Wetsuits vs Drysuits - What You Should Know for Cold Water Sports
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video we cover the important differences between wetsuits and drysuits. We were able to test the Ocean Rodeo Ignite and Soul drysuits (greenhatkiteboarding.com/?sub...) while making this video. We cover how both wetsuits and drysuits work, mobility, comfort, warmth, safety, durability, maintenance, pricing, uses and more. We focus primarily on cold water kitesurfing, but a cold water wetsuit or drysuit can be used for paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing or surfing. Note: we do NOT focus on diving in this video.
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Gear we use + discount codes: www.ourkitelife.com/p/gear-we... - กีฬา
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Key topics of this video:
0:23 - How a wetsuit works
1:00 - How a drysuit works
1:40 - Mobility
4:50 - Comfort
8:14 - Warmth
12:19 - Safety
13:25 - Gear failure
17:00 - Longevity & maintenance
19:45 - Pricing
Hello Mam...
Can you please share me ur website shopping link wetsuit so that I could buy it for me 😊
@@moapnr yes please.
08:08
My dad (who is an avid diver) once told me there are only two kinds of people. Those who pee in their wetsuit and those who lie.
I really like the video. Just facts, no nonsense no flashy attentiongrabbing 👍
That's how information should be delivered.
Buy a pissette.
Not more rotting neoprene from urine
peeing in a wetsuit can actually be a little challenging at times especially if the python is facing directly towards the neoprene. You gotta shift so it doesn't actually create blockage which btw hurts like hell til you 'shift' lol
I really don't. I used to when I was a kid but it really wrecks the neoprene. Also for some reason I don't have to pee while I'm in the water...
been surfing for over40 years , i dont pee in my wetty
@@jayhome2715 Only a worm can face directly into neoprene, pythons always lay along. Due to the size I guess :D
Wetsuit makes you look like a Marvel superhero. Drysuit makes you look like your 50 year old uncle Rick on his trip to Wal-Mart.
Haha - there's some truth to that. Probably one of the main reasons I hesitated to try a drysuit for so long. I do like the two piece style of the newer drysuits though
ikr xD
Never heard truer words!
Hey!! I'm 50.
@@slabbyrider8665 Oof- Good for you.
watching this 4 years later, still the best wetsuit vs drysuit video for kiters.
What a fully covered and perfectly presented guidance video. It was so clear that you were speaking from experience and that makes all the difference.
Thank you.
Paul (UK)
great and informative video! thank you. Been in wetsuits literally my whole water life, but am looking at drysuits now for teaching and more specifically teaching from a boat/ rib. drysuit definitely the way to go for that!
Great review, thank you! I do surfssports for nearly 40 years but learned new things. Great!
Thank you! Glad you liked it :)
Incredibly professional and top notch presentation !!!! thank you very much for all those precious info
Thank you for the videos. I was on the fence about the drysuit and having been well informed by your videos, I can move forward with confidence. Thanks again.
We love our drysuits - for us it’s the difference between kiting an hour or two in a wetsuit vs all day in a drysuit in winter :)
Finally a video that explains exactly what I was wanting to know.
I just bought a Sea Doo and want to get out on the water in early spring and your explanation of the suits and under garments has helped immensely. Thank you.
Subscribed!
Glad to hear it was helpful! Thanks for the subscribe :)
This is all really great info and I appreciate your tone and candor as you explain things too!
Thank you for the very thorough, very well presented comparison. Lots of practical info to digest!
Thanks for putting this together! Much easier than keeping the local watersports person on the phone for 28 minutes while I ask exploratory questions.
Glad you found it useful!
This was incredibly educational. As a novice scuba diver this is very helpful. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, very helpful. I use a drysuit for SUP, love it.
Good job, Laurie and Yuri! You've covered very well all main differences between the 2 types of suits.
A tip on ''burping' a drysuit - immesrse yourself in the water and let the air out throught the neck seal, works even with thick gloves on. Water pressure does a great job squeezing all the air out.
I look forward to your next project... buoyancy aid/life jackets maybe? ;)
Thanks Nickolay!
Just got back from a kayaking class where the water temp was around 50 degrees. I wore a fleece onesie, wool socks, base layer, and a fleece vest under a (borrowed) dry suit. I did hate the seals big time, but I was quite warm. No problems with mobility. I totally agree with you that a PFD is a must with a dry suit. In fact, I’d strongly recommend it for any activity in cold water.
