This winter is killing my hands and feet. My cold tolerance is pretty good, I'm still pretty comfortable in an Xcel Drylock 4/3, but my Quiksilver 7mm booties and Xcel 7mm mitts leave room for improvement/hypothermia. What do those of you who spend lots of time in cold water use? Thanks
7mm and you're still cold? I don't know what to suggest. I wear 5 mm boots and gloves in DE. Plenty warm.
your boots & gloves aren't the problem; you're freezing, hypothermic core is. upgrade to a proper 5/4 & watch your 7mil boots & gloves become amazing once again.
I don't know exactly what temperature water you're surfing in, but I'll tell you what I wear... Glacier Gloves Neo Kenai. These are 2mil gloves that I wear comfortably into low 40s here with no problems. They're so thin that you feel like you're cheating compared to 5mil regular gloves that most people wear. The only problem is that they'll only last you about one winter, because they just don't hold up over time. The secret is that they're waterproof and have super tight, velcro wrist bands. Wear them a size down from what you normally wear as well.
How new are your gloves and booties? After a year of hard use I usually have to get new ones. The glue and rubber gets tiny leaks over time and usually lets in the water. But it has been so cold up here lately that even though my hands and feet are dry they are freezing after 2 hours. I have a 5.5/4.5 ebomb and my core is good to go, but my hands are freezing and feet get painfully cold. I spend a stupid amount of time making sure my wrists and ankles have a good seal, I think it pays off with a few extra waves in 35 degree water. The only thing that keeps me warm is keep paddling for waves. Oh, does anybody ever feel nauseous and headachey after cold winter sessions? I try and get wet at least twice a week (swell permitting) and I've been feeling sick as soon as I get home.
Forgot to mention I'm in NY. My gloves are only 2 months old, boots are from last season. I agree on paddling, sessions where I don't spend much time sitting are definitely better. Post session, I get a bit lethargic, but usually no nausea or headache. NJ Surfer 42, that's exactly what I thought, but when I go with a thicker suit, it doesn't change the painful freeze in my hands and feet. Thinking of dropping the $180 on Pata-gucci gloves and booties, anyone try them?
normally what I do is use Velcro ankle and wriest straps from Dakine . Its helps stop water penetration threw the cuffs . I wear 3 mil here in snj
To the OP - how form-fitting are your suits? The best suit out there won't keep you warm if it's not hugging you in all the important spots. I was gonna ask if the gloves/boots were in good repair but you said they were new. I can't speak for others' cold tolerance but I've been out for hours at a time this winter in 5/4 Drylock with 7mm Drylock boots and 5mm Drylock claws and have yet to feel discomfort. Suit fits very well.
Bro I will make this simple for you- move to Belmar, NJ- water is always 50! It's freezing out. Air temps will get you before the water temp- but your wearing a 4/3!!! You need a 5 or even a 6 mil. That's why your cold - you need a 5 mil if your going out in 38 degree water and 20 degree air... You could have 10 mil boots and gloves and since your core is cool - your extremities will never warm up...
Im in NY as well. I wear a 5/4 flashbomb with 7mil flashbomb booties. I switch my gloves up depending on the day but there 5mill claws and 7mil mittens. Both flashbomb. The only time I get cold is if the wind is blowing hard and even then its not a painful cold, its manageable. Id say get a thicker suit that fits well. A 4/3 in NY in the winter is not going to cut it. Especially with the winter we are having. Also make sure you don't have any holes in your gear. I know you said your gloves and boots are new, but iv had week old gloves get holes in them. It happens sometimes
best gloves out there in this part of the world (so jersey) many riders use excel lobster claws and (myself included) speak well of them. more than once i have wished that my wetsuit worked as well as my gloves.
I have the Patagonia R5 Booties and my toes and heel were numb after about an hour and a half. Water temp was 39 degrees last Sunday. They were good for about the first hour. My Xcel 5/4 was good, hands were good (QS 7mm lobster claws), but my feet.... Also in NY.
I was out this weekend after the snow. 4/3 hooded Xcel. 7 ml boots and 5 ml gloves. water 39. 2 to 3 hour sessions. Never got cold. Though after 2 hours the energy drops no matter what.
Xcel drylock 5 mils keep my hands warm in 38 degree water...lobstah claws of course, but very impressed w/ them.
maybe ur boots or gloves are too big and ur letting too much water in.had a problem like that with booties in the past,oneill booties
