Yes, another wetsuit thread.

get the best xcel you can afford. If you really want to impress someone get the patagonia. I hear the hooded r3 feels warmer than most 5/4's. Matuse is very light but I had a friend wear holes in his suit changing in a paved parking lot. For $600 I expect a light weight suit of armor.

 

Ive had several of the top end Xcels (infinity) as well as one Matuse. The Matuse is 3 years old and is holding up really well after dozens and dozens of sessions. The limestone based material Matuse uses is very light, does not soak up water and get that heavy waterlogged feeling, dries quickly. Matuse's sizing is not like most other brands, and you will probably wear a different size in Matuse than you would in Xcel for example.

The LAST xcel infinity 4/3 i bought a year ago is also made from limestone based material and is lighter and more flexible than the older Xcels. Older Xcels seemed on the heavy side but every one i have had has been very warm and very durable.

Hope that helps...bottom line i recommend both.

 

I just got a few XCel in the mail. After a day of testing in LI, the dry lock is great and so is the comp2. The comp2 is more flexible but the dry lock is made from those Japanese materials. The dry lock is more warm and the stitching is different and in my opinion , more durable. Both of thesr wetsuits are from fall line.. They should be in stores at the beginning of October.

 

heres a hint: they are all made of japanese materials. Look for a suit that has rugged, waterproof seams, and FITS YOU. I challenge you to find a name brand wetsuit that's not made of Yamamoto Corp. superstretch neoprene.

 

I have never had one- put i have picked a patagonia suit off the rack in a shop onetime- maybe Im wrong, idk, but it seemed fairly heavy and bulky. For spending that kind of cash, i would expect a lighter suit. BUT im sure its warm... but then again, what suit is not warm these days...
I would invest in a surf brand suit, since they are designed by surfers- thus having flex, seams, and extra material in the proper places. Just my thoughts....

 

Can't help you on the suits mentioned but just FYI and since we surf the same temp water. I wear a 3/2Billabong SGX all winter with a hooded vest under in water @ 40* and get a good 3hr session at that temp. I dont use a 4/3 unless water goes below 40. Get @ wetsuitwearhouse for about $365 for the chest zip. Something you might want to look at.

 

I've got an O'neill, Xcel, and a Billabong. I thought about a Patagonia but the reviews weren't that great in regards to durability. The neoprene in the Xcel is like butter and so stretchy. The O'neill seems to have the best seams. I got shanked by a fin in the back w/ the Xcel and they covered it under warranty without question : )

 

I know way too much about wetsuits. from big surf brands, Quiksilver and Billabong are impressing me lately. I currently surf in Buell wetsuits from santa cruz, they're good, but will probably look somewhere else for a suit. Xcel are good, warm and water tight, but their material is heavy,takes in a lot of water, and probably have the stiffest neoprene on the market. Pategonia are good, but for the money i'd look to japenese wetsuits; i have the same feeling with matuse. For that money, i'd go japenese. They're custom fit which is awesome. http://www.bpd21.com/bewet/12ss/sim/ Betwet are the best wetty's $$$$ can buy. go betwet if you want to go baller status. also check out http://www.axxe.jp/us/ Axxe is also from japan and they're butter

 

Patagonias are warm and durable but lack flexibility. When looking for a good winter suit i want something warm, but flexible. I have been a fan of Ripcurls for some time now and currently have a flash bomb. To me its the perfect balance between warmth & flexibility, the only down site maybe the durability. But definitely look for a flexible suit.

 

He forgot to mention he's a penguin...

 

I'd never claim to be on a level of knowledge on this topic as Gnar & Mitchell & some others. Pretty interesting reading. Props to those guys for sharing.

I would say, though, just thinking out loud, how long do you plan on being in the water? I ask that 'cause all suits wear out eventually; but my goal is to have a good surf session first & foremost. So, my aim is to stay toasty for 2 hours. I admit it, I hate hate hate being cold. Call me a puss, I don't care, gimme mah 5 to 7 mil booties, 'cause when my feet are warm I can hang. If I get 2 hours in winter, I'm a happy buoyyyy.

Anyways, to that end, the Xcel wetsuits that I have are great. Keeps the water out, the warmth in & lets me stay calm & focused on surfing, instead of thinking about the intruding cold & my chattering chiclets. Never had a hot spot from a seam. Quality product & much appreciated.

The prices on WhiskeyMilitia are pretty sick, esp when compared with the retail website pricing for the same gear.

Seems to me that a fella could pay top dollar for the luxe items, but if a fella does an assessment of how long is to be spent in the water each session, then that would determine how much to spend.

Kinda like buying a Range Rover for the trek down the sands at Assateague when the Toyota FJ will do it better, for a lot less of your hard-earned cash.

One man's humble opinion.

 

47 yrs old, arthritic joints and I hate being cold but I'll go no matter what the temp if it's surfable. Just a testament to the warmth of the suit. 5mm on the hands as well as 5 to 7 on my feet. Why wear a 4/3 if you dont have to. Being from Jurrrrrrzey of course you have to wear more rubber. Normally not the case here except for OBX. I'm sure you could do our winters in boardshorts.

 

Those Bewet suits look pretty cool.... too bad I don't know enough Japanese to read their catalog.

 

54 year old w/ bad knees and zero insulation of my own . . . I found the RipCurl F Bomb in 5/4 warmer and way more comfortable than the psycho freak 6/5/4 surfing in38 degree Atlantic ocean surf. But the hood of the ripcurl sux. That is where it flushes, lots. Just bought an Isurus iEvade, in 5/4. Will see how that does.

 

rip curls are the only suits that actually fit me well...i'm looking to pick up a new 3/2 (prob. the flash bomb) from them for the fall soon. i wore their e-bomb 5.5/4.5 & never ever even came close to getting cold. granted, it was a warm winter, but i surfed every day there were waves, even if it was super windy. it's also the most comfortable & flexible winter suit i've ever worn.
i know the OP isn't looking at rip curls, but i'd highly recommend it. a buddy went w/ the flash bomb & he's really happy also.

 

Noone has mentioned Quiksilver at all... I can get a decent price on a 5/4 Cypher. Anyone have any experience with them?

In response to what someone else said about Xcel's weight, I got a 5/4 Drylock free from a website, and it is soooo thick and bulky compared to my Hyperflex Amp 5/4/3. I thought I was mistakenly comparing it to my 3/2 when I first picked up the Hyperflex.

 

I have the hookups with selling accounts for both Bodyglove and Jetpilot suits. If anyones interested in a group buy, brand new suits are dealer priced. Send me a pm