Thank you for all the information. My daughter is into this adventure program and I like to know all about it.
Best video I have found on the subject
Very thorough explanation, thank you.
good and thorough stuff, OKL. thanks, as always ~
This was really informative! Thank you!!
No problem :)
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Very good video! I learned a lot from this video + you're very good at explaining everything! :)
Very informative video, very well planned, great speaking ability, and good looks 😀👍
Great concise information!
I’m a kayaker and I’m shocked watching y’all fly up in the air, looks terrifying lol
it's a lot of fun, and very addictive
Thanks a bunch, that was interesting! Best, Rob
Very good video! I combine my wetsuit with a paddling jacket when kayaking in cold conditions
Sounds like a good combination to stay warm!
@@OurKiteLife :-) outside of winter, yes. Done it during winter: never again, cold shock reaction is real and you have to really work to make it, unless you are very close to shore.
Great and practical review. Thanks!
We know you have both, which one do you prefer for cold kiting?
Nice video. Thanks for creating and posting.
Thanks! Happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Excellent video. Very informative. Thank you.
Thanks - glad you found it useful!
Great test, presentation & summary. Kind regards from Berlin / Germany
Thanks a lot for the information 👍
2 weeks days ago we had to rescue a windsurfing buddy 90kph day 90 min in cold water in a drysuit that leaked, couldn't get a water start due to weight of water and loss of mobility. He broke one of your rules went too far from shore. Full on Hypothermia, ambulance and emergency. He is OK, thank god for the Lifejacket that kept him afloat. I am retiring my bag drysuit after this incident. Thanks for the video, very well done!
Sorry to hear that happened to your friend - sounds terrifying! I’m glad to hear he’s ok and was wearing a life jacket at the time.
Whitewater Kayaker thing having shorts over Dry suits protect it a little bit so you do not need to patch the back side
Excellent video. Thank you.
great content as per usual
Thanks! :)
Great points! I've been using a wetsuit for years for coastal and whitewater SUP and have been considering a drysuit instead. After considering the points I feel a well made, flexible wetsuit is still better option for coastal use. The coast, unlike Lake Ontario, has the added hazard of the sharpest creatures on earth that can slice through the toughest fabric covering every rock. Worst case scenario is getting dragged across barnacle covered rocks and the added cushioning and functionality after tearing makes a wetsuit safer on the coast.
Sounds like a good call!
Thanks! Great info.
First of all, thank you for such amazing videos! I love how you actually wear what you are talking about, it's such a well done video!!! I have a quick question... how would you dress if it was a very warm day out, but the water was still freezing? Like early summer?
Thanks! Dressing for the swim is always the best way to go. That will vary from person to person, but we'd try and find something that would keep us warm enough if in the water swimming for a significant period of time.
👍 Great video. Sometimes if I don't go when ia cold I don't kite. So far I'm using 3mm with another short suit inside.
Thanks! Nothing wrong with passing on a cold kite session. It's all about having fun, not suffering/forcing yourself to go in uncomfortable conditions
Awesome video. Love the channel. One minor correction worth noting is that you actually aren't wearing a life jacket while kiting but a buoyancy aid / personal floatation device. A life jacket is specifically designed to keep your head above water as you correctly note, but ALL life jackets are designed to roll you onto your back so you are face up with your head clear of the water. A PFD/buoyancy aid will only keep you afloat. The main design difference is that life jackets have the majority of the floatation on the chest and surround the neck where a PFD has floatation on the back and will not roll you face up nor support your neck. I work in the maritime industry and the difference is important because people falsely believe that a PFD and life jacket are the same. I'm not suggesting we all wear neck restricting life jackets while kiting, but it's also important to understand that someone in a PFD is still susceptible to drowning if they end up unconscious face down in the water. Again really love the channel and thanks for making these great videos!
Hey Ian, thanks for the information, we actually had no idea of this difference. Very good to know! We will make sure to add this information to our future videos! Thanks again and happy new year :)
Excellent vlog. For the survey minded or for OR marketing. +1 for wetsuit 😀 (not a reflection on OR as I have a Mako)
Thanks! OR has been very cool and put zero stipulations or expectations on us for any content we created with the drysuits. Honestly, we were super impressed with both drysuits, but will also continue using our wetsuits too!
