Cold weather - Ion Quantum 4/3 so good that I hardly use my dry suit. Bought for under $300 from OceanAir in Avon. Easy on/off, too.
Cool weather - Pryde 3k 4/3 not nearly as warm - good suit for those cooler can't wear a shorty days. Around $100 ish off ebay.
Also check out ProMotion http://wetsuit.com they are similarly priced, made in the Gorge and have a lot of size options. Would likely have gone this way except the Missus was with me in Avon and insisted I get a good suit while we were there. Couldn't say no to that offer.
For those of you with 10+ year wetsuits, the neoprene really does shrink. The new neoprenes are really soft and warm. It'll make the time from now until mid-April so much more enjoyable.
I bought a new Neil Pryde Edge Wind cold weather suit last month and I can't believe how much lighter, and more comfortable it is than my old dry-suit. It may not be quite as warm, but it seems plenty warm for my cut off temperature (around 48 degrees) and is waaaay more comfortable. I also had a chance to check out the 2017 Neil Pryde Combats when in Hatteras last month. These suits claim to get you down to freezing temps, and are still shockingly light weight and stretchy! Wind NC (in hatteras) is closing down their store so most of their inventory is 20-25% off (even their 2017 gear). You might want to give them a call if you are interested in the Combat (which they had in stock).
Ion suits are great, and priced well. I have my 4/3 Element since 4 years ago, and use it down to 47F. Any colder and I don't go...just now worth the cold hands.
I also just got a 2.5 Ion Shorty this summer and again it fits and works great.
I've worn and sold the Neil Pryde suits for years and currently wear their Elite 5/4/3 (model names have changed but was their best semi dry model) on the real cold days. I also have their convertible (long pants and short sleeves with add on sleeves when needed) suit, 4/3 and really like it. I wear it instead of a shorty with warmer air and cold water, and wear it with the sleeves when it's pretty cold.
If you're planning on sailing on the real cold days, 40s and high 30s, you should consider getting a 5mm suit instead of a 4 mm one.
How convenient, I was actually going to start a thread about cold weather wetsuits.
To those of you who have np suits, do you find they hold up ok? I hear lots of comments about their lack of durability.
Is there a place in Atlanta where you can buy a windsurfing wetsuit? I'm in Nashville and not thrilled about ordering online for such a thing. Could take the drive to ATL if that were an option.
Nope, there is nowhere in Atlanta to try on windsurfing wetsuits. Hatteras is about the only option to try on different brands/type of wind sport specific wetsuits. Even there the options can be hit or miss.
The better (more expensive) Pryde suits typically have better seams - glued and taped. In this case paying more gets you something.
I could be wrong but sometimes a lack of "durability" is because the suit was abused. Modern neoprenes are very soft and stretchy - they don't tolerate sharp objects, snagging on docks or decks, etc. That's the price you pay for a suit that is easy on and off, moves freely and doesn't bind wrists, forearms, etc. Soft neoprene is a godsend when you trying to get it off in 40 degree weather. It was worth getting a new suit for this alone.
Additionally, windsurfing suits lack the outer layer of fabric that protects typical wetsuits (although most brands put nylon on the legs because they are more prone to damage there from fins, etc). But, it's important to be smooth skinned for warmth (see "evaporative cooling"). I've owned 3 Pryde suits and have no complaints.
Yo Nitro, Leaning toward the NP Edge, but wondering if the non-smooth part makes for evaporational cooling. "Quick dry" on the outside don't sound right
Fireline is an exclusive, new ultra-warm, feather-light and stretchy insulation layer. Consisting of brushed, quick-dry polypropylene lines knitted over jersey, it feels soft and warm to touch. The brushed surface absorbs moisture which is then heated by your body creating a warming, greenhouse effect inside the suit.
In 2016, there were two versions of the Edge suit. There is the standard (the one you link to) and then there is the Wind version which is made with Armour Skin, which is more like smooth skin neoprene (like the one here http://greenhatkiteboarding.com/2016-np-edge-wind-wetsuit-5-4-3. I have the Wind version, so I can't answer your question with personal experience. When researching suits I found some really good deals on the standard suit, and the one guy I spoke to who uses the suit for kiteboarding said it worked great cold weather sailing. I am still weary of non-smooth-skin suits for really cold sailing.
Cold weather - Ion Quantum 4/3 so good that I hardly use my dry suit. Bought for under $300 from OceanAir in Avon. Easy on/off, too.
Cool weather - Pryde 3k 4/3 not nearly as warm - good suit for those cooler can't wear a shorty days. Around $100 ish off ebay.
Also check out ProMotion http://wetsuit.com they are similarly priced, made in the Gorge and have a lot of size options. Would likely have gone this way except the Missus was with me in Avon and insisted I get a good suit while we were there. Couldn't say no to that offer.
