They say it does not provide a lot of cold protection, just keep you dry and wind proof, what you wear under will decide how warm will you be.

www.dropwatersports.com/blogs/news/5-reasons-to-choose-a-dry-suit-for-kiteboarding

Have you tried one in Perth (or Perth like winter weather)? My only concern is that it might be too hot even with minimal clothing in Perth winter (temperature of water around 18 C, air lets say between 8-18 C depending if it is a morning or day session).

These days I am mostly foiling - move less compared to twintip sessions, gets pretty cold if you don't work your muscles much. The idea of staying dry sounds appealing, my wetsuit never dries between sessions winter time.

Hope to hear from people using dry suits, not opinions of people who never tried them :-)

I had one years ago for Melbourne winter, cost a fortune used it about 4 times before the latex seal on the foot tore . You have to wear something under it to keep warm l used a tracky if memory serves me correctly. The worst thing for me was after a session you didn't feel refreshed just sticky and sweaty it was horrible. It ended up in the tip.

A 3 mm wettige is probably all you'll need , maybe with some booties and a cap covering your ears if you feel the cold. The coldest place I find is the river, the ocean is normally fine for just a wetsuit.

A 3 mm wettige is probably all you'll need , maybe with some booties and a cap covering your ears if you feel the cold. The coldest place I find is the river, the ocean is normally fine for just a wetsuit.

I wouldn't recommend them, dry suits get really hot inside and are fairly delicate. I've used one in 6 degree water but they are not comfortable, as above hot and sweaty (and smelly). Also don't piss in your dry suit (not a personal experience, just advice from a bloke I knew who dived in them).
For Perth "warmth", if you want a dry wettie, get two identical wetsuits and alternate sessions in them.

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balsa said..
I had one years ago for Melbourne winter, cost a fortune used it about 4 times before the latex seal on the foot tore . You have to wear something under it to keep warm l used a tracky if memory serves me correctly. The worst thing for me was after a session you didn't feel refreshed just sticky and sweaty it was horrible. It ended up in the tip.

Does not sound like a good idea then. All forums talk about Ocean Rodeo Soul dry suit as much better than other ones, breathing material, designed specifically for water sports etc. is it possible that the dry suits are much better than the one you had few years ago?

Good fitting and good flexibility can make a light wetsuit quite efficient, especially if you wear thermal-wear type vest under it... I've used merino wool vest under a 3/2 suit for diving in cool waters with good effect. (Wool retains thermal properties when wet, maybe other polypropylene type thermals also good??.) Also a 2mm hooded vest under the suit is great if you don't mind wearing a hood, as it prevents water entering around your neck.

Neoprene hoodie like this one could cut the windchill down for you.
www.ion-products.com/water/men/tops/jackets/neo-shelter-jacket-core/

Or a sailing jacket.

There's a reason almost everyone where's a wetsuit.Ive kited in New Zealand in near zero air temperatures and still not needed a dry suit. You live in Perth, it really does not get cold in Perth.

I use a dry suit (though not in Perth). Personally, your temperatures are just at or above the temperature I find them useful.

I rate mine as similar to a 5mm wetsuit in temperature. So if you are too hot in a 5mm wetsuit, you are likely to be too hot in a drysuit. For me its more about the flexibility and convenience (start warm-end warm, quicker and easier to put on and off, less stinky, can carry non waterproof items inside - phone/car keys etc). For foiling you might be alright though. You'll generate less body heat than on a twin tip and they do cool rapidly if you dunk in the water every now and then.

They do require high levels of maintenance though. Treating seals at the beginning and end of season, rinse off at end of each session to keep breathability of the fabric working, full wash occasionally and whilst they do dry quickly, you need to make sure you have air circulating to keep the mildew at bay during wet weather.

I really like my drysuit but I reckon for your circumstances, a wetsuit dryer like a hang air or blawesome would be cheaper and more appropriate. I use my 3mm wetsuit down to about 12c air temperature and it'll be dry by the next morning with a hang air.

3x2 wetsuit should be sufficient in Perth. If your hands get cold, stop and do some "windmill rotations " for a few minutes. Get a neoprene beanie. Take it from a transplanted Canadian, this is really not that cold. I sold my drysuit within the first week of "winter" in Perth.

