Spec
LQS Liquid Seam Technology – 100% dry sealed + durable seams
3.5mm Neoprene
Glued and Blindstitched construction
Shark skin palm print – Excellent grip
Optional velcro adjustable strap
 
I dont know anyone who “likes” to wear gloves during the winter, its a horrible transition from the lovely warm summer / autumn water, to the chilling water and wind of the winter, but unfortunatly if you want to surf all year round, its virtually a neccesity (Except perhaps for the well hard!)
These C-Skins are great, my last pair of gloves were also C-skins and they lasted me a number of winters, unfortunatly they only died because I caught my hand on a fin last winter and ripped them wide open!
They are super comfortable, I would recommend the velcro straps, which I found really helped to keep the water out, which in turn aids keeping your hands warm. The liquid seam technology is fantastic, and although obviously not dry gloves, they let very little water through. The shark skin palm is good for grip – not so good for your face though if you have to rub your nose or something, its a bit like sandpaper!
As with the winter boots we reviewed, having the warmest of gear for the winter makes such a difference, you can stay out for extended periods without getting too cold and in my opinion thats the name of the game, getting as much surfing in as possible!
Good gloves, Sunset surf approved!

Alder Plasma 7mm Boots

Spec
Glued and blindstitched
Split and moulded toe
Foot arch strap
Flexible sole unit
Liquid sealed
Plush lined
Reinforced heel and toe
A massive 7mm thickness toasty warm neoprene
 
You would think that a 7mm boot, might be over the top! Regular winter boots are more like 5mm, well thats what they say anyway. So when we received these boots, I wasn’t sure they were going to be for me. After all, in the winter, your boot is responsible for transmitting that feeling from the board, through to your feet, and if thats not right, your surfing is not going to be right, full stop.
Well, we may be down in the south west, but our water still gets reasonably cold (yes I know nothing like the north / east coast!!) but its certainly cold enough to warrent boots.
So how did I get on with these then?
Fantastic actually!
The boots are really really comfy, they have an internal split toe which still allows for that extra stability you sometimes dont get from teh non-split toe boots. They have a great hook on the heel to make putting on and off easy as you can just pull on the hook to get them over your heal – usually the most awkward bit of a fitted wetsuit boot!
In the water they kept my feet lovely and toasty, as you might well expect from a 7mm boot, but most importantly I still felt in touch with my board, obvioulsy wearing boots isn’t as nice as bear feet, but in the winter you have to compromise, as you just can’t feel your feel when it gets cold with no boots. I didnt feel any less distanced from my board then if I had been wearing a regular 5mm pair of boots.
The biggest thing I noticed was that it increased my overall body warmth, which meant I was able to stay in the water much longer before needing to get out due to the cold setting in..
Overall, a decent boot, and absolutely great at keeping your feet warm. Well built with dual velcro straps and liquid seams to keep any last bit of water out.
Sunset surf winter recommended!