Help! Wetsuit advice...

[Holliberry]

I need to find a good wetsuit for surfing the US New England coast for the winter. I have read so much information and I'm not sure if I should get a 7mm or a semi-dry suit or if I might be way off with either. It's actually a gift for my fiance and I would hate to get him the wrong suit. I'm at a loss and could really use some help. Thanks so much!

[billie_morini]

If your water temps are between 9 and 15 C like I had for several years in NorCAL, then you might like what I used there. I had a 4/3 wetsuit, very thin Ninja toe booties, and a very thin hood. When onthe colder end of this temperature range, I'd add a sleeveless rash guard and rash guard shorts under my wetsuit.

I recently bought a chest zip 3/2 wetsuit for my new SoCAL home. Now that I know how great the chest zip is at keeping me warm and not letting cold water run down my back from my 4/3 back zipper suit, I'd say get a chest zip 4/3.

By the way, I'm kinda warm and really enjoy being in the cold water. If you're not quite like that, then get a 5/3 chest zip, hood and booties. I don't like gloves.

[Johno]

Hi dont meen to spoil ya supprise but you realy need to try on a wet suit ya self to make sure you get the proper fit? mite be beeter if you can buy him some gift vachers for ya local shop

[RJD]

Wetty that fits >>>>>>>>> a flash one that doest.

Saying that for 9-15 degree water billie is spot on. I'm usualy in a 4/3 with boots and glovesbetween about 7 and 12, 4/3 12-14ish and 3/2 after that

[Hang11]

I just had a look on google, and saw something that said winter temps in the water in new england get to the low 30'sF.

That's bloody cold

You might want to think about having kids with your fiance before your send him out surfing in a 4/3

Definitely go for a suit that fits right above everything else, but I would suggest going to a local surf shop and seeing what they reckon would be suitable. At a guess a minimum of 5/4/3 with a few good techy features like polypro lining, titanium neoprene, and definitely fully seam sealed. Along with good quality boots, gloves, hood etc.

[Unorthodox]

US New England surfer here. Southern Maine to be specific.
Water temperatures do indeed get to the lower 30s at the coldest. Don't forget the air temp is often lower than that.
The coldest water I've personally surfed in was in the mid 30s. I was in an Xcel Infiniti Drylock 5/4/3, Xcel 7mm boots, and Xcel 5mm gloves. All very good fitting. With this equipment I can surf for a good couple hours before I start getting really cold.

By far the most important thing with any wetsuit, but particularly a winter suit, is that it fits well. Unfortunately this usually means gifting one isn't the best idea, unless you already know what brand/size fits him well. Gift certificate may be a good idea, though it's admittedly not as nice as getting an actual physical gift, most times.