I am in awe of your persona
awesome content thanks
4 yrs ago I switched from a drysuit (Ocean Rodeo Soul) to a 7/6 Billabong Hooded. This is a wetsuit for surfers, is very flexible and super warm. The suit is so warm that I hardly need to use gloves in 0 degrees Celcius.
7/6mm sounds super warm! How flexible is it? I find movement is restricted in my 5mm, which is why I haven't ventured into a thicker wetsuit (yet)
@@OurKiteLife very flexible, my movement is not restricted. Another brand you should test is Patagnia check www.patagonia.com/shop/wetsuits?start=0&sz=24#tile-6
Nice, thanks for the link. Will definitely keep both those brands in mind when it's time to buy a new cold water kiting wetsuit.
GREAT content
Thank you :)
As a dingy sailor I use a wetsuit and underneath a a first layer of polypropylene vest and leggings.On top of the wetsuit I use a splash vest which cuts down the wind chill.With good seals around neck,ankles,and wrists I stay warm when capsized.
Sounds like you've figured out a great solution for keeping warm on/in the water!
I just found this video! It's very informative. I'm a kayaker and this may be new information, but they do make women's drysuits with a pee zipper around the back so you can take a pee or even a poo break if you're a woman.
Good to know, thanks!
Great presentation. Thanks. Subbed)
Nice comprehensive review! Next time you’re in SoCal, go to the rip curl outlet and you’ll get a good wetsuit for less than $100.
Nice! We will keep that in mind for sure :)
Once in a while we get to use our 3/2 ...usually when we travel somewhere warmer
@@OurKiteLife what would you use in london 15/20 degrees summer? And 7 degree winter?
@@adamlegend8392 4/3 for summer, and 5 mm for winter, though, at that weather drysuit would also be incredibly convenient if you can afford it
love that place!
I have to say ion wetsuits are probably the best in my experience specifically for kiters. The calve drain holes also make a huge difference
Nice - the calf drain holes sound like a really smart & simple solution that would be great for kiting!
i need those, i prob add another 10 lbs through out the ride to my calves and they are always catching the water.
I have a ION fuse, drysuit, its made like a 5/4 wetsuit, with neopren, so it actually also isolated the heat aswell.
Nice - is that crushed neoprene? We've heard about that but haven't tried it ourselves. Sounds like the best of both worlds.
@@OurKiteLife I actually don't know, it feels and looks like my wetsuit.
If you have a change at a point, then try one.. It's an awesome feeling
Nice to see how much time and effort you guys put into these video's and reviews.Only advise i could add is go as cheap as possible when you kite allot at places with oysters or other sharp objects cos i rip mine every 1 or 2 years due to that.
Thanks so much! Haha, yeah - that's good advice. Thankfully we have no oysters where kite, I'm sure Yuri would be pretty bummed if his pricey wetsuit ripped after a year or two! :D
While i have not had a chance to test my drysuit, im glad i bought one. They save lifes when your in water longer than you want to be. In a wetsuit, you don't have that luxury depending how cold the water is, but you certainly have less time to be rescued or get yourself out of a dangerous situation...just my humble opinion.
It really depends on what you’re wearing underneath your drysuit. If you’re dressed appropriately, then it could definitely buy you more time in an emergency situation. For regular use in cold water, personally I have found my sessions have doubled in time when wearing a drysuit
Really informative. Well done! I jet ski and often sit and marvel the kite surfers by the cove. Really Amazing. You will need to go to Rhodes Greece, Praonisi. Kite surfers Paradise.
I still don't know what would be appropriate for me. I think I may need both. Lol
Thanks! We have and use both pretty regularly. The drysuit tends to win out for colder days as we can last longer on the water with them if wearing proper layers underneath
very informative
Excellent video! You may see me eFoiling in the Beaches!
Hi there, Great video again, thanks for your efforts producing it and sharing your thoughts.
Are you wearing a real life west (inflatable?) or more a Kitesurfing floating best (They have typically something like 50 Newton floating power)?
