Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: safetyboy on September 11, 2017, 12:07:50 PM
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What do you wear to paddle in cooler temperatures?
I paddle mostly on inland lakes in Ohio, never more than 800 ft from shore... I hardly ever fall, only if I'm attempting something fancy like a pivot turn... I'm not gonna paddle in freezing temps, but my bare feet are starting to get cold when the air temp is < 60 degrees.
I'm thinking something like NRS "hydroskin" pants and boots/socks is all I need, just to shed some water drops and keep my feet warm, vs a full wet-suit if I was surfing or something like that...
Thoughts or other recommendations?
- Thanks, Kevin
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I have 5 pieces from Enth-degree and because they are tops and bottoms they can be mixed and matched for any conditions I have ever been in until the water freezes. I couple them with either 3mm or 5mm booties and 2 or 3 mm gloves and a hat and cycling headband. I also have a 2/3 Jenga wetsuit and 5/4 steamer but I rarely use those unless surfing. I like the Jenga because it is so stretchy and comfortable bending and paddling.
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http://www.supskin.com/
My Choice, high quality!
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In particular this one.
http://www.supskin.com/anzuege/4/diabolo-elements-men
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"I hardly ever fall, only if I'm attempting something fancy like a pivot turn..."
This works perfect for us once water and air temps drop to about 5C in the ocean. When air temps drop to around 0C -> switching to a Gortex SUP specific dry suit works a charm. Used many wetsuit combos when we first started then realized they were all sweat bins as we go full training speed but not often fall in. Never actually during docile winter conditions and 10x or so since starting SUP. My wife still has yet to ever fall in.
So wearing something breathable is very high on our priority list vs concerns of getting dunked. We do however always use seam sealed knee high neoprene boots. This way nothing much needs to be rinsed or even dried out when we launch from the beach. Just the bottom of the boots to rinse off salt and sand.
When our feet and legs stay dry -> we paddle for hours since they stay warm vs frozen like ice cubes standing in frigid wet booties. ;)
https://kokatat.com/product/hydrus-3l-tempest-pants-with-socks-ptuhtp
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Now I am in the in the NE US most of the time rather than in Hong Kong, I've been asking a lot of people what they wear paddling in the fall through December. I have just bought one of these Ti Alpha 454 Hooded Mens Wetsuits, which has been highly rated by local paddlers rather than a dry suit for downwind runs where you may end up in the water for longer than expected periods.
https://www.surfisurus.com/shop/ti-alpha-454/
For flatwater training close to shore, I'm still trying to figure out what is best, but most likely will go back to my 3mm Farmer John wetsuit with full sleeve 2mm top over it and 5mm booties
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I do pretty much what off-Shore does, farmer john with a jacket over when it gets colder. This will take you into the low 50s. Once you get colder you need some serious protection. Those SUP Skins are getting very popular. I have a 5/4 wetsuit, which I hate wearing because it makes me feel like a sausage. (I may have been a little smaller when I got it too.) When I can afford it, I'm going for a SUP Skin.
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I’m mostly a flat water paddler and have used both a Farmer John wetsuit and a dry suit. Have to say I much prefer the dry suit. I haven’t used the Farmer John since I bought a dry suit.
But I have also adopted pretty much the same set up as Eagle mentioned in his post. I have the exact same dry pants he does and I pair them with a semi dry top for a lot of my fall / spring paddling. I will also use this combination in some parts of the winter but when it gets really cold I have an Ocean Rodeo drysuit I wear.
Hope this helps.
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We do however always use seam sealed knee high neoprene boots.
Hey Eagle,
Do you mind me asking which boots it is you use?
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Have all 3 of these but use the Low Tide for winter. Right now still use the Low as the ocean water still heats them up right away. Then will use neoprene socks with the High for colder temps. They still heat up ok like that. Also at that point switch from board shorts to neoprene lined board shorts.
