Sorry Powerml, can't help you as I live in Queensland and fortunately don't need that gear.

Well done for planing to paddle year road in Europe.

Some of the guys from our southern states may be able to help you.

ET.

I am wearing a Supskin, but they are expensive but worth every penny. They can make you a custom tailored one to your own measurements. Not sweaty, I only wear a thin sportpants and trainingshirt beneath it these days.

What if you fall on iced water with a wetsuit paddling flatwater?
Supskin was an option, and a drypant from palm with neoprene boots and a waterproof tshirt another option too.

I'm already surfing in my 5/4 hooded suit with 5 mm boots. Another month or so I will be in a 6 mm hooded wetsuit, 7 mm boots and gloves.

I paddle in all kinds of super cold conditions... lots of ice, snow etc

Rule # 1
ALWAYS dress as if you expect to fall in.... good intentions kill a lot of people.
If you fall in when farthest from the car.... can you make it in safely?

Having said that.... even in sub freezing temperatures, you don't need much.
All I wear in -9.5 C is:

a cheap 3/2 wetsuit (full back zip... no water dam.... oversize for easy on, easy off)
nylon golf vest (keeps warmpth in... but won't sink me if it gets wet)
Explorer boots (2 sizes too big so I can wear 2 pairs of wool socks)
Warm hat (rash guard with wetsuit hood if really cold and windy)
Turtle fur to keep my neck warm
Ski gloves (with back-up 2 mm wetsuit gloves in case I fall in)

I realize most of you don't have weather like this, but I'll include some pictures, so you can see how little I wear for total comfort in extreme conditions.
The last pic is for just above freezing

note 15 degrees F = -9.5 C

Great post by @supthecreek . We have a very similar winter setup. My above post was maybe a little too exaggerated, but it is suer important to minimize the risk of falling in and to be prepared for when you eventually do. A wide board sounds like a good option

Awesome to hear from people who paddle in cold weather!
It is my favorite time of year to paddle..... solitude, wildlife instead of human activity, the shear beauty of snow and ice, clarity of air....activity instead of the couch
in my book....there is no off season.

A wide board is nice, but it is NO safety against falling.
All my winter falls have nothing to do with balance.
Fin hits underwater rock - BAM!
Backing around a turn in Ice... catch the fin - BAM
Taking pictures, twisting my body to look back at something - BAM

Falling will happen eventually.

Reason I carry wetsuit glove back-up?
I fell in on a cold day 1/2 km from my car..... my hands froze in 5 minutes once the ski gloves were wet.
Reason I don't wear wetsuit gloves all the time?
Surfing they are fine.... but paddling? They don't work in cold windy conditions.... I tried 5 different, really expensive 5 mm 3 finger sealed mitts = hands were cold.
Cheap ski gloves work... but the wetsuit gloves are always there for back-up.... because I always fall in at least once each winter.

Here are some more pictures to show gear and mishaps

Great post!!

Great post Supthecreek. You make me see the beautiful winter paddle.
I think that I would purchase a kayak trousers, a good pair of neoprene shocks and a water repelent top. Everything under 200 euro.

Yesterday I was paddling on cold flat water and windy day for around one hour, with my long neoprene and it was comfortable while entering the water but after a couple of minuter it was hell, I started to feel sick and the head was like trying to take out all of my inner warm.

I think that if I want something reliable for the long term run I should go with a really good neoprene long john or a drysuit.

Have anyone try out the seasonfive waterproof wear? seems to be a good compromise for flat water paddling.