Wetsuit or Drysuit

I live in MN and have been doing some research on whether or not to buy a drysuit or a full wetsuit. I wont be able to get into the water much before May because of school so I don't think that a drysuit is worth the $200+ that I could spend. Any thoughts on what you think I will get more use out of? I'm not made of money, otherwise I would just buy both. What temps to you guys ride in with your wetsuits or drysuits?

http://www.perfski.com/showcat.cfm?catnum=11

These guys seem to have the lowest prices, anyone have any opinions on the O'neil Hammer or the ripcurl products. My price range is around $100 for a wetsuit.

Thanks for any imput

dude spend the 200 its more then worth it especially where you live..you wont be sorry and you will get many warm dry seasons out of it..it does more then keep you warm and dry while riding,it allows you to get back in the boat and take it off and be dry IN the bOAt..

The worse part of a wetsuit is getting back in teh boat and being wet in the cold air..you have to fully take it off on a cold wet boat and dry off and put your clothes on between sets..that sucks trust me when i switched ffrom wet to dry i didnt realize how great it was to be dry all day in and out of the boat with no changing to go get the truck etc and for the ride home..

BTW you dont need a wetsuit at all if you have a dry and you can use it in all sorts of condtions all the way until summer..when its real cold layer heavy underneath the drysuit and as it gets warmer outside and in the water you can remove layers until you dont need the suit anymore..

Drysuit is a great investment IMO..

Should I go really baggy to layer more?

yes Baggy all the way..some guy on this site is selling them for 200 plus shipping for a baggy suit ..dont remember but im sure he will see this and post up..

I have a new drysuit at $200. E-mail me for pictures or more info. I also have full wetsuits for $80. Top quality, American made, limited lifetime warranty, cut well, fits right.

rider@boarditup.com

Karl, how does your drysuit compare to the Bare Ultra Dry. I can get one for $150, if you can match it, I'll consider going with you.

Go with the Bare, then. I cannot match the price. It the Bare new? Mine is new stock and I am a dealer. It is not used or a 2003 leftover.

Let me know. Bare makes a decent suit. I believe my seams are better, but that is just an opinion. Bare does use the same zipper as my suits.

Good luck and thanks for the consideration.

Karl, send me some pics at mkanderson2@stthomas.edu and send me a quote shipped to 55104, snail mail preferably.

Please let me know your size. I will send a picture of your exact suit.

rider@boarditup.com

I ride a 3/2 full wetsuit... but thats me, and I don't think its so bad. But then again... could be the Alaskan blood talking. And CA is a bit different than MN weather too...

I used to wear a full wetsuit in cold conditions but after I got my baggy drysuit, my wetsuit has been collecting dust! Even though the baggy drysuits look really cumbersome, they are WAY more flexible to ride in than a wetsuit. I wear my baggy until I can ride in just shorts.

Only drawbacks to the dry that I'm aware of are A) price, B) maintenance (gotta keep dry's maintained) and C) price! Sounds like you might have the price issues licked, tho.

Good luck!