Hi all,
so winter is coming here and last year I bought an absolutely horrid wetsuit which was a 5/4 boiler that let water in through the neck and in through seams on my tail end. Massive incentive to stay on the board. I have been looking at the water temp in Feb (when it is the coldest) get's to 12.4C (56.6F). I normally wear a 5/4 boiler, gloves that are cut out so it just covers the fingertips, no booties, a 2mm impact vest, and an added hoodie. The big question is a wetsuit with an included hood or just add a hood. Hood is essential as I get icecream headache otherwise, the water is not that bad but on a few occasions, we get a bit of snow which lowers the wind temp. Also, the wind gets up past 30knts so it's cold but fun.
I found that if I added a hood after putting on the wetsuit and then securing the ends under my impact vest, eventually it would break free and flap around. If I put the hood on and then the wetsuit over it then on a crash it would let more water into the wetsuit.
Does anyone own an all-in-one (wetsuit + hood) and do you like the setup?
Any recommendations on wetsuits would be very welcomed (maybe around the $300AUD mark --> am I dreaming)
87kg 192cm.
Thanks, everyone. And I just heard from mum that Sydney people have been released into the wild again, great news!!! Life sounds like it is getting back to "normal".

Usual set-up in the UK. built-in hoods are the way to go. (but nice if you can fold them down)
I use Xcel, and they are a great fit, but expensive new, so generally find a rarely used second hand one (last one seemed like it had been used about 3 times and was less than ?30).
If any suit fits badly, it will be awful, whatever the brand. In Europe there are brands such as Srface and need essentials which are cheaper but seem well made. Srface even allow you to use the suit and return for a refund if you don't like it.

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jontyh said..
Usual set-up in the UK. built-in hoods are the way to go. (but nice if you can fold them down)
I use Xcel, and they are a great fit, but expensive new, so generally find a rarely used second hand one (last one seemed like it had been used about 3 times and was less than ?30).
If any suit fits badly, it will be awful, whatever the brand. In Europe there are brands such as Srface and need essentials which are cheaper but seem well made. Srface even allow you to use the suit and return for a refund if you don't like it.

thanks jontyh, I will check them out. With most hooded wetsuits can you fold them down? And if you do is their still a seal around the neck to avoid water getting in?

My big tip is:

Wear Booties!!!

That makes more difference that just about anything else you have mentioned.

Second tip. Have a close look at, and talk to the other people who sail when and where you do.

Xcel hooded 4.5x5.5 is awesome, works in 4degree water when the airs around zero

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Henners said..

jontyh said..
Usual set-up in the UK. built-in hoods are the way to go. (but nice if you can fold them down)
I use Xcel, and they are a great fit, but expensive new, so generally find a rarely used second hand one (last one seemed like it had been used about 3 times and was less than ?30).
If any suit fits badly, it will be awful, whatever the brand. In Europe there are brands such as Srface and need essentials which are cheaper but seem well made. Srface even allow you to use the suit and return for a refund if you don't like it.

thanks jontyh, I will check them out. With most hooded wetsuits can you fold them down? And if you do is their still a seal around the neck to avoid water getting in?

all the ones i have used, yes, and seal is still ok, but obviously not as good as with the hood up.

I bit the bullet and spent the $$$ to get a Kokatat Hydrus 3.0 last winter. The nice thing about them is that you can "tune" how much undergarment bulk you need to wear for warmth and wicking. I also like the front zipper and latex seals.

I am in the UK, have been using an O'Neill PsychoTech 5/4 front zip with a cheap 2mm hood and similar mittens. Agree on the boots, have a 5mm and never had issues in whatever conditions. The winter here tends to be better windwise.

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sailquik said..
My big tip is:

Wear Booties!!!

That makes more difference that just about anything else you have mentioned.

Second tip. Have a close look at, and talk to the other people who sail when and where you do.

really hate wearing booties. Managed to get through the last season without wearing them and am going to try the same this year. I've got a nice pair hidden in the back of closet and if it gets too bad then I will try them out again.

I have been at windsurfing on a lake for the last couple of seasons but I'm very keen to get into wave sailing this year. Any issues with a hood and wave sailing? Only reason I ask is that I don't think any of the people at the wave spot wearing a hood, but I may be wrong.

A helmet keeps the hood on and adds warmth. +1 for booties and even a windproof dinghy jacket over the top of everything.

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Henners said..
I have been at windsurfing on a lake for the last couple of seasons but I'm very keen to get into wave sailing this year. Any issues with a hood and wave sailing? Only reason I ask is that I don't think any of the people at the wave spot wearing a hood, but I may be wrong.

No problem in the waves with a hood.

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philn said..

Henners said..
I have been at windsurfing on a lake for the last couple of seasons but I'm very keen to get into wave sailing this year. Any issues with a hood and wave sailing? Only reason I ask is that I don't think any of the people at the wave spot wearing a hood, but I may be wrong.

