Moving to Norcal, will I need my 5/4 suit?

[S4Shredr]

I'm moving to the bay area in January and considering selling my unused 5/4 suit since I don't think i'll need it. Will a 4/3 with hood be enough in the winter months?

[BS720]

Some people up here say you can get by on a hooded 4/3. I think it depends on what kind of surfing you're doing. If you only go out at Linda Mar, when it's 3' and sunny, or the jetty, sure, you can get by on the 4/3. Hell, I'm still surfing my 3/2 on warm days like yesterday and today. But, I you like big days, or if you surf storms, that 5/4 will come in pretty damn handy. Welcome back.

[Smilin Steve]

I agree^^^^ if you surf and catch waves, a 3/2 works and a 4/3 is plenty for cold days.
but if you lag between waves and have to sit for long periods of time then its a toss up.
know this for days when its super cold out I wear a 1mm vest inside my 4/3 and that is
way warm enough. plus you don't have all the weight of a 5/4...
also if you moving to SC, then I think the water is always a bit warmer too than north coast.
Mav's and Ocean Beach just seems like its always a touch colder.

[Ottime]

Probably depends on you. Some people get chillier than others.

I bought a 5/4 once, thinking I'd like it for big days out at Scotts. Big being 15-25 foot face days. When you spend a lot of time just waiting for the right wave to come in. When you can spend 20, 40, 60 or more minutes without a paddle back. Turns out, I wore it like three times and sold it. Just seemed like way to much rubber for me.

I tend to wear a 4/3 most days, and most days I'm fine. I did have a pair of 1mm H2No diving gloves that I really like for cold days. They fit like a pair of driving gloves and actually gripped fiberglass well. And kept the wind off my hands.

In town SC is fairly warm in the winter. North of town is a bit cooler, and OB is bit more than that. Once you get north of the GG, things actually start to feel cold. Pt. Arena can have some cold days for sure.