keeping warm through the winter in a drysuit !

[passbhoy]

Anybody any advice on keeping warm during the winter months while wearing your drysuit and woolybear ? Thinking about one of those battery heated vests ??? All advice welcome !

[chewy]

I find I stay warmer with just my wooly bear on and pants on rather than jeans/trousers etc.
You could try thermals under your wooly bear but mine is designed to wick any moisture away from the body.
A decent neck warmer gloves and hat all help, a gecko work well too.

[willk]

A few thoughts.

Is the dry suit fabric water -retaining (eg wet suit type neoprene)? This can get quite cold once wet as the evaporation from wind can chill the contents (you) quite quickly. The membrane suits seem to be better this way. It might sound odd, but a loose oilskin worn over the drysuit would help. I've done this while scuba-diving and it actually helps a lot on the boat. Obviously, LJ on the very outside

The less silly looking way is as Chewy says, dress up underneath. You don't want to overheat when "working" so packing on fleeces is no help. Good gloves (sealskinz), mountaineering socks, neoprene neckwarmer, windproof hat, helmet. Wicking base layer is good - Helly make good stuff. A bikers neoprene kidney belt is worth looking at too - I find my lower back chilling and stiffening in these conditions.

Oh, and bring a thermos flask - that heat stays in the suit!

[actions]

I use my drysuit with just a wolly bear at this time of year and that's fine even when skiing and fully in the water. When it gets colder i also wear thermal base layers and the bear suit. Plus seal skin waterproof gloves and hat. Thermal socks are brilliant but don't get ones too tight as that has the opposite effect.

My advice sheet from the drysuit company also says to not wear normal clothes underneath as fabric conditioner attacks the seams. So i have a set of boating bits separate that have not been washed with fabric conditioner.

Sent from my galaxy s2

[Maximus]

All the above good advice! Try to keep thr Drysuit DRY too,some people tend to be a bit Cavalier in thier driveing when Togged right up,a mistake if you're ou for a long time.
I'd recomend a Ghecko or similar and invest in the best thermal's -wicking system you can afford,and as well as Wilk's hot Flask,keep the Calorie count High!...one of the joys of Winter Cruiseiing!

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

Wicking base layer is good - Helly make good stuff.

Icebreaker is the best 'next to skin'. 100% NZ merino.

[ashbypower]

I wear one of these under a membrane drysuit.. Never been cold either on or under the water

[Rudders999]

I have both neoprene (diving) drysuit and Membrain breathable drysuit(lifeboat)
I use forth element base layer in the winter as wickes the persperation way
and just a light cotton set in the summer
We also use Gekko helmets

I have also used motorbike hood, which fit under helmet, cover neck , mouth and nose, water repellant and stops jaw getting frosen in the cold months

Have had cheap sailing type drysuist bu they tend not to last a season
Now have Northern Diver made to measure bib entry, with neoprene neck and wrist seals, which add to comfort and warmth.

Robin Hood ater sports were advertising an under suit that kept you cool in the summer and warm in the winter , but have not tried it
Hope this helps

Chris

[actions]

This is the suit i use along with their own wooly bear suit. (TR40 i think)

I have had it three years now and still in perfect condition.

Its all comes down to money too i suppose and what you want to spend but i found this very good value.

Drysuits for sailing, kite surfing, windsurfing, canoeing, jet skiing, and any other surface watersport, from Trident-UK

They also have a very helpful section telling you exactly how to stay warm which hopefully answers all your questions.

Trident UK Stay Warm this Winter

[passbhoy]

thanks for all the info guys, im interested in any info on the battery powered vests, anyone tried them yet? something like this - OXFORD HEATED VEST on eBay!