Then when around 5C switch to the Low Tide boots. Fully sealed and stay bone dry in ice cold water. Get sized bigger for sure so you have enough room to add wool socks plus a poly liner -> and then laugh when there is snow on the ground. ;)
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Thanks Eagle.
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This is what the full garb looks like with neoprene gloves and neoprene cap. As long as you are careful launching and just hop on your board -> no water comes in over the top. But even if it does all that happens is that it heats up inside like a wetsuit anyways. Diff is you stay dry and even warmer. :)
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Weather was cooling down a bit here in the midwest (finally), so I tried out the neoprene boots I ordered today... and I swear I lost a minute on my mile pace from not having the connection of bare feet to the board! I had no idea what a difference in feel it would be without bare feet! Not just terms of speed or balance, but just enjoyment - somehow without that connection to the board I lost something important.
Still worth going, but you better believe now I'll be in bare feet till I'm nearly frostbitten!
Somebody had to make some sort of spray-on coating, right?
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Yeah def feels like a disconnect especially at first. But after a while you kinda get used to it. Started with much more tactile neoprene Vibrams and now am ok with full neoprene boots. Will never feel like bare feet -> but at least feet are not frozen like ice blocks. So as always pros and cons. For cold water this is def worth it for us up Vancouver way.
Am still mostly using board shorts and UV sun shirt. But have gone to fully sealed boots for dry feet. A couple friends swimming tried shorty wetsuits yesterday and said their exposed arms were stinging and freezing up on them. So is getting a bit colder here now. If you fell in now -> you would feel a bit of cold shock.
Air temps are now ranging from 2C at night to highs around 12C.
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I’m mostly a flat water paddler and have used both a Farmer John wetsuit and a dry suit. Have to say I much prefer the dry suit. I haven’t used the Farmer John since I bought a dry suit.
But I have also adopted pretty much the same set up as Eagle mentioned in his post. I have the exact same dry pants he does and I pair them with a semi dry top for a lot of my fall / spring paddling. I will also use this combination in some parts of the winter but when it gets really cold I have an Ocean Rodeo drysuit I wear.
Hope this helps.
Oddly, your link took me to the Rodeo travel suitcase at the Kohl's department store site.
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I go boardshorts as deep into fall as I can, then a 3/2, then 3/2 with booties. of course it all depends on what fall means...here it can be 70's and sunny or 40's and wet with wind.
I need a new winter suit this year though. I like a stretchy 4/3/2 and add a hood or hooded vest as it gets real cold. I wear 5mm superfreak booties and add wool socks (my Mom knit them for me...:) :'( ) when needed. I have 2mm NRS gloves I use all winter. Remarkably warm for such thin gloves.
With my 1/2 assed balance system the barefoot thing is a big deal for me. I notice a definite change in my balance when my feet aren't as connected. I go barefoot as often as I can....not just surf all the time. It simply makes you more conscious of your feet and enhances proprioception.
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I’m mostly a flat water paddler and have used both a Farmer John wetsuit and a dry suit. Have to say I much prefer the dry suit. I haven’t used the Farmer John since I bought a dry suit.
But I have also adopted pretty much the same set up as Eagle mentioned in his post. I have the exact same dry pants he does and I pair them with a semi dry top for a lot of my fall / spring paddling. I will also use this combination in some parts of the winter but when it gets really cold I have an Ocean Rodeo drysuit I wear.
Hope this helps.
Oddly, your link took me to the Rodeo travel suitcase at the Kohl's department store site.
Hi Spirit,
That’s funny! Here is the link to the Ocean Rodeo site: https://oceanrodeo.com/drywear/
I have the Ocean Rodeo “Heat” drysuit. It’s a great suit in that it’s pretty versatile. I also got a really good deal on it. A word of warning though, their suits are all unisex. I have the size medium and my wife tried it on. It was much too large for her, but it also barely fit over her hips. So we knew that while a smaller size might be good for length, she probably wouldn’t get into it because the hip size would be too small. We called Ocean Rodeo and they confirmed this. I know I’ve seen women with Ocean Rodeo suits, so I guess it just depends on each individuals’ body characteristics. Just something to be aware of.
