The snow has melted too much to consider snowkiting, but not enough for an atb. One of our salty lakes is half open, so I'm wondering if a set of Helly Hansen full body long underwear worn under my wetsuit, would increase its warmth enough to go kiting. My suit is a Niel Pryde Assassin 5/4/3 hybrid, Ocean Rodeo coldfire 3mm gloves/hood, and 5mm boots. The air temps are anywhere from 2-6 degrees Celsius. I have a few days off and hope to kite if there's wind. Thoughts and opinions are much appreciated.

Thanks
Shaggs

some fleece or expedition heavy weight fleece underneath. helps if seals are good

http://www.windwizards.com/meholoslshby.html
I was also thinking of ordering something like this. That way I can also wear it when its just chilly outside this summer

that's the ticket. hood neck combo makes it smokin' hot BTW.

just don't hang in the water too much.

I also have an O'Neil 5/4/3 mm wetsuit with a detacheable hood. It's an excellent suit - warm, flexible, and no more choking gasket around your neck. Just as warm as my Bare 6/5mm. I've worn fleece layers (made specific for wear under wet suits, just can't remember the brand name) under the Bare suit and I can't say it made a huge difference. It's supposed to reduce flushing, but the Bare had gaskets in the arms and legs that already worked quite well.

It's your hands and feet that need the most attention. I have 7mm O'Neil boots that are a #@%$#! to get on/ off , but my feet have never been cold in them. And, I had 3mm gloves that were not that good. Recently I bought 5mm O'Neil 'lobster claw' gloves and they're perfect. The thumb and index finger are seperate and the other 3 fingers together in a mitt. They're warmer and more flexible than the 3mm gloves so I do not get as fatigued gripping ther bar.

I've been kiting on the water since early March every chance- basically as soon as the snow melted. Btw, the water temp. is 1-2 deg. and I go out when the air temp is minimum 3- 5 deg. celcius. Pretty hardcore.

In my cold water kiting experience it's the hands and feet that need the most protection. Hope this helps

$40 rain suit from the hardware store ... the Made-in-China brand I have is called "Doqmeat" but it's surprisingly water-tight! Cuts right down on the wind chill, keeps out a lot of water and lets your wetsuit insulate.

What G-Zeus said is all true - I've been out in 5°C this year too and the hands and feet suffer the most. I'm trying to get wetsuit boots (slippers leave my ankles bare) but I got some 4mm neoprene gloves from a hardware store and they are PERFECT - no more cold hands! In fact, my elbows get colder :D

...........:o Apparently they grow HOOJ in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia!

yep, a hood is a good idea and also adding a 2mm Rashguard as well

keeping your chest and head warm is the ticket

We're finally pushing 10°C but there's still a little snow on the hills next to the lake

I just ordered boots from these guys - http://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/ - primarily because they were the only place that had a decent supply of a variety of things, shipped from the US (cheaper shipping than the EU) and erm shipped outside the US.

Quote:

Originally posted by macboy ...........:o Apparently they grow HOOJ in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia!

hehehe for me I just really wanna ride, after getting only enough sessions to count on one hand all winter. If the wind does pickup enough I'll give my buddy a call. He's already posted pics of him in his wetsuit setting up in knee deep snow. Oh I finally bought a GoPro yesterday. If I do go out I'll try to get video. I still gotta get a water helmet, so not sure how my snow/skate lid will work for that.