new winter wetsuit input

Well, my Rip Curl Elasto 5/4/3 is on its last legs. It has been repaired under Rip Curl's warranty about 5 times now. However, I sent it back to Rip Curl again for more repairs just recently and this time they are going to charge me $100 for repairs (replace chest, hood, 1 leg, etc.). So, I'm now in the market for a new winter suit. Problem is, for as long as I can remember, all i've ever worn are Rip Curls, so I have no experience with other suits. I'll probably end up with a new Rip Curl again, mainly because of their warranty and my past experience, but wondered what other folks have and are happy with.

Suits I am currently considering:

Rip Curl Elasto 5/4/3
Rip Curl F Bomb 6/5/4** (I like this)
Body Glove Stormtrooper 6/5/4
Xcel Infiniti 6/5/4

Peter, I picked up a Quiksilver Cell 5/4 this fall at Cinnamon. I'm very happy with it -- tight fit, holding up well so far with about 40 days on it, no problems so far. Who knows how it'll be in a year, but for now I'm liking it. Warm enough for this winter here in Maine.

I have the F-Bomb 4/3 very warm!! My buddy has the Zipperless which is a sweet set up! The O'Niel's are way over priced.

I tried on an Oneill Psycho 2 6/4 today. Nice fit, but there is a stupid neck velcro thingamagig that is supposed to keep the water out - I did not like that. And what is up with Oneill's warranty? Only 12 months! Bullshit.

No Xcel's in my size...damn...may go with another Rip Curl! Will keep searching.

i love my excel infiniti 4/3 zipperless............it fits great and is really warm, almost hot sometime.

Bought a 6/5/4 Body Glove Stormtrooper, then found out after 2 surfs that the zipper (there is an internal back zip) sits right on the back of my neck where I have a bulged disc and irritates the hell out of it when paddling -not cool. I didn't even think about that since I've been wearing zip-free for the past 10 years, and it was not an issue when I tried the suit on in the shop. The suit is waaay toasty though. We had blizzard conditions on Sunday, with water temps at 36 degrees, 20 deg air temperatures, and 25-30 mph offshore winds and I was warm.

I hope I can return it for a refund! If not, if anyone is interested: BG 6/5/4 Stormtrooper, men's medium, for sale, surfed twice, new condition with a tiny blobb seam job. Reasonable offers.

Found and bought an Xcel Infiniti 5/4/3 - incredible fit, great construction, and very lightweight. Yet to be in the water with it, but it seems killer - I now know why everyone touts Xcel. The comfort level of the suit seems to be at the Rip Curl Elasto level, which I have worn exclusively, but the durability from what I hear is 10X better. Great warranty too. Stoked!

Nice. That was some good surf on Sunday (Monday morning too), eh?

3/2

hahahahahahaha:the_finge

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Originally Posted by tuffy109

3/2

hahahahahahaha:the_finge

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meh, I eat 3/2s for breakfast.

and yeti, yes, monday morning was nice at scarbs. sunday was a bit too windy!

The new Body Glove water repellent finish is amazing... helps shed about fifteen pounds of water weight (XL size suit)... Def. worth checking out.

Peter, did you get wet at all this week? Monday and Tuesday mornings weren't bad at my local spot -- deceptively big sets came through every 15 minutes or so. Can't beat those crystal skies! It's gonna suck for a few weeks after daylight savings changes this weekend -- no more dawn patrols on the beach until the sun catches up to the clock.

Have you ever looked at Promotion? www.wetsuit.com I just bought the wife a new 5/3 for windsurfing and that thing looks super nice, I'm jealous as all getout. They're super cool about sizing if you order offline, return it no q's asked for another size within 30 days, even if the thing is worn.

Edit for link fixage..

Just checked out ProMotion. They make some weird stuff (eg triathalon and wind suits), but the prices look great for their surf line. They don't seem to have any thick suits in my size, though -- S.

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Originally Posted by Yeti

Just checked out ProMotion. They make some weird stuff (eg triathalon and wind suits), but the prices look great for their surf line. They don't seem to have any thick suits in my size, though -- S.