Thanks for your comments weebitbreezy, perhaps I should give it a miss after all but still not sure.

We have easterlies during winter mornings and it would be around 6-10 C at 6 am sunrise session. I use 4/3 wetsuit, I have a kayaking jacket on top (I don't like wearing my neoprene cap and would hate a neoprene hood even more).

It is ok to use what I have for twintip or sb but Winter mornings typically have enough wind for the foil only. Normally I would go for 2-2.5 hrs each session as It takes me 40 min drive one way but on foil I have enough after one hr on a cold winter morning. The concept of wearing light clothing and staying dry and warm sounds appealing but it might be too warm. I don't like being cold but would hate being sweaty even more.

Thanks for letting me know about the wetsuit dryers - was not aware something like this exists, should get one of these for sure!

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shred said..
3x2 wetsuit should be sufficient in Perth. If your hands get cold, stop and do some "windmill rotations " for a few minutes. Get a neoprene beanie. Take it from a transplanted Canadian, this is really not that cold. I sold my drysuit within the first week of "winter" in Perth.

I lived in Winnipeg for few years, I know all about cold :-)

3x2 wetsuit is good for sb or twintip but not for 2 hrs long winter foil session at 6 am.

Totally understand about foiling being much cooler. Might be worth having a look at one of those neoprene rigging jackets as well. They can be really good at keeping your core warm which is why you see the instructors in cold climates wearing them (those guys basically spend their time stood waist deep in water not doing much to create warmth). That way you could wear it for the cold sessions and take it off when its warmer.

but can you pee in a drysuit? that is the question. or is it dutch oven

get a decent 4/3 or 5/4 like oniel psyco, prolimit mercury or patagonia r4. Chuck a thermal top underneath, some booties, open palm mittens and a hood thats what i use here in scotland in the winter sessions where there is snow still about. to be fair i last about an hour n a half on the foil before hands are frozen. i avoid using thick gloves as i get arm pump.

loads of people use dry suits here but imo they are expensive, lots of maintenance and tbh only really suitable in extreme cold. apart from jan-feb-march (our winter) they are just too warm... so thats like above 4-5deg c air temp. and 6 deg C water temp.

when i was riding pt walter in morning eastier my 3/2 was fine.....i would avoid if i were you as you wont get ur monies worth.

+1 for the outter jacket that will help more with windchill.

By the way, have O'Neil psycho - or hyper freak (whatever is the top of the line) - absolute crap, stretched a lot in few months, seams leaking everywhere, close to $800 down the drain (if I remember the price correctly).

Bought Need Essentials- top of the line was only $300, way better than O'Neil, don't waste your money on O'Neil is my advice.

A few years ago while having health issues I was really feeling the Vicco Winter Cold in just the 4/3, so I grabbed a Thermalution Heated Vest would kite or surf for an hour and when the chills set in turn it on and get another hour or more in total comfort. Core was warm so no need for booties, hood or gloves. Dont use it anymore but was great thats in Air Temps from 4-11C and Water around 11C

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Swavek said..
By the way, have O'Neil psycho - or hyper freak (whatever is the top of the line) - absolute crap, stretched a lot in few months, seams leaking everywhere, close to $800 down the drain (if I remember the price correctly).

Bought Need Essentials- top of the line was only $300, way better than O'Neil, don't waste your money on O'Neil is my advice.

Don't know how you paid 800 for a wetsuit?? I think I paid 200-300 for my 4/3 O'Neill superfreaks and they lasted years.

Despite wanting to support a core no-frills brand I've heard Need are crap.

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Peahi said..

Swavek said..
By the way, have O'Neil psycho - or hyper freak (whatever is the top of the line) - absolute crap, stretched a lot in few months, seams leaking everywhere, close to $800 down the drain (if I remember the price correctly).

Bought Need Essentials- top of the line was only $300, way better than O'Neil, don't waste your money on O'Neil is my advice.

Don't know how you paid 800 for a wetsuit?? I think I paid 200-300 for my 4/3 O'Neill superfreaks and they lasted years.

Despite wanting to support a core no-frills brand I've heard Need are crap.

