silentbutdeadly
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 11619
Loc: Tower 13
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The Patagonia thread got me thinking about doing an unbiased wetsuit thread. We have a lot of surfers on here that are in the water several times a week and I know there are many different brands being worn. If anyone has any suggestions for how it should be structured then feel free to chime in. If you think it's stupid, then just ignore!
I have three new suits for this winter:
Hurley Freedom 3/2 Back zip
3/2 Psycho II (brand new from warranty return)
Quiksilver Ignite 4/3.
I've only worn the hurley so far for about 8 sessions and here is my critique so far:
Comfy fast drying suit (dries faster than any suit I've owned). No leaks so far but I don't think it's quite as warm as my previous oneil's. Time will tell when the water cools down to winter temps. The YKK zipper lets zero water in and I rarely get water in through the neck on duck dives. Since the zipper has the water proof panel it is kind of stiff and you can feel it bind at times, especially when you first put it on. Not enough to really bother me, but just something I noticed. So far so good with this suit.
Post your wetsuit critiques here throughout the season... maybe this can be kind of like the 2007 surf journal? 
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Thou shall not commit adulthood
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rice
Duke status
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 17769
Loc: CA
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There should be a disclaimer acknowledging the fact that you are a guy who wears booties in San Diego.
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20W-50 and blood
Duke status
Reged: 02/04/04
Posts: 16763
Loc: SOCAL
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Jesus was Mexican, Ronald Reagan was the devil, and the government is lying about 9-11.
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silentbutdeadly
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 11619
Loc: Tower 13
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Dic! 
There were two guys with hoods on this morning and I'm not kidding.
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Thou shall not commit adulthood
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rice
Duke status
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 17769
Loc: CA
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I'm just saying...
Your "cold" my not be anyone else's "cold".
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tenover
Phil Edwards status
Reged: 01/17/03
Posts: 7094
Loc: Point Loma, CA
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I would post a review, but there's no point. You just get a bunch of dickheads who like to tear apart whatever you say, or tell you that your wrong, or this and that. I like my new suit. There, that's it. Have fun. I'm making an effort to not post on this forum anymore.
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"It’s always better to feel good about what you did than what you haven’t done...." - Terry Martin
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rice
Duke status
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 17769
Loc: CA
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Quote:
tear apart
It's tearing apart already? How long have you had that suit? Patagonia, right?
You're wrong.
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Troyus
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 01/25/06
Posts: 302
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Quote:
Quote:
tear apart
It's tearing apart already? How long have you had that suit? Patagonia, right?
You're wrong.
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importheinekin
Nep status
Reged: 04/13/06
Posts: 859
Loc: Newport
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regardless, I will post up some info.
I'm still wearing the 06/07 Psycho 2.
The Cons: heavy suit (biggest gripe), hard to get off, stitching on the ankle cuff and wrist cuff can unravel or blow out easily. (for example, if you tuck your leash under, the velcro will snag it, or for those who wear booties I imagine the same thing will happen)
It might feel a bit stiff when dry, but once you're in the water, even with the double fluid seam weld, it's a really stretchy and comfortable suit. More so than a Xcel Infinity I owned (stretchy, but the warms weren't big enough in diameter for me, so it felt constricting...if you have smaller arms I'm sure it'd be fantastic)
Pros: been durable...2nd season with it (well, the 2nd season just started but it didn't get all crispy or sh*tty in the summer). pretty damn toasty, my body is pretty damn dry...not much water gets in thru the neck, the glideskin on neck never gives me a rash.
Quik Cell HFT: really warm suit, comfortable fit, fell apart on me rather QUIKly. I have a S/S Full by them that's comfortable, but that too is coming apart at seams and such. I really like theyre Hyperstretch tho, it's pretty light. I just wish the suits themselves didn't fall apart.
