Wetsuits

and Billabong and Body Glove.

My point is, that in terms of wetsuits, fit is most important for warmth and performance. You have a place that stocks about 3 models PER manufacturer, in FULL size runs. They used to carry Hotline, but after years of QC and Warranty issues, that ended. (I wore only Hotline from about '83-'90)

I am not saying you have to buy from there, but for selection and figuring out what works for you body type, as well as comparing features, they can't really be beat.

And Mollusk? Show me the board you would ride when it is prime Ocean Beach, 6-8 foot faces with offshore wind- I didn't see anything on their website, just pretty retro things.

Well, they have guns in there all the way to 10'. Noe just dropped some boards off that would go well at 6-8', and I have an Andreini Leenough 6' quad that I would take out in that. the Andreini has become my daily driver. Don't get me wrong, I don't wear skinny jeans, ride a 12" skateboard and roll my own cigs, all while planning how to manage my trust fund. I'm just saying that some of those retro boards are a little more versatile than they look.

If you can afford it....get a custom Axxe wetsuit. Unbelievable warmth and flexibility. I also like Matuse wetsuits (if they fit your body type). Third choice would be a pataguchi. Not that flexible, but warm and pretty durable (plus a great warranty if you have any issues).

Bump... Does anyone have experience with an Xcel 6/5 hooded infiniti suit? Since I'm cheap, I'm thinking about getting a winter suit now while they are on sale. I have a 4/3 drylock for fall/spring but could use something thicker for the dead of winter (for Jan - April in the northeast). My old Hotline 6/5/4/ was too stiff and restrictive so I'm trying to find something that has the warmth but not the problems. Any feedback on this or the 5/4 drylock would be appreciated.

Heh. Funny to look back on old posts. I have a drylock in 5/4. It's not flashy, nor is it super flexible, but damn it gets the job done. Pretty durable, too. I'm at about 100 days in mine, and no problems at all. I don't know how soon you need one, but wise usually has a huge sale on these within the next few months.

PM rog. He surf year round in Maine. I imagine he has an opinion.

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Originally Posted by Ottime

PM rog. He surf year round in Maine. I imagine he has an opinion.

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Pretty sure rog is an Xcel guy. Whiskeymilitia.com has had good %50 off deals lately on the Xcels including a 6/5 infinity w/ hood (of course)

Whiskey has up the 6/5 x-zip right now. Its bort ass nice a the infinity or hydrolock but still a good winter suit

Sent from my DROID RAZR using TGR Forums

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Originally Posted by hooked

Bump... Does anyone have experience with an Xcel 6/5 hooded infiniti suit? Since I'm cheap, I'm thinking about getting a winter suit now while they are on sale. I have a 4/3 drylock for fall/spring but could use something thicker for the dead of winter (for Jan - April in the northeast). My old Hotline 6/5/4/ was too stiff and restrictive so I'm trying to find something that has the warmth but not the problems. Any feedback on this or the 5/4 drylock would be appreciated.

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i keep going back to the infinity 6/5/4. i've tried a bunch of other stuff, and this suit is just the best for my conditions here on vancouver island (winter). i replace them every winter season.

last winter, i went with the drylock 5/4, and it's not near as warm. better flexibility etc, but i can't stay out as long, so what's the point? it's a decent winter suit for beach break, with lots of paddling, but if you're sitting at a point break, with long interval waits, it just doesn't compare to the infinity.

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Originally Posted by YetiMan

Mine is coming apart at multiple seams after about 100 surfs. I wouldn't recommend.

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funny my brothers is doing the same thing...... he has been in the water maybe 2 dozen times and the seams are starting to go...I have a front zip 3/2 hyperflex and have had no probs with it...maybe 6o to 70 sessions and no sign of wearing... my brother is a big boy at 225 and triple x but still no excuse.....I like the hyperflex and the cost..BUT it is on the cheaper side....just be prepared if it goes to shit to purchase something else......

I'm a Bay Area Windsurfer/Kiter and surfer in Santa Cruz. I use a 4/3 Heat in the summer and a Patagonia R3 the rest of the year, both back zip although I'd like to try to front zip. My favorite wetsuit from the 80's were Victory front zips, but I keep hearing the Patagonia front zip take a bit of Houdini to get in and out of. I'm on generation 2 of the R3, gen 1 was great back in the 3rd year the seam on the right arm started to come apart. I took it to the Patagonia store where I ordered it and asked to get it repaired. When I went back to pick it up they gave me a new R3, hard not to like that! Fletcher had a big sale on them last month, R3's for around 380.00 I think. Not sure if his sale is still on.