What my wife did end up with is the same suit Eagle uses. That is the Kokatat “Surge” paddling suit (https://kokatat.com/product/gore-tex-surge-paddling-suit-with-switchzip-technology-dswxsus). She actually doesn’t even have it yet. Our local retailer had to order one in for her, and then we went away on vacation. Just got back on Friday and we are going to pick up her new suit tomorrow. So I can’t at this point say anything good or bad about it.
One thing to note on the “Surge” suit is that it is not a full on dry suit. The neck uses a neoprene gasket so it is not fully waterproof. My wife won’t be going out in crazy conditions, so this wasn’t a deal breaker for her, but is something to consider.
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I’m mostly a flat water paddler and have used both a Farmer John wetsuit and a dry suit. Have to say I much prefer the dry suit. I haven’t used the Farmer John since I bought a dry suit.
But I have also adopted pretty much the same set up as Eagle mentioned in his post. I have the exact same dry pants he does and I pair them with a semi dry top for a lot of my fall / spring paddling. I will also use this combination in some parts of the winter but when it gets really cold I have an Ocean Rodeo drysuit I wear.
Hope this helps.
Oddly, your link took me to the Rodeo travel suitcase at the Kohl's department store site.
Hi Spirit,
That’s funny! Here is the link to the Ocean Rodeo site: https://oceanrodeo.com/drywear/
I have the Ocean Rodeo “Heat” drysuit. It’s a great suit in that it’s pretty versatile. I also got a really good deal on it. A word of warning though, their suits are all unisex. I have the size medium and my wife tried it on. It was much too large for her, but it also barely fit over her hips. So we knew that while a smaller size might be good for length, she probably wouldn’t get into it because the hip size would be too small. We called Ocean Rodeo and they confirmed this. I know I’ve seen women with Ocean Rodeo suits, so I guess it just depends on each individuals’ body characteristics. Just something to be aware of.
What my wife did end up with is the same suit Eagle uses. That is the Kokatat “Surge” paddling suit (https://kokatat.com/product/gore-tex-surge-paddling-suit-with-switchzip-technology-dswxsus). She actually doesn’t even have it yet. Our local retailer had to order one in for her, and then we went away on vacation. Just got back on Friday and we are going to pick up her new suit tomorrow. So I can’t at this point say anything good or bad about it.
One thing to note on the “Surge” suit is that it is not a full on dry suit. The neck uses a neoprene gasket so it is not fully waterproof. My wife won’t be going out in crazy conditions, so this wasn’t a deal breaker for her, but is something to consider.
Hi QB! I hope you're doing well! Let me know how your wife likes the Surge, it's wY out of my price range, but it would still be good to know about the sizing of Kokatat suits.
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"One thing to note on the “Surge” suit is that it is not a full on dry suit. The neck uses a neoprene gasket so it is not fully waterproof."
^ Yeah that semi-dry SUP suit is not designed for constant full submersion like full-on kayak use. Have not fallen in so cannot verify how much water seeps in. But did use mine about 20x last year. When air temps were 5C it was getting warm under full exertion after 5 miles. Now would suspect if paddling slowly and more casually -> the inside would not heat up much at all and more layers would be needed. So good to keep that in mind. Normally I just wore board shorts and a running tee under.
At 0C wore a light pair of fleece bottoms and long sleeve top under and that was enough. What it allowed for me was to go out in temps and conditions that would normally keep me at home. Do have plenty of wetsuit options we have tried over the years -> but most like the simplicity of zipping on and off without rinsing and drying out any of our gear.
"Our standards require that during heavy exertion our fabrics must breathe well enough to allow sweat to evaporate easily."
