Ice water wetsuit ideas, recommendations?

[Noabacca]

I'm considering setting aside my warmth seaking springbreak plans, and buying a "serious" wetsuit for riding in ice cold water, here in the Midwest during the second week of March

Right now I'm leaning toward a Rip Curl F-Bomb? E-Bomb, zipperless.
5-4-3mm or 6-5-4mm?

Does anybody know what a minimum suit thickness you can skate with when the air and water temps are hovering between 1-5 degrees C?

I have a 3/2mm jetski suit (sieve) which I've used in water above 3-4, but the air was closer 15. I know that suit wouldn't cut in the typical winter air and water temps ealier in the year.

Any recommends or cautions when it comes to winter wetsuits
materials,... problems
Too hot or too cold, issues.
Can you give me some ranges and winter suits that work for you.

I would not try to ride if the air tempurature were below 0 C

I'm probably not interested in getting a bag/drysuit, but try to persuade me, if you want.

-NBP

[the_lone_wolf]

don't know much about suits but wouldn't a drysuit be more suitable in those conditions?

[nab1000]

get the OR drysuite works well for that

[murdoc]

wetsuit: neilpryde apex 5000 (E3). it's like wearing your PJs for kiting. comfy and warm. the 05/06 model isn't that durable but it's so comfy, you don't mind wearing a 5mm wetsuit.

drysuit: OR pyro
you'll need to have cloth underneath. if you put on a fleece overal (availlable in sailing supply, around 50-70$), you're still warm when there's snow on the beach.

shoes: atan polar boot 7mm
the warmest boot around.

[usedcar]

No Brainer. Ocean Rodeo Pyro. Keeps you tosty warm in sub zero temps.

[tautologies]

In regards to dry suits.....what happens to the dry suit if it is ripped (Ihave never tried one so I really do not know this first hand)? Isn't this a major issue? In really cold weather you would only have a few minutes...

a.

[Baboon]

For wetsuits a made to measure by any of the top brands like Elios/Picasso.

you will not find better...fact


Surf suits are not in the same league /ballpark when it comes to comfort,warmth or mobility or quality and design. I have a Rip curl fireskin 6/4 and NDiver 5 which are about the same when compared to each other and just cannot compare in any respect to my Elios.

That said the MTMs take a bit of effort/care getting in and out of them and you would probably be OK(not too hot) in a 5 boil in a 7 and combust in a 9

Well lookey lookey....who`s just opened a can of worms

[nab1000]

I found Rip curls 5mm booties to be extremely comfortable and very warm! make sure you get top of the line gloves too. Only ride with my Oniel suites though, but have tried the OR drysuit and works very well.

[Ten4]

move to somewhere warmer then consider only wearing boardies

[biggins]

I have an Ocean Rodeo dry suit that just keeps leaking through the ankle area!!! How do you keep water from getting in??? It's not just a little bit the whole ankle fills up eventually!

j