Since the winter is coming in North America, we need to get thicker wetsuits. I have seen the heated wetsuits and I would like to know if anyone had good experience with these wetsuits?
Following is popping up when I surf websites for windsurfing. www.heatedwetsuits.com/product/wetsuit-package-isurus-and-thermalution/
In case you haven't seen this comparison/review:
www.heatedwetsuitreviews.com/
I have the rip curl h-bomb vest that's discontinued. I was very happy with it. Used to run it on high for the last hour of my sailing and when packing up - battery lasts 1hr 45 minutes on high. It's an amazing feeling to have blood flowing to your hands and feet in the cold.. It's like touching cold water while sitting in a warm room.
Since I bought a really good,top of the range 4/3 wetsuit I don't bother using it..one thing less to wear and wash. In winter the water temp where I sail gets as low as 9-10 degrees Celsius (48-50 degrees Fahrenheit) and I feel very warm in my 4/3, a hoodie and booties.
I haven't tried the thermalution but according to the above review, it is more expensive and significantly better than rip curl.
I still think investing in a top of the range winter wetsuit would be a better idea unless you sail in freezing cold waters.
Air temp 6degrees and water was 9 today, fine in xcel dryloc 4.5/5.5. 3mm booties might need to be upgraded k
ion onyx select 5/4 pips in just a bit warmer than the xcel . had both,
Tassie south ,
dont need any warmer.
I remember watching a documentary about a fishing vessel going down a mile or two off the coast of Iceland.
Water temperature was around 2-3 C.
The six or so on board all died as the small boat went down in a matter of minutes with no chance of untying the life boat.
They all tried swimming to shore but died in around 20 minutes.
There was one survivor though - a huge obese person who made it to shore.
Sometimes it pays to be never late for your dinner.
Being fat also means you have more surface area to loose heat from. Always thought fat would insulate you from the cold but apparently not enough to make up for the extra area.
info from a supposedly scientific documentary but I'm sure there's another one saying the opposite.
Keep a thick wetsuit handy is the moral of the story.
www.vikingrune.com/2009/03/true-viking-grit/
In the last two winters I've used the ION Fuse with Ballistic boot 3/2 and I guarantee you that even in a day with air temp 3 celsius and water temp around 6 celsius I was fine. Under the Fuse I dress only a tecnical underware buyed at Dechatlon (tribord line)
Select to expand quoteSA_AL said..
Since the winter is coming in North America, we need to get thicker wetsuits. I have seen the heated wetsuits and I would like to know if anyone had good experience with these wetsuits?
Here in Northerm Europe we need thicker wetsuits as well: +10C water/air temp is beeing considered as quite warm (I use 4/3 5/4mm wetsuit, neoprene socks in addition to neopren boots in these conditions).
But It happens sometimes that we still have a water in lake unfrozen up to january. And in order to be able to windsurf in really freezy conditions I was lucky to buy a Rip Curl H-bomb vest: it has 2 levels of heating, works really well and I use it periodically on water and constantly after the session when you need to derig your equipment (usually you have enough of heat from your own body when you surf).
The coldest session I had was about +1C water/air with maximum ion 6/5mm wetsuit and this vest. I don't go on water for winds stronger than 10m/s with such temperature.
It can look stupid for someone but it feels really cool to windsurf just before/after a New Year party - you finish and open the windsurf season at the same time 
So if we talk about temperature above 5C - I would suggest buying a thicker wetsuit, if less - go for a heated vest.
P.S. It looks like they are not produced anymore but I see that someone is selling a new one twice cheaper that I've bought it myself: www.ebay.co.uk/c/1648849891
P.P.S. There are people who surf in about zero conditions even in 4/3mm wetsuits - so it is also a question of your attitude to cold. I like it to be comfortable and warm , I am non a viking ;)
Hi,
I have the thermalution surf 15. Has three levels for heating, the lowest is already very hot. I find the heated area rather small, maybe a 25x25cm patch. Batteries last very long on low mode, certainly longer than any windsurfing session at those temperatures.
I would prefer a larger area to be heated, including shoulders and sleeves. It certainly adds heat to your body, but actually most people start freezing at the hands and feet.
I am somehow not fully convinced, especially given the premium price of 430 U$.
On the other hand, there is also a safety aspect to it. If conditions get worse, or your equipment breaks and you can't reach the shore fast enough, it can be a real life-saver.
best mariachi76
I use the Sodium-acetate heat packs... $20 each - just buy a couple. I used them for windsurfing, scuba-diving, etc.
Select to expand quoteBen1973 said..
Being fat also means you have more surface area to loose heat from. Always thought fat would insulate you from the cold but apparently not enough to make up for the extra area.
info from a supposedly scientific documentary but I'm sure there's another one saying the opposite.
The larger a body is, the smaller the surface are is compared with volume. Large bodies lose heat much slower than small bodies.
This is why it is so important to care for the warmth of small babies. 
