Boots and gloves?

Question

I've been surfing for some time now. Living in New Jersey, I've decided to go in February for the first time. I however am not sure if i should invest in boots and gloves. I already have a wet suit well capable of handling the weather, however i like to have my hands and feet free while surfing. I was just wondering if i should just go out and buy the gloves and boots regardless of me not liking how they feel or are they truly necessary at this time of year.

Answer 1

I guess it's really up to you dude, but you might aswell get them because if it is pretty cold it can ruin the surfing. So yeah go for it, and if you really don't like them just don't wear them.

Answer 2

it really depends how cold the water gets. i mean in new jersey it can get really cold so i would recomend 3mm booties and gloves if you cant stand cold. down here in southern california im still in a 3/2 wetsuit with no booties nor gloves. the water is like low 50's high 40's. it really depends on how you react with cold water.

Answer 3

I live in Virginia i wear a 4/3 wetsuit 4mm gloves 5mm booties and a 4mm hood with a neoprene face mask  this time of the year surfing in Virginia beach/obx boots gloves and a hood is necessary(i surf with thicker gear since i love being warm rather then stiff and cold..so yeah depending on your comfort preference) you can just go out there with gloves 3mm which you dont really notice much and 3mm boots I have these 3mm oniell ninja booties which are so flexible basically feels like youre wearing socks with traction on the bottom, but after a couple of hours being out there your feet starts to get numb and cold so i went up a couple of millimeter for dead winter season so i can prolong my stay out in the water. Currently our water temp is hovering around 48 degrees and since you live a little further up north it might be colder. I surf year round so i know how annoying it is to be wearing all this gear, how youre wishing for summer to hurry the h**l up  how it takes forever to get ready and how it takes even longer to take it all off, but in my opinion it is worth the investment of 100 dollars or so but basically you have to ask yourself if its all worth it and how much do you really love the sport