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swegin
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 09/20/07
Posts: 1068
Loc: carolina
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I got a 4/3 O'neill off the internet a couple of years ago. Whiskey Militia. Built in hood. I live in San Diego. I'm burning up in the thing. So then I get the cheapest O'neill 3/2 off the internet. Paid about 80 bucks for it. No tape or any seal on the seams at all. Cold water just leaks right in. But it's thin and comfortable. So I go down the hill in December for what turns out to be the best day of the winter. I paddle out, telling myself I'm just going to charge into the first good wave I'm in position for. I'm undergunned. I stroke into this sucking up left and pretty much free fell to the bottom. I eat it and get sucked up and over, my shitty wetsuit unzipping completely and filling up with water. I'm down on the sandbar, drowning, my wetsuit ballooning and holding me down like a sea anchor. I struggle to the top, hyperventilating, and take the next 10' face on the head. Back down to the sandbar, rolling, my exposed skin freezing. Back up, gasping for air, wondering if I should cry out for help. I'm a grey-haired old-guy surfer victim, waiting to drown. I get the board under me in time to be blasted by another inside barreling left. I wash in far enough to get on my board and start paddling. I drag myself up on the beach, shivering.
That cheap ass wetsuit almost drowned me.
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Bakala
Grom
Reged: 08/29/07
Posts: 113
Loc: None of your business
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Body Glove low end shorty: Bought it at Dick's for 40 bucks and its lasted 3 summers. Flexible best deal ever
Rip Curl e-bomb 3/2: Most flexible suit I ever had. Light. Only used 1yr but holding up well. Definately lose the batwing!! Key pouch in the thigh rules.
Quicksilver 4/3 hooded cell chest zip: Picked up 3yrs ago for 100bucks. Holding up with just a little fraying. Warm as hell down to the high 40's. Flexible enough.
Psycho 2 6/4 back zip hooded: Flexible as the 4/3 quicksilver. Toasty even in the 30's. True a little heavy but the warmest suit I ever had. No fraying or anything after 2yrs.
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rice
Duke status
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 17769
Loc: CA
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Quote:
I got a 4/3 O'neill...Built in hood. I live in San Diego. I'm burning up in the thing.
So then I get the cheapest O'neill 3/2 off the internet. Paid about 80 bucks for it. No tape or any seal on the seams at all. Cold water just leaks right in.
I don't get it. Are you bipolar?
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patrolman
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 07/28/05
Posts: 1802
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Rip Curl E Bomb front zip 3/2
I bought it because if seemed the softest and stretchiest and because the sales guy said, "No more water down the back."
Now I get water down the front! Especially on front side crash tubes (I'm regular foot). Not cool. They need to put a velcro closure on the flap or something. I'm thinking of doing it myself. How can you attach velcro to nylon without a sewing machine?
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eoj
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 06/11/03
Posts: 2540
Loc: LA
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3/2 E-Bomb well made super super flexable, hate the key pocket in the knee area can't get that little zipper to work there's a wax comb in there that i can't get to.
does flush down the neck a bit, second season with it and it still feels new , really nice soft rubber, could be warmer when it's off shore. i'd get another one . but i think i'd get the chest entry.
good suit !
anyone wearing the vapor from bodyglove?
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I rip
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need 4 speed
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 11/01/03
Posts: 2686
Loc: SoCal
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I'm using the 3/2 Vapor.I think this might be the thrid winter(can't really remember)Good suit,warm and dry.Seems to be holding up well
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NOT THAT KIND
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Heavyfooted
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 10/17/06
Posts: 2669
Loc: Orange County
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Anyone wearing the new XCEL chest zip... I think it's called drylock???
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pickles
Miki Dora status
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 4922
Loc: Ventura, CA
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Quote:
I'm just saying...
Your "cold" my not be anyone else's "cold".
And how you feel in 58 degree water is not the way everyone feels in 58 degree water.
I grew up surfing HMB and santa cruz in a springsuit. Now having spent 10 years in SB and 2 in hawaii, I consider 58 to be verge-of-death freezing, and want some serious protection from the elements.
I like my Oniels. Gooru and Psycho II. They fit nice, are super flexible, and are very warm. So much better than the suits I grew up with its not even funny.
The xcel 4/3 I have has nice materials, but the neck is stretched out so it flushes. Pretty bulky too.
I can get deals on Body Glove suits ... has anybody tried one?
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No longer accepting offers to surf for money.
