Squamish

[mjamero]

It sounds like even in the heat of summer in Squamish most are still in a 4/3 not a 3/2?

Thick wetsuits are obviously pricey. If I'm going to invest $300-$600 for a thick suit I would want it to be good for as wide as range as possible such as Squamish AND Boundary in the fall. Ideally without gap between cool weather and warm weather suits but also minimal overlap also. Do I need a 3/2, 4/3, and 5/4 (if i find one in XS), or can I get away with just 2 wetsuits for ALL conditions and locations in the Lower Mainland. English Bay in the summer, Squamish and Boundary Bay Spring through to Fall.

[Alton]

I use 5/4 all year round because Squamish is frigging cold water.

Only about a couple of weeks I wish I had something thinner

[Slappy]

I wear my winter suit most of the time at Squamish, hooded 6/5/4. It's just no fun when you are mowing the lawn trying not to fall in the water.

I also have a 5/4 non-hooded suit I wear if it's really hot out but usually regret it.

I also use a wind blocking jersey over top of my suits most days, they cut the chill even more. I have both the promotion exo-skin and the NP Surf Edge, the exo-skin is warmer but every time it gets wet it gains about 5 lbs of water weight which is annoying. The NP Surf Edge top runs very small so order 1-2 sizes up.

[gabrielb]

nothing wrong with 1.5mm under your 4/3 wetsuit (no zippers on both shirt and shorts) ...

https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/PROD/X ... V0sdYTyvIU

1.5mm wetsuit shirt + wetsuit shorts...1.5mm

https://www.surfdome.com/oneill_shorts_ ... ack-168051

get a hood with flush guard ...
https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/PROD/X ... V0uH4TyvIU

done. 4/3->5/4 -> 4/3 , no need for 2 wetsuits

[Will]

I use a high end suit ($500 Range) O'Neil, model just under the Super Freak, 4/3, double seam sealed that fits tight and snug with booties. It keeps me nice and warm all year in squamish, and on the very hot days almost a bit much. But nothing a quick dip doesn't fix. I don't mind getting a bit cold, so I use it in anything above 10 degrees (air temp).

There is definitely something to be said for trying on a lot of different suits to find one that fits nice and snug. As well as stepping up to a bit more of an expensive model that has seam sealing all around. Because of this, I would be hesitant ordering online. If it doesn't fit tight enough, even a 7mm will be cold.

Just my .02

[Alton]

Nice steady SW 18-25 2 hr session on 9m and 12m this afternoon.

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[Alton]

Nice 2 hrs on 9m yesterday (Thursday). Good boosting at start. Air felt "thin" in the late afternoon so dropped like a rock on my jumps. Someone explained to me that the hot air looses its density so the kite becomes gutless.

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[Alton]

Looks like its going to nuke this afternoon. Good day to ride Nexen !!!

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[Will]

Nice 2 hrs on 9m yesterday (Thursday). Good boosting at start. Air felt "thin" in the late afternoon so dropped like a rock on my jumps. Someone explained to me that the hot air looses its density so the kite becomes gutless.

When you find winds like this where your kite isn't as lofty, you have to move your kite sooner in the air to prevent it from dropping you. And if you have enough height, this will mean doing a backloop to land sometimes

Got a great Session in yesterday 445pm - 645pm, classic squamish butter smooth warm afternoon thermal wind! All this heat has the river just cranking out ice cold runoff water!

[mjamero]

Thanks for the Squamish wetsuit tips folks. Do any of you use an O'Neill Mutant 5/4? If so, what do you like/dislike? Too hot/cold? Too restrictive or manageable?

On the one hand a standard O'Neill Epic 4/3 might do the trick in summer. I don't like to feel constricted so a 4/3 is good for this and it's also back zip which I like. But, if I had to choose I would rather be too warm than too cold. If I still likely need to wear an additional layer underneath a 4/3 most of the time (which I would also need to buy), it won't be that much cheaper than simply getting a proper 5/4. I also don't want to spend $$$ on a 4/3 layer combo only to discover after that I should have ordered a full 5/4. At least the Mutant hood can be converted which I like. It's also the ONLY non hooded 5/4 makes in XS. Hmm, Decisions Decisions (rubbing my chin).