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In a bid to become a cliche, this middle aged MTBer has just bought an iSUP. For local rivers and waterways, and maybe some very calm sea days. Mostly Wales, Devon and the waterways of the Midlands.
So, with that in mind, any suggestions of a budget wetsuit that went be terrible?
Wiggle do an own brand Fohn 4/3 which seems to rock a lot of the boxes https://www.wiggle.co.uk/fohn-43mm-thermal-wetsuit
Two Bare Feet have one that seems to roughly fit the bill
https://www.twobarefeet.co.uk/wetsuits/mens-wetsuits/mens-full-wetsuits/two-bare-feet-thunderclap-pro-4-3mm-mens-wetsuit-black-dark-grey.html
Are either of these likely to be good/hideous options? I feel the cold and get Reynauds, but would still like to be able to move my arms.
Already on the case with PFDs and boots.
Huub have brought out some SUP gear including long and short sleeved tops and matching bottoms.
They’re on sport persuit just now around half price so cheaper than in the link above. Worth a look.
Ive just started and went with decathlon farmer johns and a neoprene bodied t shirt. I fell in Derwent water at the weekend and it was about 11C I stayed in for about 20 minutes and was fine but I open water swim in the winter. This question was asked a couple of months ago see the link
Gul are worth a look, decent reductions at the moment: https://www.gul.com/shop/wetsuits/group/mens. Pay attention to the sizing charts whatever you go for.
I’ve bought this 5/3mm one although it’s actually 5.4mm on the thick bits: https://www.gul.com/watersports-wetsuits/gul/response-fx-5-or-3mm-blindstitched-steamer-blk-or-camo/931795
Yet to try out the 5mm in anger but from past experience of hiring 3mm full suits I imagine it’ll be toasty. So much so that I just ordered a 3/2mm full suit too: https://www.gul.com/watersports-wetsuits/gul/response-3-or-2mm-flatlock-steamer-blk-or-red/422212
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Adding that we plan to use our SUPs 3 seasons in Scotland, hence 5mm. Can you be too warm?
Unless you are planning on spending a lot of time in the water, you’ll cook in a 4mm suit. I surf through the winter in Cornwall in a 4/3.
iSUP? what the 'International Society of Urological Pathology'?
I suppose if you're potentially going to be spending time on/in Britain's murky waterways it's best to address all likely risks... 😉
As for wetsuits, I've still got an old Sola (3mm I think) that I bought ages ago in Woolacoombe and it's still going, Dunno if they're a bit cheap and cheerful relative to your other picks, but I've gotten on OK with their kit...
You might want to go thinner for shoulder articulation(?) obviously there's a trade off against warmth in colder months especially if Reynauds is a factor.
Having done similar I would think carefully about the use case for the suit.
If you’re going to mainly paddle on flat inland water you won’t need a wetsuit. Once you get the balance thing right, you won’t really fall in and will get way to hot in any kind of wetsuit.
On the sea in waves a wetsuit is a good idea, but you won’t be in the sea for long (not like surfing) so I reckon you can get away with thinner suits, shorties etc, as again you will cook while paddling otherwise.
I just got one of these O’Neill suits.
£57 down from £95 3/2mm
It’s really good, was recommended for kayaking
O'Neill Wetsuits Men's Reactor-2 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079FK4162/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_X8XV9RQWETZDNMVT7W0K?psc=1
I personally don't wear a full wetsuit on inland rivers.
However, I do have a deck drybag with essentially a repeat of what I'm already wearing just in case I was to fall in, which I haven't yet.
I wear fairly thin neoprene leggings and mtb shorts, warm baselayer on top with a mtb waterproof jacket and decent neoprene paddling boots with thin neoprene socks.
I find your feet get cold the most and rigid boots can make it worse so sometimes wear just the socks.
If I was to go in, I can at least change into the dry base layer, shorts and fleece I have in my drybag and do some star jumps or suttin.
I wear neoprene leggings and a rash vest for most paddles.
I find feet don't get cold if i move around more on the board.
Tried a full wetsuit once and roasted, ended up trying to do a headstand so i fell in to cool down.
Very good quality, excellent price....loads of surfers and windsurfers round here are using them (including me)
Agree with the above that in spring/summer you’ll cook in 4/3 wetsuit if you’re not spending a lot of time in the water. I find a 3/2 shorty and some wet boots to be about perfect for spring to autumn in the UK for SUPing.
I went to northcoast wetsuits for my gear, cheap but good quality so far
If you don't intend to spend much time in the water you'd be better off as stated above in 'technical' layers. Quick dry stuff.
For cooler months, consider drysuit or dry separates i.e over trousers and CAG. You can layer up underneath as you need, or not
I have a full wetsuit for swimming but I wouldn’t want to wear it for SUP as I’d cook - I wear a pair of wetsuit legs and bootees as I’ve only ever got wet below the knees - thermal top and windproof or waterproof jacket for upper body.
However, I do have a deck drybag with essentially a repeat of what I’m already wearing just in case I was to fall in, which I haven’t yet.
I wear fairly thin neoprene leggings and mtb shorts, warm baselayer on top with a mtb waterproof jacket and decent neoprene paddling boots with thin neoprene socks.
I find your feet get cold the most and rigid boots can make it worse so sometimes wear just the socks.If I was to go in, I can at least change into the dry base layer, shorts and fleece I have in my drybag and do some star jumps or suttin.