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R_surf
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 08/23/06
Posts: 426
Loc: S. Cali , US
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Last Suit: Oneill Heat 3/2 for LA County, Ventura, and OC. It was my only suit, and worked well. It would flush a little bit. After about 8 months the suit was shot. Water leaking in all over the place, stitching coming undone. I was pretty disapointed. Still have it in case a friend wants to use it and what not. (I couldn't send it into repair because I could not find the damn receipt and the shop was pretty adamant about that)
Current Suit: Hotline Firefly Pro (Couldn't afford the GT at the time ) My first overhead zip suit. It is great. A little heavier, but awesome nonetheless. It does the job, and very little water seeps through, especially compared to the Oneill back zip. I have been using it for about 6 months now, and it is still going strong. The only negatives I can think of is 1. The Key pocket is in an awkward place(just below the right shin), and the stitching around it is coming undone. It also does not have a connector to hook the key onto, and my key actually slipped out one time. (It must have come out of the pocket in the water and then slipped out on shore, cause fortunately I found the key). 2. The zipperless suit is a pain in the arse to take off on cold mornings. The hands are too numb and it takes some time.
Overall. I really like the hotline wetsuit, and I think I am going to try and buy either a 4/3 or the 3/2 GT for the rest of winter to keep me warm. I like the overhead zip, and I don't get any rash from it, like I did with the ONeill if I was out too long. I hope it will last me a couple years, as I hear is the norm of these Hotline suits.
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Voltaire77
Nep status
Reged: 12/01/05
Posts: 560
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What we need is a nice Wetsuit runway show. 
Show me one wetsuit review espousing the merits of x,y,z and I'll show you another that completely contradicts it.
Surfers are turning into huge pussies.
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Crush the vile thing.
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Hdip
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 04/23/05
Posts: 1095
Loc: Malibu, CA
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Quote:
I can get deals on Body Glove suits ... has anybody tried one?
I have last years body glove. One step below the top of the line which I think is the vapor (reviewed above). It's a warm suit lasted fine since last winter and is still in great shape. I don't like the neck closure on it though. If I surf for a marathon session it gives me a rash. Normal 2 hour sessions are fine though. I'm 6'1" 190 and the large tall fits really nicely but very snug.
It was cheap on whiskeymilitia. Bought it without even trying it on. Before I saw it I was about to have Boz send me a suit up to try one out. Might do that next time.
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SD_Equus_Asinus
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 04/21/04
Posts: 264
Loc: San Mucous
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Quote:
What we need is a nice Wetsuit runway show.
I just told waterbaby to get her fashion designer friend to get into the wetsuit biz. We should see the new spring collection showing up in vanity fair by january. The hot new color is tangerine. 
Quote:
Surfers are turning into huge pussies.
Word.
I remember surfing 5 years ago in SoCal in a flatlock stitched 3/2 with no booties. It was horrible. I got a little chilly a few times. I almost quit surfing altogether. 
-Internet Strength Man OUT! 
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"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go." - W.S.
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stu dog
Duke status
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 21702
Loc: CA
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upgraded both my 3/2 and 4/3 Xcel's last winter to the Infinity OS back zip from the $200 low end Xcel's. got both for $300 each with a little discount from the shop owner as we went to highschool together. the low ends aren't that good as the slick skin peals off the neck. The OS's ROCK! I'm too big & fat to contort myself into a front zip, but the OS provides a pretty damn mothrfuckin' good seal. like it's been said before the Xcel's material is PLENTY stretchy and softer than anything else on the market so the 4/3 is surprisingly not too restrictive in paddling. During the Jan07 So-Cal cold spell I was perfectly fine in the 4/3, except for my feet which I tried to not wear booties as any water in them throws off my feel. My only complaint with Xcel is their key pocket. On the OS it's placed really low on the back so after a winter dawn patrol session you get REALLY cold pulling off the suit all the way to your ass to reach the key.
Edited by stu dog (10/17/07 12:58 PM)
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J_P
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 08/09/05
Posts: 2916
Loc: Redondo
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just picked up a couple of the new drylocks. they're 3/2's and i've been fine in my 2/2 BG vapor here in the south bay. probably will use one of them in mexico this weekend.
also going to have a 4/3 phoenix from hotline to try out.
the drylocks are an upgrade from a 2yo psycho 2. way too heavy IMO. warm, but it always felt more like a 4/3.
jp
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silentbutdeadly
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 11619
Loc: Tower 13
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My excel was the most comfy suit I had. Too bad it fell apart.
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Thou shall not commit adulthood
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Doug93003
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 2138
Loc: Ventura
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Those drylocks are sweet. I put one next to a Hotline Phoenix and was amazed at how much more flexible it was.