Hello again, and thanks! :) Yuri wear a Neil Pryde vest, which isn't a 'real'/certified life jacket but it is better than nothing. I had a scary experience in deep water when I was learning, so I opt for something with more flotation than the NP high hook vest - I wear a Hyperlite wakeboarding life jacket. It offers more buoyancy/flotation but it is short so my waist harness fits nicely. The downside is that it is bulkier and limits flexibility!
I’m currently using the NP Highhook vest, it’s comfort is ok, but I think it’s not an ideal solution yet: when the harnest is moving up during a session, the vest ends also next to the ears. And I would prefer a bit more buyoancy.
Thanks again and looking forward to your next videos 🤙🏼😎
@@OurKiteLife check this out: th-cam.com/video/reVv8S0MvxA/w-d-xo.html
I've had them try it on with a waist kite harness and it looks quite OK!
I've been looking at a dry suit for paddle boarding here in Wales all year around. Base models from Gul are as little as £200 new making the decision easier.
That’s a great price!
My favorite: 5 mill wetsuit and white water kayak jacket on top by freeze conditions
This is the combo I'm considering. A 5/4/3 wetsuit and a dry or semi dry top. Could even add another layer on my torso. Are you warm enough?
I'm now thinking maybe a 5mill FJ over a 3mm wetsuit jacket? Then the dry cag etc. Thinking this to aid piss breaks lol. I've no idea what it's like to take the top half off and get back on as I've not worn a wetsuit.
I'm a white water kayaker and I've been thinking about getting a wetsuit for the early spring days where water temps aren't quite warm enough to go without a protective layer, especially to keep some of the wear and tear off the drysuit. Some people have recommended a dry top but that is a moot point if you take a swim. The video was very informative but the only thing I will say is that they do make drysuits for ladies that have a back hatch to allow them to pee as well. Its not a male default set up. You should look into some of those, they are the same price. Just some advice. Anyways, enjoy the winter water sports.
Thanks for the comment - I’ll have a look for female versions!
@@OurKiteLife yeah, if your looking for inexpensive versions, gul is a good option, typhoon is as well. If you want top of the line then I would go with kokatat or level 6. Only thing about the level 6 is they are more European style rear entry and that sucks to try and zip yourself. Kokatat is all front entry.
I fix drysuits as part of my job and biggest leaks come from seems being opened up by small stones and sometimes delamination.
Makes sense - even making this video, it was hard to get the little rocks and sand off of hands & feet when putting on/taking off the suit
My drysuit is a made to measure... surface suit made by company ... that has contract for RNLI.... 😊
All seals are latex... drysuits must be washed in fresh water and dried.. then talc powder the latex seals before storage
2:36
*YEET*
Within wetsuit materials there's a difference in comfort too. Recently switched to Ride Engine which uses a more expensive quartz-based material which I've found warmer and more comfortable (soft) than previous neoprene suits (but again... personal preference). Their story is it uses less fossil fuels to make (not why I bought it).
Interesting! Haven’t seen the Ride Engine suits yet but will check them out
I wear my full body thin fleece (ocean rodeo) under my NP 5/4 mm wetsuit and its works almost like the dry suit without the bulkiness. The fleece was intended for the drysuit but tried it under the wetsuit. I haven’t used the dry suit since. Also only my forearms and below knees get somewhat wet for some reason; everything is completely dry when I take it off.
Interesting - we haven’t heard of anyone doing that before. May have to give it a shot ourselves this winter
Very interesting and thanks for sharing. I will try it very soon, before the water gets close to freezing:-)
@@OurKiteLife my wetsuit is not super tight and maybe that’s why it works for me, might get too tight of your wetsuit is already very tight. I like to wear a wetsuit just lightly tight so the neoprene stays thicker (it gets thinner when you stretch it) and also for more movement freedom. Hope that helps. The fleece onesie is the ocean rodeo one sort of thin
Just jumping in kitesurfing, finishing my lessons, hopefully will be on the water by the end of August)!
Get wetsuit 4/3 will see how it’s gonna work!)
Well done video!)
Are you guys kiting somewhere in Oakville ?
Nice, that’s awesome to hear you’re getting into kiting! We kite in Etobicoke
Thanks for all your great videos, i enjoy your channel very much. One question, which lifejackets do you or most guys at your spot use, seems those jackets from NP are quite popular there? Are these more an impact vest or a real life vest? Which model is it? I am looking for a model which can be worn with a waist harness. Thanks and keep up the great work!
