Wetsuit VS drysuit | How to stay warm in the winter

The key to wing foil all year around is to stay warm in the winter. Today we share the pros and cons of wetsuits and drysuits.
Hope this helps you get out there through the cold winter months!

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Gwen Le Tutour
Damien LeRoy

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[windfoil]

Long ago, when a friend's drysuit split open and quickly filled with water we had a hard time getting him back to shore, even though it was not far, because he immediately began to get super cold in the sub 50 degree (F) water. My parent's house was nearby so I quickly put him in the shower and he was ok. After that I decided wetsuits were much safer. I know the newer drysuits are much better but the addition of foils to the equation is not good at all. If you are a drysuiter, I would stress Gwen's suggestion that you stay fairly close to shore. My friend was no wimp but he was in serious trouble very quickly.

[Foiljourney]

Agree 1000%. Wetsuit is the way to go. Sold my dry suit 10 years ago. I don’t think it is as safe- especially if stranded. Also, a dry suit doesn’t mix well with breaking waves, which can result in a flush of cold water.🤙

[SailSmBi]

I switched to the Ocean Rodeo drysuit last winter and I am very happy about it. I definitely find it to be warmer, especially when I am walking around before and after the session. I can change at home and be comfortable the entire time. I generally don't wing though once I have to put on the thick gloves, with the reduction in grip strength I just can't hold on to the wing long enough.

[Fus-]

I still use max 4 mm yes in south France in winter. Tramontane is a cold wind, i put a windbarrier from Mystick it stops the wind chill perfectly.

[Stanton_High]

I wear drysuit year round, the comfort of being dry and warm is a life hack that most people don't even know exists. Also, full booties. Dry feet is the best.

[arcoch]

Hi Gwen, given the above, would you even recomend a dry suit for pumpfoiling ? Here the effort peaks during the pumping followed by some resting... i have doubts that the base layer would soack up with sweat and i'd be cold during rest - what is your point of view?

[NQshawn]

drysuit in winter is awesome. ocean rodeo soul is so comfortable especially with std hiking technical base, mid layers; light and wicks sweat well. if i'm doing 2 sessions hanging around in a wetsuit is not fun, but in drysuit just unzip neck and enjoy a warm cuppa. as for hands I just go through the initial pain and then all good. never more than 3mm gloves.

[mikeb]

Ive used both on lake Ontario in Canda over the years. I prefer a thick hooded wetsuit. Much easier to paddle, pump, swim (if needed). When the wind chill gets really bad I put on a neoprene hoody over the wetsuit. Gives another layer of insulation and works as a wind breaker. I ride with a lot of guys who swear by a simple kway style windbreaker over the wetsuit for winging and kiting. Keeps the outer layer of water on wetsuit from evaporating quickly. Luckily I have a minivan I can get in and warm up and change out of my wetsuit after a really cold session. Ultimately its my feet or hands that are the weak link and force me off of the water. I've always tucked my wetsuit over my mitts and booties. In the video I see you do the opposite Gwen. Is that the better way to do it to keep warm overall? I imagine keeping your core nice and warm also helps the extremities stay warm by keeping good circulation distally.

[springlockedmasks]

I wear diving thermals under my wetsuit when really cold; vest and pants. With booties and gloves I can stay out in mid winter much longer.

[awareness]

I wing foil and surf year-round down to about 40 degrees. I had the Ocean Rodeo Soul a while back. It was very comfortable and breathable and so nice to finish a session completely dry but it only lasted a couple of years before it stopped being waterproof. Tried re-waterproofing but that didn't last long. Then the seals started leaking. The drawbacks to breathable drysuits are the high cost, they don't last, and you can't pee in them. Wetsuits are less comfortable but more affordable and you can pee all you want. I can live with that.

[Moosecoaster]

I dig my ocean rodeo suit too, but as he said.. if I layer up adequately i also end up sweating. If I under dress a little more end I up sweating. In both scenarios I’ll get cold later. Looking forward to trying a thicker wet suit.

[foamnfibr]

My drysuit is probably 14 years old with one replacement of gaskets. I have never had a thick cold water wetsuit stay fairly well sealed for more than a few years. Figure out your drysuit layering and it is great and worth the $$. But if you ever have to actually SWIM, the wetsuit mobility in the water will win that for sure. I use either type of suit depending on the circumstances.

[mmforums]

I love my drysuite (Ocean Rodeo Soul). It give much more freedom. And it is much warmer then WS. It is made of good membrane that allows steam to get out. Good quality thermal layer keeps me warm even if I sweat.
Problem with WS is when it is wet it and is drying on wind it gets really cold. It is better to have WS with rubber layer, or spray it with a waterproof so water beads off.

[mindebrolis]

Used a drysuit for 3 winters. And I get out in +2 +3C. Never fell in love with it. While I stay warm inside, my butt always ends up wet from condensate anyways, so I still have to change on the shore.
When you fall in - it is harder to swim. Hands and feet get even colder than with a wetsuit because of that cut off circulation. Not to mention the feeling of being strangled 😅
Thick warm wetsuit is my way to go. After 3 seasons you need a new one and the old one becomes “summer” wetsuit

[paddleboarddog]

At least out here I can just put a drysuit over my pajamas and get out to the water on freezing days warmly. Too cold to want to squeeze in and out of a wetsuit some days.

[jeffreybartels]

You forget one of the biggest advantage off a drysuit and that is not freezing your ass off after your session. You get out off your suit already wearing your clothes. Put on a jacket and your done. 👍👍

[brianbaarman]

I'd like to get one of those wet suits, but it's not made for my body. 5'7" with a 45" chest. The skinny chest size just makes it too hard to get off after the ride. Getting in isn't too hard but peeling it off my shoulders is impossible without help. I bought a chest entry 4/3 and could never get out of it without help.

[mbrecker]

I'm just coming out of winter and I've being using a cheap 5mm wetsuit. It did keep me warm. But I'm not sure if it was because it was too tight on the arms or because I was not wearing gloves; my forearms where getting cramped way more than when I'm using the same suit on better weather. My advise don't get the cheapest suit out there. If anyone knows how to avoid arm fatigue as much as possible in cold weather please fill in.

[martinminar]

Gwen,
I see that the wetsuit youre wearing is a bit loose on you. Do you use a slightly bigger wetsuit so it doesnt restrict hand circulation and causing forearm fatigue? I have a very tight wetsuit and during winter my forearm is dead within 20 min. (Im only using 2mm gloves). Someone suggested that my problem is most probably tight wetsuit around my arms. Do you thing that might cause forearm fatigue? Thank you for your time to respond.

[JesseALwood]

Is that air and water temperature rule in Fahrenheit or Celsius?