Hey Bandit50
I own gloves, booties and a hood, its good to try some on for sure (all the ones I got can be found at onboard)
These are the gloves I use:
this is the hood i wear:
and these are the booties:
I have to say, I love all of m for their own reasons. I tend to get cold quickly so I like to be prepared. besides kiting I also like to try and surf, so sometimes expose myself to some pretty cold conditions. E.g. ive surfed the waters around port macdonald in winter and they can be nothing short of freezing, though I live in adelaide so spend most of my time around here.
I found that the booties in the link do not feel bulky, I own a pair of flashbomb booties as well before I bought these, but the quicksilver ones to be less bulky without taking away comfort, protection from sharp objects or heat. In fact, the dipped neopreen prevents the booties from letting any water in as long as they fit quite snuggly. I love wearing them all winter and I don't really think that wearing them on a twintip is bad at all. I mean, feeling freezing or feeling warm and having fun is an easy choice. plus, as coast flyer said, they are great for extra grip when riding strapless.
The gloves I use mainly for surfing, as with paddling my fingers freeze and can't keep my fingers together properly (and paddling becomes very non-effective). However I have used them for kiting and they are nice and warm for that too, no problems with the wind chill etc.
think about it, when you get cold your extremities (so finger tops and toes) are the first things your body will decide to not keep warm to keep the more important parts of the body warm, which brings me to wetsuits.
There is actually a thread going in the newbie forum on this website asking about winter wetsuits. Have a browse through there.
For me, I own a springsuit, 3/2 and 5/3. Funny enough, my 5/3 is so damn flexible I almost prefer wearing it over my 3/2. I own a flashbomb and the inside being touch dry in 20 mins when it is hung up for a little while is awesome when you wanna go for a second session. I really wouldnt go back to anything else. I used to wear a 5/3 from a different brand which was very restrictive, and made paddling hell as it was so stiff, so it pays to do your research and try some on.
However, a 4/3 will be good for all year round in adelaide, I just get cold easy. Definitely would go chest zip over back zip though, whatever wetsuit you buy. I own both styles and the chest zip is so much warmer (less water that seems to get in)
In the end of the day the above is what suits me best, but what fits you best will be warmest.
so I reckon, how warm you are equals how much fun you are having and how long you can stay out. If people joke around stirring you up that you are dressed for arctic winter weather, who cares really.. You can stay out all day while others stop feeling their hands and feet and need to go in to warm up
Also, another thing to think about is something like having to do a deep water self rescue in the middle of winter, you will be spending a fair amount of time floating in the water, as well as body dragging if you are just starting. It is important you are able to keep your body warm for your own safety as well. Hypothermia is pretty serious but can be avoided by having the appropriate equipment for sure.
Either way stoked to see you are determined to make it work even in winter.
come say hello on the beach some time,
cya on the water!
Elise
