Hi all, I'm new to the forum...and nearly new to waveriding it's been so long. In brief, I learned to bodyboard and surf in HI 25 years ago when I spent a summer there. But, after coming back to the East Coast and being disappointed so many times, I got to the point I didn't even take my board to the beach. Well, Hurricane Bill changed all that! I'm back in it and thanks to my in-laws, I have full access to a house in Bethany Beach, year round. I have my new bodyboard (gained some weight over the years and finally creased my old Scott board during Bill (how many of ya'll remember Scott boards?) And, I will get a surfboard soon. But, what I don't know is what kind of wetsuit needed for the fall months of Sep-Nov and the early Spring from Mar-May. I'll think about Dec-Feb later ;-) Do you all have any suggestions on thickness I'll need? During my research, I see conflicting information, so I thought I'd go straight to the source - you guys. I'll be monitoring swellinfo closely and will be headed to the beach as swells justify. Anyhow, thanks for a great site! Thanks, smoked
i wear 5m booties, 5m gloves (crab ones are better) and then a 4/3 hyperflex. I think ur fine with a 4/3 in md but 5/4/3 is nice too
Hey man, I use a 4.3 for the majority of the cold months, if you do decide to go between Dec.-Feb. you might want to think about getting a 5.4. My friend wears a firesuit under his 4.3 for real cold days...hope that helps.
smoked, This is what i recommend july to september - trunks or spring october - spring suit or 3/2 november - 3/2 , 3mm boots, maybe 4/3 towards the end of the month december - 4/3, 3-5mm boots and gloves january to march 5/3+ boots,gloves april - 4/3, boots/gloves may - 4/3 (early may can be quite cold) - 3/2, boots june - 3/2 or spring
Get a 3/2 for now, and a 4/3 for when its super chilly. If you plan on surfing year round a 3/2 and a 4/3 are a must!!!
Just what I was looking for! Thanks to all of you for the information and steering me in the right direction. 3/2 to start and 4/3 later. Works out great for the budget and right on time for Santa. Thanks again, smoked
Don't forget a hood, unless you're into severe brain-freeze. If I'm wearing one down here I'm sure y'all are wearing some pretty thick ones up there.
I wear a good 3/2 up till novemberish. And a 5/4/3 through the winter. A 4/3 with a 1mm shirt and attached hood is a good way to to be economical and get the functionality of both a 4/3 and a 5/4/3. But lets not lie there is a difference. Two suits that are a must are a 5/4/3 and a good 3/2 I wear 5mm or 7 mm booties, i get cold feet fast. and 5mm gloves.
4/3 for the winter with a ripcurl heatskin w/ attached hood. 5 mil and 3 mil boots and gloves. The 4/3 can be tough when there is a strong wind though...
So weird! I was just coming here to post the same question, except I'll probably only be in the water till November at the latest as snowboarding picks up then. Wont return till April/May. Would a 3/2 be fine or would a 4/3 be better choice. Really only looking to get one suit. Thanks all.
Better to err on the thicker side If you only are getting one, go thicker, you can always flush some cold water in if you get hot. It's tough to warm up if the suit is too thin though. If you really are not going into the water in early april a 3/2 will be fine. November is not too bad. But early april can be frigid.
you can't only have one suit and claim to surf in the northeast. not possible. i think you get by with this: 1mm top 3/2 5/4/3 2 pairs of boots, gloves a 4/3 and shortsleeve are nice additions
Early April can still be pretty darn cold.... Also some of the best surf comes in during the winter and early spring months so I would def go with the 4/3. You can always use it during the warmer months where as you can't use the 3/2 when its too cold.
4/3 it'll be then. I usually hang till late september early october with just a hotskin and 5mm booties but i find myself getting really bored till the snow starts to fall, so a longer wet season it is. thanks for the help guys
makes up for the lack of lower insulation. It's more of a precaution thing. Last October I was out for like 4 hours , dont know what the temp was but when it came time to stand as I came in I realized my feet were blue and couldn't feel them. I thought my fins were just finally broken in lol Got the 5s because of a good deal. They never really feel like they're too much. I've worn them in the summer too when I have blisters just ot protect them.
Ughh in ocean city there is no need to really wear any sort of boots until early nov. I mean it is sept now and the water is the warmest it has been all year. Strange post
My bad, I missed his exception about winter. But still, March is still a pretty cold month. I keep my hood on most of March between wind on a wet head and surfer ear and all. Hell, one day about a month ago I nearly had to go home and grab it.