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I've been told many times on this BB that fins drag so i am no longer using them. -Greg Griffin
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rice
Duke status
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 17769
Loc: CA
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I've had front-zip 4/3 XCEL Infinity's for the past many years, and I like them alright. They fit me well, they're super flexy an warm and they last me almost 2 years (though my current suit is TRASHED).
Cons include the "under neck" (the neck hole you climb into, not the one that you stretch over your head) often rips or frays. Also, the tape starts to unravel pretty damn early, but I'm not sure if the tape really does anything much, anyway.
I looked at the new XCEL Drylocks and other than the fancy angled head/neck gusset and zipper, the main difference is that instead of just having the orange polypro material in the torso area of the suit (like in the regular Infinity's), the polypro material is pretty much on the interior of the entire suit. The kid at the shop swore this makes it way warmer, but who knows.
I'm going to check out the Patagonia front-zip's next month, and then will either by one of those or another XCEL Infinity, possibly the Drylock.
And, don't listen to anything that tenover says.
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East_Coaster
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 04/13/05
Posts: 166
Loc: NY
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2/2- Body glove Matrix long leg short sleeve 3 years running and still in good shape. Couple of holes that were caused by me but thats it. Stretchy enough but then again its a 2/2. Some neck rash on longer sessions if I dont use the belly jelly. Looking to replace it next year with the Vapor.
3/2 - I have a Xcel infiniti chest zip and a Billabong Solution Platinum. First the Xcel, Super warm super flexy never and problems with flushing or rash
holding up well into the second year.
Billabong solution Platinum- awesome, super flexy, super warm suit. No rash or flushing only problem for me is there is a little to much lenght in the torso area when sitting on my board which ends up holding water till I am up and riding. Im 5'11" #168.
Xcel infiniti winter suit 5/4/3 All I can say is Best winter suit by far for me and I have tried alot. Upper 30's low 40's water temps no problem
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KC_BRAINS
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 06/12/07
Posts: 177
Loc: Spain (Asturias)
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Well for some reason I have really bad luck with wetsuit. In the last years I have gone thru a couple.
First: Rip Curl F-Bomb 3/2 Chest Zip
Only lasted about a month. Liquid seal started coming apart.Constant flushes through the neck with duckdives and going over the falls. In my case it was horrible.
Second: Oneill Psycho2 3/2
Is still alive, but starting to show signs of decay after 6 months. Threas unraveling on the ankles, wrists and neck. I get water flushes when duckdiving. I try strangle myself with the next velcro but pretty much doesn´t work. Besides all that I really like the suit. Very confy and flexible.
Third: Oneill Gooru 3/2 Short Sleve
Well this one was very flexible and confortable but seens it was not sealed it got water thru the seams very easily. Really did not get much time to try since it got stolen half way through the summer. Damm Bastard (Well I piss on them like crazy).
Fourth: Xcel Infinity 4/3
This is the most recent one. I have used it about six times and it is really warm. Actually at this time of year I overheat with it. It is very strechy. Really like it, but I am a little concern that the neck seal is going to strech over time and I am going to get flushes constantly.
Fifth Quicksilver Cell 4/3
Not sure what Cell number it is (3,5,6) I got over internet new with tags but god knows how old. This suit has a very shitty neck seal (very simple, like in cheap wetsuit),but suprisingly is the one that flushes the least. It is super rigid and it hard to paddle with. I have it as a second option for days when the other 4/3 is still wet.
Well as you can all see I pretty much hate all wetsuits I have own. Not sure if its my fault or the wetsuits. Hopefully some day I find a wetsuit that I love. Wish I could get my hands on a Patagonia,but there is currently no distribution for them here in Europe. If I dont find love with a wetsuit soon I am going to have to move to the tropics 
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rice
Duke status
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 17769
Loc: CA
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Oh, and I ALWAYS rinse my suit out, and hang it up.
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Caelho
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 06/10/03
Posts: 3098
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don't know if this has been posted before but it has some reviews from customers who have the patagonia suit, from the blog 70%:
patagonia
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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centrlcoastkook
Billy Hamilton status
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 1552
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Had an Xcel front zip 2 years ago. First the neck-hole started cracking and rippping..sent it in to get fixed..2 weeks later my foot went through the neoprene on one of the legs.
Got a BodyGlove Vapor. Awesome suit so far. Warm and seems durable. My only grip is the neck part is sort of restrictive.