Thanks! The model most of us wear is the Neil Pryde High Hook. It fits comfortably with a waist harness - it has a strap that goes below the hook of your harness to keep it from riding up. It has enough padding to act as an impact vest. We like this one over an impact vest because it provides more floatation, and because by law we need to wear a life jacket here - although I don’t think it’s technically a certified PFD in North America but in Europe it is :)
Alright thanks, i will check it out :)
I'm new to the sport and have been thinking about the intersection between wetsuit, life vest, and impact vest. When I took lessons, wetsuit and life vest were required, but life vest isn't required by law in NSW Australia. I have a life vest designed for kayaking, which I haven't tried with my harness but has enough padding that it would also function as an impact vest. My current harness is a seat harness, so my life vest should be fine with it. When I'm wearing my wetsuit, there's enough flotation that I don't feel like I need a life vest, though I could see in situations like unconsciousness a life vest would potentially keep your head above water (not all US models do this). When I took lessons, they didn't even talk about an impact vest (life vest functioning in that role), but as I've been looking at impact vests, the ones I saw didn't add flotation. Patagonia makes one, not specifically for kiting, that has flotation, though I don't think it's registered as a legal life vest. The shop told me it's designed to be worn *under* the wetsuit (??), but it seems that would make my wetsuit too tight. I feel like the padding of a wetsuit would also be useful for impact, though as with the flotation aspect, it's not as good or specific as a life vest or impact vest. This is an area of accessory clothing that could probably use some evolution.
Ok so I’m from Cali I’m here because of the mil I’ve been looking for a good surfing/wetsuit for the waters out here I.........I’m used to Santa Cruz water/waves x
One nice trick to pull on tight leg and arm seals is to first put a cheap plastic grocery bag over your hand and foot as you slide them on. I always keep a few in my suit bag. Also, triathletes will spray themselves with Pam or other cooking oil spray before putting on their swimming wet suits, in order to make it easier and faster to take off.
or use a clean sock !
Thank you for the video . I use a wetsuit in winter and find that one of the issues is the cold wind as I'm kiting. Do u recommend using a windblocking jacket on top?
Yes - a wind blocking jacket will help. Another popular option is a neoprene hoody
You can add sevral layers of wet suits. I have one 3/2 and one 5/3, and if needed I wear both.
I've never used a drysuit, nore will, for the risk of it failing, i'm using a 5/4mm neil pryde hyper freak, does me in the coldest weather, really cold wind then a spray top, it's perfect.
Good for you, but 5/4 mm feels (to me) like wearing an armour, and the fun factor is comparable. Wearing a thinner wetsuit under the drysuit, in the very rare case of failing, allows you the benefit of both in really cold water and windy weather.
Here's some ice diving tips for wetsuits in freezing conditions.
Tape your boot and glove joints with duct tape.
Wear a Polartec fleece dive skin underneath.
Fill the wetsuit with warm water just before you get in.
For drysuits, my experience is with neoprene rather than shell types. The neoprene drysuit will fit more like a wetsuit requiring less clothing underneath. The neoprene will take small punctures and reseal where a shell suit won't. As the fit is closer to a wetsuit you will be more streamlined in the water making swimming easier. Glideskin neoprene neck and wrist seals are much more durable than latex. Having a manual inflater is a plus for other sports. Also having an exhaust valve on the upper arm is useful for burping the suit. Buoyancy can run very high at 20-30 pounds freshwater and more if you add air. Only downsides are the cross shoulder zipper limiting motion of the arms, and the suit can get VERY warm very fast on the surface! My 1987 Harvey's Aqua Capsule drysuit would take about 5 minutes in ice water to cool down when you get too hot. My 2004 titanium Aqua Capsule would take almost 15 minutes to cool. Both were 7mm drysuits. The newer suit was too warm for Lake Superior. Do Aqua Seal the seams on the inside around the seat. I'll miss those Harvey's drysuits they really were good!
There is a pee system available for drysuits. It's a catheter system for guys, and a glue on cup system for women. It does take some practice to use or you get wet.
Would you recommend a neoprene dry suit or a neoprene wetsuit for swimming?
