If you hate wetsuits like I do you might just get off on this idea.
I tried it a few days back and it worked way better than I even imagined.
I hate long legs - filling up to elephant size with an extra 10kgs of water. I also hate the restriction of the thicker suit material.
So I decided for this year to go with a nice stretchy 2/2 Springy and combine it with undies of a Fleecy Rashie and a pair of "Skins".
You slide into the wettie easily with the 'Skins' and, being all 2/2, the top goes on easy as well.

It was AWESOME. Absolutely warm as for the whole session.
The fleecy rashy all but stops any water flow through the suit and the 'skins' stop any gripping of suit to flesh.
Took the top section of the wetty off at the end of the session to find an almost dry fleecy still cutting the wind and keeping me warm and covered (unlike a normal lycra rashie in the cold ).

I had long arm 'Fleecy' & long arm Springy. Im going to try a short arm 'Fleecy' option as the only downer was the arms were a bit bulky. If that doesnt work I'll try long arm Fleecy/short arm Springy?

If you think it sounds like an option for you I would strongly recommend trying it. In any case everyone should have a fleecy rashie.

Happy winter kiting. I'm know Im going to be a lot warmer & more comfortable than I ever was naked under my old 3/2.

Hey Puppet,

I've been using a micro fibre fleece short arm rashie for years under my 2/2 long arm springy. It rocks in all but the coldest days.

Just a little cheaper than a big name steamer

DM

Hi Big eeezeee,

I can't speak for Puppet and I'm sure he has his own brand, but I have been using the Ozone fleece rashie.

It traps a layer of water under your wetty against your skin. your body then warms the water, so it's like being wrapped in a body temperature bath whilst you kite. It works very well and is comfy. I haven't tried the long arm version for the reason Puppet outlined in his original post.

For mad warmth, the rashie under the steamer would be diabolically warm.

DM

I have a 4/3 Rip Curl Fireskin and it is lined with red fleece. It's super warm but takes ages to dry.

In recent years I have become a big fan of Radiator wetsuits. www.radiator.net

They're quite cheap and comfortable and quite warm for a 3/2.

The best thing is that they dry very quickly. They have smooth skin on the inside and you can wipe it dry if you need to.

I'll try adding my polypropylene thermal underwear to the Radiator and see how it goes.

I have also started wearing a neoprene beanie. It's nice and warm and a bit less constricting than a hood and visor. I got mine from ebay for $18.

I have the Quicksilver Cypher heat vest which I used last winter under my wetsuit.

Vest is 2mm thick with Infra Red gel like pack on the lower back.

2 x heat settings , rechargeable 2hr battery incorporated into heat controller.
Just operate by pressing button through your wetsuit.

Keeps you warm as toast , only really need to use it on the low setting in Perth.

Its not cheap but it is another option.

Surely I mentioned that "I wasnt sure what other rashie brands make 'fleecys' but that Woodys does have locally made West-suits in stock".
Looking around for other options at the moment as well.

Thanks Darren. I'm thinking short arm fleecy will probably be the ultimate combo as well.
And it doesnt have a lot to do with price. A good fleecy+2/2 will cost you around the same as equivalent quality 3/2.
For me cost is inconsequential to comfort - esp re cold water comfort.

A Flying Objects L/S 3/2 Steamer keeps me warm and comfy, they have velcro around the ankles that stops them from from filling with water.

Darren, going for a surf trip over east in july - bells beach etc, was wondering what wetty you would suggest including the fleece rashie (which I assume you stock), that I also could use back in perth kiting the winter stuff?

Cheers

eppo

AKSonline said...

Hi Big eeezeee,

I can't speak for Puppet and I'm sure he has his own brand, but I have been using the Ozone fleece rashie.

It traps a layer of water under your wetty against your skin. your body then warms the water, so it's like being wrapped in a body temperature bath whilst you kite. It works very well and is comfy. I haven't tried the long arm version for the reason Puppet outlined in his original post.

For mad warmth, the rashie under the steamer would be diabolically warm.

DM

eppo said...

Darren, going for a surf trip over east in july - bells beach etc, was wondering what wetty you would suggest including the fleece rashie (which I assume you stock), that I also could use back in perth kiting the winter stuff?

Cheers

eppo

I might just try to guess what Darren might suggest here seeing as I know he stocks the wetty I was just talking about earlier.

http://www.australiankiteboarding.com.au/index.php/Wetsuits-and-Rashies/Flying-Objects-Flux-L/S-Steamer/flypage.tpl.html

I bought mine from Airborne in Ossie Park but it's exactly the same, I used it over at Bells and down at Warnnambool earlier in the year for surfing/kiting.
I didn't need one but with a fleecy rashie under it would be toasty.

How did I go Darren?

Ok, my cloths for kiting and surfing sorted. Springy, micro fleece long sleave, and then good rashie and rubber hat optional.....should cover all weather I want to be in all year round.......dam don't have boardies.

The best thing is no kn full wet suite...I just hate them.

Don't forget the boardies over the top of the wettie. That's what keeps me goolies nice and toasty (90% of body heat is lost through the goolies FACT).

lurch said...

hack a bit of blubber off the whale thats just come in, stick it under a footy jumper and bung on a pair of stubbies.
Works for me

Will this approach work for one of the seals over on the island Lurch? or will you notice one missing?

So what I got from that Lurch was not to kite north point this week?

Ripcurl Fireskin, if your paying $550+ your paying 3! to 2 times too much or for the distributors new Mercedes, which is very kind of you in which case.

djdojo said...

Are these fleeces at all warm by themselves, as in significantly warmer than a regular rashie by itself, or do they need to be under a wetsuit to get the effect?

Hey djdojo
They are definitely warm++ all on their own.
When they first came into the shop I wore mine down the beach on a 28 deg day and was way too hot. Probably OK in the water at that temp. but uncomfortably warm as beach wear. Lycra rashie still the way to go when its hot.
But even slightly wet - from being inside the wetty - the other day it was warm as in the cold wind once the wetty was off.

I agree with the comment that by the time you buy a fleecy (they are $69 at Woodys as well), Skins (if you want them) and a 2/2 springy you will be paying around the same as a 3/2. Im just suggesting that this combo may be more comfy & warmer than the 3/2 option.

Not trying to say it will be for everyone but everyone should check these fleecys out. Under your wetty or under your hoody - whatever - I just reckon they are the real deal for winter. On or off the water. But just imo.

Agree too with comments on the Flying Objects wettys. Absolute quality at great value price. We checked all the brands and FO were a 'must have' standout. Stock coming in next week.

Darren Would the FO they be suitable for surfing or is the stretch in different places - i.e. I presume a kiting wetty wouldn't need the flexibility in the shoulders as much (for us mere mortals anyhow).

Be up soon to check them out if they can serve as a surfing wetty as well. Put a fleece rashy aside to if you could, defintiely getting one of those for cold bells beach!

AKSonline said...can they a

@ Puppet Price for the fleece is only $69.

@tightlines - You wanna job?

@eppo - What he said ^^^^^

@14nce - The FO Flux steamers use pretty much the exact same rubber and stitching GBS as the top brands. An FO 3/2 Steamer is $399 as opposed to $550-$599 for Oneill, Ripcurl, Billabong and Quicksilver. You're buying the name! [}:)]

The new FO wetties are also designed for kiting and poledancing unlike surf suits. They are pretty much the shizzle and definately the best value.

DM