What Do You Wear Under Your Wetsuit?

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(13 posts) (3 voices) Started 1 year ago by James Latest reply from James

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Wetsuit

James
Class V
I’ve been looking at the NRS Farmer John Wetsuit in 3mm neoprene. It won the readers choice award from Sea Kayaker Magazine and I tried one on the other day at REI. Here are some specs:
- 3 mm neoprene forms the base and is protectively backed with comfortable nylon on both sides.
- Titanium laminate adhesive retains body heat.
- Large arm holes are surrounded by high-stretch PowerSpan for total comfort that will assure you full freedom of movement.
- Extra-long, double-pull YKK® front zipper for easy entry and relief.
- Armored seat and knees have reinforced padding for extra durability and protection.
- Glued and blind-stitched seams are comfortable and warmer.
- Double-needle threaded for durability.
- Zippered ankles make it easy to get over booties.
So, I've been asking people who know about these things their opinion on what to wear underneath. I thought some nice Patagonia briefs would be nice down low to keep things situated. I’ve heard others say to go with polypro long underwear and still others saying just the suit.

So the question is... do I go with my own fur or something more technical.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe
Posted 1 year ago #
Dennis
Photographer

Wet suit or dry suit?

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 1 year ago #
MotoMike
Moderator

the new high zoot fabrics really work well to keep you dry and comfy, but all the synthetics that work well in this capacity really stink quick. I like merino wool stuff. I wear cycling tights under my splash gear. fine Merino doesn't itch and is a great natural material for keeping you dry and warm and it doesn't get rank..

Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V

Dennis-

Wetsuit... sorry I updated the post to be more specific after you posted.

Mike-

Are you wearing merino under a neoprene wetsuit or does "splash gear" equate to a paddling jacket or dry suit?

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 1 year ago #
MotoMike
Moderator

James

Under paddling jacket and trousers. Kokotat stuff, I don't recall which model. Neoprene gaskets at the waste, neck wrists and ankles, but adjustable at the neck wrists and ankles so if submerged I will get wet, but heavy splashing doesn't get in. They are loose enough to put a few layers under, so when it gets cool out, I can keep stepping it up till the water gets hard. They are of some high-tech fabric that breathes but doesn't let water in.

Posted 12 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

Ooops, I deleted that post. I just wore a a pair of Speedos under mine. Not sure what people use these days. I used mine more for windsurfing where there was no doubt you were going in the water. Windsurfing in October...

What fun I had back then. ;-)

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 12 months ago #
MotoMike
Moderator

When I used to surf in San Diego 20 years ago, I wore a rip curl wet suit and went sans speedo. there you wrapped a towel around yourself to don and doff the wetsuit, swapping with a pair of baggy shorts. And yes, those were the days.

Posted 12 months ago #
James
Class V

naked sounds good until you have to change out of it in a busy parking lot.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 11 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

I've got one word for you... pyrotechnic diversion. Oh, that was two words. See how I did that?

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 11 months ago #
James
Class V

smoke bombs!

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 11 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

I can picture in my mind a blurred, jerky, raw video (possibly from a pole mounted security camera) of people running from right to left in a frenzied panic away from a constantly growing cloud of billowing smoke. The camera momentarily searches for focus and then through wisps of light gray smoke we see a guy in the background changing out of a wetsuit...

As usual the confused network reporters (working without a script) attempt to explain the scene unfolding before us.

"Look Bob, It appears as though a rescue worker has already arrived on the scene."

"That's good news for all those frightened victims Dan."

"Yes, I wonder how he was able to get to the scene so quickly?"

"I wonder if he is an off duty volunteer rescue worker?"

"Let's watch and see if he calls for backup Bob."

"It looks like he is putting on his gear."

"No wait, he's taking off his gear... the rescue worker is now naked and he must be getting ready to put on his protective fire fighting clothing."

"What's happening?" "I can't see through the smoke."

"There he is Dan."

"What the hell?"

"He's in his car, he's pulling out of the parking lot... no wait... he's leaving."

"Are you sure Bob?"

"Quick let's go to commercial."

The commercial comes up and it is a shot of a guy in the woods on a river bank, looking out at the water. He turns his head slowly and takes a long drink from a cold frosty can of... Moose Drool Ale... A flock of geese fly by in the background as the scene fades to black.

Hey it's the same guy from the parking lot video.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 11 months ago #
MotoMike
Moderator

James

It was really quite common. I think almost all the surfers around SanDog did it that way. You take a big towel with you. wrap it around your waste and make a terry cloth kilt. then you drop trou. Your towel shields the innocents in the parking lot. Then pull up your wet suit till it covers everything you don't want people seeing, then release the towel and put the wet suit on the rest of the way. when finished, you do the reverse.

No diversion required.

Mike

Posted 11 months ago #
James
Class V

Mike-
That sounds like a much better plan than what Dennis prescribed. I think I am going to try it nude or with some Patagonia Capilene under it and get back to you all on my personal preference.

Now, to get my wife to buy me the wetsuit for my birthday.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 11 months ago #
James
Class V

Since I already got the dog for my birthday I decided to just buy the wetsuit for myself.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 11 months ago #

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