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DonORiordan
Joined: 06 Feb 2001 Posts: 146
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject: what to wear to cut down on windchill |
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I have a surfing wetsuit. Not a windsurf-specific wetsuit, but a surf-specific wetsuit. These are quite different, cos in surfing there is usually little-to-no wind to worry about. Windsurf suits on the other hand don't have a neoprene liner on the outside, they are lined on the inside only. The idea is to remove the outer liner which retains the water, and freezes your a$$ in high-wind situations Result is that the single lined windsurf wetsuits tend to shred/tear far more easily than double-lined surf suits. Which gets expensive, hence my choice of the surfing double-lined wetsuit (a lot more durable).
Now the question is....what about wearing some kind of shell outside the double lined suit when its really cold (and windy!) out there e.g. HMB in the winter. I often wear a thin shell to break the wind when I mountain bike, especially on long downhill sections in cold weather. Could I wear this outside my double lined suit? Or would it tend to
(a) get in the way
(b) retain water thus making me even colder
(c) make it hard/impossible to waterstart etc
(d) anything else you can think of?
I'm hoping that a waterproof treated (waxed, oiled, whatever) thin shell/cover over a double lined suit will compensate for the windchill factor a bit. Curious in hearing some real opinions on this
All of this of course is in addition to booties, a hood, etc, which I wear also.
But its the "how to turn your double lined suit into a single lined suit" problem that I'm focusing on...?
No smart ass replies about me being a wimp please....lets try to solve the engineering problem here. |
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carl
Joined: 25 Feb 1997 Posts: 2674 Location: SF bay area
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, that works quite well.
I wear a waterproof sailing shell over a regular 4/3. The shell has a neopreme gasket at the waist and cuffs with a waterproof nylon body.
Water still leaks in a little but it also easily drains out. It has the look of a drysuit and some of the function without the tight neck seal. A neo vest under the wetsuit also helps keep the water out of the zipper. The combo is pretty darn warm. No problem waterstarting or when sailing.
The sailing shell can be had at Murrays or probably West Marine. |
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jp5
Joined: 19 May 1998 Posts: 3394 Location: OnUr6
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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"No smart ass replies about me being a wimp please...."
Smart ass replies??? us?? Shirley you gest... |
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swchandler
Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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I wear surf wetsuits too, and realize that standing around in the wind can be trying, to say the least. The best thing to do is stay active, assuming that you have sufficient energy and hydration, so that the insulation properties of your protection is optimised. It must be remembered that surfsuits can keep a surfer warm with a greater direct exposure to the water, even while hanging for the sets. Needless to say, activity still is the source for core warmth and the ability to sustain your session.
One thing that can work to your advantage is a liner inside the wetsuit. I'm not too sure of the fabric type, but it's a synthetic that isolates well and wickes off moisture, and also it isn't so prone to mildew or the "classic wetsuit stink" when not religiously washed after each use. The extra thickness involved, and ultimately the greater warmth associated with material, this kind of extra apparel can provide a very notable advantage. |
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coolmtnbiker048
Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 372 Location: California
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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I've never used one windsurfing, but I think it might work pretty well over a wetsuit to break the wind. |
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windoggi
Joined: 22 Feb 2002 Posts: 2743
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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say "break the wind" with a straight face. |
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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I have shells like those (from NRS), but they're spendy, as in $175-$250. OTOH, Walmart sells a two-piece top-and-bottom "exercise suit" touted to help weight lifters sweat (stupid concept, but people actually wear them). Elastic at all the openings, wind-proof, and, the best part ... $14.50. See it at http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8056491 .
\m/ |
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FredBGG
Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 725
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:25 pm Post subject: |
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Do yourself a big favor and get yourself the Oneil heavy thermal rash guard and thermal short. They are a bit pricy, but they really keep you warm. I have them and use them for kitesurfing, dirt biking in the snow and mountain biking. They are designed to keep you warm and they also drain the water or sweat off your skin.
Cheers
Fred |
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sergem
Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 398
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:01 am Post subject: |
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I wear poly fleece top and shorts (hyperflex from ebay) under O'Neill Psycho II (surfer suit), and in combination with full hood and 3mm booties, it is hot.
You can even try going barefooted in south storm, like I did last Thursday, realizing that I forgotten booties.
my 2c
Last couple of times it worked at:
Coyote 12/26/2007
HMB - 1/3/2008 |
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jp5
Joined: 19 May 1998 Posts: 3394 Location: OnUr6
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:25 am Post subject: |
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On really cold days I will wear a Depends under my O'neil 4/3 surfsuit. It helps keep my junk warm. |
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