(I love that tenover posts to tell us he's trying not to post anymore)
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The bosom of California yields her angels. It's the last purity this geography can claim -nep
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CAtoFLtoCA
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 08/10/06
Posts: 984
Loc: N. County SD
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Quote:
I've had front-zip 4/3 XCEL Infinity's for the past many years, and I like them alright.
4/3? You pussy! Next thing we know, you'll be wearing booties!!!
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Forever Stoked!!
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SurfnBMC
Grom
Reged: 01/20/06
Posts: 83
Loc: SNJ
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Wear a Quik 3/2 till the temps dip into the low 50s upper 40s. Go to a RipCurl 5/4/3 elastomax-II w/hood once winter sets in. Xcel boots from 5mm to 7mm, and I picked up some 7mm xcel mittens last winter that keep my hands toasty in February. Surf DelMarVa and NJ, winter water temps drop to the mid 30s with air temps anywhere from 20s to 40s. Thinking Xcel for my next new fullsuit purchase. Like their boots & gloves and hear their fullsuits are very good as well.
Aloha!
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goldenarmes
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 03/31/05
Posts: 3035
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ive been using BOZ wetsuits for the last 6 years or so and ive had 2 fullsuits. mine have lasted super long and a are verywarm and flexy. they are inexpensive but very good quality. mine have lasted between 2-3 years.
***disclaimer, i throw my suits in the wash for a rinse after every session and then hang to dry in my shower.***
i have found that not rinsing your suit out and/or leaving it out to dry in the sun are the fastest ways to ruin your wetsuit.
quicksilver was the worst wetsuit ive ever owned by far.
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humanzee
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 12/05/05
Posts: 472
Loc: got fog?
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Been using a Nineplus 3/2 for 10 months now. I didn't expect much from it since I heard they had zipper failures and you have to 'baby the neoprene'. I'm not so attentive to such niceties.
Anyway I have been very happy with it. It was not expensive. It is warm even in the SF area. No leaks yet but it does flush occasionally down the back in solid surf on duck-dives. It seems to be designed for someone with wider legs/hips/butt area because it used to crawl up my a$$ and get a little bunchy on the shoulders, but this has stopped happening this winter.
hmm, I thought I lost some weight this summer 
Another quirk about it is that it was very slippery against the board, which promoted some unneeded kookiness. But this seems to have left also. The rubber does get your wax dirty very quickly.
One of the nicest qualities is that it does not absorb water, which enables it to stay light and dry quickly. I've been pleasantly surprised, so much better than my last Excel but probably get another Hotline to put into the rotation.
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less barking and more wagging~
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J_P
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 08/09/05
Posts: 2916
Loc: Redondo
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Quote:
***disclaimer, i throw my suits in the wash for a rinse after every session and then hang to dry in my shower.***
do you actually run the washer?
for rinsing, i spray the hose into my rubbermaid surf bucket with the suit in there. probably 5 or 6 inches of water and then let it soak a couple hours.
when the sun goes far enough past that i can hang it in my hang up spot and have shade i let it dry. if it's warm, it's nearly dry by the next AM. mornings are getting wetter and chillier by the day.
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irreverent_clown
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 04/13/05
Posts: 515
Loc: Imperial Beach CA
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Got a 3/2 psycho 2 that's alright. KInda heavy but warm. Replaced the psycho 1 that was a super bitch to get out of.
Done with o'neill for a while.
Just bought a 2 mil excel full... pretty warm and stretchy.
Trunked it on sunday and plan on trunking it this weekend with the santa ana coming.
Gonna buy a matuse or patagonia next suit.
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goldenarmes
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 03/31/05
Posts: 3035
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Quote:
Quote:
***disclaimer, i throw my suits in the wash for a rinse after every session and then hang to dry in my shower.***
do you actually run the washer?
for rinsing, i spray the hose into my rubbermaid surf bucket with the suit in there. probably 5 or 6 inches of water and then let it soak a couple hours.
when the sun goes far enough past that i can hang it in my hang up spot and have shade i let it dry. if it's warm, it's nearly dry by the next AM. mornings are getting wetter and chillier by the day.
yeah...i live in a condo and have no "yard so to speak of...so in the wash it goes. no soap of course.
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J_P
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 08/09/05
Posts: 2916
Loc: Redondo
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if you're not noticing any discernible increase in wear and tear from the wash cycles, that might be a reasonably good idea.... might mix that in every so often.
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