No problem in the waves with a hood.

Thanks philin.

Hi Henners

I've had a couple of full winter suits with built in hoods. I ended up cutting the hood off because they just didn't fit my body shape and felt really uncomfortable, I also found a fixed hood restricted my head movement and felt way to tight around my neck. This new world of mail order can be a pain when we can't try before we buy.

Through the UK winter Dec-Feb (down to 2c or 3c plus wind chill), I use a separate hood instead. As long as the hood has a long-ish neck and fits properly, I find it way more comfy.

p.s. I'm doing speed and slalom kit in the winter, wave sailing might need more head movement so fixed hood might not be good.

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mark62 said..
Hi Henners

I've had a couple of full winter suits with built in hoods. I ended up cutting the hood off because they just didn't fit my body shape and felt really uncomfortable, I also found a fixed hood restricted my head movement and felt way to tight around my neck. This new world of mail order can be a pain when we can't try before we buy.

Through the UK winter Dec-Feb (down to 2c or 3c plus wind chill), I use a separate hood instead. As long as the hood has a long-ish neck and fits properly, I find it way more comfy.

p.s. I'm doing speed and slalom kit in the winter, wave sailing might need more head movement so fixed hood might not be good.

Thanks very much. Non-hood is back on the list.

I hate hoods and use Ion neoprene beanie and Bandit gaiter instead: www.ion-products.com/water/men/neo-accessories/?style=Beanies
Works perfect with both 5/4 wetsuit and drysuit (Kokatat Meridian) from 12 c to 0c.

I also hate clumsy boots, but Solite boots were game changer for me. Especially 3mm version is super nimble!

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kalak said..
I hate hoods and use Ion neoprene beanie and Bandit gaiter instead: www.ion-products.com/water/men/neo-accessories/?style=Beanies
Works perfect with both 5/4 wetsuit and drysuit (Kokatat Meridian) from 12 c to 0c.

I also hate clumsy boots, but Solite boots were game changer for me. Especially 3mm version is super nimble!

Thanks Kalak,
a beanie sounds good. With my current setup when the hood is on, I find it a little bit weird to judge the windspeed. Yeah I know it sounds stupid but if you ever try cooking whilst you have a blocked nose, well we use all our senses. I find most of the coldness is on the forehead anyway so yeah I beanie might be the way to go.

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Henners said..

kalak said..
I hate hoods and use Ion neoprene beanie and Bandit gaiter instead: www.ion-products.com/water/men/neo-accessories/?style=Beanies
Works perfect with both 5/4 wetsuit and drysuit (Kokatat Meridian) from 12 c to 0c.

I also hate clumsy boots, but Solite boots were game changer for me. Especially 3mm version is super nimble!

Thanks Kalak,
a beanie sounds good. With my current setup when the hood is on, I find it a little bit weird to judge the windspeed. Yeah I know it sounds stupid but if you ever try cooking whilst you have a blocked nose, well we use all our senses. I find most of the coldness is on the forehead anyway so yeah I beanie might be the way to go.

Yes, with beanie all senses remain open. Additionally with gaiter it's easy to adjust level of protection further. It keeps neck warm, but can be raised over cheeks, mouth and nose when needed.

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Henners said..
Hi all,
so winter is coming here and last year I bought an absolutely horrid wetsuit which was a 5/4 boiler that let water in through the neck and in through seams on my tail end. Massive incentive to stay on the board. I have been looking at the water temp in Feb (when it is the coldest) get's to 12.4C (56.6F). I normally wear a 5/4 boiler, gloves that are cut out so it just covers the fingertips, no booties, a 2mm impact vest, and an added hoodie. The big question is a wetsuit with an included hood or just add a hood. Hood is essential as I get icecream headache otherwise, the water is not that bad but on a few occasions, we get a bit of snow which lowers the wind temp. Also, the wind gets up past 30knts so it's cold but fun.
I found that if I added a hood after putting on the wetsuit and then securing the ends under my impact vest, eventually it would break free and flap around. If I put the hood on and then the wetsuit over it then on a crash it would let more water into the wetsuit.
Does anyone own an all-in-one (wetsuit + hood) and do you like the setup?
Any recommendations on wetsuits would be very welcomed (maybe around the $300AUD mark --> am I dreaming)
87kg 192cm.
Thanks, everyone. And I just heard from mum that Sydney people have been released into the wild again, great news!!! Life sounds like it is getting back to "normal".

Henners
Promotion Wetsuits sells a 3mm hood-and-vest combo that's sized to fit over your suit. I bought one last year to see if it would allow me to make due with just my 3.5/3 suit, but didn't get a chance to use it. m.wetsuit.com/?url=http://www%2ewetsuit%2ecom%2f#2721
They are in the Gorge and make windsurfing specific products. I've also seen hoods that have both an inner flap (goes under you suits neck seal) and an outer flap.
-Jim