@@nathaliejk3696 For swimming, go with a wetsuit. The triathlon wetsuits work best for that.
I'm using Ion Element 5.5 wetsuit. For some reason it's labeled as semi-dry, and I have no idea why. But when I enter the water I feel no water flow at all, only in my shoes, because they ain't that water tight. Plus it has some membrane that goes from the back zipper up to the neck, preventing water to flow rapidly into the suit through the zipper. This suit is amazing and kept me warm during the autumn/spring sessions. But I'd say it's a bit restraining on the movement tho.
Interesting about the semi-dry feature! Haven't tried that wetsuit before, but will look into it
Burping a dry-suit is essential to safety. The last thing you want is to find yourself upside down with your feet being forced up by a big air pocket in the legs. There is also a third option, my personal favorite a neoprene dry-suit. I use a 3mm dry-suit with a thin insulating layer underneath. Neoprene suits don't breath but in practice I have found the breath-ability of gore-tex and the like to be inadequate if the suit is getting wet on the outside constantly.
Thanks for the insight! We've been hearing a lot about the neoprene drysuits. Haven't seen them on the beach before, but will look into it further online :)
@@OurKiteLife I have a Patagoina Neoprene dry suit which I modified to include a relief zipper. Its kind of form fitting like a wetsuit but has latex seals on the ankles and wrists and a neoprene seal on the neck (much more comfy than a latex neck seal) .Regrettably, they stopped making it and have gone back to the bag style suits made by folks like Kokatat and OR. Link to Patagonia suit. vimeo.com/84077616 The ION fuse is a current neoprene dry suit.
You should try semi dry wetsuit! And do a comparison to your wetsuit 🤙👍
That's what we've heard! We will definitely look into it :) Thanks!
Nice video, as usual. What life jackets would you recommend for waist harness that doesn't get in your way too much? Lots of impact vest out there but they only provide a limited amount of float.
That's a tough one - not sure we've found the solution yet. A lot of kiters go with the NP High Hook - but it offers limited flotation, and as someone else mentioned here, it gets pushed up with the waist harness and the shoulders of the vest can sit by your ears. I use a Hyperlite wakeboarding jacket - lots of floatation and short enough that my waist harness fits underneath comfortably, but it's bulky and definitely restricts movement so it's not the best solution either
@@OurKiteLifeJust came back from silence sport and boardsport and they were also saying the same thing. It either has little float or it's too bulky. I was interested in the mystic but same problem as above. I'll continue my research and take a look at the NP high hook :D Thanks again for the reply. Happy kiting, hopefully we will be able to have some wind AND above 10 degrees temperature before next winter :D:D.
@@kinouillek very similar to the NP High Hook is the ION Booster X. Has same buyoancy (50N) and ISO 12402-5 compliance, but is geared with few more poskets and a camelback mesh pocket on the back. Retail price is slightly lower than NP.
@@nickolaydobrev714 Thanks! I'll look at it right now as the NP High Hook is a bit harder to find in colors other than yellow haha.
I'm a sailor and would prefer a wetsuit, but it's too hot to sit in with the boat for 4 hours and too cold to sit in the 45 deg water of Puget Sound for an hour. A dry suit is the only sane choice. Of course mine is a 'might be in the water' situation, vs a will be in the water sort of situation. Wet suits aren't great with wind either, but if I was going to spend half my time in the water I'd prefer a wetsuit.
Well done. Thanks for posting. Thorough and informative. But...
At 16:22 :
"Keep in mind you'll still get cold very quickly in a wet suit when submerged in cold water for a prolonged period of time, although not as quickly as in a fully functional dry suit. In fact, in a dry suit, you can stay in cold water for a much longer period of time, not that you really need to."
I am not a native English speaker but to me, these two successive sentences means exactly the opposite of each other and are mutually exclusive.
And the bit "not that you really need to" ... well, you are discussing SAFETY, as announced at 12:21, so it's not really that you chose to spend time immersed, but maybe you have to because you are waiting for those nice and gentle SAR guys to reach you?
@@OurKiteLife Ok, so if we keep only the first sentence, you're claiming that a wetsuit is more efficient at keeping an immersed sea kayaker from cooling down in cold water than a "fully functional dry suit" is. But that's quite confusing, as well, since it would imply that the amount of insulating cloths under the drysuit has suddenly become irrelevant, although you state the very opposite earlier in your video (which I think makes sense by the way).
