Author Topic: Winter wetsuit question  (Read 6091 times)

surfinJ

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Re: Winter wetsuit question
« Reply #15 on: September 11, 2020, 12:25:36 AM »
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.

supthecreek

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Re: Winter wetsuit question
« Reply #16 on: September 11, 2020, 04:57:04 AM »
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!

mrbig

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Re: Winter wetsuit question
« Reply #17 on: September 11, 2020, 12:20:36 PM »
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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PonoBill

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Re: Winter wetsuit question
« Reply #18 on: September 11, 2020, 12:53:57 PM »
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.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

surfafrica

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Re: Winter wetsuit question
« Reply #19 on: September 11, 2020, 04:17:08 PM »
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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PonoBill

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Re: Winter wetsuit question
« Reply #20 on: September 11, 2020, 08:07:32 PM »
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.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

MaartenAir

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Re: Winter wetsuit question
« Reply #21 on: October 05, 2020, 01:51:34 AM »
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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MaartenAir

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Re: Winter wetsuit question
« Reply #22 on: October 05, 2020, 01:52:58 AM »
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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MaartenAir

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Re: Winter wetsuit question
« Reply #23 on: October 05, 2020, 01:55:29 AM »
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
Starboard Whopper 10
Sunova The One 9'5"
Fanatic Allwave LTD 9'1"

 


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