How thick a wetsuit?

shred_da_gorge · Thu May 07, 26 7:14 am **How thick a wetsuit?**

Back to living in the gorge year-round these days, and I have a 4/3 Ride Engine suit that I doubt is sufficient for the early-season water temps. I do have some 1mm base stuff I could try with it, but wanted to hear feedback on suits for water temps, say, down to 50F.

Tried on a nice 6mm Mystic at Windance but it's close to $700. Several friends say I shouldn't need more than a 5mm suit here, but then again they are very good and stay out of the water more than I will (especially winging).

Heard great things about Patagonia but their new stuff really sucks according to most reviews on their own website. I do like my Ride Engine but it's not without its own wear and tear now (these things don't last forever).

What are people wearing (in the gorge) right now, and how is it?

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2640 Posts The 503 METAL

I've been plenty warm in my 4/3 but it's a very warm 4/3 that lets almost no water in. I also really try to avoid falling in much. (Not because of the cold but because I hate knee starts on the wing board). I've been wearing my booties but I see plenty of people going with bare feet.

Bottom line is, even if you're someone who runs cold and falls in quite a bit, a good 5/4 with a hood and a good pair of booties should do you fine. Thumb's Up

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2109 Posts PNW Bigfoot

What Slither said. A new watertight, new sealed seams, hooded 5/4 sounds about right.

If you're a long-time water activity vet, you should have a quiver of wet suits that are different thicknesses and cycles in their useful lives.

I'm mostly a coasty, and so 5/4 hooded is my default suit. I rarely use the hood and almost always use booties. It's comforting to know if I have a long swim, I can pull off my baseball cap and sunglasses and put on the hood. Yes, I can go without the booties, but if it has been blowing North for a long time, those ocean waters are cold. If it is blowing S to SW, then maybe I'll go barefoot as the waters are much warmer.

My quiver of suits:

New hooded 5/4 full suit.

Older hooded 5/4 full suit. Seams not the best.

Lightly used 4/3 full suit, no hood.

3 millimeter shorty. Actually it might be a 2 mm?

I get cold quickly and some I almost always were some type of wetsuit in the Columbia . If it is really hot, I just keep the back zipper un-zipped and take a dunk from time-to-time.

Lots of brands out there, but I have been very happy with Ripcurl's hooded 5/4. Josh, owner of Cleanline, down in Seaside always hooks me up. Great selection, knowledge of product, service, and price.

When I started back in the early 2000's, I just had a 4/3. For colder sessions on the ocean, like Flow or Manzo, I would put on my shortie and then my 4/3. I also had a separate hood. I found this was not only time consuming to dress up and strip, it also stressed on the seams of my 4/3. And best to have a hoody attached and one can put on or take off when needed and it is always there.

For the early months on the Columbia (March and April), I personally have found that it is too cold FOR ME with my hands (yes, I have gloves, but I hate them as they restrict blood flow and eventually get cold) and water temps should I have to swim after a breakdown. I just ride the frozen water instead (ski slopes; not so much this year as the resorts closed mid-April).

shred_da_gorge · Thu May 07, 26 12:49 pm

Thanks, this all makes sense. As a kiter I can stay above water but as a winger not so much, so I can choose what to do tactically. 4/3 with full booties and neoprene cycling gloves and neoprene cap were my cold water choice for Santa Cruz, SF Bay, or here in late spring (and maybe even now) but I am missing out on good winds here right now (well, work is its own issue). Seems worthwhile for me to buy a decent 5/4 with hood.

Lots of threads on here I can search for brand wars. Lots of friends love their Patagonias, so I started out in that direction but they redesigned them and the reviews on their own web site seem pretty bad.

shred_da_gorge · Thu May 07, 26 12:56 pm

Ooh, anyone with experience with a Rip Curl Dawn Patrol hooded 5/4/3?

Looks like an OK deal:
https://www.backcountry.com/rip-curl-dawn-patrol-5-4-chest-zip-hooded-wetsuit-mens

Nak · Thu May 07, 26 1:46 pm

I switch to my 4/3 when the river temp hits 50. I'm toasty warm right now, no hood. I do wear booties still... It's a newer Xcel Comp back zip. Pretty soon I'll switch to my 3/2. (When the river hits 60.)

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2640 Posts The 503 METAL

McLovin · Since 11 Sep 2017 299 Posts Corbett Obsessed

Don't look past this one if you can find a deal:
https://www.mysticboarding.com/collections/mens-wetsuits?filter.p.m.filter.product_attribute_5=Voltt

Mystic Volt 6/4 Hooded Fullsuit - It's VERY warm and comfortable and my go to when I put my drysuit away...

Lots of great options -- > no reason to skimp as even heavy suits like this are so comfortable and flexible to the point you barely notice once you are in the water having fun.

Best,

Mc

shred_da_gorge · Sat May 09, 26 6:45 am

I did try on a Mystic 6/4 Hooded wetsuit at Windance the other day. It was actually quite comfortable and baking warm (just in the store), but ~$700 was a little above my budget. Will try my 4/3 this weekend with some base layers while keeping my eyes open for deals. Thanks for the recommendations!

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 602 Posts Addicted

Oneill wetsuits with the 'techno butter' rubber are my fav, stretchy, warm, and easy to get on. I think the thickness just depends on the person and what you like. I dont think a 5/4 is going to buy you a bunch more time saving your fr hypothermia than a 4/3 will (though im sure someone has an informed opinion vs my guess). I like having a hood in case im in the water a lot, and also for paddling out when surfing. For me, the 5/4 just feels too thick and kinda cumbersome without making me feel much warmer

I bought a 4/3 buell steamer suit fr pure stoke in 2024. it was about $200. Had sealed seams. It wasnt as nice as my Oneill PsychoTek suits, but for the price I'd go that way every time. I think Buell is outta biz at this point, but maybe Pepi still has some

For wind sports only, i dont think id worry as much about sealed seams and all of the stuff that you get more concerned about surfing, since you arent in the water nearly as much. But, there is also the mental component of getting what you need to make you feel safe and assured.