For those of you with 10+ year wetsuits, the neoprene really does shrink. The new neoprenes are really soft and warm. It'll make the time from now until mid-April so much more enjoyable.
I bought a new Neil Pryde Edge Wind cold weather suit last month and I can't believe how much lighter, and more comfortable it is than my old dry-suit. It may not be quite as warm, but it seems plenty warm for my cut off temperature (around 48 degrees) and is waaaay more comfortable. I also had a chance to check out the 2017 Neil Pryde Combats when in Hatteras last month. These suits claim to get you down to freezing temps, and are still shockingly light weight and stretchy! Wind NC (in hatteras) is closing down their store so most of their inventory is 20-25% off (even their 2017 gear). You might want to give them a call if you are interested in the Combat (which they had in stock).
Ion suits are great, and priced well. I have my 4/3 Element since 4 years ago, and use it down to 47F. Any colder and I don't go...just now worth the cold hands.
I also just got a 2.5 Ion Shorty this summer and again it fits and works great.
Marek
Pics say otherwise
https://windsurfatlanta.org/gallery/album/501/list
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
I stand corrected...so maybe that's why my duck jibes sucked that day.
Marek
Same problem here. Duck jibes suffer when it's under 47 degrees. Celsius.
I've worn and sold the Neil Pryde suits for years and currently wear their Elite 5/4/3 (model names have changed but was their best semi dry model) on the real cold days. I also have their convertible (long pants and short sleeves with add on sleeves when needed) suit, 4/3 and really like it. I wear it instead of a shorty with warmer air and cold water, and wear it with the sleeves when it's pretty cold.
If you're planning on sailing on the real cold days, 40s and high 30s, you should consider getting a 5mm suit instead of a 4 mm one.
Gene
Gene Mathis
I just purchased my second O'neill hybrid drysuit, like the way it fits and you can wear some warm poly under it to make it real toasty! A month ago it was less than $300 on Amazon:
https://smile.amazon.com/ONeill-Wetsuits-Assault-Drysuit-Graphite/dp/B005XWZMXK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479483002&sr=8-2&keywords=oneil%2Bdrysuit&th=1&psc=1
How convenient, I was actually going to start a thread about cold weather wetsuits.
To those of you who have np suits, do you find they hold up ok? I hear lots of comments about their lack of durability.
Is there a place in Atlanta where you can buy a windsurfing wetsuit? I'm in Nashville and not thrilled about ordering online for such a thing. Could take the drive to ATL if that were an option.
Thanks!
Nope, there is nowhere in Atlanta to try on windsurfing wetsuits. Hatteras is about the only option to try on different brands/type of wind sport specific wetsuits. Even there the options can be hit or miss.
I have never had an issue with NP durability.
Edit: Appears that Promotion is having a sale: http://stores.wetsuit.com/mens-wind-kite-1/
The better (more expensive) Pryde suits typically have better seams - glued and taped. In this case paying more gets you something.
I could be wrong but sometimes a lack of "durability" is because the suit was abused. Modern neoprenes are very soft and stretchy - they don't tolerate sharp objects, snagging on docks or decks, etc. That's the price you pay for a suit that is easy on and off, moves freely and doesn't bind wrists, forearms, etc. Soft neoprene is a godsend when you trying to get it off in 40 degree weather. It was worth getting a new suit for this alone.
Additionally, windsurfing suits lack the outer layer of fabric that protects typical wetsuits (although most brands put nylon on the legs because they are more prone to damage there from fins, etc). But, it's important to be smooth skinned for warmth (see "evaporative cooling"). I've owned 3 Pryde suits and have no complaints.
Yo Nitro, Leaning toward the NP Edge, but wondering if the non-smooth part makes for evaporational cooling. "Quick dry" on the outside don't sound right
Fireline is an exclusive, new ultra-warm, feather-light and stretchy insulation layer. Consisting of brushed, quick-dry polypropylene lines knitted over jersey, it feels soft and warm to touch. The brushed surface absorbs moisture which is then heated by your body creating a warming, greenhouse effect inside the suit.
http://www.inlandsea.com/p-1148-np-edge-543-semi-dry-wetsuit.aspx
In 2016, there were two versions of the Edge suit. There is the standard (the one you link to) and then there is the Wind version which is made with Armour Skin, which is more like smooth skin neoprene (like the one here http://greenhatkiteboarding.com/2016-np-edge-wind-wetsuit-5-4-3. I have the Wind version, so I can't answer your question with personal experience. When researching suits I found some really good deals on the standard suit, and the one guy I spoke to who uses the suit for kiteboarding said it worked great cold weather sailing. I am still weary of non-smooth-skin suits for really cold sailing.
This place has some closeout 5/4 NP suits depending on your size:
http://www.mackiteboarding.com/np/
You guys are awesome!
Ordered the NP Nexus 5/4 for $175
Great experience from mackite– had a size problem
and they make the return process really easy.