I am not sure either what tests, if any, you are basing your statement on. Quantitative (for instance by monitoring limbs and core temperature) immersion gear testing focused on cooling rate and mild (let alone severe) hypothermia onset are difficult (and dangerous) to run with live subjects and I haven't found any standardized comparison study looking at both wetsuit and drysuit protection properties in cold water on a large enough cohort of subjects (we all respond very differently upon immersion in cold water). Do you have some reference to share?
I am not being picky. Your report touches many interesting aspects of both types of immersion protection and most of your comments are spot on and very useful, but there is a need for hard data concerning the most important features of these toys: how efficient are they respectively at slowing down the incapacitating onset of hypothermia in the worst case scenario : having to wait for rescue while immersed? coldwaterbootcamp.com give some hints but we need more. Human physiology and sport medicine labs listening?
PS: My guess is, the amount of insulating cloths you would have to wear under a drysuit to emulate a full 3-4 mm wetsuit insulating property in immersion conditions far exceeds what you would normally be able to wear in your cockpit without sweating like a snowman locked in a sauna. I have chosen to wear a wetsuit for safety while solo sea kayaking in the Pacific Northwest (9-12C water), but I may be mistaken.
Hey, watching this part of video again this morning and I believe the comments about “still getting cold in a wetsuit ... albeit not as quickly as a fully functional drysuit” were in reference to the point about wearing a wetsuit under a drysuit.
Wording is admittedly a bit confusing, so sorry about that.
It is correct that what you wear under your drysuit will determine if you are warmer or colder when submerged in water as compared to a wetsuit - as for exactly how many layers and how long, we don’t know.
As mentioned numerous times in this video, the bigger point here is to not put yourself in a situation where you can be stuck in cold water for prolonged periods of time.
@@OurKiteLife " the bigger point here is to not put yourself in a situation where you can be stuck in cold water for prolonged periods of time."
Ok fair enough, but that completely excludes sea kayaking per se from your risk assessment and gear review then (appart from the casual paddle 300' max from the beach, like playing in the surf zone for exemple). If you look at SAR sea kayaking accident reports, you will realize that sea kayakers involved in typical sea kayaking accidents are often immersed for "prolonged" periods of time before being pulled out, i.e. most of them are reached long after 30-45 min from initial distress call, in a more or less severe state of hypothermia at time of rescue (if alive). You don't need to go far ashore to kite surf but sea kayakers are often beyond 2 km from the shore. So risks and immersion gear choice will necessarily be different. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Be safe.
Great video. I am going to Swift-water rescue training in Mexico and Costa Rica from October thru November. Could you tell me what wetsuit to wear or If a rashguard would suffice and should i bring a dry suit or will it be too hot? I've never been that far south but I would imagine the river water would still be pretty cold.
Sorry, don’t have experience with that sport to give you solid advice. Hopefully someone who does will reply to this comment. Cheers!
I am a Floridian and considering taking my jetski for a ride in january, water basically is around 67-70F. What will be the warmest wetsuit to not freeze the balls in case I fall into a freezing water? :) Will 3mm be sufficient?
You should try wearing a Neoprene dry suit. They are even more comfortable! A 5mm Neoprene dry suit is very flexible and like most dry suits can be inflated to allow more insulation of Air and undergarments. Since they are not a plastic bag, they can effective allow you to wear less insulation material and still feel warm and comfortable to touch and wear on the bare skin! Additionally, there is no need for a life jacket with a neoprene dry suit as it is SO buoyant not just because of the neoprene, but because of the trapped air inside, and the large rubber boots that float!!! They also have the luxury of being warm even if you spring a leak, a quality which 'Shell' type suits (which are basically a polypropelene bag) can not offer! They also offer differing repair options from Shell suits, especially depending on where leaks may occur. Neoprene also can afford the wearer a small amount of knock protection absorbing bangs and knocks from other gear and mistakes, whereas a shell suit has no compression ability! Hope my experience helps your choices going forward! Oh and just another point us divers know. Put your wetsuit legs OVER the top of your booties, that why when your suit fills after a dunking and you have to stand up, the water inside your suit will drain out and NOT into your booties. You still get the same warm as there is the same covering of latex over your ankles.
