New Wetsuit

[LSUkiter]

Its time for me to get a new wetsuit since my current one's near dead from years of diving(and I may have gained some weight). From searching the forum, it seems like 3/2 is the preferred thickness for our area but I still have a coupla questions. I'm considering getting both a shorty and a full suit since I dive, snorkel, and now kite, I can use both. Would you guys go for 3/2 in the shorty and 4/3 in the full, or stick with same thickness for both? Keep in mind I'm a newb, still finishing up my lessons, so I'll be spending plenty of time in the water instead of on the board through the rest of the cold weather. Also, I'm not quite that hardcore yet, so I won't be out in anything too crazy cold. I'm not quite at the level to control a kite through shivers.

My other question is, searching the threads, pretty much everybody recommends a different brand or particular suit. Can anyone recommend some shops to check out different wetsuits. I've been to WSW and checked out what they have, but before buying I wanted to check out a couple other of the brands I've read about that they don't carry, so I can decide what I like best. I dont want to just order something off the internet and have to send it back because it doesn't fit me well

Thanks in advance,
Richard

My view on suits is it's better to overdo it a tad. You can always fall in and to cool off. Once you're cold though, you are cold.
I wear a 4/3 and I wear a steamer top underneath. That top underneath is the deal maker. Without it, I get cold, with it, I am totally warm.
I also wear a hoodie gig when it's sub 60. Without it, my head gets real cold and that's where you lose a lot of heat.

I can't imagine only wearing a 3/2 full. That's me. Let's see what the others guys say.

[Chad085]

i currently only have a 3/2, and sometimes it's just not enough. I will say, however, that if you wear gloves, booties and a hood you will be as warm as you possibly can be in a 3/2. I'll be getting a 4/3 or maybe even a 5/3 in the near future and probly one of those kick-ass Gill windbreakers too. Just talking about this makes me cold, can't wait to 'trunk it in a nice spring seabreeze

[Steve-O]

I think if your gonna get a full, a 4/3 is the way to go, so when it does get really cold your covered. I have talked to some guys lately who are wearing a wind breaker pullover to help keep the chill off from the wind. Wetsuits are really designed for underwater use, but with the introduction of slick skin technology that can also help insulate against the wind. However, I have seen these slick skin suits not hold up so well over time. The rubber gets dry and cracks, and are just not as durable as straight up neoprene.

My advice is invest in something that really stretches as 4/3 tend to be a bit inflexible. On those really nutty cold days, wear a wind breaker over the top and you would be surprised the difference it makes in your warmth.

We have been carring these pullover tops by Gill that are really designed for sailors, but have been getting really good feedback. Hell, they can make a 3/2 feel a lot better.

Just some thoughts.

[pebbles]

4/3 works for most cool days for me. Check out the Neilpryde website for fit.

They have alot of different measurements. I ordered mine from Darryl and he said just pick my size online and let him know. 2 days later I had my perfect sized wetsuit. So much easier than trying on wetsuits!

Later

pebbles

I failed to mention the slick skin and the flexibility of the suit, like Steve mentioned. I wouldn't even bother getting a suit without both. It might add some to the cost, but man, it's worth it, imo.

Before the flexible material came out, I use to fatigue really fast, even just pumping up the kite. It was ridiculous.
The slick skin makes a huge improvement on keeping the wind from blowing thru the neoprene.

[toby wilson]

I hear the Mystic suits are kick @$$. I personally am fine in the $40.00 3/2 I bought used at a dive shop in the Keys with a top underneath in most conditions. I probably need to upgrade to a nicer 4/3 but just don't really get out all that much on the SUPER cold days. The frozen fingers and face just really isn't worth it to me. But when I do go out on those cold days I make sure to bring along my hoodie top and neoprene gloves just like the others have said on here.