Wet suiting?

[tattoobob]

I have a few questions

1) do you wear a dive or surf wet suit?
2) what do you wear on your feet?
3) do you need a dry top?

I will be wearing mine for surf and kayak,

all suggestions greatly appreachiated thanks Bob

[RIROCKHOUND]

1. I wear a surf one, more flexibility in the shoulders
2. Wading boots with Korkers or dive sneakers on a beach
3. Yes, but not always, it breaks the wind on chilly nights

[tynan19]

I have 7mm farmer john dive bottoms. I don't even wear the top. Just a drytop which keeps me warm in the wind. Having the farmer john plus the top gives you more options than a one piece suit as you can add a lighter surfing top for warmer temps and a heavier surfing one for colder temps. It also gives you a lot of movement on top as your shoulders are not restricted at all. I wear 5mm dive booties and 2mm socks. I then usally strap korkers to those. Nice and light.

[angler229]

I wear a 5/7 hyperstretch dive suit, bought it for diving but it works just fine for fishing. I think the hyperstretch material helps with the mobility factor. On my feet I wear a pair of neoprene socks and wading boots. You don't need to wear a dry top but its nice to have on cold or windy nights.

[JohnnyD]

I really like the Warmers wetsuit boots sold at REI.

http://www.rei.com/product/722873

Extremely comfortable, and a nice hard sole to them.

[ivanputski]

just picked up an inexpensive wetsuit... couldnt pass it up based on the price... ive also had the same questions, mostly about the footwear... i also wanted to get the suit so i could snorkel some of my favorite spots during the day, so i can see what exactly I am casting to (structure, etc.)

[GattaFish]

Best shoes going for me are the High top korker Ultra-Lite boots,,, Got them at Saltwater Edge and could not be happier.....

Just get them one size larger than the shoe size you wear,,,, If you can go try them on at their shop,,,,

[Clogston29]

i wear a 5 mm henderson farmer john bottom with a 1.5 mm pullover top meant for surfers when its warm enough. a 7 mm henderson hyperstretch one piece suit when its cold.

for footwear, i wear neoprene socks and the korkers shoes that look like sneakers (which are awsome, just got them this year, much better than wearing wading boots)

dry top can be helpful on a cold night but I typically avoid them (i hate dry tops). one thing to keep in mind is that dry tops or any tops make swimming alot more difficult, especially in a current or undertow. tried swimming with a grundens petrus pullover on cutty last weekend and had a tough time swimming back in in a moderate surf.

[tlapinski]

5mm free dive suit by Spora-Sub. Will be purchasing an X-Cel 5-4-3surf suit shortly as I am slowly becoming too fat for my current suit.

For footwear, I used wading boots with korkers for a long time. Last year I switched over to the Korker Torrents. MUCH better for swimming than boots & korkers. I can swim almost as well with these on as I can bare footed. Between the boots and my skin i wear 2mm neoprene dive socks.

A dry top is in no way necessary and can actually be detrimental at times. While it is nice on a cool windy night if all you are doing is deep wading, swimming with one on can be dangerous. The first time you try to climb up on a rock after swimming a few hundred feet and your arms are full of water you will curse yourself out for wearing the top. I now only wear the top if i will not be swimming anywhere.

[bassballer]

I use a 5mm surf style wesuit. Ill use a dry top if theres a strong wind but I dont like it. Just feels bulky. Just recently bought a cheap windbreaker and cut sleeves off for this situation now. Much lighter and does the trick with the wind.

For feet I use 2mm NRS socks with korker wading boots, felt soles with some drywall screws studded to the bottoms.

[Kierran]

Originally Posted by tlapinski

For footwear, I used wading boots with korkers for a long time. Last year I switched over to the Korker Torrents. MUCH better for swimming than boots & korkers. I can swim almost as well with these on as I can bare footed. Between the boots and my skin i wear 2mm neoprene dive socks.

T: With the Torrents, how does the grip of felt w/ studs compare to the Korkers that you used to wear? Also, do you buy a size up than your usual to accompany the 2mm sock?

Thanks in advance.

[luds]

Originally Posted by Kierran

T: With the Torrents, how does the grip of felt w/ studs compare to the Korkers that you used to wear? Also, do you buy a size up than your usual to accompany the 2mm sock?

Thanks in advance.

You can get those with the same soles/spikes as korkers 5000.

The felt w/ studs IMO is better on smoot rocks than the korkers spikes. The korkers really come into play when you have rocks covered with alot of vegetation.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by tlapinski

he first time you try to climb up on a rock after swimming a few hundred feet and your arms are full of water you will curse yourself out for wearing the top. I now only wear the top if i will not be swimming anywhere.

great point

[tynan19]

I like the idea of the cut off windbreaker. You could even stow it on your belt. Try and find a pair of 5mm socks as well as the 2mm for those cold water or cold air nights. One thing I found really helpful was having a scotchbrite pad with lanyard on my belt. Grab the eel, then hook, then drop pad.

[tlapinski]

Originally Posted by Kierran

T: With the Torrents, how does the grip of felt w/ studs compare to the Korkers that you used to wear? Also, do you buy a size up than your usual to accompany the 2mm sock?

Thanks in advance.

I use the soles with the screw in korker studs. Lost a couple spikes right off the bat as always happens with korker studs so I have been replacing them with metal golf spikes. 1/8 the cost of the korker deals. I still have to get around to exchanging the felt soles for the studded felts. The torrents do run a tad small. I am between 11 and 12 depending on the shoe. I bought the 11's at first, but they were too small. Returned them for the 12's which are perfect with 2 mm socks.

[tattoobob]

Thanks for all the replies/help

[ThrowingTimber]

If you do wear dry top DO NOT cinch it tight. The water will flow in and out of it as you swim and when you go to climb up to your rock the water will drain right out of the waist when you go to pull yourself up.