mickeypilk Posted September 19, 2009 Report Posted September 19, 2009 Any suggestion pls. For the toastiest wetsuit for the comin winter. Thanks:) Quote
gixerkarl Posted September 19, 2009 Report Posted September 19, 2009 ive got a 6/5/4 gul..really good,ive never once felt cold in it:D Quote
garc Posted September 19, 2009 Report Posted September 19, 2009 got a gul 5/4 titanium winter wetsuit as well. For me THE biggest thing in winter is good boots, gloves and hood especially. I use 5mm diving gloves from Decathlon. Good enough for 3 hours in the water. The hood makes a massive difference. Looks crap but might save your life in terms of cold... Quote
apa Posted September 20, 2009 Report Posted September 20, 2009 i think all major brands are a safe bet. out of a few mates, i think i made the wise decision to invest in a quality wetsuit (def worth it). and i would agree with boots, not tried hood or gloves yet. oh and go try a suit on. its needs to touch you all over (ooo) and be tight with minimal ripples. its really snug to get mine on and off. (mystic crossfire 5/3) Quote
Blue Ice Posted September 20, 2009 Report Posted September 20, 2009 Mystic Cure all the way mate! Amazing suit and so strechy it fits you like a glove! Specifically made for the kitesurfer http://kiteitright.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=428 Quote
cowboy54 Posted September 20, 2009 Report Posted September 20, 2009 just got an 09 gul vortex for £150 which fits great, stretchy and ohh so much lighter than my neil pryde that I ripped the arse out of last week while gettin better at my water starts. Hopefully will get to try it soon when the wind re-appears Most shops will want £200+ for the 2010 versio but you can get it for £180 off ocean24seven.com and free next day delivery. Quote
kraftyone Posted September 20, 2009 Report Posted September 20, 2009 My good fitting Ripcurl Firebomb is plenty warm enough all winter. But it's the "goodfitting" part thats the key. I wouldn't recommend ripcurl though. Mines looking tired after a years use (although probably racked up 100 sessions in it) Quote
denny Posted September 20, 2009 Report Posted September 20, 2009 the hood is the most important thing ,save u geting brain freeze ,u lose all heat though your head ,i was out there for a couple of years without one ,now i would'nt be with out it Quote
cowboy54 Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 what thickness of hood should I go for, is 3mm OK or really need a 5mm? also do the dryseal gloves make a massive difference compared to the normal neoprene? Quote
harry_a Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 comparing wetsuit "models" is bull tbh. i work selling dinghy clothing, and the magic ticket is to buy a decent 5/3 and then put a thermal layer or two underneath. something like a thin neoprene titanium lined top to reflect body heat (available from most dinghy clothing companies) and in january or so a microfleece base layer. this works out as warm or warmer as pushing the suit up to a 6mm but gives you that flexibility still. 6mm steamers are horrible! then of course in autumn you just dont wear your underlayers. I use the same suit all year round, even the summer.. and just chop and change what goes underneath it. never get cold. on the hands go dry gloves, and on the feet 3mm neoprene socks. jobs a good 'un. Quote
harry_a Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 comparing wetsuit "models" is bull tbh. i work selling dinghy clothing, and the magic ticket is to buy a decent 5/3.. ignore the gimmicks. and then put a thermal layer or two underneath. something like a thin neoprene titanium lined top to reflect body heat (available from most dinghy clothing companies) and in january or so a microfleece base layer. this works out as warm or warmer as pushing the suit up to a 6mm but gives you that flexibility still. 6mm steamers are horrible! then of course in autumn you just dont wear your underlayers. I use the same suit all year round, even the summer.. and just chop and change what goes underneath it. never get cold. on the hands go dry gloves, and on the feet 3mm neoprene socks. jobs a good 'un. Quote
harry_a Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 what thickness of hood should I go for, is 3mm OK or really need a 5mm? also do the dryseal gloves make a massive difference compared to the normal neoprene? drygloves are a godsend if you plan to ride in jan/feb well worth it. the gill ones are good as they have good grippy palms. Quote
KiteItRight Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 ive got a 6.3 and there is hardly any difference between that and my 5.3 when its on but noticibly more resistant to the wind chill. Quote
kraftyone Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 I'd avoid neoprene socks, mine wore out after 2 sessions. Quote
Gomas Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 Dont rely on other peoples opinions of 2009 gear too much, from what ive seen there is a lot of tech coming out this year. Your best bet is to get down to a decent shop and try some out. If you want an opinion. Rhino suits are shit and fall apart, and the 'heated' wetsuit gimmick is just that, a gimmick. you have to keep forking out for a little heated sachet thatll keep you warm at the start of a session when your warm anyway! Also, bear in mind that suits lined with 'fireskin' (fleecy) do not get warmer if you wear a rashvest. in fact, the opposite happens. Quote