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They def. make some strange swimming suits. They are based in Hood River (a windsurfing mecca), but the little windsurfing shops around here are starting to carry more and more of them (cheap and good service). I'm not sure what the difference between the wind and the surf suits are, but it might be something to check on......I'm imagining they put flexibility in all the right spots for surfing (and likewise for windsurfing). But if they have a wind suit in your size, why wouldn't it work for surfing? I don't know.....

That insulated rash guard long sleeve top thing is really freakin sweet too. Great for chili days when the water is still pretty warm. They just make a lot of nice stuff and some of it has a lifetime warranty on the seems. You can't beat that.

Nice link. grabbed a Pro-motion .5ml rashgaurd on sale. Thanks

Quick question about winter suits:

I have an old 3/2 and am making the move the Santa Barbara area. I imagine that it will be enough there, but I'm only guessing. Would that keep me warm through the winter? I'm planning on spending a good deal of time in the water since the mountains will be so far away. Surfing should help the powder shakes.

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Originally Posted by kneedropper

Quick question about winter suits:

I have an old 3/2 and am making the move the Santa Barbara area. I imagine that it will be enough there, but I'm only guessing. Would that keep me warm through the winter? I'm planning on spending a good deal of time in the water since the mountains will be so far away. Surfing should help the powder shakes.

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It depends on how well you can tolerate the cold. Coming from Oregon, 3/2 was fine for me all winter in L.A. However, I saw people with booties/gloves/hoods on there too.

Likewise, from the perspective of a Maine surfer, a 3/2 would be fine for the coldest days -- never surfed Santa Barbara (not even sure where it is), but googling shows low temps of around 50. Here in Maine, water temps are only over 50 for a few months a year. I usually go without a wetsuit once it gets into the mid 50s. Get gloves/boots/hood to extend the range of your 3/2 and you'll be fine temperature-wise, if not safe from pollutants.

I have always use a Henderson wetsuit when SCUBA. They are well made. I don't know much about surfing gear, but it might be worth looking into.

I'm in a 5/4/3 Xcel Infinity now...sweetest suit I have ever owned.

I've got a 6/5/4 BG Stormtrooper just collecting dust now...return or sell? return or sell?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kneedropper

Quick question about winter suits:

I have an old 3/2 and am making the move the Santa Barbara area. I imagine that it will be enough there, but I'm only guessing. Would that keep me warm through the winter? I'm planning on spending a good deal of time in the water since the mountains will be so far away. Surfing should help the powder shakes.

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my 3/2 xcel is plenty for Malibu winters and SC summers, try it out, you can always get a new one if you don't like it, or just add some layers. I surf SC usually twice during the winter, if i'm lucky I remeber to bring my booties, but I always got rashguard and underarmor, body is toasty, feet are cold.

I went with a 3/2. My old suite was 10ish years old and all I can say is that the new strech material kicks ass. The new 3/2 (sealed seams) is a whole lot warmer than the old suit. I'm sure with another layer it will be fine for winter.

I use a 3/2 down in Ventura. Only thing I add are booties.

Had a Rip Curl 5/4/3 Core and replaced it a couple months ago with an Xcel Infiniti 4/3.. The Rip Curl was good, the Xcel is perfect :cool:

It's all about the fit...

I tried on a bunch of different brands and the Xcel fit me best, so I went with the Infiniti 4/3 two years ago. I use it in WA during the spring/summer/fall (w/ booties 90% of the time and add hood and gloves 10% of the time) and in Marin CA winter with the same percentages of extras.

Pretty bomber, but I might go for a hooded 5/4/3 or 6/4 if I spend more time in the water during the winter up north.

FWIW I find the CA winters to be as warm or warmer than WA summers water temp-wise.

New here , so far impressed with the info. I'm getting back into the water after being away from the surf for more then 10 years. Just what you all want to hear another over hill Longboarded in the Water!. Don't worry I won't bore you to tears with stories of Surfing back in the Day. I talked to a guy in surf shop in Santa Cruz,. He said a 3/2 suit would be to cold for the Central Coast Winter water temps. Of course I'm sure he makes a commission on sales and the 4/3 are more expensive by the way this was at the Oneill shop.
Now my question is this while looking around on Line i came across some Body Glove suits at Sierra Trading Company. They seem to be a discontinued line Prices were pretty good some 3/2 suits and some 4/3 suits. One I was looking was a pro II ? anybody know anything about those wetsuits?

