Most 4/3's aren't that cold in the water. The major issue is when you are out of the water and you get the wind chill. i.e. you fall, get wet, carry on riding. The big thing that improves that is the rubberised outer coating (I think they call it a semi-dry) which effectively stops the wind blowing through the wetty. The con's to the outer coating is that the wetty doesn't last as long because the coating is more brittle.

If you look at the wetsuit pages, you'll notice the rubberised ones generally have a slightly colder rating, around 5 degrees better off.

We used to kite while there was snow on the mountain's. Rubberised ones (from experience) are way better if you're worried about the cold.

This is the rubberised


This only has the rubberised on the chest

A fully seam sealed suit is going to make all the difference for you rather than 5/3 vs 4/3 if your doing tricks and getting dunked in the drink.

It's annoying when water gets up your legs which is where those ankle ties the NPX suits have would be handy or if your rocking boots you won't have that problem.

My kiting sessions in the thick of winter only last as long as I can put up with the cold hands, feet and ice cream headaches anyway.

mystic 5/3 it is! Anyone else looking for one can get one from kitepower geelong. cheers fellas

lostinlondon said...

If you can afford it, get a Mystic dry suit, like a one piece snowboard suit. A kiwi guy I used to ride with at Hayling island in the UK had one for early Spring and Late Autumn (about the same as middle of winter here)

The main issue I have is my hands, they get too cold too fast and I can't grip the bar with gloves on (muscles in forearms start screaming)

I've got the mystic dry. Because your core body is so warm you don't feel the cold on your hands and feet as badly. Probably something to do with blood flow.