What to wear when water & air temp is cold?

[nick4wheelin]

Hi I am new to the club. I have went kayaking a little when its warm out, fishing and stuff mainly. Really just getting used to the kayak. I have never been when its cold, I have a 12 ' sit on top and I know I will be getting wet, thats ok but what would you guys recommend. I know that I cant afford a high dollar dry suit, and from what I have read the cheap ones are not worth buying. I will be going on the Mulberry river when I get some cold weather gear. I havent had a chance to go anywhere but on flat water really, I got my kayak late last summer went fishing some & water levels on creeks had been low around here until recently. Also I was working to many weekends to check into it much. Thanks for any help you could give me.

[Dane Pruitt]

wheelin this topic should help.

[url]http://forums.arkansascanoeclub.com/vie ... =22918[url]

I don't know how to post a link unintentended dunk is title

[nick4wheelin]

I tried to find the link that you showed but I haven't had any luck yet. I have been looking on my phone maybe when I get to my computer I can find it. if anyone else has anything to add I would appreciate it. I have been thinking about a wetsuit not really sure what thickness or brand. does anyone know which ones are better without breaking the bank and what kind of shoes and gloves are good. just looking for some input from paddlers in the river valley area.

[Cowper]

I wasn't sure whether to put this answer on this thread or the other one on the similar topic, but since this is mostly in response to nicks question I'll put it here.

One question we often forget to ask is what gear or equipment do you own already? For example if you are already a scuba diver you could make do with a scuba wet suit for one season. The reason we don't normally use those for paddling is because they're too thick and restrictive but they would keep you warm in cold weather and like I say you could make do for a little while. Do you already own any fleece? And what else do you own?

[okieboater]

Memory not being my strong suit these days, but I do remember us covering this in a lot of detail previously.

[nick4wheelin]

Thanks for asking Cowper, I really dont own anything for wearing kayaking other than swim trunks. I do have a fleece pullover and I think I may have a one set of fleece pants my wife got me to wear around the house but dont really use cause they are to hot. From what I have gathered this far I would be wearing the fleece over the wetsuit as a secondary layer. I am a bigger guy 260-270 lbs so fit may be a problem too. I am warm natured, even before I weighed this much I was warm natured, I have always tolerated the cool better than heat. I just want something I can go out in and feel confident I will stay warm in, but I dont want to over heat. I am just trying to gather information on some decent quality gear at an affordable price. I have a SOT so I will be getting my legs wet alot also, so i assume I need a full suit. I would like a drysuit but they cost more than I can spend right now.

I have been looking at wetsuits online but I dont know if I should get a 4/3 or 3/2 thickness. I dont know which brands are better or if they are about the same quality for suits in the same price ranges. From what I have read I should look for 100% stretch and sealed and taped for reduced flushing, I have seen that some are fleece lined and supposedly better (warmer). I dont mind spending a few hundred dollars on a combo of wetsuit, boots, and gloves. $300-350 is as much as I could spend for all. If anyone knows what suit fits a big guy let me know. I would also love to hear opinions on boots and gloves. If there is anything else I may need please let me know as well because I am new to this sport.

I am sorry that I havent figured out the searches on the site yet okieboater, sorry to bother you.

[tomOzarkVideo]

NRS is clearing out Kokatat T3 drysuits for ~ $350.

It would be worth a look.. Throw that fleece under the suit and enjoy the dry bliss.

