Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: young1gun on May 19, 2009
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Can anyone recommend a decent/good value wet suit for Kayaking?
My dad bought a 6.5mm full wetsuit with boots, gloves, balaclava and also a half wetsuit for underneath for £90 out of Lidl. I don’t know the make of it but it seems like a good deal, almost too good ??? has anyone ever bought wetsuits from Lidl?
Does anyone know what to look for when it comes to wetsuits?
Thanks in advance
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Hey I have a full wet suit which was got from lidl's - its a good job keeps you good and warm although it is a bit restrictive when is comes to paddling (could be i'm getting to fat for it!). I have no problems with stuff got from lidls -they were doing phone and camera pouches for kayaking just last week £1.99!!
I'm looking for a dry suit next though as I am fed up sitting with a wet bum on a long trip (I spend a fair bit of time swimming still!) so any if any one knows any suppliers for shortie dry suits i would be more than obliged!
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I'm looking for a wetsuit myself - can I ask a few Qs about the Lidl.
What price in Lidl
How flexible is it in sizing?
Is it reasonable quality?
Cheers
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Lidl is the German Supermarket www.lidl.co.uk They do some good deals on random stuff some times. My bad for not saying the supermarket
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Michelle, can you explain the difference between a wet suit and a dry suit?
I mean if you fall in the water does it let water in? ???
I know the first question seems stupid lol :-[
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In theory, a dry suit should keep you dry and warm. There are seals around the cuffs, neck and "built in booties". which should keep the water out. Wetsuits work best when wet- to keep you warm but alas not dry so when you get out of the water or stop paddling for a bit you tend to cool down.
Dry suit - £200 + depending on make etc
Wet suit - Lidl £20 - other retailers ++
I know you can get dry cags and trousers but i dont know how "water tight" they are compared to dry suits.
If you are a "once in a blue moon" paddler wetsuit and a water proof cag to keep he wind off should be grand, I am realising now that i plan to be kayaking a lot more and global warming aint going to hurry up enough to make the north atlantic warm, so when i get enough mullah i'm having a dry suit!
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How often to Lidl keep the dry suits and where else would I get a cheapie then? Think I'll maybe try and get one.
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Jono i have never seen dry suits in lidl's only the wet suits. If you find a source for a cheap dry suit let me know. I know lindseys in Coleraine keep them at about £250 ish but at the minute there is no way i can afford it! Ebay has a few on it but take care when buying as you dont know what state the seals are in around the cuffs etc or if there is any holes/ leakages in it.
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Forgot about these guys
http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/Drysuits-Surface.html
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Have you tried Jackson sport's in Belfast?? I know they do a lot of diving gear, but I am not sure if they do any dry suit's.
Davy.
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I've found a long john wetsuit best for kayaking lest restrictive round the arms and shoulders 3.5 mm the best, i put a 1.5mm wetshirt on underneath to keep the chill out and warm my arms when i capsize (which i seem to do often for some reason) probably cos i'm still crap at it ahhhhh.
Once you have your buoyancy aid on then you should be warm as toast ;D
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I've found a long john wetsuit best for kayaking lest restrictive round the arms and shoulders 3.5 mm the best, i put a 1.5mm wetshirt on underneath to keep the chill out and warm my arms when i capsize (which i seem to do often for some reason) probably cos i'm still crap at it ahhhhh.
Once you have your buoyancy aid on then you should be warm as toast ;D
What's a wetshirt?
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I call it a wetshirt its basically a top, long sleeve or short which is 1.5 mm thick, lighter than your average wetsuit top which combined with a long john makes paddling less restrictive-doesnt use up as much energy to paddle and keeps the arms warm "if its a long sleeve" and adheres to the first rule of paddling which is of course (Look cool at all times) 8) :D
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Tesco do a range of wetsuits, usually shorties, but hey for £22-00 I suppose you can't complain.
Unfortunately neither Tesco or Lidl do my small frame size :P
As it is nearing the end of the season for these shops stock can be a bit thin on the ground.
Hound.
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Lidl have the 3mm mens and womens wetsuits back in again as of last thursday might be lucky to still get one!
David