at 57°F (14°C) water temperature you would choose 5/4 or 4/3 wetsuit?

[GJibb]

Boardshorts...

[RadDrDuke]

Depends on the risk of a long swim.

I kite in side-onshore surf and shallow sound waters so minimal swim risk. I kite comfortably ALL YEAR in NJ, including two weeks ago (35* air, 35* water), and in super cold I wear:

3/2 ripcurl flashbomb zipperless (best wetsuit ever)
5 mm billabong booties
5/3 ripcurl flashbomb 3finger gloves (warmest gloves possible)
impact vest
Oneill Hood
and a Hyperlite Playa 2mm neoprene hoody.

The key is good booties, gloves and the neoprene hoody. Also, it has to be a safe situation because you can't swim for 30 minutes safely in this setup...

[TomW]

It also depends on the air temperature!
If it's 14c in water and 18c in the air( not uncommon where I kite) I'd take my 3-2, 3mm boots and probably no gloves.
If it's 14c water and 8c air, I would take my 5-4 flashbomb and 3mm boot, and 3mm gloves.

The best way is to add the water and air temperature and you'll find what gear to use.

[nothing2seehere]

4/3 would be fine for that in my temperature range (water only gets to 16c here as max temperature).

Add an impact vest/hood and you'll be toasty on the water. Chuck on an old jacket whilst rigging and packing away and you'll be toasty on the land (nothing worse than starting off cold before you even get into the water - also surprising how quick you cool down whilst standing around chatting at the end). Stash it in your kite bag whilst you're on the water. Simples!

[plummet]

Either will do. As others have said. Air temp plays a big part as does wind speed. 20 deg air temp and 15 knots is a shit tonne better than 8 deg c air temp and 40 knots of wind!.....

[Archer77]

sincerely THANK YOU ALL

Very good and much appreciated suggestions!

Having already the 4/3 I'm going to take a Thermo layer to put under the wetsuit just to stay peaceful as indicated from Dirk too

[BernieTomic1]

I would say it is smart to be equipped for the worst case scenario.
If it is deep, sideshore, or there are other factors involved where you might spend longer time in the water, that is what you want to be prepared for.

In Sardinia, you probably look at 10-15 degrees air, 14 degrees water, and a 4/3 should definitely be fine.
In 20 degree Celsius air, 14 degree C water, I might even go out in boardshorts for a quick session close to shore in shallow water, where I can easily walk back in case of a problem.
I kited in 3 degrees air, 3 degrees water today, and was superwarm in a 6/4 suit, using two rashguards underneath and a light jacket over. Epic session.

[Topaz]

On that water temperature, I'd stay home, LOL. I've been too long in Florida!

[Beardytello]

14°C is boardies and an impact vest for me!

[Peter_Frank]

14°C is boardies and an impact vest for me!

What is "boardies" ???

Peter