5-4-3 wetsuit help

honda1 · Since 11 Sep 2013 183 Posts Stoked

I am ready to hit the river now. Went down to spi this past november for a week and it only fueled my love for the sport. I would go now but I am afraid my 543 wetsuit will not be warm enough for the water temperature now. My question is what is the lowest water temperature this wetsuit will allow me to be comfortable in? I was in hood last week and I think one of the shops had the temp as being 40. Too cold? Thanks for the help.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

Right now it is too cold for just a 5/4/3 in the Columbia. I was in the water yesterday and can speak from experience ......... Wink

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

As someone who has nearly frozen out twice in winter columbia, I'm a firm believer in Dry suit only below 50 deg water! At 40 deg its more of a death wish kinda thing to go in a wettie.

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

I would recommend at least 3mm gloves and boots. Do what Blazeheliski (Bill) does and put a thin shorty wetsuit on under your 5/4/3. And most of all, if you start to feel cold in more than just your hands and feet, go back to shore!

I had to body drag for maybe ten minutes yesterday at Rooster and I was about ready to call it a loss and go back to shore when a friend grabbed my board. I was in a drysuit, however, and it was mainly my hands and forehead that were freezing. Think of the worst brain freeze you've ever had, then double it.

KCM · Since 30 Jun 2013 53 Posts Woodland WA.

Dern, was your 'body core' comfortably warm? (I am also looking to find some cold water gear)....Also, nice new profile photo!

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

I was out there with Dern and posted a review of the Soul suit in the 2014 thread.

I am reposting it here as it may help answers some questions. My core was just fine when body dragging. I had 3 mm gloves and my hands were fine, but I did get a little of the brain freeze Dern talked about.

Here is my review.

I went with the Soul because I tend to run warm and thought the Ion would be to hot for me being 4 mm neoprene. I am also a sweater so I though the Soul would be a better choice since it has breathable material.

I like that I can layer under the suit based on the conditions. I was nice and warn that session and was actually sweating. I have their long Johns that are like fleece and wick moisture away from the skin so even with sweating I don't feel wet.

I also like that you can zip yourself with the soul and like the pull over head design. I don't pull the neck seal over and zip until I am ready to hit the water, this helps me keep cool while rigging. I have put the suit on at home driven to rooster (30 min) without being overheated. I even stopped at a 7-11 to get a snack and didn't get any odd looks.

The soul has fleece lined pockets which are nice when standing around after a session. Pockets are also nice when I don't want to wear gloves. I put the gloves in the pockets in case I have a long self rescue, I can put the gloves on if my hands get cold.

The soul is kind of spendy at $800 although you can find deals on Amazon and get them for around $725 . I also like they have sizing for us short stocky guys, I have a large king and it fits me nicely. Large king has a bigger opening to allow for wide shoulders.

Drawbacks I notice with the soul is that it tends to trap more air as it is a baggier design. This takes a bit to get used to being you float like a bobber, and makes it a little harder to swim. With practice you can figure out how to burb or purge air out when zipping or when in the water by breaking the neck seal. While trapped air is a negative for swimming it is a plus if you get tired as helps to float you. I don't have any problems bodydragging with the trapped air.

One session I when doing a long body drag I noticed I was feeling a bit of moisture around my chest area. So after getting my board and was back riding I unzipped the jacket to find that I didn't dip the suit before heading out. I was able to zip on the go and continue kiting. That impressed me since had kitted about an hour, had several spills during that hour and didn't notice any moisture until I had to body drag a few minutes. Having the outer jacket kept water from getting to the unzipped area.

I did get a leak on my suit at one of the seams after a few months of use and was able to get a replacement suit within a week at no cost other than the $10 shipping fees.

If price is an issue I would have probably went with the Ion when they were on sale for $400. But I am happy with the soul now.

KCM · Since 30 Jun 2013 53 Posts Woodland WA.

Thanks JJ.....good stuff.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

depends how much time you spend swimming during your session....
November thru March - forget about it.
if you wear a hood and booties you can be warm in 45 degree water as long as the air is 55 or above. (April). Kiting, not swimming or body dragging.
Body dragging is brutal as it fills your suit with ice cold water.
If you fall in often or think there's a chance of body dragging/losing your board - wait until the water is above 50 (May).
Bottom line: if you're an expert who never falls in - you can go when the water is in the 40's (march, april) knowing that if you break down and need to swim you may die if it happens in the middle of the river (yes - even with a 543).
If you're a kiter who falls in quite often, don't go out until May and the water is 50+ and the air is 60+.
Probably not what you want to hear but the gorge averages at least one critical or accidental death due to hypothermia every year.
You can push the envelope if you kite in HR and stay within 100 yards of the sandbar.

P.S - I'm a burly gut who never wipes out while kiting. I wear a 543 with a shorty underneath. 5 mil booties and my suit has attached hood.
My season starts in April. I'm cautious and stay close to he sand bar.

KCM · Since 30 Jun 2013 53 Posts Woodland WA.

Thanks Id....Great stuff!

chipper · Since 16 Jan 2014 25 Posts United States

I use the NP edge 6/5/4 in 40 degree water. I picked it up on a mega deal over black friday, still seems pretty reasonably priced. Ive used it 7 times since. very compfortable. I use glacier glaves and NP 6 mil booties. I stay super warm. I try not to stay in the water too much.

Problems with drysuits are if they get a leak in them thats an instant death wish. you can fill with freezing water and sink before making it back to land. But if you want to be comfortable, buy a new drysuit, not a used one, id suggest the lucifer drysuit.

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

hey Chipper, i am curious about your 6-5-4. have you had it out recently? how does it hold up when the air temp is cold?

anyone else ride with a 6mm when its in the 40s?

cheers

chipper · Since 16 Jan 2014 25 Posts United States

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

[yeah ive been out in 40 degeree air temp with 35 degree water. It was definately warm, the key is having warm enough booties and gloves at that point. So far its holding up great, i feel its safer than a dry suit, because if the drysuit some how leaks or get a rip it will fill with freezing cold water.
]eah ive been out in 40 degeree air temp with 35 degree water. It was definately warm, the key is having warm enough booties and gloves at that point. So far its holding up great, i feel its safer than a dry suit, because if the drysuit some how leaks or get a rip it will fill with freezing cold water.

I do use both the drysuit and wetty, but im always cautious when in the drysuit, even though it is more comfortable]

thanks Chipper, very tempted to get one. deals are still really good online for the WS you mentioned

chipper · Since 16 Jan 2014 25 Posts United States

kss · Since 24 Apr 2006 614 Posts pdx Addicted

I've been out twice in january, once with my 654 fbomb and once with my new OR soul. Both at the ponds. Conclusion = its not even close! I'll be saving the wetsuit for surfing and spring kiting.

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

I have been kiting the ponds for seven years, I wear a 5/4 wetsuit with a promotion fleece lined shell. I only have to come in when my feet are cold.

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

does the ponds run warmer typically for air and water temp than say Rooster?