Bonzer5Fin
Tom Curren status
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 10230
Loc: Souther Hell
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Got a brand new Buell 4/3 front zip the other day. Looked good. Super soft buttery rubber. Seams/tape on the outside. Flat stiched inside. Magnet closure on the front zip. No velcro! Tried it on. I'm 5'6" and now at 172. (I need thicker boards!)
I got a size Medium, just like their chart suggested.
Fits perfectly. The neck is high but soft and not TOO tight. No seams under the arms. Easy to get off and on.
Key pocket in the lower leg area.
What could be wrong?
Nothing. Super warm suit. Better than my Patagonia R2 and R3, and the Matuse 4:3 Hoplite I had. Warmer and more flexible than the Hurleys I have sworn by. Better than any suit I have ever had. Lighter, less leaks, in fact, I came out dry on the chest, back, legs and arms, and just a little in the cuffs and ankles.
The only problem(s).
It's too damn warm now, and it's butt ugly. Logo's everywhere and it's lime green chartreuse arms are putrid.
I can deal with that.
Online orders only for now. Maybe Buell will put a few in shops, but only a few select places. Get on it now while they are offering their introductory prices. $390.00 for a 4/3, $330.00 for a 3/2.
No, I don't work for them or even know Buell that well. Just got a demo from a bro and friggen love it.
http://www.buellwetsuits.com/collections/suits/products/mens-4-3-full-wetsuit
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"Waves are too important to let surfers decide who catches them! "
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retodd
Tom Curren status
Reged: 02/22/09
Posts: 11353
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i got one too, best suit i have ever had and i have had alot.
curious to see how it holds up because the rubber is so soft.
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SurfZombie
Tom Curren status
Reged: 06/29/04
Posts: 14206
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Considered getting one, but I'm not sure why I'd mess with a good thing. The Hurley suits I have fit me absolutely perfect and, while it's a bit hypocriticaly for me to go with a mass produced Thailand suit over something in the USA, I'm just not so sure I wanna take the risk.
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retodd
Tom Curren status
Reged: 02/22/09
Posts: 11353
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i feel ya.
are hurleys made here ?
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Bonzer5Fin
Tom Curren status
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 10230
Loc: Souther Hell
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Mass produced? Nope. He barely make enough to be less than 1% of the wetsuit market. Thailand, yes. He doesn't hide that fact.
Hurley, on the other hand, makes every suit in China, including their new $800.00 one.
The only thing made in the U.S. by Hurley are Bob's children. And somehow, I doubt even that.
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"Waves are too important to let surfers decide who catches them! "
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SurfZombie
Tom Curren status
Reged: 06/29/04
Posts: 14206
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Quote:
Mass produced? Nope. He barely make enough to be less than 1% of the wetsuit market. Thailand, yes. He doesn't hide that fact.
Hurley, on the other hand, makes every suit in China, including their new $800.00 one.
The only thing made in the U.S. by Hurley are Bob's children. And somehow, I doubt even that.
I wasn't jumping on Buell. I thought Buell was made in the USA (Not Thailand) and i was saying it was hypocritical OF ME to choose Hurley (mass produced in Thailand/China/India wherever) over a homegrown wetsuit company.
I had no idea he was producing them in Thailand and thought they were all made in a US factory.
Guess I don't feel too guilty anymore 
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stu dog
Duke status
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 21761
Loc: CA
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Quote:
Quote:
Mass produced? Nope. He barely make enough to be less than 1% of the wetsuit market. Thailand, yes. He doesn't hide that fact.
Hurley, on the other hand, makes every suit in China, including their new $800.00 one.
The only thing made in the U.S. by Hurley are Bob's children. And somehow, I doubt even that.
I wasn't jumping on Buell. I thought Buell was made in the USA (Not Thailand) and i was saying it was hypocritical OF ME to choose Hurley (mass produced in Thailand/China/India wherever) over a homegrown wetsuit company.