Here is one for $700. When I got mine it was 'a new thing' - paid even more. Not making it up mate, I am not related to any brand, just my observation based on two products I bought one after the other.

Another option is using a lavacore suit as an inner. Its like a full length rashie with fleece on the inside.

I found one in a thrift store and cut it down into a shortie. Worked really well under my 5mm when do multi night dives mid winter in the Swan River.

www.lavacoreinternational.com/

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Swavek said..
Anyone tried drysuit for Perth winter kiting?

No. Kiters and windsurfers in Perth have used about a 3x2 wettie for decades. OMG, grow a pair.
Or do u mean Perth in Scotland?

Now we see you spent $800 on a wettie and are bagging it. I think the whole thread is a sh!tstir.

My base model 3x2 (back zip thing ) is fine for perth winter 25-35kn storm windsurfing so you will be fine without a $800 wettie, or drysuit. Petal.
I used my 3x2 (back zip thing) in Esperance 15yrs ago, 19deg water 14deg air, 30kn, hail. I didn't die. Or feel the need to post about it. It wasn't ideal but I didn't die.

So, in summary. Next time you feel cold, just think about all the tough forum posters (they probably walked to school barefoot in the snow in Alice Springs as well). Thinking about their toughness will instantly make you warm and comfortable, apparently.

Perth petals indeed.

try 10deg water, sub teen temps, mid winter, 20-30+kn northerlies wind chill factor near zero. 4/3 O'NEILL wetsuit plus hoodie and booties sufficient to be out for hours. Some even kite barefoot and beanie. Wind jacket if you move very little.

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Mark _australia said..

Swavek said..
Anyone tried drysuit for Perth winter kiting?

No. Kiters and windsurfers in Perth have used about a 3x2 wettie for decades. OMG, grow a pair.
Or do u mean Perth in Scotland?

Now we see you spent $800 on a wettie and are bagging it. I think the whole thread is a sh!tstir.

My base model 3x2 (back zip thing ) is fine for perth winter 25-35kn storm windsurfing so you will be fine without a $800 wettie, or drysuit. Petal.
I used my 3x2 (back zip thing) in Esperance 15yrs ago, 19deg water 14deg air, 30kn, hail. I didn't die. Or feel the need to post about it. It wasn't ideal but I didn't die.

right on the money.

Thank you for your valueable comments you tough kitesurfers with big balls, I will try to grow some.

I don't see many of you foiling at sunrise during July-August, and most people I see pack after 40 minutes of kiting (beacuse they are cold).

My question was about foiling at sunrise during winter - If you have not done this you don't qualify to provide advice.

By the way, derogatory jokes about gay people are out of fashion - grow up rednecks

Bought a Need 4/3 for winter foiling,best wetsuit I've tried.Pair of good booties,gloves with a quality wetsuit should get the job done.

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dwilson said..
Bought a Need 4/3 for winter foiling,best wetsuit I've tried.Pair of good booties,gloves with a quality wetsuit should get the job done.

This is what I used in the past (minus booties and gloves) - pretty good but maybe drysuit is better? Bought Kokatat Gortex drysuit - supposed to be really breathable and working well for kitesurfing - will report end of winter if I wasted a load of cash or 'discovered' a better way

Spoke to Ben from Unhooked Watersports Port Kembla NSW who uses dry suits all the time during winter and he is happy with it, it should work in Perth winter time as well.

Dry suit was the worse purchase ever, you sweat horribly and you need to wash all your clothes after 10mn as it stinks from sweat, just buy a normal wetty, it is cheaper and 1000 time better.
I wish I didn't throw it in the bin when I moved , I would have happily donated then you would have been the one disposing??????

I will be the one disposing mine if it does not work - was yours made of goretex?

Goretex material makes a big difference - I rather get wet from rain than wear a rain jacket made of a non-breathing material and get sweaty.

Anyway, my Kokatat goretex dry suit is coming - will post my honest review once I try it a few times.

It is nice to see that all 'contiributions' from the user name 'Doctor' got deleted - I am not the one who complained, sombody must have... Or the moderator watches over and delete them (some of my posts above don't make sense now as they were replies to posts already deleted).

Trolls and redneck posts do not encourage new members and and some users hold back from posting just to avoid being a target of a few 'bad apples' we have on this forum.