I wore Smartwool socks for years under boots... the only thing is your foot slides around a little inside your boot. But it really makes getting in and out of them a breeze.
I also wear compression shorts (jammers) under my wetsuite. Allows me to get out of my suite without having to do the parking lot towel dance. Under board shorts too in case of wardrobe malfunction. There is one guy around here that wears board shorts outside his wetsuite. Never understood that. I think I've worn my 3/2 like three times this season on days it was really cold (50s brrrr). Trunks and a 2mm L/S top otherwise.
i just wear my boxers under my suite,and best believe i get a wedgie every single time.i wore a gini t one day under my winter suit since it was so cold i didnt want to take it off while changing
I'm not so sure about a plastic trash bag on your head lol might be some bad advise here BUT plastic shopping bags work great for your feet when putting on your suite. Just put a plastic shopping bag over your foot and your suite will slide on super easy... old tricks
Thanks for the input gentlemen. I have worn neoprene socks under round toe boots for extra warmth way back in the day, but have owned the split toe varieties for at least the last four years. Thanks for the info Mr. Belmar, you are absolutely right about the timing. I've been advised to make due a while longer and prices will drop...
Yea i used to use this trick. Not for feet though. But for getting my arms, with gloves already on, through my suit.
To maintain some manual dexterity in the suiting up process, my gloves go on last...pull 'em over the sleeve cuffs. Boots go under. I used the shopping bag trick with my old suit which had narrow cuffs. Saved a lot of wear and tear. No experience with Barry's condom trick...Too much shrinkage in cold air and water. I use a large plastic tub with a lid to stow all wet gear in car afterwards. Can actually stand in it when taking off suit. Tub later used to rinse everything at home and put under dripping suit if hung up inside. It's come in handy. They're cheap at the Dollar stores. Ever get a bad leg/calf cramp, half way getting out of your suit?
Socks under booties is a trick NE surfers use. When you wear 7mm boots and you feet still freeze you have to put wool socks on under.. I do it in nj. Keeps your feet warmer and makes getting boots on and off a breeze.
You basically summed up my experience. Don't use the bag trick anymore since my gloves go on last now. Used to have to use the bag trick because id have trouble getting that cuff back down and over my wrist to create a good seal with my older suits. Now it's no problem. I think advances in wetsuits contributed to this. And i also use the plastic tub. Mines actually not the standard Rubbermaid. It's made specifically for water sports. It was a present, otherwise I'd just use a Rubbermaid. What's nice is mine has a removable "shelf" that sits right under the cover. So i got my wax, watch, fin keys, spare leash, yada yada right there in one spot. It's called a trunq for anyone who wants to check it out. But I'd bet it's not worth the extra money compared to a cheap Rubbermaid which serves the same purpose
When I first started winter surfing, I'd get good pointers from some of the old vets who had it down to a science...particularly the post sesh process when you're tired, shivering, and really don't want to linger in the wind and cold.
