Shorty or top for Spring

[Cumby85]

I do not like cold water! Am looking at getting a new shorty or possibly a top for the spring. I have never used a top. My objective is to stay comfortable so I will enjoy skiing in cooler weather/water. Would love to hear some thoughts on what people prefer using to keep them warm in the Spring and Fall. I'm in the Southeast.

[disland]

If you get a shorty make sure the legs are tight or the water will flush the suit on the deep water start

[LoopSki]

Camaro top !

[BrennanKMN]

I never saw the point in shorties. It is the same amount of work for me to get into a full wetsuit. I either use my full suit or go with my Camaro top.

[Cumby85]

I have never tried a top. Do you get much water in from the bottom if its fitting right?

[ski6jones]

I used my shorty almost exclusively this winter/spring up till a few weeks ago. Horton had a nice Stokes one that had long sleeves and short legs. That looked perfect. Mine has short legs and sleeves but is plenty good down to low 60's.

[MattP]

Give Stokes a try it's a great product. They are skiers supporting skiers and this site!

[Lars]

@disland is right about them filling with water. It was hard to start when they'd fill. I've found if I squeeze my quads together they don't fill.

[chris55]

Skiing in cold water and in very fresh morning, the long sleeves with shorty is good. The Stokes product with long sleeves and 3/4 legs is perfect to me. I would go for that one.

[epnault]

I used to like my shorty until I bought separate long sleeve top and shorts. I hate to use my shorty now.

[mbabiash]

Get the Stokes. You don't even notice having it on. Durable but very stretchy, warm and comfy.

 

[ALPJr]

Call @perfski they hooked me up with an O'Neill Epic Long Sleeve Shorty for the chilly New England days.

[Edmund]

Just like @epnault I have a long-sleeve separate top and shorts, plus another top that is short sleeve. Easy to adapt to varying temps and I rarely use my shorty these days.

[Cumby85]

For you guys that wear tops or tops with shorts, do you not get water coming in under the top or where the top and shorts overlap?

[Edmund]

@Cumby85 Nothing noticeable for me because the tight ski vest helps keeps the water out.

[dchristman]

Yet another nifty option to consider - the Eagle Free Flex Heater Wetsuit. It's a front zip top with attached shorts.

[igkya]

Either a Camaro top or long wetsuit, no shorty. I wear the long wetsuit down to water temps in low 50's and am comfortable. I've skied sets with the long wetsuit and most of the inside of the wetsuit was dry.

[John Brooks]

To me it is all based on water & air temperature And personal preference. I have tops, multiple weights, long sleeve shorty, short sleeve shorty, 3/2 full wetsuit, 3/4 full wetsuit & dry suit. Lots of protection.

[wtrskior]

I have a few tops but use my O'Neill hammer spring suit the most. It's a 2/1 with full arms & short legs. Great suit.

[unksskis]

Oneill TechnoButter.. Most have a cord at the bottom from to tie into your shorts to keep it down.

[gregy]

I'm buying a light full suit or 3/4. Shorty and my skinny legs don't work well together, rear leg fills up if I don't wrap my leg with something. I'd like to try a long sleeve top.

[BCM]

@Cumby85 - I ski in a drysuit in the winter then transition to top, no shorts (wetsuit shorts that is). I have two tops that fit slightly different. One is a little baggier and I do get water coming in. The other fits much more snug and you do get wet, but it keeps me plenty warm. It is a wetsuit top, not a drysuit top. I wear a pullover vest, very snug, over the top and it works well. Personally I don't see a need to buy a shorty. But, I have an above average cold tolerance and for some reason really don't like wearing wetsuits.

[LeonL]

I've gone away from a shorty. It's either a thin (AquaSphere) full suit or a spandex with fleece inside shirt.

[Garn]

If its cold enough to need a wetsuit, I just put on my drysuit. Why bother with the wetsuit.

[david_ski]

Camaro full or a Camaro top. Today the first set in the morning was with the full, and the second set was with just the top. Tomorrow it will be just the Camaro top for both sets. The O'Neil drysuit gets only used now for really cold days (early March and late November)

[Deanoski]

just get a top so you can pee!!!

[RichardDoane]

long sleeved shorties ROCK

[mikegile]

Camaro monkeysuit. Long sleeves are the way to go!

[Zman]

I like separate top and shorts. Maybe Stokes will consider 3/4 shorts to wear with a their full top.

[Texas6]

@deanoski - wait, you aren't supposed to pee in a full suit? How does it get warm?

[igkya]

peeing in a wetsuit, maybe, but never in a drysuit!

[gsm_peter]

Hmmm. Season start yesterday. Water just above freezing. 35mph wind did warm it up a bit.

Drysuite. 3mm socs. Neo binie. 0.5mm latex, nurse gloves under ski gloves.

 

I always ski in long suites. If you need to put on a suite why not stay as warm as feasible?

Ok we seldom get warm water in Sweden at all....

[waterskigirl]

Having sold tons of Camaro and Eagle Shortys and Tops over the years...Shortys are money if they fit right in the legs, but that is a long shot. Your chest and legs have to be right in line with the brands proportion. A top is a much easier match, if its not enough you can always add a pair of insulated liners under your board shorts.

[dchristman]

I am compelled to mention @Ed_Johnson 's most excellent tip... to keep your shorty legs from filling with water, wear a cheap set of 3/4 running tights over top. It works great!