Ok, I am looking at buying a wetsuit or a dry suit for use in the Pacific northwest. Keep in mind that these are Colder Pacific Ocean areas and mountain fed lakes for the most part. I'm guessing that water temps don't get much beyond 50 degrees. Prolly a little less. I guess I would compare it to Lake Superior temps. The temps don't change much.
So what do you guys think? a wet suit or a dry suit???
Once you answer that question here's another for ya...
SHould I look for a good used inexpensive suit or buy a hella expensive new one?
(Keep in mind I'm a cheap bastard... but I like to get good bang for my stingy buck.)
Wet suit vs Dry suit and some words on pricing
Moderator: MK
DRY!
I noticed that MW MTN. had some reasonably price ones around $399 & a heck of a deal on Ocean
Rodeo XL's for $299. You can get a "hybrid" O'neil (dry top/damp legs) at the HOUSE for around
$300. The dry leg type are less compatible with seat harnesses, BTW.
In order to get equal warmth from a wetsuit, you'd need something 5mm
or thicker, which can be thick, bulky, & inhibit movement, however they are usually priced lower. Alot of windsurfers swear by the GUL brand wetsuit. Hope that helps, JRN Okay Stroh, the baggies just look like they'd be hard to use with a seat harness, but not so.
Rodeo XL's for $299. You can get a "hybrid" O'neil (dry top/damp legs) at the HOUSE for around
$300. The dry leg type are less compatible with seat harnesses, BTW.
In order to get equal warmth from a wetsuit, you'd need something 5mm
or thicker, which can be thick, bulky, & inhibit movement, however they are usually priced lower. Alot of windsurfers swear by the GUL brand wetsuit. Hope that helps, JRN Okay Stroh, the baggies just look like they'd be hard to use with a seat harness, but not so.
Last edited by JRN on Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
go dry.
Extreme just picked up some pyro lites they are selling them at $330. sizes M,L,XL mountianering only had an XL pyro.
I stoped wearing a wetsuite last year. you have no real restriction in a dry. dry's are way more comfy... would you rather have fleese aginst your skin or neopreem.
the pyro lite is all you will ever need... mine in 5 years old and still works perfectly. my wetsuite only lasted 1 summer.
Extreme just picked up some pyro lites they are selling them at $330. sizes M,L,XL mountianering only had an XL pyro.
I stoped wearing a wetsuite last year. you have no real restriction in a dry. dry's are way more comfy... would you rather have fleese aginst your skin or neopreem.
the pyro lite is all you will ever need... mine in 5 years old and still works perfectly. my wetsuite only lasted 1 summer.
Last edited by Stroh on Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jon Stroh
Sailed the central Oregon coast in July and found the water really cold. I was warned, but it was colder than I expected. By comparison, Lake Superior is much warmer in August/Sept.
Most of the locals were wearing hooded full wetsuits with booties. Gloves were optional.
I had was a thin wetsuit and hat. The hat was torn off when crunched by a wave. The sailing was great, but my hands, feet and head were numb.
Seems insane to wear a drysuit during the summer months, but I was wishing I had my drysuit. Maybe get a surf hat with a strap.
Tim
Most of the locals were wearing hooded full wetsuits with booties. Gloves were optional.
I had was a thin wetsuit and hat. The hat was torn off when crunched by a wave. The sailing was great, but my hands, feet and head were numb.
Seems insane to wear a drysuit during the summer months, but I was wishing I had my drysuit. Maybe get a surf hat with a strap.
Tim
people look at me like I'm crazy on waconia... in the middle of the summer if I am just slightly cold I will go out in my dry and just weat a very thin layer of cotton under it. that is what I love about baggy dry's you can adjust one suite to be the perfect temp from 20-80 degrees, and you will always be comfy
Jon Stroh
Re: DRY!
sorry jim I couldn't disagree with you more. I can't wear a seat harnes with neopreem... my voice goes up a few octivesJRN wrote:The dry leg type are less compatible with seat harnesses
. the baggyness of a dry gives you some room to get the boys out of the way of the leg straps.Jon Stroh
Gust user,
I have an extra drysuit that I am going to sell soon, so give me a shout if you decide to go that route. I have a Bare Polar size LT in great shape, and a Ocean Rodeo Pyro, which is much nicer than the Pyro Lite, that is in new condition in size L. I am still deciding which one to sell.
