What to wear under dry suit at GS?

What do you recommend I wear under a dry suit? How hot might I get all sealed up?

Thanks, Rob

Mysterioso fleece rules.You will be comfy.

Yes, some good wicking fleece or smart wool is perfect. You'll get hot sometimes but you can just hang your feet in the water for a bit and it's all good.

ruben

I'm planning on wearing wool socks, kokatat polar fleece pants, rash guard/wicking layer, tee shirt, and fleece jacket. I usually shed the jacket if it warms up. I can shed layers while on my kayak if need be. If I get hot I drop my legs over the side and dip my hands in the water. It's amazing how fast water can suck the heat out of you. For whatever reason ive found my core will stay warm as long as my legs and feet do. I've spent some time in sub 50* water in my dry suit with only a tee shirt under on top but thermals, fleece and wool on my legs. Not suggesting everyone does it but it works for me. Also a PFD is a great insulator for the top.

Dress for immersion. Sailfish only wore T shirt and shorts under his dry suit when he went into the drink at GS6. Although he was dry, he was hypothermic when he finally got out of the water.

What do you recommend I wear under a dry suit? How hot might I get all sealed up?

Thanks, Rob

Definitely NOT commando style! (j/k) 

I don't think I should listen to you Sonny. I heard your near commando got you in a bit of trouble. 

nothing or goose down... depends on the shrinkage factor

I see the drysuit as a glorified rainsuit - it keeps you dry, but not completely, so it's great for protection from rain, bow splash, paddle drip...etc.   When it comes to immersion, you will get wet, IMO.

When in doubt, I recommend wearing an ultrajohn under the drysuit!

I'm a bad example - don't do what I do.  I wear board shorts under my DS and maybe socks if it's cold out.  BUT, I paddle an X-Factor. 

I see it like this:  I work significantly harder to paddle the barge, but it's extremely stable.  I can easily stand up on my yak - did XUP at Albion for 30 minutes while Brandi dove out past the rocks in the channel, and that included casting a rod.  I've ridden down small rapids standing on the X.  It will take a lot to knock me off and keep me off for long.   Like I said, don't do what I do.

If I'm in doubt about conditions I wear the ultrajohn under there, so I tend to live at the extremes. 

Whatever you do, be aware of the ramifications of your actions and be ready to deal with consequences.

I also like to take a full body dip at the ramp after a paddling session...

That has nothing to do with what to wear under a dry suit. Kokatat makes a fleece one piece  bodysuit that is really warm.  I have both. The super nova by kokatat keeps me warm and dry. Another option is s 3 mil farmer john with the fleece shirt. I also use an insulated waterproof neoprene boot when it's cold. I can hang my feet over and they stay warm.

I go Commando. 

fleece works well. The same underlayers you would use when going skiing work just fine

I should have added to what I wrote by stating that I aim to get a major workout from my paddling session, so sweating my ass off is the norm, and if I wear much under the DS it may cause me to overheat.

I'm a rebel, but I do have a plan.   

What do you recommend I wear under a dry suit? How hot might I get all sealed up?

Thanks, Rob

Definitely NOT commando style! (j/k) 

I call it "Going Sonny"

Lots of folks are hesitant to recommend anything but a GOOD thermal layer under the DS 'cause of what occurred at GS6 - a participant went in where he did not belong (too close to wash rocks) and dumped.

A concerned member moved in to help and went swimming, too. He was wearing a drysuit with minimal under gear and was quickly succumbing to hypothermia. If he wishes to chime in about, that's up to him. You can search for reports to read up on it, too.

As a general rule - plan for immersion, plan for being able to resist the cold water drain on your core.