Drysuit vs semi dry suit vs wetsuit for cold water standup riding

J

JustMarc

Hi,

I asked this on another forum, greenhulk, but someone thankfully pointed me here as it seems a lot more appropriate, there aren't too many standup riders on the other forum.

I'm a beginner stand up rider training for race, and I'm inevitably spending a lot of time IN the water. I'd appreciate some good pointers regarding suit, gloves and boots, but mostly suit, that are the right choice for cold water (5 to 15 Celsius -- 40 to 60 fahrenheit) and cold days as to not freeze to death.

I realize I'm giving a pretty broad range of temperatures but water temps here around central Europe tend to rise pretty slowly up until mid summer so I may need more than one suit to take me through the season. I already have a thinner full body neoprene suit but that's only good for later in the year.

I'm right now torn between a thicker wetsuit (5mm to 7mm, 7mm neoprene might be overkill and maybe too restrictive...) and a drysuit with some warm and moisture wicking clothing underneath.

Drysuit seems a bit more appealing, and maybe less restrictive too, since they seem to have a "baggy fit", but I've never worn one so I have no idea.

I would like to ask for some comments and discussion about the right gear for cold water/weather standup riding.

Would love to hear any recommendations you guys may have regarding suits their flexibility and comfort and maybe warm gloves and shoes as well.

Basically I'm clueless and looking for some ideas from those who have the experience...

Much appreciated!
 
Mdavies_02

Mdavies_02

Location
Stouffville, Ontario
I just picked up a 4/5mm Billabong Foil for early spring riding here in Ontario Canada. Picked up 5mm boots and 2mm gloves so I will post up my feedback once I get in the water. I agree with any thicker being restrictive, as 4/5mm is pushing already and I haven't used it yet.

Check out King of Watersports if your looking to buy online. Someone recc. them off the forums and I had great success.

https://www.kingofwatersports.com/category.do

Here is a picture of a co-worker surfing the great lakes at -25*C with wind chill. He rocks a 4/5/6, booties,mitts and hood. Hope I never look like that.IMG_0550.JPG
 
Christian_83

Christian_83

Xscream
Location
Denmark
I had a drysuit (Gill, with full feet or socks) and latex wrist sleeves. It was not that nice, because WHEN water came in, it stayed in.Last year i bought a GUL VIPER w fixed hood and chest entry 6/5/4 streamer or winter wet suit. This is the chit, very nice and VERY warm, tested it in 0 deg C water, perfect. Very nice suit. the chest entry is the chit :)But bottom line, a warm winter wet suit over a dry suit any day of the week
 
Little_Franny

Little_Franny

Location
Cape May Court House, NJ
Water temps been around 38 f here and I have been riding pretty much every weekend with a 3/2 suit, 7 mm boots, 1.5 mm gloves, handwarmers and no hood, only time I get cold is if the air temp drops below 25 and the wind picks up over 15 mph. I have also been called a lunatic.
 
J

JustMarc

Are 3 or 5mm neoprene gloves too much? I guess one better have a few different sets around for quick swaps should things get cold...
 
tipafew

tipafew

Location
Grand Rapids, MI
I don't typically ride below 40 degree air temp and 40 degree water temp. I have both a 4/3 wet suit and a dry suit. By far for aggressive riding I like the wet suit. However, it is really nice to be totally dry on the extra cold days. It doesn't sound like you are dealing with temps quite as cold as me so I think the 4/3 might be a good option. If you are training and running bouys you will be staying plenty warm.

I just run water ski gloves with my warm engine water spraying on them. My fingers never get cold.
 
Tyrant1919

Tyrant1919

Site Supporter
Location
Washington, DC
Agree with the 4/3 option. I have a cheapo 4/3 full wetsuit. 1.5 mm gloves. And 5mm booties w/Converse All Stars over them. I can ride in 60* temps all day. If it's windy, my hands and face get a bit cold. But still doable.
 
OCD Solutions

OCD Solutions

Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
Location
Rentz, GA
There is one little caution that I feel I should add to this conversation. I used to start riding every spring in my drysuit for the first couple weeks and then switch to a Slippery LTD suit that had 2/3/4mm panels in it. There were times I was just as comfortable in the wetsuit as I was the drysuit.

That is until the day I broke down in the middle of the lake with nobody else on the water. I had to swim my ski in and it took over an hour. While I was more than warm enough riding, the wetsuit would not have sustained my body temps for that length of time fully submerged. My drysuit saved my life that day. Even in the suit, I was starting to get cold near the end.

Just like any other cold weather survival situation, dress for the worst. Especially if you are alone on the water.
 
Freakrider

Freakrider

X247
Location
Tampa Bay area
Little_Franny said:
Water temps been around 38 f here and I have been riding pretty much every weekend with a 3/2 suit, 7 mm boots, 1.5 mm gloves, handwarmers and no hood, only time I get cold is if the air temp drops below 25 and the wind picks up over 15 mph. I have also been called a lunatic.
Click to expand...
Wow insane ! You don't fall much right ?
 
Harbor

Harbor

Location
Stockton
Surfing suit, 5/4/3 with built inhood and chest entry for the very cold days for me. But in Norcal even surfing I hardly use it, its got to be a projected high of 45F for the day before i even think about it. Most of the time i ride and surf with a 4/3
 
makejetskiinggreatagain

makejetskiinggreatagain

Brandon
I use a 4/3. Last time I rode was two weekends ago. It was 3 days after ice off, the air was 40 degrees, it had snowed the day before, and there was new ice forming at the edges of the lake. I was fine for an hour+ of riding but like OCD said if I would have had to spend more than twenty minutes in the water I could have likely died. I stay close to shore at all times in that situation so it's all good for me. Something to consider. Also, do the hand warmer mod.
 
blaster800

blaster800

Location
sunbury ,ohio
I was luckey enough to score a full gortex Dysuit on ebay <$150 for my cold water rides . all I can say is Gortex is the way to go, even your sweat will migrate thru the suit out to the water . peel off the suit after the ride and drive home in whatever you wore under the suit without being wet . I cant say enough about Gortex .
 
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