They say this -> but in reality sweat does not evaporate easily under heavy exertion. Also have problems with Goretex when used hiking up hills. The thick fabric simply does not allow sweat to breathe fast enough for my liking. So now use very light water resistant fabrics made for running for that. Goretex is good stuff but does have certain performance flaws -> including quite a high price like noted. Kokatat also has this option that might work.
https://kokatat.com/shop/womens/paddling-suits
https://www.gore-tex.com.au/technology/gore-tex-membrane
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Your paddling sounds a lot like mine: inland, close to shore, freshwater. Check out the Kokotat Tempest pants: waterproof, breathable, built in stocking feet. The stocking feet are a godsend when the water is just starting to get cold: thin, but keep your feet dry. As the water gets colder, you can add thin layers under them. When the water is just starting to get cold, I wear the pants by themselves. When I get worried about immersion, I pair the pants with a drytop or semidrytop. If you are hammering, waterproof/breathable is much nicer than neoprene.
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I love my NRS Hydroskin, have the bottoms and the jacket. They've kept me warm into the 30's, and if you fall in they still behave kind of like a wetsuit. They won't keep you as warm as a wetsuit in very cold water, but they're a great mix. I also wear 6mm booties from Camaro.
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Your paddling sounds a lot like mine: inland, close to shore, freshwater. Check out the Kokotat Tempest pants: waterproof, breathable, built in stocking feet. The stocking feet are a godsend when the water is just starting to get cold: thin, but keep your feet dry. As the water gets colder, you can add thin layers under them. When the water is just starting to get cold, I wear the pants by themselves. When I get worried about immersion, I pair the pants with a drytop or semidrytop. If you are hammering, waterproof/breathable is much nicer than neoprene.
Absolutely agree about the Kokatat Tempest pants. I love mine and use them a lot. They are not however for immersion protection. I wear mine with a semi dry top and this combination is my favourite winter paddling outfit. But if I am at all concerned about immersion, I will wear my full on dry suit. It just offers that extra layer of protection.
And while I don’t paddle a lot in the pouring rain, every once in a while I will. And in this weather condition I tend to also use my dry suit. The pants and semi dry top would probably work, I’ve just gotten used to using my dry suit when it is raining hard.
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Check out the Kokotat Tempest pants: waterproof, breathable, built in stocking feet. The stocking feet are a godsend when the water is just starting to get cold: thin, but keep your feet dry. As the water gets colder, you can add thin layers under them. When the water is just starting to get cold, I wear the pants by themselves. When I get worried about immersion, I pair the pants with a drytop or semidrytop. If you are hammering, waterproof/breathable is much nicer than neoprene.
Absolutely agree about the Kokatat Tempest pants. I love mine and use them a lot. They are not however for immersion protection.
^ Yup. Tempest pants are a smart option before going to a full drysuit. Allows you to keep your lower body and feet especially dry while your upper body stays cool. Good for when it is rough and splashy but ocean is not super cold. So kinda about now as our local mtns are just starting to get snow.
Adds a bit of safety to the equation without paddling fully sweated out in full neoprene. Really for me the dry pants option and full dry suit are just a safety thing for the very odd occassion you happen to fall in. Did wear neoprene before but found it was simply too unbreathable even with neoprene pants and sealed boots only. The breathable dry pants solved that problem immediately. ;)
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Hi QB! I hope you're doing well! Let me know how your wife likes the Surge, it's wY out of my price range, but it would still be good to know about the sizing of Kokatat suits.
Hi Spirit,
Am doing really well. Has been a crazy busy summer and am still busy, but I suppose that’s what keeps life interesting! Hope you are also doing well and that you’re enjoying Seattle?
We picked up my wife’s new Surge paddling suit today. She hasn’t tried it on the water yet, but she did try it on. Sizing was much better than the Ocean Rodeo. Looks like it is going to be a good suit for her.