Insulation for cold waters

[dude]

Hi guys,

I've been paddling on Lake Geneva all summer and I'm thinking of getting a wetsuit to go on paddling this winter.

I was wondering if I should better go for a classic neoprene wetsuit or one of those more loose dry garments used on light sail boats (see attached pictures).

Water temperatures in winter are around 4°C (39°F) and I'm usually falling 2-3 times a ride.

Thanks in advance

[endlessfight]

if you would perfer to go paddling around the lake in cold temps you will want a dry suit (like the second pic you posted). check out ocean rodeo; they have a couple made perfectly for sup.

[mountain sup]

I had the same dilemma last year.  After some research I went with Kokatat: http://www.kokatat.com/activity/stand-up-paddling/gore-texr-lightweight-paddling-suit-men-radish-gray.html

I love it.  Its light and with a just just a wicking shirt and pants under it I was very comfortable.

I paddle up in WA state, temps generally in the low 20's in mid January.

Here's a video...

[NoSaltSuper]

Precisely why I got my Ocean Rodeo Soul, just arrived this week! Put it on and it fits great, but about blacked out as the neck collar is too tight.

So I currently have a rolled up towel in the neck, to stretch it out a bit. Per OR, this is to be expected and the towel should loosen it up a bit. The suit is a fine piece of technology. Very well made and looks sharp too. So much more comfortable and easier to don/remove than a wetsuit.

Hoping to get out this weekend and will shoot some video if I do. I just love the idea of getting in/out of the cold water, with colder air and not being, wet!

Have a feeling it will be easy to overheat, so I'm going light underneath, one wicking layer top and bottom.

Like snowboarding, SUP generates a lot of body heat and similarly, an outer shell and inner wicking layer usually does the trick when riding hard. But, I'll report back after this weekends inaugural paddle.

[UKRiverSurfers]

I use a Typhoon Multi Sport drysuit. I really like the look of the Ocean Rodeo Soul.

I would find it hard to part money for a wetsuit again, even for surfing!

[dude]

Impressive responsiveness for such a specific forum!

Thanks for your hints.

I just got a 7 mm wetsuit with gloves and boots for $70 on a kind of Swiss Craigslist, so I'll start with that.

I tested it in the lake, that's pretty cool, almost dry, but I might bake in that if I paddle hard.

The OR looks awesome indeed, but I don't feel like putting $850 in a wetsuit, that's crazy.

There's a pretty cheap alternative on this British website, but I don't know if they ship overseas
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/dryline-6-drysuit-id_8203871.html

Awesome video, the North West rules!

Thanks!

[suprbowl]

Once you stop falling in, you'll probably want to ditch the wetsuit or at least go thinner. I have a Patagonia 4/3 with wool lining. I paddle through the winter and sweat like crazy. Keep us posted on how things work out.

[surfniels]

Thanks for the vid mountain sup , I really enjoyed  it !

[viatormundi]

If you do flat water paddling then I can recommend sharkskin from Australia. Neoprene wetsuits make you sweat a lot during fitness paddling.

[TWsup]

dude,

I'm in Sweden and paddle in ocean in similar temps and lower. you should get a dry suit. the one you posted a link on is perfectly good. remember that your use is actually really light duty. sailors, surfers and kayakers put a lot of abrasion on the suit. just standing and paddling is not putting any stress on suit.
today I was out SUSing in 6 c air and water with dry suit. I was really comfy.
OR and other suits are overkill.

[NoSaltSuper]

I bet it isn't overkill when nature calls and you're wearing that suit with no relief zipper.
 

[catdailey]

+2 on the Kokotat Lightweight Paddling Suit. Got the wimmin's model and paddled all last winter. Awesome suit. Finally felt comfortable going out in my OC1 in really cold weather. Will do the same when my SUP arrives without fear of falling off. They retail around $850, but you can find good deals on them. Bought mine in Canada for a great price. 

[Waves4supper]

hi Dude,

I don't know anything about the drysuit, but the shop you posted a link to is a big chain in France. They have a shop e.g. in Annecy (+- 40 km from Geneve), but they may also ship to Switzerland.
It's even cheaper in France:

http://www.decathlon.fr/combinaison-seche-dryline-6-id_8203871.html

I don't know about exercising in this though. Given that it's non-breathing, won't you be sweating like a pig?

[TN_SUP]

Is the zipper on the lightwt kokatat really stiff? I hate my NRS suit because its too baggy and the stiff zipper makes it tough to move. Tough to decide between OR Soul and kokotat, like the entry better on the OR, but like the socks on koko.

[catdailey]

Zipper is a big wide tooth plastic but I don't find it too stiff. And the girls versin has a big drop seat so two big zippers...The whole suit is made for paddling all around...plastic zips, not metal like the older or heavier K's, socks, latex wrists, but nice soft neoprene semi dry only neck (not latex so not truly 100% waterproof but I can't stand latex neck gaskets), light weight goretex. Easy to jump into over tons of different layering options, pee relief, easy to burp with soft neck...