Yep, I generally wear a base layer and shorts, and a top depending on weather. I have a fleece in the dry bag in case I fall in. I have Lomo wetsuit 'booties' which, when it's colder, I wear all the time, or if warmer, just for getting in and out in stony areas.
Hmm, have I overcooked things (literally) in going for a 5mm suit for SUPing?
I based that on water temps nearest me averaging 6-7degC in March, peaking around 14-15degC in August, and 11-12degC in November. We also hired SUPs on Ullswater in October last year and were cold in 3mm suits - looking back the average water temp for then is quoted as 9-10degC. Granted we'll use the SUPs more in summer than spring/autumn and hence me also ordering a cheap 3mm wetsuit also, but I didn't think 5mm would be overkill for the spring/autumn use?
Note we're total beginners and fully expect to be in the water a fair amount, especially helping the kids.
Thanks for all the pointers, really helpful stuff! I'm now even more in 2 mins as to whether I need a 'suit!
I managed to not fall in in about half an hour on a millpond lake at the weekend, but we'll be in Cardigan Bay in a couple of weeks and I fancy going out then if it's calm enough.
I'm now wondering if a 3/2 sleeveless like I used to use in my kayaking days, with layers on the top, would be the best approach for all seasons? Then board shorts and layers in the summer.
@a11y - that's the exact quandary I'm in. It's easy enough to spec a suit for if you're in the water, but so many different approaches if you're in and out!
My wife had bought a 3/2, but she's more likely to be the one being punted asking, and my son has a slightly thicker one, but he won't be paddling.
for kayaking, where I expect to get wet but not actually be in the water much, I wear a drysuit with thermals underneath in winter. shorts and a thermal rash vest in summer. maybe a windproof top if its shitty weather.
for surfing where I expect to be in the water 99% of the time, 4/3 hooded full wetsuit in winter, 3/2 full suit in summer.
I've not done much SUP'ing other than messing around in summer, but something wind/water proof with decent thermals on underneath would probably be as effective as a wetsuit.
I'm another non-wetsuit wearer when paddling on rivers and canals, just shorts and a T-shirt (and PFD). I have a dry bag with a poncho towel in it so if it all goes wrong I can strip off and dry off.
I would say go for something 2 piece.
Wetsuits are horrible and unnecessary unless you are spending a lot of time in the water (swimming or surfing). Two items are much more flexible, you can wear the bottoms with a rashie or the top with boardshorts.
I have some 3/4 from Peak UK and a 2mm top that I found left on the floor on a beach car park!
ps you can also go to the loo without a drama and they are much easier to put on and off.
Mick
I bought a decathlon shorty to get started but never wear it, for kayak and sup. I sea swim all year so q used to the cold. If it got cold I would wear a wetsuit vest and swim shorts.
If you get a wetsuit, choose one with a back zip. That way you can wear it on just your bottom half, with the option to pull the top half on if you get wet/cold.
Andy_Sweet
Free Member
If you get a wetsuit, choose one with a back zip. That way you can wear it on just your bottom half, with the option to pull the top half on if you get wet/cold.
You can do that with ANY wetsuit. It's no more difficult to get in and out of either a chest zip or no-zip wetsuit. I'd argue that you can get away with a lighter no-zip wetsuit in colder water than you can with a thicker, back-zip suit. Less cold water enters the suit, so you keep a nice layer of warmer water close to you.
I only have front zip and zipless wetsuits for surfing. Never had a problem half wearing them on the walk back from the sea, exposing my manly 36in chest to the world.
It’s no more difficult to get in and out of either a chest zip or no-zip wetsuit.
you haven’t tried a finisterre wetsuit then..
first time I wore it, I ended up driving home in it as I thought I’d either have to tear it, or dislocate my shoulder to get out. Persevered for a couple more surfs and then sold it. Replaced with a hyperfreak which is dead easy to take on/off.
Another non-wetsuiter most of the time.
Scenario 1 - dicking about in millpond flat inland waters in spring summer months.....exactly what I was wearing walking to the water. If I'm wearing zip off trousers, I'd zip them off and shed the shoes.
Scenario 2 - dicking about in millpond flat inland waters in the winter(Highland winter, so water may have a thin layer of ice which is awesome to paddle on!).....dry pants (like the bottom half of a dry suit) and a thin puffer jacket over maybe a merino base layer. And a coffee under the bungees of the board.
Scenario 3- summer on the sea on touring board....bearing in mind that any breeze above about 5kts has me finding something else to do.....a pair of Palm horizon shorts and a rash vest. That might be a thermal rash vest in the autumn. If it's proper calm and hot and I'm going out for a exercise - basically my running kit (thin shorts and a runner vest) - I'm going to be working just as hard as running and get just as hot. I might jump in every now and then to cool down. There would be a bit more clothing in a dry bag under the bungees just in case I get caught out.
Scenario 4- winter on the sea on touring board.....very cheap lomo farmer johns, thermal rash vest and if very wintery my sea kayak cag.
Scenario 5- surf sup. I will be in the water a lot- I am rubbish and my board was an 'ambitiously small purchase'. Summer steamer in the summer, and winter steamer in the winter.
I'd go for a 3/2 wettie and a rash vest. Rash vests are vg for reducing friction and saving your arms. If you're standing on a board, a black suit's going to absorb a lot of heat and you will generate heat. If you suffer from the cold, a pair of bootees could make a big difference.