I had no idea he was producing them in Thailand and thought they were all made in a US factory.
Guess I don't feel too guilty anymore
" The Buell wetsuit factory sits within a small college beach town in Thailand"
http://www.buellwetsuits.com/pages/company
I'm surprised he's doing Nike suits. i'd figure Hurley's sweet shop would be turning those out.
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Bonzer5Fin
Tom Curren status
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 10230
Loc: Souther Hell
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Silk screen some logo's, cash the giant's check. Nothing wrong with that.
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"Waves are too important to let surfers decide who catches them! "
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enframed
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 04/11/06
Posts: 2421
Loc: Del Boca Vista, Phase III
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Never heard of them. Sounds like they're good suits. What's with the tramp stamp? They aren't the only one's designing that way. Weak.
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Enframing Press
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Bonzer5Fin
Tom Curren status
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 10230
Loc: Souther Hell
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Tramp stamp? Where?
Buell is the guy from Hotline in Santa Cruz. Decided to do his own thing. It's a damn good thing, too. I just found out you can get one with less logo's on them, too. Just ask. They are basically making them as they are ordered. That's almost custom.
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"Waves are too important to let surfers decide who catches them! "
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silentbutdeadly
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 11831
Loc: Tower 13
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Cool add another review to the unbiased wetsuit review thread at the end of winter to see how it holds up
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Thou shall not commit adulthood
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Havoc
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/10/07
Posts: 10001
Loc: The OC Life
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the neck looks like it would leak more than the xcel drylock, ripcurl etc. more like the xcel x-flex. Is there an inner gasket like the patagonia chest zip?
otherwise, they look like solid suits and that buell foo can rap too!
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"motions of rippage is initated by the hind leg"-Northern_Shores
"Lemme know. I got endson gas"-20W
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Seapoint
Grom
Reged: 01/18/10
Posts: 87
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Those suits would be good if he changed his seal/tape jobs. It's literally like tape with glue on one side and then where it meets another part of the seal/tape it's just cut and overlaps it's nothing like even a O'Neill Psycho 1 seal/tape job that's for damn sure.
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Eunice
Phil Edwards status
Reged: 10/02/07
Posts: 7697
Loc: A Magical and Wondrous Place
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All wetsuits are great the first few sessions.
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Bonzer5Fin
Tom Curren status
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 10230
Loc: Souther Hell
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Update on wear and tear and leaks coming in two months.
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"Waves are too important to let surfers decide who catches them! "
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warble2
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 05/05/08
Posts: 1131
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I've got the 5/4 hoodless which has limited use in these waters, but I'm about 30 surfs and 5 kayak fishes into mine. Super warm, comfortable, and minimal signs of wear and tear. Buell's are the real deal
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bopppersc
Grom
Reged: 09/09/10
Posts: 1
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Grom, check it again, I think you're wrong. Check the seal on the Buell suits closely. It's soft, smooth, ultra-thin and doesn't contain urethane like most of the brands you mentioned. Urethane is the same thing your leash is made from, which makes it heavy, and prone to crack, especially when exposed to sunlight. The typical fluid seal is heavy and domed, thick and heavy in the middle. The Buell seal is consistently thin.
The Buell suits have the seal outside to: 1. Showoff how good the seamwork is (again, check it out it's nearly flawless) and 2. So that it sees limited sunlight - (i.e. only when you surf, when it is drying inside out, the seal sees no sun, extending it's life) Check the sun damage on a double fluid seam suit from a Buell competitor (Why 2, the first one doesn't work?) The inside usually gives way sooner due to sun exposure.
The Buell seam seal is lighter, softer, smoother, stretchier, prettier, and more durable.
I know this stuff because I asked him. I also work for him which makes me a little unbiased. But, we get feedback daily from some of the most critical pro guys around, and they all say the same thing "best suit i've ever had"
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enframed
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 04/11/06
Posts: 2421
Loc: Del Boca Vista, Phase III
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Quote:
Tramp stamp? Where?