Thanks for the info - we will definitely look into it! Can't say we've ever seen one on the beach, but sounds like a solid option!
@@OurKiteLife They are typically made for divers, but since you guys are wearing dry suits of the shell variety, you might as well consider these and option. They can also be set up with an inflatable bottle so you could ditch the cumbersome Life vest and have a small Bottle provide air. this would be good for emergencies, long/rough water immersions and when a long way from home awaiting rescue, not that you would need it as they are very bouyant anyway!
You look great in wetsuit 🤩
can you combine wetsuit and drysuit?
Great vid! Lake Ontario stays pretty cold even in summer. What temp rating do you recommend for spring/summer/fall sailing in Lake Ontario? Thanks!!
Thanks! Lake Ontario can have upwelling so even on hot August days the water could potentially be 5*C. For us, we most commonly used 5mm wetsuits, but on warmer days you can get away with a 3/2.
@@OurKiteLife Good to know! Thanks for the response. I'm going to take sailing lessons and then who knows, maybe kite surfing eventually. I haven't even made a dent in your vis yet, but cuious have you done a "how we got into it" video? Kite surfing seems like such a fringe random sport. Thanks again!!
People also use both of these types of suits for canyoneering. And the shorts over the wetsuits is a way to not care if your butt rubs on rock or something and can damage the outer suit.
There are some neoprene drysuit like the ION Fuse out there, which actually do have a neoprene shell for keeping warm and do not rely just on what you wear under the drysuit. I think there was also a model made by magic marine, and a lot of diving drysuits do make use of a neoprene shell.
Great video :)
It gets cold in Wales in the winter, i'm tempted to buy a drysuit. Could you review waterproof Mp3 players ? trying to find one that lasts more than 6 sessions without failing. Tried washing them in fresh water, cleaning the 3.5mm socket with switch cleaner. So far tried Sony, AGP tek, the £12 ones on amazon last about 10 sessions then die :( Any suggestions would be awesome :)
Hey Yuri here, I have the following mp3 player for over three years now with no issues - check it out: www.sony.com/electronics/walkman/nwz-w273-nwz-w274s
I cant live without my OR Soul. -5c 40 knots and still toasty warm!
hi nice video ,i got question ,is it possible to swim in dry suite ?? light easy recreational ? winter coming so reading wetsuit is wet so on end cold vs dry is my logic ,,is it real m logic or wrong ?
It is possible, not sure it is enjoyable. We have seen many winter swimmers in Toronto and not one swims in a drysuit.
Which suit is preferable for swimming?
ion fuse neopren drysuit is my choose, over 6 years and problem, most warm and durable drysuit on a market
We've heard lots of good things about that drysuit!
The Adelio-suit wet is the best it has flotation capabilities.
Haven't heard of it - we'll check it out, thanks!
Regarding your comment that the life jacket is designed to keep your head above water:. Most of what we wear during sports activities are merely boyancy aids for when you are conscious and may or may not keep your head (your mouth and nose actually) out of the water if you are not conscious. That is why they are called personal flotation devices and not called "life jackets". This is from memory and I did not look it up so could be wrong.
I think you're correct. Since making this video, we have learned that a life jacket is different than a PFD. A life jacket should turn you onto your back, but a PFD won't.
Dry suit pretty good for jet skis
I fly fish in cold weather water, 30 degrees outside. I hate wadders because i never keep warm. Looking to ditch the wadders and looking to get a wetsuit to keep warm. Any advice on wetsuit for cold water fishing.
Hello I bought this drysuit. How exactly do you wear the neck seal? Above or below the Adams apple?
The tightness feels weird but different to me in both ways.
Thanks
Honestly not sure it matters - we’d recommend wearing it whichever way feels more comfortable to you. The neck seal always feels weird at first but you get used to it pretty quickly.
Underneath is good enough, but years later I moved on too one with an insulated neoprene gasket (neck seal). I understand the hype, it is sooo much more
around the neck,
When you are using a dry suite without socks, like the SOUL, what do you use for footwear, just thick neoprene booties that sit over the ankle seal?
Yes - usually thick neoprene booties (6mm+) over the ankle seal, or neoprene socks (~1mm) + neoprene booties (5mm)