Does anyone have recommendations for a vest / top to keep the chill away when kiting.

Not looking for a wetsuit but need something to keep my core warm and reduce the wind chill.

Only need it for the start/end of the summer seasons. I am getting old ??or soft ??so starting to feel the cold.

Thanks

Might want to google how a wetsuit keeps you warm.
A vest on its own like a impact vest etc would do sweet f all given that it still leaves all your arterys and blood flow exposed to the windchill etc

So just do what everyone else does buy a 1 or 2mm wetsuit top

Im a bit of a fan of the sharkskin or lavacore styles with woolen linings

If your wetsuit is not thermal lined then polypropylene or merino helps a bit. Polypro is very cheap but it gets a little bit stinky if you don't wash it properly from time to time.

Radiator do a 0.5m top that can help. There's Frogskins and any number of other additional wetsuit layers.

I am not a huge fan of adding layers to wetsuits. A 3mm with a 1m extra layer is not as warm as a 4mm. Even more so if the 4mm has thermal lining and liquid sealed seams.

Personally I consider a good wetsuit to be an essential piece of safety gear. You can be warm while you're blasting around but if you get stuck in the water then you're in trouble.

A windsurfer got rescued here recently. He had dislocated his shoulder and couldn't do anything to help himself. He had drifted downwind so nobody noticed he was in trouble. When he was rescued his core temperature was down to 30oC. Another half an hour in the water and his chances would not be good.

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I am not a huge fan of adding layers to wetsuits. A 3mm with a 1m extra layer is not as warm as a 4mm. Even more so if the 4mm has thermal lining and liquid sealed seams.

I believe the opposite; keeping the wind-chill out and having a really well-fitted and stretchy suit that doesn't allow a cold-water flush every time you go in the water is my choice. A merino vest under a springsuit or polypropylene suit /jacket is incredibly effective. Lavacore or similar polypropylene gear is very easy to wash and dry; dries quicker & lasts better than any neoprene gear I've ever had.

au.oneill.com/products/original-zip-through-wetsuit-jacket-black-3013003-a05


I wear this over my wetsuit. Stops the wind. Traps your body heat. Always feel toasty when wearing it.

These long sleeve wetsuit zip front jacket tops are the go www.kitepower.com.au/collections/wetsuits/products/mystic-majestic-2023-surf-jacket-l-s-2mm-fzip

I gave up on smooth skin wetsuits years ago. They tear and perish far too easily. Yes smooth skin does reduce the wind chill effect, but I think wind chill is a bit exaggerated when you're bashing around in the water.

I got tired of messing around putting on and taking off extra layers. All those titanium and polypro extra layers are just more stuff to deal with and they can compromise the fit of a good suit. Either struggling put on suits with extra layers underneath, or struggling to get the extra layers from over the top, as well as more stuff to wash and dry after a session.

I now have 6mm and 4mm hooded thermal wetsuits for the depth of winter. 3mm for the shoulder seasons, and 2mm for summer. I am never cold (maybe a bit on the toes).

Lots of wetsuit talk given he specifically said not...

+1 for the thin Radiator vest (i thought it was 1mm? )
It is absolutely the spot on thing for when the temp is halfway between springsuit or just boardies/rashie

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KPSS Used said..
These long sleeve wetsuit zip front jacket tops are the go www.kitepower.com.au/collections/wetsuits/products/mystic-majestic-2023-surf-jacket-l-s-2mm-fzip

OP was asking for a top, not a wetsuit. The Mystic ones are not smooth skin neoprene which gets damaged by fingernails and sunlight very easily. The Mystic ones are 2mm neoprene and lined with protective mesh on both sides.

That one is going home to Lennox with me. The zip just makes getting it one and off so much easier for us older farts and you can leave the zipper down a bit to expose your man cleavage too!

Regards

Steve

I use this one, works perfectly over a steamer, can stay out longer with less fatigue.., good on and off the water

You can waer this over a tshirt or rashie etc, basically what you need is a sailing / dingy performance top.

Slam products run large in size, so if you normally wear a large go for a medium.

Need Essentials have a few options starting from $80

This 1.5mm is sufficient for me, but they also have thicker versions if you want.

needessentials.com/collections/mens-wetsuits/products/1-5mm-pull-over-jacket

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

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Keaw Yed. said..
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Try a storm jacket,great for keeping the wind off ??

I got sick of my boardies and vest separating/twisting underneath my harness so I just run a 2mm long arm spring suit now. Bit overkill warmth wise but I find it way more comfy. I used to just run a normal spring suit but I got tired of having to sunscreen my arms and/or getting burnt.