The logo just above the ass. Where might a guy in Santa Cruz go to find one of these? I'm in need of a new suit for winter.
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Enframing Press
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Havoc
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/10/07
Posts: 10001
Loc: The OC Life
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Quote:
Grom, check it again, I think you're wrong. Check the seal on the Buell suits closely. It's soft, smooth, ultra-thin and doesn't contain urethane like most of the brands you mentioned. Urethane is the same thing your leash is made from, which makes it heavy, and prone to crack, especially when exposed to sunlight. The typical fluid seal is heavy and domed, thick and heavy in the middle. The Buell seal is consistently thin.
The Buell suits have the seal outside to: 1. Showoff how good the seamwork is (again, check it out it's nearly flawless) and 2. So that it sees limited sunlight - (i.e. only when you surf, when it is drying inside out, the seal sees no sun, extending it's life) Check the sun damage on a double fluid seam suit from a Buell competitor (Why 2, the first one doesn't work?) The inside usually gives way sooner due to sun exposure.
The Buell seam seal is lighter, softer, smoother, stretchier, prettier, and more durable.
I know this stuff because I asked him. I also work for him which makes me a little unbiased. But, we get feedback daily from some of the most critical pro guys around, and they all say the same thing "best suit i've ever had"
dang due, dat rap buell's spitting on his answering machine is fly yo!!
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"motions of rippage is initated by the hind leg"-Northern_Shores
"Lemme know. I got endson gas"-20W
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spider33
Grom
Reged: 01/14/10
Posts: 55
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Hey Bopppersc,
thanks for response. Most of these wetsuits are now going into the whole neoprene is better stuff. Like geoprene or yamamoto etc. I didn't see anything on the Buell site speaking to the neoprene you use and why it is better etc.
thanks
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retodd
Tom Curren status
Reged: 02/22/09
Posts: 11353
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i have an AXXE with the yammamoto rubber, good stuff .
my buell is softer and more stretchy , they seem to absorb the same amount of water .
i wear out the shoulders , knees and elbows on all my suits , so i am a good candidate to test durability 
my Hotline , when i sent it back for warranty repairs, they asked if i surf every day . i am lucky to get 2-3 days a week , they told me we cant help you sorry and never sent me back my suit 
i bet buell was knows how to make a suit that lasts
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RyanBuell
Grom
Reged: 09/01/10
Posts: 12
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To Bonzer5fin and everyone that added a post, Thanks, I was psyched to read all the feedback. Really stoked that the unsolicited feedback has been similar to the feedback I have been getting from the team riders and Brand riders wearing them too. I'm Buell, fresh to the company name, but not new to the game, I've been deep in this for about 14 years. Buell wetsuits was created about a year ago, with the Buell brand suits just launching to the public in limited fashion this summer. (www.buellwetsuits.com) The company was designed to have two divisions, the Buell brand for retail sale, and the Private Label division, that specializes in unique branded suits for most notably Volcom, but also many other brands. Each one has a unique design, color combo, and logo set. They all use the same design features and materials. They are made exclusively at the Buell Factory in Thailand, which is more like a hobby shop than big time factory. Each suit is handcrafted by Thai locals who take pride in every single thing they create. They take their time, use the best glue, and techniques. The taping system they have is one of a kind and superior in many ways to anything available. Materials wise, in response to the eco materials, bamboo fabrics, limestone, geoprene. Well, I tried it all, every expensive japanese material I could find, even made some suits for some big name guys with the big name japanese materials, they loved the suits, but all thought the materials were a bit stiff, as did I. They loved the suits that I made from a Taiwan based company. That is the same material that I ultimately selected to become THE material for all Buell production. It is the softest, stretchiest, most comfortable material in the world. I have been listening, and that's what people want. Gummy. As far as recycled bamboo or whatever, I really feel the most responsible way to make a wetsuit is one intended to last and make the most out of the resources used. Attached is a photo of Buell suit #1, 13 months old, 127 uses.
