In general, the best clothing for rowing is soft, stretchy, breathable, and fairly form-fitting. One of the basic clothing requirements is Spandex shorts/trousers for wearing in the shell. Loose shorts can get caught in the slides under the moving seats, so avoid basketball style shorts or sweatpants. Avoid cotton. Cotton does not keep you warm when it gets wet; instead, it makes you colder Here's what you need to know about your attire...

• Base Layer: Opt for form-fitting, moisture-wicking fabrics like Polypro or CoolMax. Think workout t-shirts or tanks.
• Insulation Layer: For colder days, add a synthetic fleece jacket that's thicker than your base layer but not bulky. Polartec and Polarfleece are great options.
• Wind Block Layer: You'll want a form-fitting, breathable jacket with side ventilation panels to keep you warm without overheating. Consider technical raincoats or rowing-specific jackets like Splash Jackets.
• Headgear: Keep your head warm with an insulating hat on chilly days, and consider HeadSweats or CoolMax hats for sweat management on warmer days.
• Eyes & Skin Protection: Sunglasses and at least SPF 45 sunscreen are essential. 
• Hands: While traditional cold-weather gloves don't work for rowing due to the need for tactile feel, you can bring gloves to wear when not rowing.
• Socks: Opt for synthetic or wool socks like SmartWool to keep your feet warm when wet. Keep a spare pair on land.
• Shoes: Bring running shoes to every practice, as sometimes water conditions may require us to run instead. They're also safer when handling the shell. Old sneakers work perfectly for this purpose.
• Waterproof Clothing: Not mandatory, water-resistant clothing is practical for rowing. It doesn't have to be fully waterproof, as highly breathable options work well without causing overheating and sweating.
• High Visibility Gear: High visibility gear is an important safety item for varsity rowers who practice in the early mornings before sunrise. All varsity rowers are provided with high-vis headgear when they join the varsity team, and are required  during morning practice in the fall and spring. JL Racing is a good source of high-vis rowing clothing, for those who would like to purchase more.

NOVICE UNIFORMS FOR REGATTA COMPETITIONS:

• Shirt provided by SICR - no need to order
• Solid black rowing trou, similar to bike shorts, can be purchased anywhere but you can easily find them at Dick’s Sporting Good or on the regular JL Racing website. Avoid loose-fitting shorts

VARSITY UNIFORMS FOR REGATTA COMPETITIONS:

• Rain jacket (provided by SICR - no need to order)
• Boathouse Racing “UNI” links are sent after registration
• Boats should wear same hat or visor
• Do not wear high visibility for competition