C-Forum

I have a two piece dry suit, but recently considered getting a wet suit again. Does anyone use them anymore?

I sometimes wear a "surfers" vest under a paddling jacket when the day is warm but the water cool. I am more comfortable than in a drytop. For winter weather though I cannot imagine going back to a wetsuit....

For open boating, I find a good farmer john a nice addition and alternate choice to a dry suit. Think warm temps, cold water, open boat. For example, if i ever go to the Nantahala in the summer, i wear my farmer john.

When i paddled a lot before having young kids, I would wear the dry suit throughout the winter, then transition into the farmer John, then swim trunks, then back to farmer john in fall, then back to dry suit. Having one as an alternative to your dry suit will also reduce the days you use your dry suit, and extend the life of it.

Love my farmer John! Great to go "Suns Out, Guns Out" , once it warms up a little. -M-

When learning wetsuits are cheaper than dry suits, provide excellent additional floatation, and an extra layer of bump protection, plus they last better than a dry suit or at least don't fail if you get one hole or a broken zipper. The bottom line, wetsuits are still an excellent option for cold water paddling.

I'd wear a wetsuit on warmer days if I could but I don't fit into my c1's.