Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: MaartenAir on August 28, 2020, 10:55:02 AM
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Hi All,
So summer is coming to an end in my neck of the woods ( The Netherlands ) and I知 looking forward to empty beaches and winter swell. My question is: What kind of wetsuit do you use in winter conditions in surf. Is 5/4 mm (my current suit) with a separate hood warm enough or should I go 6/5 with a fixed hood? I値l go out in temps down to about 7 C / 44 F. Maybe less depending on the wind. Much below that my hands get too cold. Seawater temp also goes down to a minimum of about 6C/ 42F over here.
Thanks, Maarten
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I surf the UK all year round in an O'Neill 5/4 with separate hood, boots and gloves. The water here goes down to 4C but the windchill cools it down a lot more than that. Some people manage without gloves and then complain that their hands hurt when they've gone blue. I cant see the point of that.
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Whoooa!! ... sorry, Florida boy here ... no F'n way I'm getting in that water!!
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I always point out that every time you buy a new suit, the tech has advanced. I知 down to wearing a 3/2 (from a 4/3) in winter. I知 hoping in a year or two that neoprene gets to where I can wear a 2mm down to 57ｰ-60ｰ mark around here.
It痴 getting there.
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I always point out that every time you buy a new suit, the tech has advanced. I知 down to wearing a 3/2 (from a 4/3) in winter. I知 hoping in a year or two that neoprene gets to where I can wear a 2mm down to 57ｰ-60ｰ mark around here.
It痴 getting there.
There is a world of difference between 7C and 14C. The key factor will be the wind chill. With no wind 5/4 will be comfy. When it is windy and 7C all bets are off ...
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Tru dat
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I surf the UK all year round in an O'Neill 5/4 with separate hood, boots and gloves. The water here goes down to 4C but the windchill cools it down a lot more than that. Some people manage without gloves and then complain that their hands hurt when they've gone blue. I cant see the point of that.
Thanks Area,
Good to hear that an experienced surfer in similar conditions uses a 5/4. I have 6mm Ion Plasma boots and will definitely get good gloves.
Regards, Maarten
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I always point out that every time you buy a new suit, the tech has advanced. I知 down to wearing a 3/2 (from a 4/3) in winter. I知 hoping in a year or two that neoprene gets to where I can wear a 2mm down to 57ｰ-60ｰ mark around here.
It痴 getting there.
True. Wetsuit tech is certainly advancing. I have used my 3/2 suit in fairly cold conditions and was still comfortable.
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I hate thick wetsuits--can't move in them. I have ridiculous wetsuits for NW scuba diving that I despised from day one. even my drysuits were 5mm neoprene--lightweight drysuits are a good way to die in cold water. One more reason I don't dive anymore. I have a new O'Neil 4/5 technobutter 3 that I climb into through the neck with a pullover neck gasket or hood. Getting it on and off requires serious contortions but I love the flexibility that zipperless offers and the zip-on hood is great. I think the shouders and neck area stay warmer than back zip suits because of the thin extra neoprene flaps that pull the suit together across the back. It can be switched out to a collar in warmer weather. If I start getting cold I add an inner fleece intended for that use--smooth outer skin, fuzzy inside. It kicks the warmth up to 5/6 level without the stiff feeling. I add split-toe booties and gloves when it gets seriously cold and I'm good for about anywhere.
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I'm straight over the North Sea from you, so same conditions. I use 5/4, some of the guys use 6/5/4. In mid-winter boots need to be 5 or 7mm, and gloves 3 or 5mm. I prefer a suit without hood as it gives more options - on a cruise I'll wear a ski-hat, small waves a neoprene skull-cap, and if the surf is up, a vest with integrated hood (one of the best things I've bought). Hope that helps
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I hate thick wetsuits--can't move in them. I have ridiculous wetsuits for NW scuba diving that I despised from day one. even my drysuits were 5mm neoprene--lightweight drysuits are a good way to die in cold water. One more reason I don't dive anymore. I have a new O'Neil 4/5 technobutter 3 that I climb into through the neck with a pullover neck gasket or hood. Getting it on and off requires serious contortions but I love the flexibility that zipperless offers and the zip-on hood is great. I think the shouders and neck area stay warmer than back zip suits because of the thin extra neoprene flaps that pull the suit together across the back. It can be switched out to a collar in warmer weather. If I start getting cold I add an inner fleece intended for that use--smooth outer skin, fuzzy inside. It kicks the warmth up to 5/6 level without the stiff feeling. I add split-toe booties and gloves when it gets seriously cold and I'm good for about anywhere.
Thanks PonoBill
My 5/4 suit has a pullover neck gasket as well. Not too much water gets in. A 6mm suit would make it harder to move I recon. That was one my concerns. Thanks for confirming that.
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I'm straight over the North Sea from you, so same conditions. I use 5/4, some of the guys use 6/5/4. In mid-winter boots need to be 5 or 7mm, and gloves 3 or 5mm. I prefer a suit without hood as it gives more options - on a cruise I'll wear a ski-hat, small waves a neoprene skull-cap, and if the surf is up, a vest with integrated hood (one of the best things I've bought). Hope that helps
Thanks. I was looking at a ripcurl flash bomb vest with hood to wear under my suit. That should work and give me some options. Like you I also have a neo beanie.
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I live/SUP in MA and lot of prone surfers use mittens vs gloves around here. Personally never tried as I started with gloves and never switched back but I'm sure mittens could make a difference.
When I prone I prefer hood, when I SUP - neoprene beanie
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I live/SUP in MA and lot of prone surfers use mittens vs gloves around here. Personally never tried as I started with gloves and never switched back but I'm sure mittens could make a difference.
