your feet into the shoes in the boat. Football style socks are particularly good as you can pull them up to your knees and keep your legs warm if it’s cold!

Layers and high-viz tops are both good choices for rowing

The basic principles for what to wear rowing indoors are the same, except that you don’t have to worry about the weather.

Indoor rowing
Clothes	Any kind of gym kit is fine apart from hoodies or other tops with a pouch or pockets because your thumbs or the handle of the rowing machine can get caught in these.
Trainers	You’ll be securing your feet in the foot stretcher so wearing trainers is a good idea.
Gloves	You don’t need to wear gloves but sometimes this can help to prevent blisters, especially if you’re doing long sessions on the rowing machine.