Hi all, looking at a long sleeve 1mm or so top to put under my 3/2 steamer this winter. Any thoughts on good ones or ones to avoid?
Insulation? Durability? Value? Comfort?
I have a West thermal rashie - it has a fleecy lining - does a good job under a wetsuit. Has loops stitched into the cuffs so you can pull a steamer over it.
However, I reckon a good alternative is polypropylene base wear from somewhere like Kathmandu - they repel moisture away from your body - used to use them sailing under wetsuits.
Just be sure to get one without any zippers. They make them easy to get on and off but are really uncomforatble with a harness on. I've got an Excel 2mm and I like it a lot. Got it for like $75 on egay a while back.
They are excellent in the summer with just a pair of boardies too.
Radiator do a vest which is pretty good. Its supposed to be the equivalent of 1.5x normal thickness. I.e. the 1mm is the equivalent of a 1.5mm wetty
Personally I can't stand the feel of the 0.5 and 1mm wetty tops.
I did find a great Quicksilver number that is a hybrid rashie though. It is essentially chest and back panels of 1mm neoprene with lycra sleeves and gussets. Was only $60 bucks on sale I think?
Great in summer and works a treat for extra warmth under a wetty. Super comfy. 
Radiator are worth checking out also. Had one of their older styl rashies with the thermal singlet sewn in on the inside. Awesome gear - lasted 10yrs. Wish they still made em.
all those options are good - but I have found a wetsuit hoody that I will be wearing with my boardshorts this winter- kept me toasty warm on last monday......npx brand from where ever stocks cabrinha....
We have Triple-X Titanium tops, 1mm thin and soft equates to 2mm neoprene thickness, and 100% wind proof too. We also have the full range of Aleeda wetsuits in store. Top quality triathlon favourite aussie brand. Comfy as.
Man i suggest you try out sharkskin wetsuits, they do tops and everything. i use mine diving as well and it keeps me warm as. They are also fleece lined so there is no chaffing or irritation to your skin.
Stuart
^^what he said. Sharkskin are worth a go.
Can't recommend enough thinking about putting a smooth skin wettie top OVER the top of your 3/2.
Most wetties are designed for surfers, and most surfers aren't out in 15+ knots wind with the associated windchill factor and evaporative cooling effect. We get some pretty nasty cold weather down here and my cheapie smoothskin wettie top (1-2mm) with my 4/3 Ebomb helps me cover the transition from boardie summer kiting to drysuit winter kiting.
maybe just get a thicker wetsuit or a better sealed one? Whering a rashie underneath gets uncomfortable.
SHARKSKINS rule!!! Totally windproof, work well under the steamer too. Windproof neoprene, titanium layer plus Polartec fleece. You will never feel the cold again!
i actually found it far warmer to run my wettie top (silver lined) over the top of my short sleeve/LL wettie. And when it was really cold i'd put a woolen thermal top underneath. awesome.
Dunno if it's just me but i don't get anywhere near as cold kiting as surfing?
Possibly sittin around waiting for a set is the issue compared to charging along 100% of the time kiting?
Boy I remember Vic cold water tho. In the 80s I used to wear my springy under a steamer before paddling out at portsea. Brrrr... kn cold and uncomfortable!! 
Thank gawd for the plethora of warm n comfy choices out there these days. 
Hey - Bertie where do you get these woolen thermal tops from? Sounds a similar set up to my old Radiator rashie. That was the bomb.
Getfunky - you can get woolen thermal tops from most camping supply stores.
I prefer Polypropelene because it is cheaper and deals with salt water better. Also, whilst wool keeps you warm when it is wet, Polyprop is designed to repel water away from your skin so you stay warmer because you are drier.
I wouldn't be too keen to wear my Merino Icebreaker under my wetsuit - they are pretty expensive - prefer to keep it for the snow and for cycling.
If you had the coin I would be going for one of those specialist kiting drysuits - guys who wear them that I speak to say you keep warm and toasty in them, and you can wear warm base layers under them as well.
Well Saffer, you never know when some hotty squaw will chance along thinking "Mmmm - I know that smell from somewhere.." 
Cheers for the info LIL.
