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Winter wetsuit recommendation

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Northwest Kiteboarding -> Gorge / Portland / Oregon Coast
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SpaceRacer

Since 04 Nov 2007
434 Posts

Obsessed



PostMon Oct 30, 17 11:00 pm    Winter wetsuit recommendation Reply with quote

Not looking for a wetsuit vs drysuit discussion here. Looking for the warmest wetsuit period. I kite and SUP more than prone surfing anymore so warmth would be my priority over flexibility. Any recommendations on what to buy and from where would be appreciated. Thanks

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Jonpnw

Since 22 Jul 2010
1322 Posts
Pacific Northwest
XTreme Poster



PostTue Oct 31, 17 9:10 am    Warm Reply with quote

The new wetsuit technology is amazing. I just upgraded my 10 year old 5/4 Hotline to a Ride Engine Apoc 5/4 and the flexibility is amazing. I haven't used it in the ocean yet but it is keeping me toasty in the river.

   FullSizeRender.jpg 

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WindSki

Since 14 Dec 2012
402 Posts
Portland
Obsessed



PostTue Oct 31, 17 9:11 am     Reply with quote

I have the ION drysuit and its almost too hot in the winter, that is coast winter kite sessions.

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Slappysan

Since 13 Jun 2012
308 Posts

Obsessed



PostTue Oct 31, 17 9:16 am     Reply with quote

I like to be warm so I wear my Mission 6/5/4 a lot and am very happy with it.

https://www.npsurf.com/collections/mission-wetsuit/products/mission-fz-fullsuit-6-5-4-hooded

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Ryan

Since 14 Jul 2005
536 Posts
Oregon
Addicted



PostTue Oct 31, 17 10:28 am    warmth Reply with quote

I don't have one but from what I understand this is one of the best

http://www.patagonia.com/shop/mens-r5-wetsuits

I have a 6/5/4 rip curl and have never been cold except on the Columbia kiting. Seems like the wind is the biggest enemy to staying warm.

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Sasquatch

Since 09 Mar 2005
2053 Posts
PNW
Bigfoot



PostTue Oct 31, 17 11:10 am    Re: Winter wetsuit recommendation Reply with quote

SpaceRacer wrote:
. . . so warmth would be my priority over flexibility.

Any recommendations on what to buy and from where would be appreciated. Thanks


Personally I'd rather have flexibility with a wetsuit. If one restricts blood flow, one is compromising on warmth with what a suit it provides. Yeah sure, one can outfit themselves with the Michelin Man wetsuit and be warm, but and have no flexibility at all. How fun is that out on the water or how fun is that suit putting on or taking off, and how much time does it require. . .

Unfortunately, there is a tradeoff with thickness/warmth and flexibility.

Talk to Josh down at Cleanline, his shop has all the toasty and flexi goods:


https://www.cleanlinesurf.com/wetsuits

Let us know what you end up with.

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Flo

Since 02 Feb 2016
19 Posts
White Salmon
 



PostTue Oct 31, 17 11:55 am    Re: Winter wetsuit recommendation Reply with quote

I talked to Josh from Cleanline a few weeks back and ended up buying a Hooded R4 Suit from Patagonia. I highly recommend seeing him, if you are out on the coast. I'm super happy with my Suit, its flexible and keeps me toasty warm and would definitely buy it again.
Cheers,
Flo

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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
1634 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
XTreme Poster



PostTue Oct 31, 17 11:56 am     Reply with quote

WindSki wrote:
I have the ION drysuit and its almost too hot in the winter, that is coast winter kite sessions.


Ditto, I am skeletal skin & bones with blood thinned out from 5 months every year winters in the tropics. I need to cook in my ION or a can't handle this.

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Windian

Since 28 Apr 2008
880 Posts
Newport, OR
NEWPORT OG



PostTue Oct 31, 17 8:09 pm     Reply with quote

Fit is what is most important since almost all the wetsuit companies make pretty good product. Xcel and Oneill seem to fit my body stamp best, but I have friends that like Ripcurl or Patagonia. I live on the central Oregon coast and opt for a 4/3 full suit with attached hood for my go to wetsuit for summer and winter and only reach for a 5/4 when the air temps drop into the the 40's or lower. The attached hood is a must IMO as most of your heat loss occurs out of your fat head. Never see anyone around here using a drysuit in the surf as you would not be able to go under waves very well.

I do like using my Promotion Exoskin top for cold weather kiting to cut the wind. Don't even feel the wind when using one until I peel it off and instantly I can feel the wind blowing through the neopreme.

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Ho-Toe

Since 30 Apr 2014
231 Posts
pissed-off science guy like Bill Nye
CO2 quantifier & upwelling specialist



PostWed Nov 01, 17 5:55 am    Depends... Reply with quote

I think the answer to this query depends upon where you kite... You'll need less insulation at the coast generally than in the gorge. Ocean water temps rarely drop below 50F, however the wind chill especially with E winds is substantial.

I've been quite happy in my 5.5/4/3 mm ripcurls with integral hood. 7mm booties; no gloves unless I absolutey have to have them.

I want to add one of those Promotion smooth skin tops like Windian rocks to my getup.

On really cold E wind days I have resorted to wearing a double-layered 7/7 mm O'neill dive suit. I do not necessarily recommend that approach!

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west

Since 09 Oct 2008
136 Posts
Lake Michigan
Stoked



PostWed Nov 01, 17 7:06 am     Reply with quote

Hotline 5/4 w hood, out of Santa Cruz....I’ve found it to be the gold standard for 40 degrees: 40 water: 40 knots! I buy one every 4 years, and use the other for a dry back up.

Would like to get an exoskin to pair with it on extreme days.

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Gman

Since 11 Feb 2006
4907 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped



PostWed Nov 01, 17 10:32 am    Re: warmth Reply with quote

Ryan wrote:
I don't have one but from what I understand this is one of the best

http://www.patagonia.com/shop/mens-r5-wetsuits

I have a 6/5/4 rip curl and have never been cold except on the Columbia kiting. Seems like the wind is the biggest enemy to staying warm.



I think the Patagonia R4 would be the better choice for Oregon - I'm on my second got 5 years on the first one - great winter surf/kite suit - make sure to try it on first and buy it through a local store - cleanline! - their sizing system was way off last year

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