wetsuit or dry suit

brad_layin_low · Criminal Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 50 City: walnut ridge

hey i live here in arkansas and im would like to know everyones opinion on which suit i should get. the water temp is about 45-50 degrees and the air temp is about on average 60 degrees. i cant decide on which one to get and what mm i should get in a wetsuit. im ready to go boarding now cause i cant stand to wait any longer. so what should i get that will keep me warm. thanks everyone

SexyWS6Mama · Outlaw Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 150 City: Killeen

I have worn both (wetsuit and drysuit) and if the water is that cold, I would wear the dry suit. IMO We have the Oneill drysuit and it's a lifesaver on cold water; but wear sweats underneath it!

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

You'll need a drysuit or 5mm thick wetsuit for that water temp. I've always used a drysuit and it's been good, but it's kind of bulky. I've heard others like the wetsuit better but I've never tried one.

Water 60 or higher and you can go to a 2 or 3mm wetsuit and be fine. Loser than 60 degrees and you'll be freezing your ass off.

I just rode last week in 53 degree water with my drysuit on (sweatpants and a t-shirt) and was comfortable. Even a little warm at times.

LFADAM · Posted: Mar 23, 2010 3:45 pm Post subject:

Wakebrad, 5mm?! Ill be the first to admit im not a wetsuit expert but that seems super thick. Ive ridden a 2mm shorty in 50-55 water and been pretty cold but I survived. This weekend my friend rode in 50 something degree water with a lower end Oneill 3/2 and said he was fine. I feel like for 45-50 a 4/3 would be nice and warm.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

LFADAM, 5mm is thick! I've worn one before while white water rafting in New Zealand. Seemed fairly comfortable

I don't know, maybe it was 4mm. JasonSSR is the one that says he likes thick wetsuits over drysuits. But I can definitely tell you that below 60 degrees, you will be cold to quite cold in a 3mm. Maybe a 4/3 would work or a 4.

Most people go drysuit for that temp.

Some people will say this or that will work, but I want to be comfortable when I ride. If I'm worried about falling so I don't have to wait in the cold water it's going to mess with my riding. If your muscles are tight from being cold it's going to throw you off.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

For the record I have a drysuit, a 3/2 heater top and 3mm heater pants for various temperatures. Air temps make a big difference too.

texaswakerep · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 138 City: Hattiesburg

For that temp, I'd say drysuit with warm clothes underneath. I've worn a 6mm dive suit wakeboarding before, and I'd say its more comfortable than my drysuit...but the drysuit is easier to get on and off. Wetsuits (especially long sleeve/long pant) can be tedius to get on and off, and drysuits are a little easier. The thicker the wetsuit, the warmer but less flexibility. One of the things that has helped me stay warm more than anything else is wearing neoprene socks inside of my older stretched out closed toe bindings.....huge difference.

I'm with wakebrad, you need options for various temps. A good set of options would be a drysuit, 3/2 full, heater top, Jet pilot crown jewels/gamechanger, & don't forget the neoprene socks. Best of luck

STANG KILLA SS · Posted: Mar 24, 2010 6:54 am Post subject:

for that temp drysuit.

brad_layin_low · Criminal Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 50 City: walnut ridge

thanks alot everyone for the info.

mala1967 · Outlaw Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 155 City: Pepper Pike

we were just riding with 49 air and 55 water using the new O'Neill psycho 2 and we were fine. it is more of a semi dry suit i was amazed how little water got in. the hands and feet got a little cold after 15-20 mins

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Mar 25, 2010 12:02 pm Post subject:

If you've decided on getting a dry suit, the best deal I could find was the oneill boost suit. I just picked one up for a hair under 400 bucks. I'll be riding it this sunday if you want a direct review. Be careful when choosing a size though, dry suits are very different. I have super broad shoulders and a big chest for my size (44 inches). I'm 5' 7'' and I weigh 190 lbs. I ended up going with the large and I think it's going to be perfect (i think a medium would have screwed me big time in the shoulder width).

Gonna be riding in 39 degree water this sunday (50 air temp), I'll let you know how it goes if you're interested Smile

Jensen · Posted: Mar 25, 2010 8:41 pm Post subject:

Picking up a o'neill boost drysuit tomorrow, only been used four times and picking it up for only 150! stoked! hopefully the xxl fits tall people. Will chime in tomorrow to post how it fits.

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Mar 26, 2010 3:18 am Post subject:

dude just so you know, that suit is going to be ridiculous big around. I was told the XL was ridiculous big.. basically for football players only. But if you're super tall maybe you need it. Anyway you cut it, you're probably giong to be able to fit 3 people in it.

Great price though Smile

brad_layin_low · Criminal Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 50 City: walnut ridge

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Mar 26, 2010 4:36 pm Post subject:

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Mar 28, 2010 4:52 pm Post subject:

dude I rode it today. That. Suit. Is. The. Bomb. It was 39 water temp, 45 and overcast and breezy - *HORRIBLE* conditions and I felt just fine in the water. I slid in from the swim deck and I kept waiting for it to hit me, and it never did.

I wore 2 pair of thinner sweat pants (picked up cheapies at wal-mart) and a t-shirt and a sweatshirt underneath.

In addition I was wearing neoprene socks inside closed toe bindings (which helped a ton I think) in addition to some ski gloves. Everything is fine until you fall and get your head wet. You basically get a ridiculous brain freeze every time you fall.

Oh and if we were riding into the wind after a fall the windchill on my face was too much, it gave me another brain freeze so I had to stop. I actually just got back in the boat and dried my face off as best I could and got back in and it was fine. I think I'm just going to get a neoprene hood and I can ride in basically the most disgusting conditions known to man.

Anyways the suit is great, just try to get one that fits you right. The built in suspenders are sweet for after wards. Cheers man, you'll love the suit. I'm already loving the fact that I basically doubled my riding season by buying that suit. One of the best investments of my life.