When I prone I prefer hood, when I SUP - neoprene beanie
There is no glove made that could keep my hands warm in winter. The 5mm lobster mitt is the way to go. It leaves your index finger free to better grip the paddle yet provides more warmth than a glove.
I wore a beanie my first year surfing in cold water. It would occasionally come off in a wipe out so I tied a string to it. It was not always easy to put back on while in the impact zone and the ice cream headaches were extremely painful and scary. I realized I could easily die getting hit by waves in 40 degree water with no head covering so I soon bought a hood.
As I progressed into colder and colder conditions, I bought a 5/4 full suit with attached hood and later, a 6/5. I need five wetsuits to surf year round.
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I am a mittens wearer for skiing, and generally have cold hands. I bought a pair of ripcurl gloves that are 5mm outside surfaces, 3mm inside. They have a great seal on the wrist and don't allow water to get in. Can't believe it but they keep me warm enough and are warmer than the pair of 3mm lobster mitts. I can't windsurf with the gloves grip wise, but paddle grip is ok. Ripcurl flashbomb 5.5/4 is my warm suit and I don't have any mobility issues with it. Sometimes wear an impact vest (pseudo life jacket) on the outside for more warmth.
Surfing in Rhode Island during winter.
JP
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Hoi Maarten. The winter down here has similar air temps early morning, water a few degrees warmer. I make it through fine with a 3/4 so I imagine your 4/5 will do.
The key is the extremities. The hoodie is a big help on the colder and windier moments.
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Hi Maarten!
I hate mittens... can't work the paddle. I gave away a pair of O'neill Mitts after one session.
Here's what works for me all winter in New England with temps down to -12c
The key for me is the fire fleece lining.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yZfdA9vCxo
Same goes for a wetsuit... I would wear my lined 3/2 all winter in your conditions.
One trick I use:
NO built in hood
that way, I can wear a heavy rash guard with attached hood under my wetsuit....
the thick rashguard effectively adds another MM to whatever suit... without the restrictive nature.
Acknowledging that I am fat and considered stupid harty by most.... I think a 5/4 firefleece lined suit with above setup would be fine
and... like cowboys said:
New suits are sooo much better now!
Enjoy your winter!!
ps... for paddling flat-water, the gear is entirely different
I'll post a winter paddle gear thread in little while!
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Old, small, and hate cold. My last winter suit was a Rip Curl
6 4 zip free flash bomb heat seeker.
Much to my surprise the heat seeker feature was legit. Paddling released warmth. 34 39 degrees F.
Low forties a 5 4 will be plenty of suit. Am using the same Rip Curl gloves mentioned by JB. Work a treat and you can actually feel the paddle.
Moved to Georgia after many years in New England..
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That reminds me, the hottest wetsuit I ever had was a Patagonia wool-lined wetsuit. It looks like they don't make them anymore, probably too many people had the same problem I did--I boiled alive in the thing. Oregon coast in February--not cold enough. I'd peel the hood back, fall in, get an ice cream headache and freeze my ears off and my chest would still feel like I was in a hot tub. I think I still have it somewhere but I doubt I'll ever wear it again.
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Canadian here (but west coast, so not as cold as you might think). In general, I find I need less rubber on a SUP than surfing prone (more time out of the water and working harder/less sitting still).
I use a 3/2 most of the year and have a hooded 1mm long sleeve polypro shirt and some polypro shorts that I wear under it when it starts to get colder (Apr/May and Oct/Nov). If things get really cold (ie, Dec-Mar) I have a hooded 5/4, but don't like having the thick rubber as much. I also have a heated vest that comes in handy when it gets frigid (does wonders for the hands and feet).
https://www.quiksilver.com/cypher-heat-vest/
I've managed to get away with 3mm boots and 1mm gloves.
I picked up on layering from a post on here a few years ago (I believe started by a guy from Sweden). After that post, I ditched my 4/3 and went with a 3/2 + optional 1mm undershirt.
I love O'Neill's Technobutter suits--easy to get in and out of, super light weight, and so so comfortable.
A few of my friends use the Rip Curl suits with the fleece linings ("E5 Flash lining"). They get away with 4/3 year round in those (maybe with a polypro undershirt when it gets really cold). They are a bit heavier with the lining, but my friends say the added warmth is worth it.
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The other benefit of lined suits is taking them off--they peel off easily. by comparison, my O'Neil TB3 3/4 is nearly impossible. Halfway through getting it off, I start looking for a knife.
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The other benefit of lined suits is taking them off--they peel off easily. by comparison, my O'Neil TB3 3/4 is nearly impossible. Halfway through getting it off, I start looking for a knife.
Lol :-)
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Hoi Maarten. The winter down here has similar air temps early morning, water a few degrees warmer. I make it through fine with a 3/4 so I imagine your 4/5 will do.
The key is the extremities. The hoodie is a big help on the colder and windier moments.
Hoi, Good to hear that 5/4 should do it. Thnx
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Hi Maarten!
I hate mittens... can't work the paddle. I gave away a pair of O'neill Mitts after one session.
Here's what works for me all winter in New England with temps down to -12c
The key for me is the fire fleece lining.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yZfdA9vCxo
Same goes for a wetsuit... I would wear my lined 3/2 all winter in your conditions.
One trick I use:
NO built in hood
that way, I can wear a heavy rash guard with attached hood under my wetsuit....
the thick rashguard effectively adds another MM to whatever suit... without the restrictive nature.
Acknowledging that I am fat and considered stupid harty by most.... I think a 5/4 firefleece lined suit with above setup would be fine
and... like cowboys said:
New suits are sooo much better now!
Enjoy your winter!!
ps... for paddling flat-water, the gear is entirely different
I'll post a winter paddle gear thread in little while!
Hi Rick,
I managed to get my hands on the RC Flashbomb gloves. I also have the vest with hood. Bring on the cold :-)
Regards, Maarten