FiendishMcButt Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 Mystic Cure all the way mate! Amazing suit and so strechy it fits you like a glove! Specifically made for the kitesurfer http://kiteitright.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=428 Only problem is that suit has a built in camel toe:eek: Quote
daztheginge Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 Only problem is that suit has a built in camel toe:eek: that's not a toe. ITS THE WHOLE HOOF! mmmmm horny now. Quote
john_crossland Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 (edited) This is one of those pimp my wetsuit threads. But the best advice has been given and i want to also add my 2 cents. Get a solid 5*3 wetsuit. any one is fine neoprene is neoprene generally speaking and its not worth shelling out for any brand names unless you love the name. The most important thing is fit! It must fit you sniggly be comfortably with lots of movement. Next thing is entry systems. To avoid "flushing" lots of entry systems are available but none is perfect. Look for a tight but comfortable neck seal. again best fit is best for you! lots of neck layering helps to minimise flushing especially with a zip entry system. Then for extra warmth just add layers. Thermal rashies are best normal rashies IMHO will make things worse as they have veryvery little thermal properties and hold cold water close to you Latest thing in my bag last year was a fleece lined polymer thermal rash vest which must have boosted my temperatue by about 2-3 degrees which feels really nice. I treat myself to a new thermal rashy every year because after a season they wear out and loose a lot of thermal properties! Saying that a lot of new wetsuits have an inner thermal skin now which manufacturers pimp. My C-Skins Wired has an internal system which manufacturers say is best against ur skin. But again IMHO Iprefer thermal rashies. Then hoods gloves and boots. Hoods - Attached hoods ofcourse are nice. again less flushing means more heat but the heat through your head is lost through the top so something that covers your ears cheeks and top of the head 2-3mm titanium will be grand for the coldest days in britain. Gloves. (crap for kitesurfing) manup as long as you can then just something that fits nicely and give movement. Boots. Thin sole but protective. Dont forget to tape the legs of your wetsuit!!! and arms if your really worried. electrical tape is great or i use old straps from leg safety leashes. It stops flushing big time and a flush from your heal in a crash can go all the way to you family jewels which in winter is very very nasty!! which to mention thermal pants is a toasty way to go there. Ive gone on a lot but having been a surfer in britains winter waters for 15 years now (since i was 9 and went on boxing day to use my new board on an icey beach) I have had a lot of good and bad winter experiences and ive never been put off. Other hints will always be to get good covers for your car seats and dont get out of your suit after a session just drive home in it. Take an old coat and hat and gloves to wear over your wetsuit when rigging your kite to avoid windchill on a beach! before a session. Finally if your majorly prepared a flask of hot coffee/chocolate goes a long way after a session. OOOO after all that im really excited for winter sessions! mad!!!! Edited September 21, 2009 by john_crossland Quote
stueyboy Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 I'm going to be using one of these when it is really cold this winter http://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=903 It's got a dry neck seal and a seal around the waist so no water down the neck for me. Some of the guys up at Hunstanton used them last year and they said they were great. Bottom line on wetsuits is that fit is everything (as mentioned). They are designed so that a layer of water can get in and gets warmed up by your body so too loose and its flushing time and too tight and you will get cold from not having the protective warmer water layer. Other hints will always be to get good covers for your car seats and dont get out of your suit after a session just drive home in it. This is also excellent advice which I do now. Just get in and drive to the nearest warm shower! Quote
harry_a Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 a good tip is that wearing rash vests next to your skin actually makes you COLDER. Quote
Katch Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 never cold in my O'neil Mutant 5/4 - zipless entry Quote
kiteloopkid Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 has anyone tried the North Ion wetsuits? BBR has them and i am looking at getting one Quote
kiteloopkid Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 has anyone tried the North Ion wetsuits? BBR has them and i am looking at getting one Quote
paulie_amoose Posted September 21, 2009 Report Posted September 21, 2009 I have a Ion 5/4 Strike semi dry and it's good well made wetsuit, just doesnt fit me very well..... Custom suit for me now.... Quote
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