patagonia or rip curl flash bomb

i think it depends on the cash brotha man. patagonia is suppose to be better quality but crazy expensive, rip curl probably a bit less quality and a bit less expensive. also depends on how much you take care of your stuff. i personally dont take care of my stuff as much as i should so i buy on the cheaper end...stupid maybe but i am not crazy picky like some people are.

 

based on the amount I spent on my drylock two seasons ago, I wish I would have just spent the extra cash and got something that was going to last. I believe patagonia suits come with a good warranty as well. Regardless, I have heard good things about every suit on the market, Like fish said, depends on your cash situation

 

I can't speak for the flash bomb's, but I do have an R4 Patagonia and I love it. The construction of the suit as compared to my old 6/5/4 F-bomb is superior.

That being said, it doesn't have all the fancy seam taping, etc. that my old F-bomb did, but it doesn't leak at the seams at all. I will also say that the rubber on the Patagonia wetsuit is also not anywhere near as flexible as my old f-bomb was.

I like it because it fits me well and the merino wool lining really does seem to work help keep you warm. If I remember correctly the R4 is a 5mm suit and I can tell you that this suit is definitely warmer then my F-bomb was. I'm not sure why this happened to my f-bomb, but after the first year of use, the neoprene began to get stiff. So far after 2 years, my Patagonia has not done this. Although, neither has my Rip Curl e-bomb.

I have never tried the flash bomb suits so I can't give any comparisons to that.

 

All my friends with Ripcurl complain about falling apart. I have an Isurus 4/3, lighter and warmer than other stuff. Has the Yamamoto Neoprene. Guys at allhandsfire.com have them. Good luck

 

I got a 5/4 Flash Bomb last winter and was impressed. Was definitely more flexible than my old Xcel 5/4 Infiniti (not Drylock). Comfortable and warm, although last winter here in DE/MD wasn't as cold as other winters. Only strange thing is that when you first enter the water the wicking material actually wicks a bit of the cold water up your legs. But things warm up and you don't notice anything.

I was looking into the Patagonia's (and Isurus) but didn't want to buy without actually seeing the suit first. I did get my first chance to check out the Patagonia's up close and personal at a shop on the Outer Banks. I thought the feel of the neoprene would blow me away, but it didn't. Did not feel as flexible as my new Boz 3/2 - which I have not had a chance to try yet. (Yeah, I'm trying to do the Japanese neoprene thing on the cheap...we'll see.)

 

I have a Flash Bomb. It's a good suit. The flash dry lining does add some weight. It's noticeably heavier than my other 3/2's, but it does seem a touch warmer. The flash dry lining is the only part of the suit that "dries in a flash". The actual neoprene and the rest of the suit takes just as long as other suits. The rubber is nice and soft and flexible. Doesn't really flush. Durability seems ok so far, but I haven't used it much yet.

I do not have a Pat, but I would not hesitate to get one. I hear they are warmer, but also a bit stiffer. The thing I don't like about the Pats is the neck closure. The shoulder/neck flap entry is attached on one side of the Rip Curl so water can only enter from one side. The last time I looked at the Pats the flap was open on both sides. In my experience with other suits, this allows for more flushing. I'm not sure if they have updated this yet.

I have an Isurus (mentioned by the last poster). Great suit. Very much noticeably lighter than other suits. More flexible than other suits. Fits like a second skin when sized properly. Probably my favorite suit ever to wear as you don't feel as restricted as other suits. The only downside I have noticed so far is that the neoprene is a bit more fragile than other suits. You just need to be a little more careful putting on/taking off, how you hang it, etc...

 

The Patagonia's have an added internal neck gasket that eliminates flushing. Some people find this extra gasket to be uncomfortable. Similar to what O'Neill does with the Psycho II but more substantial.

 

xcel imo, is a good in between price and quality. check the infinity's or the drylocks out. i love my 5/4 infinity and i got it for 154 on a sale

 

Check out the new flashbomb plus suits. very nice...I am looking at those and the new billabong (crazy light but maybe not the warmest...havent tried yet)

 

dont get the patagucci then....TOTALLY not a flexible suit

 

you order the plus or the original?

 

My experience with Isurus is completely the opposite. The Isurus feels more flexible to me than any of the big brands (Billa, Rip, etc..)

Edit: I'm speaking about in the water. They fit tighter and do feel more restrictive out of the water.

 

Yeah I don't know. Felt way more laboring than my other suits. Got one a while ago not sure why mine felt so restrictive?

 

funny. i was going to start a very similar thread today except i was looking at the r4 vs. hyperflex amp 6/4. the two price extremes of cold water suits. is patagonia really worth the extra cost? i know they make quality stuff and have a great warranty (though if they make really quality stuff, warranty shouldn't be an issue) but i could get 2 amps for the price of one patagonia and still have money left over. price is only an issue if i feel like i'm wasting $. seems like the wool lining in the r4 might be annoying, too.