**Official wetsuit review thread**

I have
Quiksilver 3/2 Syncro backzip. Love this suit and have had no problems at all with it.
Xcel 5/4 Infiniti Chestzip fullsuit with Hood Also a great suit. Surfed in 42 degree water for over 2 hours and never got cold in it.

 

I got this suit right after Christmas 2012, the 4/3 that is, and I thought it was great when I first got it. Actually had a day out in the water that I could feel my body warming shortly after I got it. The past month and a half I already noticing water sitting in my lower back when sitting on the board and now I'm not thinking it's the warmest.

Wondering if you've noticed this with yours.

I'm in Central SC.

 

This website does some good reviews on wetsuits http://www.freakfish.co.uk/category/surf-product-reviews/wetsuit-reviews/

 

xcel 3/2. same problem. also have a consistent issue with the zipper getting jammed.

 

I really like Xcel wetsuits really warm, great flex, have been wearing them for years but when the drylock model came out I had to bump up a size, and I didn't gain any weight, and found bigger sizes (2XLS-my new size, was XLS) are a ***** to find even online...

 

Not too pleased with Xcel, unfortunately...

Not too pleased with Xcel suits and repair, especially concerning the 3/2 infiniti x-zip2 and the drylock 3/2. Here's a letter i wrote to xcel:


Hi dear folks @ Xcel,

In the summer of 2012, I had two infiniti x-zip2 suits in a row already coming out of the box with separated seams, and after several returns and an eventual refund, I ended up getting a 3/2 drylock. After a few surfs, however, several seams around the thermo-airprene started coming apart and leaking. Also several reinforcement dots were coming unstuck. I sent the suit in for repair to the service center in Hossegor, France, got it back after 2 months (!), and then only used the suit again this summer. I also had an e-mail exchange with your colleague XXXXX about this.

Unfortunately, after 2 or 3 surfs, the glue that was used to repair the seams was gone and the seams were coming apart again. Also, after just 40 surfs in total and always having taken proper care of it and careful getting in and out of the suit, reinforcement dots have come off, tape is coming loose, and seams seem to be coming apart in other spots as well. Since the warranty period has expired, I turned to glueing the separated seams myself, which I hope will get me a few more surfs out of the suit before I write it off.

Naturally, I can't help being disappointed with Xcel. I find Xcel suits to be great in functional terms and have used Xcel suits for a long time already, but in all of this the out of the factory workmanship and repair service just seems to be below par. It's bad enough already that seams should fall apart like that, but if on top of that the repair service can't be counted on to provide adequate repairs, then buying an Xcel wetsuit just becomes a very risky thing to do.

I'm sorry to say that, between the lack of dependability of the suit and repair service and the hassle and cost of constantly having to return suits and going without a suit in the meantime, I find myself forced to turn to other brands.

Kind regards,
Me


Haven't heard back from them, but will post it here when/if i do.

 

4/3 Billabong Foil here in NC for the winter and I love this suit! Heated vest under is absolutely incredible...

Guys check out my buddies company....

http://www.heatedwetsuits.com/

Top of the line Isurus wetsuits and Thermalution heated vests. Heated vests are incredible for those long waits in between sets during the winter. Great product!

 

I'm new to this whole NJ winter surfing thing...I still don't even know if you should tuck glove cuffs under wetsuit or not hahaha. Any help?

 

under the sleeve - or they're gonna fill up.

 

Thanks for help

 

Any thoughts on 4/3 Xcel OS Backzip with hooded shirt underneath for NJ Winter?

 

I have an oneill mutant 5/4/3, use that all winter. Hood is really flushy though.

Oneill epic backzip 3/2. Really cheap quality.

Oneill 2mil rashie.

 

You'd probably only be able to stay in for like an hour with the water being 35 at thelowest.

 

Patagonia R4 FZ hooded FULL- Incredibly warm but not so stretchy. Pain in the @$$ to get out of. I bought this the 1st year they came out and I believe they have since improved the suit.

Rip Curl F-Bomb hooded FULL 6/5/4- Stretchy and an overall good suit. My 4th season with it.

Isurus I-Soldier 4/5/4- Got a killer deal on this on black Friday and treated myself to a nice Xmas gift. Have not used it yet as I still need to get rid of a few extra "beer" pounds from the last couple of months. Neoprene is top quality and the write ups on features seems good as well.

Oneil Psycho2 4/3 (back zip)- This suit has not been good to me. The knee keeps ripping out and I have had it replaced/repaired 3 times and the next time I get in the water it rips again. I have not had good luck with any of their products other than board shorts or T-shirts.

Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 3/2 (back zip) Paid less than 100. Crappy suit but does the trick.

Rip Curl shorty 2mil (back zip) Awesome suit. I prefer this over boardies and a top in the summer.

GLOVES/BOOTIES

Patagonia R4 Wool Lined Gloves 5mm Hands down the best gloves I've ever owned. They are all neoprene and lined with merino wool. Only had these for the last 4 sessions in NJ and my hands were sweating each time. Expensive tho.......$79.

Rip Curl or Oneil 5mm/3mm gloves Owned all brands and types. Regardless of the mm or brand I rip/tear/etc in one season. Huge waste of money and the major brands need to start making quality gloves!

Quicksilver Cypher 7.5mm Bio Fleece Round Toe Boot-Very warm and made of good materials. My only complaint is that there was no pull strap on the heel to help pull them on.

Patagonia R5™ Wool Lined Round Toe Booties Very warm and made of good materials. Patagonia makes good stuff.

 

Well how much colder do NJ waters get than 35*?

 

my ripcurl 5/4 flashbomb has ripped like 5 times in the back. Has anyone else had this happen to their suit? Plus I've been patching it up and putting the aqua seal wetsuit stuff and it keeps ripping. To expensive to get another. Wouldn'd buy it again.

 

if you can afford Patagonia go with that. I have R2 and R3 top entry, fabulous. Much warmer than competitors equal thickness due to liner. I have also had good luck with the top of the line O’Neill 3/2, 4/3, 6/4 hooded plus assorted gloves and booties. All and all price makes the difference.

 

had that prob and solved it by storing the suit with a GALLON MILK JUG (empty) stuffed into the neck.

 

I just got a 3/2 Hurley Fusion for the spring/summer. Best wetsuit iv'e ever had

 

You must be rich.