Wetsuit thickness vs water temps

[Bub]

From reading alot of posts, I realize that a snug properly fitted wetsuit is one of the most important things in keeping warm, probably even more than how many mm thick the suit is. It also seems that the technology and style of the suit matter as well. I was just looking at the ONeill website and checking out their inventory on full 3/2 mm suits.

You have various 3/2 full suits listed as either warm, cool or cold (fridged was only labeled on the thicker suits).

So I guess I was just putting out some advice for beginners that when someone says they were surfing in a 3/2 in water temps of "x" degrees and felt fine, you also should ask what kind of suit they were wearing compared to yours to see if you're going to be comfortable or not.

Does anyone know what the degree farenheit conversion would be for wetsuits labeled descriptions as warm, cool, cold etc? I couldn't find it on the O'Neil site. I would guess warm = effective warmth down to 65 or 60 degrees??? Then probably 5 to 10 degree increments for each of the other descriptions?

[isaluteyou]

By my calculations i have it like this

Warm = 65-70
cool = 60-65
cold = 55-60

Although that is just a guidline my 3/2 is fine in 50+

Its also what technology a wetsuit is using a 3/2 flatlocked suit is going to be horrible in anything under 62 or so. Whera a 3/2 with all the trimmings is going to preform better than a 4/3 that is cheaper.

[nsidla]

I'm still new to wetsuits too as anyone can see in my other threads , however I do know that I would definitely want my Oneill 4/3 with gloves and boots in what right now is about 50 degree water as oppose to my Quiksilver 3/2. My 3/2 is good in around 60-65. I would personally consider warm 66-70. Cold anything below 60, mild 60-65. That's my scale. My Oneill is also a much better suit than the Quicksilver, much better sealed and from what I can tell so far also much lighter feeling when ur in the water and stretchier, which is odd because it's a MT and my Quicksilver is a L.

[Bub]

I'm still new to wetsuits too as anyone can see in my other threads , however I do know that I would definitely want my Oneill 4/3 with gloves and boots in what right now is about 50 degree water as oppose to my Quiksilver 3/2. My 3/2 is good in around 60-65. I would personally consider warm 66-70. Cold anything below 60, mild 60-65. That's my scale. My Oneill is also a much better suit than the Quicksilver, much better sealed and from what I can tell so far also much lighter feeling when ur in the water and stretchier, which is odd because it's a MT and my Quicksilver is a L.

I think my comfort levels with my beat up and slightly oversized 3/2 Oneil Reactor are probably the same as you. I was in 61 degree water and could tolerate it for about 45 minutes (without gloves or boots which would have helped alot). I would probably have been feeling much better in water 65-70 though with that suit. I really need to invest in a new/higher tech suit (or a 4/3 or 5 mm). But in the interim, I sealed up some holes and bought some boots. I'm still waiting for 60 degree water temps. Right now in Maryland/Deleware their in the low 50's. I have a few more weeks to wait. Anyway, back to my point though a friend of mine said he was fine in his 3/2 surfing a few weeks ago for hours (water temp around 50...but he had gloves/bootts) and though I should be fine to venture out now. Considering what I know now (he probably has a better fitting and higher tech 3/2 than I own), I think he gave me bum advice and I should wait awhile longer.

[Driftingalong]

Hey Bub,
I've got a 3/2 that isn't the best fit. I've been fine with that +boots/gloves, but others have been saying lately that you don't need the gloves.

[Bub]

Hey Bub,
I've got a 3/2 that isn't the best fit. I've been fine with that +boots/gloves, but others have been saying lately that you don't need the gloves.

Thanks Mr. OC (who lives in Willards) ! If I can get rid of this nasty cold/cough I currently have, I might scout out a good day next week to venture down if there is at least a 3-4ft swell day forecasted. I'll let you know where and when I'm going in case you wish to show up. If I don't go surfing with the guys whom usually go to Indian River (whom I currently am borrowing a board from currently until I can buy my own), I'd probably go solo with my son and sponge it somewhere in OC (I haven't seen any bodyboarders @ Indian River so not sure how tolerant the surfers would be). Do you got any good breaks in OC or southern Deleware you could suggest for some hack bodyboarders looking to develop their skills some?

[Driftingalong]

Bud, sent you a PM.