kite/wind/sailing wetsuits tend to have more of the smooth shiny type rubber on them to reduce windchill factor. this stuff also tends to snag a bit easier and get holes torn in it (but its not a huge issue).

to solve your water squirting problem, the easiest and simplest fix is a pair of socks that go up and over the ankle. this is just enough to deflect the water jet away from heading up your wettie. if you let it do that continually, the leg of your wettie will get stretched and fatigued quickly and die a long time before the rest of your wetsuit is stuffed.

I put drainage holes in my wetsuits near the ankles. Just heat a prong on the stove to seal the rubber. After about a year the hole gets bigger but it's a good short term fix

I find Windsurfing and Kitesurfing wetsuits more restrictive then surfing wetsuit but most of the wind and kite suits do have a Velcro seals at the legs. They also have a different material around the chest and back which should help with the wind chill factor but it also tears easily. (I havn't tried the latest model NPX'x or Mystic, they may have improved).
I had many different wetsuits over the years but warmth and flexibility wise the Rip Curl F-Bomb is absolutely awesome for winter kiting - except the price tag. The E-Bomb is thinner and therefore a bit more flexible but a lot colder.
Velcro straps do a good job at stopping the water from entering your legs.

jev7337 said...

iRideWainman said...

... purchase the ankle straps separately...

Didn't know that you can purchase the ankle straps seperately - who sells them?

its velcro mate. probably bunnings would be your first stop.

and just on the wetsuit debate... ie. warmth... i cannot express strongly enough to you, that when the crowds are tucked up for winter, and its you and 2 others, and you really dont care what you look like (if ever), science, personal experience and a whole load of other unarguables will tell you that a $30 hood will save you an astounding amount of body heat loss, more than an extra grand spent on the wetsuit will. So much so, to the point where the 10 minutes you are unrigging (having stupidly removed the hood) will be 10 minutes where you are going 'YOOOOW... it really IS cold!!!! what tha fkity fk fk gggg...chk ch chc ch...' and it being the coldest 10 minutes of your session.

my best season ever, was this past one... thats winter '10, and i put it largely down to the hood. (as my mate had identical new wetsuit, but no hoody, and was rugged up in the car after about an hour, and hooting the carhorn at me after 2 hours to get me to come in). enjoy. and bring on fkn winter...

I had an NPX assassin which the ankle strap broke on, I took it into SHQ and they gave me a new set of straps from a wetsuit of the rack - I'm assuming they order replacements from Neil Pryde, but I didn't specifically ask if they were sold separately; I'm just assuming...

Velcro works ok but it sucks to the extreme when you have your wettie around your ankles ... and you've forgotten to remove the velcro.

The best solution for cold weather is to wear booties and to tuck the legs of your wetsuit into the booties. No more water rushing up your leg and you have warm tootsies as well.

Add a hood and you are ready to go for epic winter sessions. A hood with a little brim is better. You can tilt your head so that the wind and rain is deflected off your face and you immediately feel warmer and more comfortable.

There is something particularly special about being out in really poor weather but being warm and comfortable and doing something fun. Good rubber and good conditions rock.

PS. My regular tip for cold weather sessions. Grab a 4-5 litre container, a few bucks from Bunnings or an old Coke bottle will do. Fill it with hot water and wrap your towel around it. It will keep the water warm for about 8 hours. When you have finished you can rinse down with warm water then dry off with a warm towel. Bliss!

craggers said...

Gorgo said...

Velcro works ok but it sucks to the extreme when you have your wettie around your ankles ... and you've forgotten to remove the velcro.

The best solution for cold weather is to wear booties and to tuck the legs of your wetsuit into the booties. No more water rushing up your leg and you have warm tootsies as well.

Add a hood and you are ready to go for epic winter sessions. A hood with a little brim is better. You can tilt your head so that the wind and rain is deflected off your face and you immediately feel warmer and more comfortable.

There is something particularly special about being out in really poor weather but being warm and comfortable and doing something fun. Good rubber and good conditions rock.

PS. My regular tip for cold weather sessions. Grab a 4-5 litre container, a few bucks from Bunnings or an old Coke bottle will do. Fill it with hot water and wrap your towel around it. It will keep the water warm for about 8 hours. When you have finished you can rinse down with warm water then dry off with a warm towel. Bliss!

Had me in stitches picturing the nearly naked bare arse pointed into an icy wind, and the realisation that your trying to piss with a franger on!!! ha ha ha!!! gold.

totally on your wavelength with the 'beating the elements' fun times. seems more illicit or tantalizing when you have snatched enjoyment from the jaws of miserable weather.

Its one of the reasons I love my drysuit so much. When you're sitting at Rosebud in miserable weather taking a 10 minute breather and you can see people huddling behind kites to keep themselves warm while you're toasty and warm standing in the open it brings a smile to your face. Not to mention watching people get out of wet wetsuits while they dry to quickly dry themselves while their skin turns blue from the cold wind and you climb out all dry (maybe a wet ankle if you got a little water up) and casually take your time getting into your clothes without catching hypothermia.

You could just use electrical tape instead of angle straps, it works and is cheap to

I have a Ion Strike 4/3 wetsuit (made by North). Has ankle straps, drain holes, padding etc, all specifically designed for kiteboarding. Can't really compare it to other brands as I have never owned any but I've been very happy with the Strike and how comfortable and flexible it is. They do a 5/3 as well.

Next purchase in preparation for winter will be a good hood (& booties). No secret that the head leaks heat like a volcano! Keep head and torso protected from the elements and you're laughing.

Compelling story about drysuits saffer. Might also be an option if still find myself out there in the very dead of winter.