Cold Water Apparel

Hey all,
As a SCUBA diver, I have both 3 mil and 7 mil wetsuits. Does anybody recommend either of these for ocean kayak fishing? What's, the going wear commonly used our cold ocean?
Thanks
Zane
aka. Grandad

Either will work. I prefer a 7 mil farmer john but that's me. Don't need to spend more money if you have both a 3 and 7 available to you.

Hey all,
As a SCUBA diver, I have both 3 mil and 7 mil wetsuits. Does anybody recommend either of these for ocean kayak fishing? What's, the going wear commonly used our cold ocean?
Thanks
Zane
aka. Grandad

the issue with 7 is that its a lot of work to move around in and very restrictive compared to 3mm. I use my 3mm suit through winter, and although its not the warmest if i were to submerge, it is certainly a help and i am not fishing as far in winter as in summer.  You could always try the 7mm but i have a feeling you'll find it too much.

I use 3mm and layer it with synthetic Mysterioso shirt and pants.
If it is really cold or raining I'll also wear splash pants over the neoprene.
fleece type socks under my water boots
In the last 5-6 years I've also come to really appreciate finger less neoprene gloves as well, since you can lose a lot of heat through your hands.

Both will work, wear what you are most comfortable in.  Put them on and sit in your kayak and act like a normal day on the water, reaching for stuff, casting, things like that.

I use 3mm and layer it with synthetic Mysterioso shirt and pants.
If it is really cold or raining I'll also wear splash pants over the neoprene.
fleece type socks under my water boots
In the last 5-6 years I've also come to really appreciate finger less neoprene gloves as well, since you can lose a lot of heat through your hands.

Along with the neoprene gloves, I got some neoprene 'socks' for inside the shoes and that little extra layer on my feet really keep my so much warmer.

3mm is NOT enough in cold water. Since a lot of us are using pedal kayak, I would prefer a long sleeve 5mm during winter. Things would get much worse if I stayed in the water longer. Gloves and boots will be helpful too.

I had a kayak accident at RW during the crab opening weekend and was in water for 30mins. Water temp was 52F. After getting out of the water, I was shaking for 40mins with AC heater on in the car.

I prefer 3mm for summer and winter.  I've only been in the water once and was comfortable.  Course I was only in for 5 minutes or so but was no priblem.

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3mm is NOT enough in cold water. Since a lot of us are using pedal kayak, I would prefer a long sleeve 5mm during winter. Things would get much worse if I stayed in the water longer. Gloves and boots will be helpful too.

I had a kayak accident at RW during the crab opening weekend and was in water for 30mins. Water temp was 52F. After getting out of the water, I was shaking for 40mins with AC heater on in the car.

Why were you in the water for 30 mins?

I've been looking at some 3mm step in wetsuit jackets, bassically a long sleeve shorty to go over my 3mm farmer john, anyone with experience with them that can recommend for or against?  for winter months, or just go for a thicker wetsuit, because I agree with it being so cold, 3mm isn't enough.

Short answer:   I have owned a lot of wetsuit over the years. For surfing, jetski, SAR & kayaking. The truth is, what works for Joe Schmoe & Joe Blow aren't going to be the same. So rent some different styles from a shop that will put your rental fee towards a purchase. In the end, the suit that works the best is the one you are going to ENJOY wearing.

Now the dreaded long answer with (queue sound) *DUN DUN DUN* RECOMMENDATIONS & OPINIONS.

I like the 2 piece approach when I'm not in the water often & a 1 piece if I'm physically in the water at least half or more of the time. This way as the weather warms up I can remove the jacket and store it. Otherwise I have half a wet suit hanging off me & now my lower half isn't "water tight" around the waist.

I have the NRS 3mil farmer John & an O'Neil 3/2 hooded jacket.

I end up with 6 mil across my core and 3/2 mill for extremities. If I'm trolling I don't wear the top because it gets to hot.  Anyone know of a good deal on a 1.5 mil top?

The leak was pretty bad and someone has to tow me all the way to the shore. The worst case would be leaking boat during a solo trip and wait for the coast guard in the water. 3mm give enough time to get back to the kayak. In case of leaking, it is better to have some floating materials inside the kayak

3mm is NOT enough in cold water. Since a lot of us are using pedal kayak, I would prefer a long sleeve 5mm during winter. Things would get much worse if I stayed in the water longer. Gloves and boots will be helpful too.

I had a kayak accident at RW during the crab opening weekend and was in water for 30mins. Water temp was 52F. After getting out of the water, I was shaking for 40mins with AC heater on in the car.

Why were you in the water for 30 mins?

Bay Area - I use 3/2 Farmer John 95% of the time and my 4/3 full wetsuit on rare occasions if it's obscenely cold and I'm making a short trip.  Otherwise I over heat in that thing no matter what.   I wear booties when it's cold as well I think they are 5mm or 7mm.


4/3 full is what I surf in for hours in dead of winter so that's pretty safe in my opinion.  Everyone is different tho.

3/2 Farmer John is fine for me with a PFD year round.  Not too hot that I sweat like crazy in it (like my 4/3), and I've gone swimming in it without issues in winter (I was wading in water just this week in it and no issues)

Thanks for all the great input! A mixed bag, but good things to think about.
I believe I'll go with the 3 mil. It's long sleeve, zip up the back. It'll be easier to move around, not near as hot and though it's not intended for extended time in our waters, I don't intend to stay in long enough for it to be a problem in the event I end up in the water.
And I'm going with the pool noodles in the hull idea! Pretty cheap safety insurance that would make a huge difference in the event of a hull breech.

No one intends to stay in the water very long.

The standard is to dress for immersion, and all the advice you get that includes "I get too hot in..." is useless and even dangerous if what you're looking for is a way to survive hypothermia.

When we had the warm water blob off our coast a few years back the water was in the mid 60's.

This year, both in the late spring and in the early fall, the water off the Humboldt coast was in the high 40's.  High 40's will kill you pretty quickly if you're not adequately protected. 

Some years back at Gimme Shelter it was cold and wet on tourney day.  I've never seen so many grown men in wetsuits shivering, and no one had capsized.  I was shivering that day too.

Dressing for immersion is a moving target for sure.  My main point is that talking about what gets too hot when you're NOT in the water is counterproductive to the question of what is safe for offshore boating.

Your intention to put some flotation inside your hull is a great idea.  Best of luck.