5/4 vs 4/3 wetsuit?? Pros and cons??

[murse2groveler]

Hey guys hope this winter has been treating you well. Down to the business I have a new billabong furnace comp wetsuit that I'm really happy with that has the internal furnace lining to keep you warm. I'm in central Cali and sent in my 4/3 for a repair (seam leak). Basically I'm in the mind set that maybe a 5/4 of the same model would be better? that it would be better to be too warm than cold. That being said were in winter and I haven't been cold in my wetsuit at all yet but I haven't been too warm in it either. Plus having the flexibility to go up north more would be nice but basically as far as flexibility goes is there a noticeable difference between a 5/4 vs 4/3?? Or would a 5/4 just be too much in the summer? Should also mention this is my only wetsuit so I'm using it year round. Have ability to get a exchange for a new suit is why this question is on my mind. Thanks have a good one!

[BoMan]

I surf in Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. The 5/4 suit is great for the winter months, especially while you wait in the wind for a set to arrive, but it's too warm for the summer when the water temp can rise above 60 degrees. I tested my new 5/4 in October and was forced to flush it with a few turtle rolls to keep from overheating.

I have a 4/3 for the summer, a 5/4 for the winter and use the following guidelines...

Temperature Suit
60 degrees+ 3/2
54-59 degrees 4/3
48-54 degrees 5/4

[billie_morini]

I used to surf in Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Santa Cruz counties. Water temps were 9 to 14 C (48 to 55 F). I liked using a 4/3 mm suit, thin booties, and thin fabric hood. When temps were on the cold end, I'd where a pair of Oneil thermo shorts and rash guard under wetsuit. This is all very flexible and not restrictive. I'd never be comfortable in a 5/3 mm. Too bulky for me.

My 4/3 mm suit would be too warm for me with higher temps than noted above.

There some additional considerations:
- how well seams are sealed
- zipper type or absence
- baffling, water dams, bat wings, neck & wrist snuggness
- fit

These are the things that make one suit warmer than another. By having a good 4/3 suit, it was possible to bear temps where other guys were using 5/3 suits. Likewise, I now surf in central Cal with a high quality 3/2. Many guys in the water around me are wearing 4/3, which is too hot for me.

[BaNZ]

Billie is a real man and I'm a wuss, I surfed in 5/4 when the water is 60F.

I started with a 3/2 and now own a 4/3 5/4 and 6/5 wetsuit. I once wore a 3/2 and a 4/3 together when the water 43F.

[billie_morini]

BaNZ, you are too funny! But, how can you even move in a 6/5 mm suit?!
billie

[BaNZ]

BaNZ, you are too funny! But, how can you even move in a 6/5 mm suit?!
billie

Embarrassingly, I only tried the 6/5 when I'm at home. I'm not even able to take it off by myself. Haven't been in the water yet. I bought it for when it snows in NYC and if I've not been in the water for months. Maybe I'll jump in the sea and scream like a little girl. Which I already do when it is 43F.

[billie_morini]

... I bought it for when it snows in NYC and if I've not been in the water for months...

Surfing when it snows. Now you are the manly one, BaNZ! Hey, have you looked up any of Timmy Turner's cold water surf films? Timmy is responsible for some of those ridiculous films showing guys walking through snow to reach the water.