I personally hate the restrictivness of a neoprene once you get over 4mm. It restricts your movement and your breathing (if it fits right) and it makes you tire more quickly.

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I have an Oztek Diveskin thermal... its polartec synthetic insulation with lycra on the outside.

For wet use, the lycra prevents abrasion and reduces water flowthru by probably 95% and the polartech insulates though wet and also reduces flow.

The lycra makes putting on additional protection very easy and the polartec works as insulation whether you are using a wetsuit or a drysuit.

I have an O'Niell 3/2 shorty for warm water.

For cold water I use the following drysuits:
http://www.trelleborg.com/protective...ro1000_red.jpg
Viking Pro 1000 - vulcanized rubber drysuit capable of diving in hazmat contaminated water

for non-diving cold water stuff I use an O'Neill Oasis 4/3 neoprene drysuit.
http://detourgeneration.net/pics/oneill.jpg

I just bought one of these:
http://www.lifesupportintl.com/images/cwu-74p.jpg
It's a kevlar/nomex Goretex drysuit. Breathability + relief zipper *w00t* I just hope it works out.

Winters in Santa Cruz? A 4/3 w/some booties. Summer 3/2. Warm summer day longboarding? Boardshorts. I've never seen anyone surf in a drysuit - expensive and not necessary if you spend 95% of your time above the surface.

There's at least one guy in Maine who surfs all winter in his drysuit. Yes, it's expensive, and I'd think you'd get wax gumming your chest zipper (don't use drysuit with scratchy traction pads, I figure), but it must be nice to zip out and be dry when it's 8 deg F and windy. He does get funny looks from the few of us funny-rubber guys though.

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Originally Posted by Artz

New here , so far impressed with the info. I'm getting back into the water after being away from the surf for more then 10 years. Just what you all want to hear another over hill Longboarded in the Water!. Don't worry I won't bore you to tears with stories of Surfing back in the Day. I talked to a guy in surf shop in Santa Cruz,. He said a 3/2 suit would be to cold for the Central Coast Winter water temps. Of course I'm sure he makes a commission on sales and the 4/3 are more expensive by the way this was at the Oneill shop.
Now my question is this while looking around on Line i came across some Body Glove suits at Sierra Trading Company. They seem to be a discontinued line Prices were pretty good some 3/2 suits and some 4/3 suits. One I was looking was a pro II ? anybody know anything about those wetsuits?

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As stated previously, it is all about the fit. Buying blind you'll have to make sure you're ok with sending it back to try another size out or order a few sizes. The O'neils fit me best, so that is what I bought. Also, it seems that in the last 5 years materials have changed quite a bit, so if they are really old, you may want to look elsewhere. Right now most shop have all of the full suites on sale, and you could pick one up for under $100. Now these are the most basic and may not be sealed and stretchy, but I thought I'd toss that out there..... fit is everything.

Buy on fit.

I'm finding wetsuits are like ski boots in that each manufacturer fits a certain body type best.

Oneill and Rip Curls have treated me well over the years.

A friend of mine wants to know, who has a good fit for a short balding old guy with a gut?

Me:

Short? Yes. (5'8)
Balding? Umm, yes a little more than I'd like to admit.
Gut? A little.

The Xcel medium fits me perfectly, as does RipCurl.

me: 5'10"
balding: no
gut: solid as a rock
overall build: sleek and sexy

xcel M was the only thing that fit me... everything else was way too baggy around the midsection.

i just got a 5/4/3 body glove fusion and it works good. it seems really warm esp when the sun comes out (not very often). i think the water is cold in kodiak...

you might want to put billabong on your list. they're trying to work their way into the market by selling suits for minimal profit, funded by their ginormous clothing revenue. so right now, you can get alot of suit for very little. I grabbed a 3/2 from them, + dug it so much I got one of their spring suits as well.

The new rip curl f bomb 6/4 zip is kick ass,super stretchy shoulders back chest and the water repellancy so far is awesome. great suit for my 5'9 mountain runner build. I have an old 5/3 that's great too but needed to wear fleece underneath in winter.
Montannamike kodiak water actually benefits from some warm water currents and not just the ones from kidney juice.:biggrin:

make sure to try before you buy. everyone fits a bit differently.