Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: Zooport on October 07, 2015, 06:19:57 PM

Title: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: Zooport on October 07, 2015, 06:19:57 PM
We don't need it here in SoCal on even the coldest winter days, but I was wondering if any of you cold climate guys find any value in them.  It looks like somebody has a website dedicated to heated suits: http://www.heatedwetsuits.com/
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: kayadogg on October 07, 2015, 07:00:01 PM
I just ordered this about an hour ago: http://www.quiksilver.com/ps%2Bqs-heated-vest-HV915MF.html?dwvar_HV915MF_color=blk&dwvar_HV915MF_size=01-xxs#cgid=sales_men_surf-accessories&start=3&hitcount=7

The code STOCKUP that someone else posted for a PFD works on all Quiksilver sale items so even though the reviews aren't great, $62 for this seemed to good to pass up. Hopefully it's not a complete waste. I've never tried a heated wetsuit, I've always thought they were gimicky but maybe this will prove me wrong.
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: Zooport on October 07, 2015, 08:16:03 PM
$62?  Woah, I didn't even want one, but that price makes me want to give it a try.   
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: mrbig on October 08, 2015, 06:20:38 AM
No one that I know..
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: Bean on October 08, 2015, 06:23:55 AM
Nah, keep it simple...
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: outcast on October 08, 2015, 07:21:34 AM
RipCurl tried the full suit.  battery was too far outside...the wires too spread out, that got pulled.

Water and electicity doesn't make much sense to me, but there are def days when it's a core temp drop issue....Other days, hands feet and face limit the fun ...Know two guys who swear by the vest, but we all justify what we buy.

I have been waiting for 2nd/third generation stuff

Winter takes all kinds of adaptations...having a rinse bucket of hot water in an cooler seems paradoxical too....

And Mr Big......let's just be clear on this.....you already have your batteries and wires.....don't go all AC/DC on us



Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: andygere on October 08, 2015, 08:31:56 AM
Gary was an early adopter on these, and wrote a comprehensive review on his blog.  Check it out here:

http://srfnff.blogspot.com/2009/11/quiksilver-heated-vest-review.html (http://srfnff.blogspot.com/2009/11/quiksilver-heated-vest-review.html)
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: Henrik F on October 08, 2015, 12:38:08 PM
Not sure what you consider as cold but here in Sweden (the Baltic sea) I use a 6/5/4 wetsuit with a hood in winter. No need for anything with a battery. 3mm gloves and 7 mm booties.

Henrik F
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: stoneaxe on October 08, 2015, 12:43:47 PM
Same here, I layer up. 5/4/3 with a 2mm hooded vest (hood is 5mm) 7mm boots and just 2mm gloves. I always bring a few gallons of HOT water with me. Drink a bunch before going in, pour 1/2 gal into my suit before going in. If I start getting cold I come in and drink more and pour more into the suit. No batteries needed.
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: PDLSFR on October 09, 2015, 03:52:02 AM
I just ordered this about an hour ago: http://www.quiksilver.com/ps%2Bqs-heated-vest-HV915MF.html?dwvar_HV915MF_color=blk&dwvar_HV915MF_size=01-xxs#cgid=sales_men_surf-accessories&start=3&hitcount=7

The code STOCKUP that someone else posted for a PFD works on all Quiksilver sale items so even though the reviews aren't great, $62 for this seemed to good to pass up. Hopefully it's not a complete waste. I've never tried a heated wetsuit, I've always thought they were gimicky but maybe this will prove me wrong.

Thanks for that Code reminder Kaya, and this might be a good call for you since your heading back east and you may have forgotten how cold it is surfing in a blizzard in February !!!!!
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: linter on October 09, 2015, 07:02:11 AM
    i had the thermolution vest and it did nothing for me.  then again, i am very sensitive to cold.

   otoh, i have an isurus wetsuit that keeps me pretty darn warm in all temps.

   it's my fingers and feet that are a problem.  if someone could come up with a heated boot or glove, man o man, i bet i wouldn't have to leave RI for San Diego every damn winter.
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: newton333 on October 09, 2015, 06:39:24 PM
Patagonia all u need. Better then any heated suit ever made.
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: mrbig on October 10, 2015, 05:11:25 AM
Henrik - How cold does your water get? Here as low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit. 6 5 4 with a hood is the gold standard. Global warming? In the 80's I remember seeing water temps below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Really not fun. FROZEN!
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: Henrik F on October 12, 2015, 01:25:56 PM
Henrik - How cold does your water get? Here as low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit. 6 5 4 with a hood is the gold standard. Global warming? In the 80's I remember seeing water temps below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Really not fun. FROZEN!

Hello! Wintertime it can creep down to 32°F. Been paddling in icy waters. No problem except that carbon doesn't like ice very much. Fortunately my Fanatic didn't go Titanic last winter. Hand to fix the nose after that session :)

Henrik F
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: coldsup on October 13, 2015, 06:42:33 AM
Think the coldest our water gets is 5 degrees C.....air temp much colder.   6mm hooded suit big boots and gloves and thermal rashy keep me okay for a few hours.
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: mrbig on October 13, 2015, 06:46:49 AM
Henrik, Yeah - although fresh water ice is much nastier than salt water ice on Carbon Race boards. Not a lot of people doing this sort of testing!!
Cheers,
Cleveland
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: PabstSUP on October 13, 2015, 07:35:10 AM
A colleague of mine told me his friend started this company - it's based up in Maine where they know a thing or two about surfing in the winter.  I'm considering getting myself a pair since it's really my hands that bother me the most in cold water surfing. 

http://www.furnacelab.com/ (http://www.furnacelab.com/)

Linter - did you go out this morning?  I pulled up before heading to work and it looked like you were debating whether or not to suit up. 
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: stoneaxe on October 15, 2015, 04:20:44 PM
A colleague of mine told me his friend started this company - it's based up in Maine where they know a thing or two about surfing in the winter.  I'm considering getting myself a pair since it's really my hands that bother me the most in cold water surfing. 

http://www.furnacelab.com/ (http://www.furnacelab.com/)

Linter - did you go out this morning?  I pulled up before heading to work and it looked like you were debating whether or not to suit up.

Great idea, fleece,dry, and able to blow warm air into it....very nice.
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: outcast on October 15, 2015, 04:32:06 PM
So blowing warm air into your hands has been done foor about 4 years with these suits:

http://www.ianovated.co.uk/

Mostly for windsurfers....not sure you would want all that tubing in the surf....Several hard-core peeps swear by them.

I thought it would be counterproductive as the burn I get is from when the hands re-warm, but the concept of transferring core heat to an extremity makes some sense.

I tried a bastard homemade version...but the tubing was annoying, so the furnacelab gloves would be ok....been happiest with DaKine Mitts for sup...THick on the Outside, but pre-bent and with a thinner grip
Title: Re: Any of you cold water guys ever used a heated wetsuit?
Post by: surfafrica on October 15, 2015, 05:08:07 PM
I've used the Quiksilver Cipher heated vest for the past few years.  I wear it under my 5/4 when it gets really cold.  Works great. 

http://www.quiksilver.com/cypher-heat-vest/
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