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===== My wetsuit options/combos =====

[[:decision_trees_wear|Deciding What to Wear for Cold Water]]

[[:bellingham|Bellingham, WA Page]]

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**David Hooper** \\
06/12/16 #19480

(//paddling mostly in Bellingham Bay//)

Per Duncan’s comment on full rubber, I agree, especially when air temp is < 60 F, water temp is < 50 F, wind is blowing and immersion is a distinct possibility. Everyone’s different, but I’m tall and skinny, which means high body surface area to volume ratio and therefore rapid heat loss to the environment. It ain’t about manliness, just physics.

This winter, I bought two wetsuits that work well either alone or in combo, depending on conditions: a full 3/2 surfing wetsuit, which is nice in spring and fall transitional conditions, especially when it’s windy, wavy and the spray is flying. I also bought a shorty 2 mm farmer john one piece (stretchy step in, no zipper), which works great either alone on warmer days, layered with tech shirts and tights on cooler days, or as a base layer to the full 3/2 on cold winter days.

These are the first new wetsuits I’ve bought in ~20 years, and man, technology has improved. They’re both really stretchy, and I barely notice any restriction. They’re also really easy to get in and out of. I’ve been testing different combinations on different days to figure out the balance of immersion warmth vs. paddling overheating. And if I do overheat a bit, it makes a good excuse to practice remounts.

I found both of these suits on Sierra Trading Post, and with extra discounts, the cost of both together was around $200 – pretty cheap insurance.

Dave Hooper

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