Wetsuit size for California, SoCal

[green_dude]

Hey I live in Los Angeles area and was wondering if 4/3 fullsuit wold be over kill?

Tried surfing last May and only wore boardshorts, needless to say i didn't last too long in the water. Also i signed up for surfing class in fall this year at school so i'll be using it in cooler temps. So any advice, especially from someone from LA area, would be greatly appreciated.

[rrstein82]

I surf el porto/manhattan beach, and 3/2 full suit does the job just fine (at least until next winter). I haven't been out in a 4/3 but I'd guess it'd be too warm,

[green_dude]

I surf el porto/manhattan beach, and 3/2 full suit does the job just fine (at least until next winter). I haven't been out in a 4/3 but I'd guess it'd be too warm,

so for the year round use i should be able to use 3/2??
i guess i should really go out to the local surf shop and ask them.

the thing is my friend advised me to get 4/3 since that's what he uses around Oxnard/Malibu.

[isaluteyou]

depends how you can hack the cold. In winter i can go maybe 90 mins tops in a 3/2 and thats feeling chilly most the time. With a 4/3 i go 3 hours+ no issues even when the water is really cold and the winds are blowy.

I usually where a 3/2 from mid april-mid june at which point i boardshort it until usually early october. Back into 3/2 from mid october-early december. Then its a 4/3 from december - april.

[0wnerer]

I surf in San Diego and I've been wearing a 4/3 with booties for the last 3 months. Even now in late April, a 4/3 doesn't get too hot for me but my feet feels stuffy if I leave my booties on after I get out of the water. I'd say if you can get a really good 3/2 that fits well you should be able to make it if you get booties when its cold.

[SirDanley]

I have a 3/2 fullsuit, and haven't felt the need to upgrade to a 4/3 in recent weather in San Clemente... if that says anything. Board-shorting it in June or so was less bearable to me than my 3/2 wetsuit, in 50 deg. weather, so I do wonder if I'll need to pick up a springsuit or something eventually...

[b123]

I go for a 3/2 year round in the LA area, but some people do 4/3. It's personal preference.

[billie_morini]

You can do OK all year round in LA with a chest zip 3/2mm suit. During winter, wear a sleeveless rash guard under the suit. You might also like a thin pair of booties (1.5mm). That's what I used year round in NorCAL. I also use a 0.5mm O'neil hood. It provides just enough warmth when it's cold and keeps the sun from burning me when it's bright out.

[parrysurf]

la ventura surfer here...3/2 does me good all year...jan and feb can be a bit chilly, so I might pull on some boots. have friends who use the 4/3 in the dead of winter, to much suit for me. depends on your personal insulation.