I abused the crap outta this one, left it in the sun on purpose during my trips (it faded). Everything appears in great working order, shame to retire it, but historically, it's probably best.
Thanks again for all the great feedback from everyone in the forum. Here's the funny ones I wanted to answer:
1. Tramp stamp? that's funny. The only logos on the backside of the suit are a Buell on the lower calf, and a small one on the back shoulder. Nothing anywhere near the lower back/butt area.
2. Lime Green - Chartruse - Butt Ugly - Bonzer is right, they're are some bright versions available, but you can also get a black on black Buell for ultra soul, or anything in between. That Lime punch you talk about being ugly had Kalani David Psyching. He was stoked on his all lime punch Buell model suit. But yeah, that one is bright.
Thanks for all the inquires about Buell wetsuits. Stoked to outfit some people with the suit of their dreams.
B u e l l
Edited by RyanBuell (10/04/10 12:11 PM)
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RyanBuell
Grom
Reged: 09/01/10
Posts: 12
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You can swing by our Headquarters
Buell Wetsuits
1815 King st.
Santa cruz Ca.
Monday thru Saturday 9-5
831-600-8063
or they will be available at Pac Wave downtown in the coming weeks.
Buell
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afoaf
Rabbitt Bartholomew status
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 9964
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stating that you've retired a suit after 13 months and only 127 surfs run contrary to the notion of an intention "to last
and make the most out of the resources used"
I expect at least 2-3x as much out of my suits or I am not a
repeat customer...I think most folks here would agree.
why won't anyone manufacture here in the US?
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The moral of the story is that sometimes, dogshit can unite, rather than divide, neighbors.
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retodd
Tom Curren status
Reged: 02/22/09
Posts: 11353
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coral reef and aleeda , see how long one of them last .
my aleeda was dust after 4 months , never tried coral reef
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ifallalot
Duke status
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 18414
Loc: Carlsbad, CA
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Quote:
stating that you've retired a suit after 13 months and only 127 surfs run contrary to the notion of an intention "to last
and make the most out of the resources used"
I expect at least 2-3x as much out of my suits or I am not a
repeat customer...I think most folks here would agree.
why won't anyone manufacture here in the US?
I try and surf upwards of 300 days a year and when I lived in Santa Cruz, wearing a 4/3 every day, a suit would last around 9 months
We need someone to design a suit that will last at least 365 sessions
Is that out of the question?
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the graphics portray the hawks prey battling death
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RyanBuell
Grom
Reged: 09/01/10
Posts: 12
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Afoaf and Ifallalot, (really fellas)
"I abused the crap outta this one, left it in the sun on purpose during my trips (it faded). Everything appears in great working order, shame to retire it, but historically, it's probably best"
Buell wetsuit edition #1 - was the first wetsuit I had ever made under my own label. Historically speaking it's very valuable to myself as well as Buell wetsuits Inc. My quote referenced how I was bummed to retire that particular suit in great working order. It will now be under frame and glass, retired as Buell suit #1 (Sept. 9th,2009)
#1 of about 2,600 total so far. Returns = 0. Wetsuit repairs = 0
The suit I am retiring for Historical reasons could probably work great for another year or two. The tape is great, materials solid, the suit is solid, it just needs to be documented and preserved for future generations to enjoy. Wheee. The Buell suits will outlast all the competitors and should last the 365 uses you are looking for, provided you care for it nicely. Rinse it, dry it in the shade, change in a muck tub, keep it in cool climates when not using it. If you take care of your Buell suit, it will last longer than you need it to.
B u e l l
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nkpheous
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 04/07/08
Posts: 2987
Loc: Huntington Beach
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ryan, thanks for posting here. my friend already has a suit from you and seems to really like it. I'll be ordering one soon, especially after seeing your sizing chart. Normally i'm in between sizes but the large looks like it will fit perfect.
stoked 
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Havoc
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/10/07
Posts: 10001
Loc: The OC Life
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they also have a sucka free guarantee yo! dude, Buell, I'd get the suit just for your rapping skills alone
4/3 buell here I come...
