Thick wetsuit or Drysuit for winter riding?

[North Wind]

with a dry suit its easy to get in the car and either drive home, or drive to another beach, the wind blows it dry in no time,

 

i have even in times of rush rush left my work pants and shirt on underneath the suit,

 

try one and you will never stand and shiver again, and never go back to a rubber suit in the depths of winter, (dont use full bootie suits as they are krap) ankle seals only!

 

Hmm. I change in my van and use a Snugg wetsuit. I didn't shiver once last winter, although my hands did get a little cold in Jan/Feb kiting.

 

BA

[djstrauss281]

quick question as i am also looking into a dry suit after reading "most" of this thread. gloves and booties? as this is the main part of my body that gets cold in the winter and i normally tug my boots/gloves under my wetsuit to make sure not too much water enters, is this possible with a dry suit? or do you have to put it over your sleeves?

[paulie_amoose]

OK, cant make my mind up weather to go for a 5/4/3 hooded wettie or go for a decent drysuit.

Never worn a drysuit so not 100% sure it they would leak in a big wipe out.

 

Huge thanks:)

 

5/4/3 hooded wettie will do the job absolutely fine but a dry suit with the correct layers is warmer, period. Dry suits are perfectly safe, you wont sink in them if they did leak badly, which is extremely unlikely. The kite specific ones are very very durable and you get very little leakage in a big wipe out. Mine is now in it's 4th season with only a neck seal replaced.

 

I have used both extensively for surfing and kite surfing. It all boils down to personal choice and cost really.

[paulie_amoose]

quick question as i am also looking into a dry suit after reading "most" of this thread. gloves and booties? as this is the main part of my body that gets cold in the winter and i normally tug my boots/gloves under my wetsuit to make sure not too much water enters, is this possible with a dry suit? or do you have to put it over your sleeves?

 

Dry suit keeps your core warmer so you seem to need gloves and boots less but when I do wear them they go over the seal's. You get some water in obviously but hands never get cold.

[dan604]

I'm from Vancouver Canada and most of the kiters here use Ocean Rodeo dry suits in the winter. This might have something to do with Ocean Rodeo being a local company but most people swear by them. The convienance of being able to get into and out of them easily and staying warm on the coldest days has most convinced.

 

That being said, I wear a wetsuit. I really hate the baggy feeling of dry suits (although I havent tried the new OR surf dry suit). Reminds me of sticking your hand into a sink while wearing a dish glove.

 

I wear a 5/3 with a thermal layer under and I rarely get cold, even when it's snowing. Gloves, boots and a hood are mandatory equiptment in the winter.

[skipper]

Can anyone tell me what a dry suit is like with a pair of dakine harness shorts, im lookin at the gul astro dry suit.

 

thanks.

[dan604]

I know alot of people who use them over OR drysuits regularaly.

[g0nz01599968659]

I use the astro dry suit when it starts to get grim out - ie the air temp is

 

TBH I went right through winter a couple of years ago with a 3/4mm suit & a 1/2mm thermal rashie, but it does get a bit chilly on the beach in febuary:)

[djstrauss281]

must say i bought the ocean rodeo pyro pro drysuit and had my first go over the weekend. all i can say is i will never look back. takes a couple of seconds to get in and out and even though was chilly i had only a tshirt and shorts on underneath and had to go for a drift session to cool off today. manouverability(mind the spelling) is better then a wetsuit and afterwards ready to just get in my car and go with a dry drysuit. i was in two minds to get it or not, can only recomment as they are brilliant. bring on the winter

[ROB1597507353]

Im selling this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=180298687202

[soggy]

is there much difference between the dry suits, i would be keen on getting one but £400 is alot. Are the ocean rodeo Lite drysuit or Maui Magic Mystic Force dryauits any good?they are a little cheaper.

 

also could you wear a pair of joggers and a couple of longsleeve t-shirts under them to keep warm in the winter?

[NealC]

is there much difference between the dry suits, i would be keen on getting one but £400 is alot. Are the ocean rodeo Lite drysuit or Maui Magic Mystic Force dryauits any good?they are a little cheaper.

 

also could you wear a pair of joggers and a couple of longsleeve t-shirts under them to keep warm in the winter?

 

I am not sure but i brought one of the cheap ones for £180 off flea bay and wasnt expecting much but have been amazed at how good it was last winter!!

 

I wore joggers and long sleeved T-shirt and when it was really cold a thin fleece under mine.....the only drawback with this is that you will get a bit damp from perspiration, but i can live with that!

[aevans692]

Hi guys..

 

I have a long surfing background , I have surfed since I was about 8ish .. any how I have used both dry and wet suits . .

 

All the time I was surfing I never looked at a dry suit I dont think It would give me the amount of movement needed , or what I am used to whilst paddling out the back.

 

I then started kite surfing and been on it for 7 or more years now , and last year I got a dry suit , It is a little strange at first , but I can honestly say that is is the better option for the winter , I am able to stay out longer than most in wet suits ,I dont get cold whilst getting changed , I can get out in the morn , and then in the after noon catching the tide twice without having to worry about sitting around for 2-3 hours waiting . .

 

There are some good wet suits out there , and I do still ware a wetsuit all year for surfing , as spend less time in the wind , and gives me max movement .. .

 

Winter in a drysuit is good , I can go out all day, playing in the waves , hitting big shore pound , and getting wiped out , all without getting wet and staying warm , I put on pair of pants, T shirt, socks , this baby grow type thing which came with my dry suit . . all is warm .

 

I can then not worry about the cold , have enough movement to , try my latest moves .. all is good

 

BUT just remember not to wee in it like a wet suit..lol...