mjwinter at stthomas dot edu
I have an extra drysuit that I am going to sell soon, so give me a shout if you decide to go that route. I have a Bare Polar size LT in great shape, and a Ocean Rodeo Pyro, which is much nicer than the Pyro Lite, that is in new condition in size L. I am still deciding which one to sell.
mjwinter at stthomas dot edu
I just bought a pyro pro last year and it's the best thing that I have bought, the zipper in the front is the way to go it's so much easier than the back zipper! I totally agree with Stroh, ocean rodeo dry before a wet suit, it keeps you warmer and is way more comfortable and esy to get into and out of, and with the cold temps that you seem to be riding in I would risk it, dry suit all the way!
Stroh when are you planning on getting out this year on the water, I'll join you!
Stroh when are you planning on getting out this year on the water, I'll join you!
North Regional Rider.
Ride til it hurts!!!!
Ride til it hurts!!!!
The Ocean Rodeo Surf is getting good reviews too.
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-7637.html
If you get a baggy suit make sure it is breathable. I've had others and you get pretty clammy in them when riding in 80 degrees above 35 degree water.
I personally prefer the wetsuit type of drysuit. Personal preference I suppose. I like not needing extra underclothing and not having to fight the super tight seals.
lots of good options out there.
Might contact Promotion wetsuits in the Gorge since they know the conditions out there well.
good luck
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-7637.html
If you get a baggy suit make sure it is breathable. I've had others and you get pretty clammy in them when riding in 80 degrees above 35 degree water.
I personally prefer the wetsuit type of drysuit. Personal preference I suppose. I like not needing extra underclothing and not having to fight the super tight seals.
lots of good options out there.
Might contact Promotion wetsuits in the Gorge since they know the conditions out there well.
good luck
Tighe
Ingy,
you have to go to the store to get the low price... it's a local deal only. tell them I said that price.
I am dieing to hit the water. I'm guessing 1 week.. I'll post
another note,
I wear the pyro pro but don't think it is signifincantly better than the lite. with a small bungie hooked to the zipper it is easier to zip than the front zip. I also don't think the gortex really works like every one says, the only reason I bought the pro is it was the only one on ebay and it was cheeper than a new pyro lite.
Jon
you have to go to the store to get the low price... it's a local deal only. tell them I said that price.
I am dieing to hit the water. I'm guessing 1 week.. I'll post
another note,
I wear the pyro pro but don't think it is signifincantly better than the lite. with a small bungie hooked to the zipper it is easier to zip than the front zip. I also don't think the gortex really works like every one says, the only reason I bought the pro is it was the only one on ebay and it was cheeper than a new pyro lite.
Jon
Jon Stroh
Geust user, Personaly I would get a Wetsuit for the NW I ride both the NW and here in MN and lake superoir is much colder, and our water temps are colder for the most part , with the exeptoin of Stroh and maybe a few more , I dont see many people ,espesially in the NW wearing a dry suit infact none, even the guys that kite the gorge year round dont use drysuits, personally I think they suck, to get in and out of , their seals break/blow out and there just not that ccomfortable to ride in, although I would like to try the OR surf .
Id say go with a nice wetsuit , spend a little on it ,theres some good deals out there , I seen some Hyperflex, I think they were 4/3 , at scubacenter for cheap. Tighes Idea is a great one also, Promotion has alot of good gear and they know the area well but they have a huge selectoin of goods.
Id say go with a nice wetsuit , spend a little on it ,theres some good deals out there , I seen some Hyperflex, I think they were 4/3 , at scubacenter for cheap. Tighes Idea is a great one also, Promotion has alot of good gear and they know the area well but they have a huge selectoin of goods.
A bit more to add to the mix. There are some really good Steamers out there. They are wet suits but seal up pretty well and are usually 4/5s. You'll be toasty in those for sure. The nice thing about a wetsuit is that if you get too warm you can always let some water in to cool off....or flush out any unwanted fluids ; )
Tighe