 
Havoc
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"motions of rippage is initated by the hind leg"-Northern_Shores
"Lemme know. I got endson gas"-20W
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Dawn_patrol
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 04/17/06
Posts: 2414
Loc: HB
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Sounds well worth a try, thanks for posting here Buell!
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rice
Duke status
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 17814
Loc: CA
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No Large Tall?
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enframed
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 04/11/06
Posts: 2421
Loc: Del Boca Vista, Phase III
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Quote:
1. Tramp stamp? that's funny. The only logos on the backside of the suit are a Buell on the lower calf, and a small one on the back shoulder. Nothing anywhere near the lower back/butt area.
The first vid on your website has the surfer wearing a suit with some design on his lower back, that's why I asked. Good to know whatever it is is no longer being done. I'm in the market for a new suit.
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Enframing Press
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goofy1foot
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 546
Loc: Santa Cruz
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I'd been waiting to pick one of these up for close to a year, and I just did today. First and foremost Buell is clearly dedicated to making a proper suit, with top of the line materials. We talked for quite a while, and I am extremely impressed with the research and thought that he put into the suits design, and even more so his commitment to using the highest quality materials.
The suit felt amazing when I put it on. Super soft and gummy, great stretch (and as he mentioned it has a good memory in the neoprene, meaning it will hold its original shape). The tape, as BF5 mentioned, is on the outside and is really quality.
Solid zipper and seal where the neoprene comes over it. The magnet closure to hold the zipper in place is a nice touch. Key pocket on the outside of the lower leg makes great sense.
Very stoked!
If you're in the market for a new suit, I'd get one for sure.
edit: Really nice kneepads as well, different than anything I've ever had, and again top of the line.
Edited by goofy1foot (10/07/10 06:35 PM)
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brycor564
Grom
Reged: 07/20/08
Posts: 8
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Has anyone tried Buell's Monster booties. If so, do they have
a good seal or do they have any water intry?
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retodd
Tom Curren status
Reged: 02/22/09
Posts: 11353
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Quote:
Has anyone tried Buell's Monster booties. If so, do they have
a good seal or do they have any water intry?
i have them
no velcro and no leaks , fit really good . like the ninja boots with a bit of rubber
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RyanBuell
Grom
Reged: 09/01/10
Posts: 12
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I stand corrected. You're right the Reef version Buell suits have a Reef logo on the lower back. Full tramp stamp. But I assure you, the Buells available for retail sale do not have a tramp stamp logo set. Not that there's anything wrong with that anyways. The guys version of a tramp stamp is the tribal band around the bicep. No offense to anyone reading this and looking at their tribal guns, we all make mistakes. 
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ifallalot
Duke status
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 18414
Loc: Carlsbad, CA
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Quote:
I stand corrected. You're right the Reef version Buell suits have a Reef logo on the lower back. Full tramp stamp. But I assure you, the Buells available for retail sale do not have a tramp stamp logo set. Not that there's anything wrong with that anyways. The guys version of a tramp stamp is the tribal band around the bicep. No offense to anyone reading this and looking at their tribal guns, we all make mistakes.
 
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the graphics portray the hawks prey battling death
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enframed
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 04/11/06
Posts: 2421
Loc: Del Boca Vista, Phase III
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Cool, thanks for the info, looking forward to a new suit.
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Enframing Press
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need 4 speed
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 11/01/03
Posts: 2720
Loc: SoCal
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Hey Ryan
You have any more pics of the neck seal
The web site photos are lacking a bit
no large stout?
what suit for:5'9"x195
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NOT THAT KIND
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nkpheous
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 04/07/08
Posts: 2987
Loc: Huntington Beach
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Quote:
Hey Ryan
You have any more pics of the neck seal
The web site photos are lacking a bit
no large stout?
what suit for:5'9"x195
that would be large
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