Ive got around around $400 bucks to spend on a winter wettie this year, and am looking to get a top notch suit. Anyone have any last minute suggestions before i choose (surf in ocmd by the way) Ive done a bit of research already and am looking at: Body Glove Vapor?-front zip Oniell Heat? Rip Curl E-Bomb? Xcel DRYLOCK?-front zip Oniell Mutant? Psycho 2? Should I get a hooded suit or buy a hood separately? Any advice would help thanks.
Matuse check out the website, pretty cool stuff, eco-friendly and from what i hear super light and dries way faster than normal neoprene. im in a hooded quiksilver ignite its really nice suit and plenty warm but it takes all night to dry and still damp the next morning, even with a fan blowing on it. if i had 400 bones to spend on a new winter suit it would be a Patagonia or Matuse Matuse http://matuse.com/products.html?category_id=1 Patagonia http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/detail/shop_landing.jsp?OPTION=WETSUITS_LANDING ________ TTR50
suits with attached hood are way more comfortable than the ones with separate hoods. try on all the suits you can. the best suit is the one that fits you best.
agreed, attached hood=minimal flushing=warmer and you dont choke yourself all day ________ Yamaha XV535
Top of the food chain to me is Patagonia. (a little out of your price range) All the suits you listed are all good suits. It's really gonna come down to what fits you the best. IMO - For $400 I would go for the Vapor.
i just got an xcel infin 5/4/3 through whiskey militia for 200 but realized after that it's not hooded. i'm goign to buy a 3mm hood for under it. my buddy has done that fora while and hasn't had any problems http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1GH58SX7F9Y07WPE72Z1
i have a question for all you Bethany/OC locals.is a 4/3 thick enough to do the job all through winter? even in the dead of February? when it can be like 10F out? i only have a spring suit now & i when i get a full suit,i'm thinking to buy just 1.is the 4/3 enough for the depths of February here?
West 6/5/4 I've used a west lotus hooded 6/5/4 for the past 3 winters and its been the best winter suit ive ever used. Hands down the warmest ive ever used and its real flexible for a 6 mil...gets a lil toasty tho when its too cold for a 4/3 but too warm for a 6/5/4 but ill take it. I highly recommend this suit
now,is the patagonia 4/3 good enough because of the quality of the neoprene/stiching & craftsmanship? as apposed to say a normal off the shelf 4/3 like an oneil or ripcurl?
Always buy Rip Curl. You can send it back and they will fix it for free. I send mine in almost every summer to get panels/tape/glue/seams replaced. It only takes a week or so, and they always do a good job. All of the other companies are lame when it comes to customer service/repair. They either want to charge you an arm and a leg (no pun intended), or they take forever. Conclusion: My rip curl suit has now lasted 7 years, and after sending it back this summer and getting the entire crotchal region replaced, every seam retaped, and a new batwing collar, it is once again brand new.
Yeah breh, Completely different material/design...and there freaking warm~. Your gonna pay for that though! Check out their website and read up on the technology.
Yeah it can be done.....not typical though. you also get a shorter ses wearing less. So with that being said.....you will hear about a few that can deal....most can't though.
ok guys,awsome info in this thread.i am actually 36 & average weight now.i hate being cold,so i may just have to go with that patagonia if i go with just 1 fullsuit in 4/3. in the OC/Bethany area when do you guys switch from your 4/3 to thicker suits? does the standard off the shelf 4/3 get you up to like what? late November/December time frames?
Not sure about MD but I surf all year in NJ and i picked up a 6/5/4 psycho II for $200 on craigslist. 7mm booties and 5 mil gloves and I don't even feel the cold water. Sometimes a little difficult to move in than a 4/3 but the air/water temp will never stop me. I just saw that Quiksilver makes a battery powered heated vest for $200 (similar to the H-bomb without the price tag) to wear under your suit. Has anyone tried this or know anyone who has? I wonder if that vest would do the trick in combo with a 4/3 through the winter? hmmm....
yes,i was wondering this myself,i was on quicksilvers website & was diggin on the electro-heated vest & wondered how long you could go out with just a 3/2 with that under it.i'd love to hear if anybody here has experience with that vest.i would hope they've have diesel-ass waterproofing on it so that you don't have an unfortunate electrical incident while enjoying a session.it don't recall if quicksilver recommended it be used only under a dry suit or not.hmmm.
