Being the broke college student I am, this winter I didn't have money for a new 5 mil, bought a Haydenshapes shred sled instead. A few session I doubled up and wore a 4/3 with a 3/2 over it, after weighing the combined weight of the suits on a scale I realized that this is not a probable solution, it just weighs to much. Luckily the water temperature has been steadily rising a bit and the past few sessions I've gotten away with a 4/3 and multiple warm ups in the car. I was thinking about maybe lining my hood with another layer of wool to add a little bit of warmth but not sure if its worth the effort. I was wondering if anyone else has any experience with wetsuit modifications and/or ways to stay warmer in the water. Luckily I have 7mm boots and 5 mm gloves, hope everyone gets some tomorrow.
I've never done it, but my buddy used to wear a wool sweater under his suit and said it helped a lot. My uncle wears a dive skin underneath his suit that he says helps as well. They also have those vests with the heating panels, but I think most of those have an attached hood, so if your 4/3 is hooded, you'd be out of luck. I've worn my .5 mil long sleeved vest (conventional, not heated) beneath my 4/3 a few times and ultimately really did not like it, but I think one of the sleeveless options would be pretty legit, I just didn't like the friction between the suits at the shoulder when paddling. Good luck.
Where are you located? I usually wear some under armor pants/tops under my wetsuits and they help out- they are good for getting out of the suit quick also. Wool is probably better for thermal properties but might be itchy. I use wool socks since my booties are old and leaky and they work to an extent.
You can get away with a good hooded 4-3 for an hour or more depending on how active you are in the water. But no doubt a 5mil this winter in jersey is a near necessity. Cruise the surf sites, there are some incredible sales of barely used suits and last years models from 150-300$. Good luck. But im really only posting because im anxious to hear how you like the shred sled. If possible could you tell me your size and weight and the dims of the board you got and how you like it? I want one badly, but im likely going to have a local shaper make a copy of 5-8, 5-10 version.
My dad wears a 3/2 with under armor stuff on under it all winter up here in RI. Insane, but i guess he doesnt care.
I was sorta looking for if anyone has added maybe some wool to a suit or something along that lines but regardless thanks everyone. The shred sled is the 5'10 x 19 1/4 x 2 3/8 with the future flex eps foam so its stringerless and has the carbon fiber on the rails. It paddles pretty flat and I really want to try the hypto krypto model because it looks like it paddles way better. Performance wise it is definitely loose and made for more of a front foot surfer which luckily I am. I like a loose board and I find that this is the perfect balance between just right and too squirely of a board. Haven't tried it as a quad yet but might do that tomorrow. I'm stoked on it but looking forward to really pushing it as a board once the water warms up and the rubbers off. Hope this helps man.
Depending how tolerant you are, you can wear a good 4/3 with a sleeveless hooded vest. It works for me here in northern New England (unless wind picks up). If the sun is out, it helps keep you comfortable, and paddling is not a problem (more activity keeps you warm).
Patagonia uses merino wool in their wetsuits so maybe buy something with that and wear it under your suit
none of these are wetsuit mod's.... you are not modifying anything when layering suits. you are just being an idiot. Pick up a used one, they are everywhere. Then again, when youre a broke college student, beer always comes first... then an overpriced board, most obvi.
When the water gets cold, the quality of the suit is more important than the quality of the board. Not saying it's right, but concur with the beer coming first for a male college student. Most social, recreational, and athletic activities we did in college seemed to end up involving alcohol in one form or another. That was in the 70s. Probably hasn't changed much.
Thanks hdebk. I had a shaper make me a board with the exact dims of the 5-10 hypto and I love it. But I want something slightly more performance angled...but not much. My board is great for most waves, im 5-10 177. But with the bigger swells this winter, its hard to get all that volume down on pressure duckdives. Im thinking 5-8 shred sled dimensions but with a tad more thickness and maybe 19 across so it still paddles like a fish. Thanks, good luck. Again I've seen guys wearing a 4-3 mutant this winter and the best bet is tell your parents that your professor is making you get 2 more expensive books, take the cayshe and get a 5-4...but get good grades.
