Im in the same boat.
I have been shown a couple of NP ones at Windsurfnsnow in Sydney that look and feel quite toasty. Will be getting one.
Im sure someone else will pipe up soon.

windwarrior blastshield is toasty warm

wife got me a full length rashie from a Dive shop that does the trick for me

Krusty said...

Get something with a metalic linning on the inside, this allows you to use a really thin material and still keep warm as your body heat is reflected back via the metallic linning. Most wetsuit brands have somthing like this and there usually avaliable for less than $100.

yeah i got 1 of these and recon their pretty good, good insulation and not bulky so an easy fit under a wetsuit...in summer a good rashy on its own...good option if you want to layer..

I've seen those rashie type vests with a "hoodie" attached in some surf shops and wondered how they might go. Agree with DavMen though...I had a NP beanie until a few weeks ago (until I lost it on the water), but I swear it made a huge difference to how warm I felt on the water. I actually had to take it off from time to time to cool down. If anyone has used or uses those rashies with hood attached I'd be keen to hear how you find it. I'd get another beanie but worried it will come off again in the water.

Thanks for the info all.

Looked on the windwarrior web site - if I could only access their website???

Radiator vest.

http://www.radiator.net/general/shop.aspx?option=products&type=1

They are pretty pricey though. I think I will look for a cheaper alternative when this one has had it.

I use a short sleeve one under my 3x2 cheapie Adrenalin wettie and add a cheapie 1mm Adrenalin sleeveless tank top vest at this time of the year. I would rather just get a new $100 wetsuit every year or so than spend $300-500 on a fancy one that will be stuffed from neoprene deterioration in a couple of years anyhow.

www.landandsea.com.au/Home_page/catalogue.html

I also wear my thick Neoprene Buoyancy/Weight vest in cold winter storms even if I have no weight in it. It's amazing heat retention having an extra 15mm or so of insulation around the chest, and if you have to sink in the water to do a waterstart it often helps stop my head from going under.

Thick 5mm booties and insulated helmet complete the winter outfit.

Windwarrior is the go
Got one for my lean & mean young fella and got a thumbs up

Triple X rash/wettie shirts are awesome. 1mm shirt equals 2mm standard. Cannot go wrong with them. Aussie too. triplex.com.au - i think. ive got two of their suits, a rashie/wettie shirt and one of their hoodies which are great. Totally covered from warm down to 12 degree water. Worth a look