[Walter Felton]

Hey Nick: I am in the same weight range that you have described yourself as. I would suggest the NRS Grizzle Bill wet suit for a starter http://www.outdoorplay.com/NRS-Grizzly- ... tegory=178" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Unlike the divers wet suits it is designed for paddlers and is 3mm thick which is usually enough until you need a dry suit. It is in the $150 price range and the 2X fits me fine. Then add either a hydroskin top or a layer of fleece and splash jacket (all available on the NRS web site).
And welcome to the club!
Walter Felton

[BEubanks]

Depending on your location, it might well be worth a trip to a local outfitter. Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters in Hot Springs, for example, will be able to show you a whole range of options and you can try on. Jeremy and crew know paddling, and it's good to work with someone who knows the sport you're interested in. However, I personally wouldn't recommend going to an outfitter to check out all the gear only to leave and buy everything online. I like a bargain as much as the next guy, but I do recognize the value that comes with being able to try on and compare gear I'm holding in my hands vs gear I see only in photos. One more caveat. Given your size, I'd probably call ahead to make sure they have gear you'd be able to try on.

That said, a wetsuit, perhaps even with some splash pants to cut the wind, fleece under a good splash top, wetsuit boots (perhaps with a pair of wool socks), helmet liner, gloves or pogies, will keep you warm down into the 40s. I'm cold natured and until just this season did not have a dry suit (worth the $ so far!!!). The multiple splashing or swimming you get if you're doing white water will differ from calmer waters or fishing trips, of course.

Borrow some gear for short trips and experiment, but you may have trouble finding other paddlers your size to borrow from.

[mgood]

In one word:

LAYER.

I call it the poor man's drysuit- it works. Fleece, fleece, base layer, dry top layer....

[Deuce]

Nick, this is the thread everyone has been referencing. http://forums.arkansascanoeclub.com/vie ... =1&t=22918" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Should just be able to click on the link.

[nick4wheelin]

I found the "dunk" topic this morning, i thought I was getting told to go look up an old topic, didnt realize it was on the first page, I overlooked it before posting. I did see that Swifty 3 dry suit for $379 on NRS not sure if the XL will fit, another site had it for $325 but only in medium. Trying to weigh the options, I kind of wanted to have it all baught for ruffly $350. I live near Alma, so if anyone knows where I could try stuff on in Ft. Smith or somewhere else in this area just let me know, Thanks.

[Jim Krueger]

Just as far as the wetsuit recommendations go, I'd like to add the 'Bare' brand to consider. It looks like the 3mm Farmer John in XXL is about $169. I've had a couple of Bares, and have really liked their quality, and construction. I bought both of mine from a dive shop near Ozark Outdoors in Little Rock, but I see they must be out of business now. From looking at the Bare website, there seem to be no more dealers in Arkansas, but some in the adjacent states, or to order online of course.

On the top, I wear one or two layers of 100% polyester long underwear, in various weights, and a Kokatat dry top. A splash top is good too since I don't float in quite as extreme of conditions as often. On the feet, I like the NRS 2mm neoprene socks with sandals or river shoes. Sandals are more frowned upon now because they offer less toe protection, and are more prone to hanging up on things. I sometimes wear a pair of Keen river shoes which I like the best, but since I have really long feet, I don't have room for them in all of my boats, so I still wear my trusty TEVA sandals. I have also worn a pair of smartwool socks under my Neoprene socks on occasion, it all gets wet, but does seem to help keep warm.

Jim

[Canoe_Codger]

Just as far as the wetsuit recommendations go, I'd like to add the 'Bare' brand to consider. It looks like the 3mm Farmer John in 2XXL is about $169. I've had a couple of Bares, and have really liked their quality, and construction. I bought both of mine from a dive shop near Ozark Outdoors in Little Rock, but I see they must be out of business now. From looking at the Bare website, there seem to be no more dealers in Arkansas, but some in the adjacent states.

Jim

I've been seeing their drysuits on that auction site and wondering about the quality. They are usually reasonably (low) priced.


Michael

[Jim Krueger]

I olny know about their wetsuits from my limited experience, and have really liked them. My wife has always had the NRS wetsuits, I like their construction and quality too, I just like the Bare brand ones for myself because that's what I started with.
As far as the drysuits and drytops go, I'm sticking with Kokatat. I've not owned a drysuit yet,but have had two great Kokatat drytops.I've been thinking about a full drysuit though to expand my floating opportunities.

Jim