Hi, I'm new to surfing and I've been getting the hang of most things, what I have been looking for however is a new wetsuit, but I don't know which one's exactly are a better choice. I found this guide which looks like it could be useful: www.secretspot.co.uk/ but I'm not sure.
Anyone care to help?
wetsuitwearhouse.com usually has good reviews.
Hyperflex is great value for money, as is the 4/3mm Switch but that's a cold weather suit.
What kind of weather are you using it in?
I used to be a wetsuit rep many, many, many years ago and I am amazed at how good suit are nowadays. You get what you pay for though. Cut, type of stitching and particularly the neoprene.
I am still a huge fan of the yamamato neoprene. Brought a top out of it a few months ago and blew my mind how good it was. Warm easy to paddle.... Cant tell you who uses it anymore though.
I've tried all the brands at one stage or another and found rip curl the warmest and also last the longest. Conversely I've found billabong fall apart the fastest. At one stage I was getting a billabong steamer replaced every year under warrantee for 4 years because they would split along the glued seams.
I'm pretty tough on the gear and don't look after it very well so they are well tested.
It's best to buy the top of the range as theybarebusuallybthe warmest and most comfortable.
I'm a WEST fan. had a WEST LOTUS for 4 years awesome suit. Then I went to a O'neill mutant........very cold and 2 years later is falling to bits. My next suit will be a west
Hi mike34
These are the best ones. Warm, easy, quite flexible..... good in any weather.
DO NOT BUY WEST
I previously have gone on and on about how I love them as the warranty is so good.
BUT since they have been sold off to some Yank mob you can't get hold of anyone - they ignore emails, all contacts on the website are 2 years out of date,
everyone who had anything to do with them is washing their hands of the whole thing.
DON'T BUY WEST whatever you do.
Mike, you generally get what you pay for. I know $500 seems expensive for a wettie, especially when there are others on the rack for $250 or whatever, but you will find that the top of the range suits (from nearly any brand) will be mush better neoprene, better quality and hopefully last longer if you treat it right.
I was in a situation last summer where I had to wear a really cheap steamer I bought many years ago, could hardly move in the thing!!!
I personally like the Oneill Psycho II's, although I know some people have issues with the seams
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
DO NOT BUY WEST
I previously have gone on and on about how I love them as the warranty is so good.
BUT since they have been sold off to some Yank mob you can't get hold of anyone - they ignore emails, all contacts on the website are 2 years out of date,
everyone who had anything to do with them is washing their hands of the whole thing.
DON'T BUY WEST whatever you do.
West are still managed by the original owner, and Pretty sure They are still owned by West Aussie's Mark, just different owners than the original ones.
Select to expand quoteBattle said..
Hi mike34
These are the best ones. Warm, easy, quite flexible..... good in any weather.
I'm afraid I see a crack....
Select to expand quoteHunter S said..Mark _australia said..
DO NOT BUY WEST
I previously have gone on and on about how I love them as the warranty is so good.
BUT since they have been sold off to some Yank mob you can't get hold of anyone - they ignore emails, all contacts on the website are 2 years out of date,
everyone who had anything to do with them is washing their hands of the whole thing.
DON'T BUY WEST whatever you do.
West are still managed by the original owner, and Pretty sure They are still owned by West Aussie's Mark, just different owners than the original ones.
What you say was current a year ago. They were taken over by Kooee swimwear but still managed by jacksonn.
Now all that has passed, sold off to a USA company.
I have spoken to people who were involved in West in WA, and none can help me now. Typical for when big business takes over.
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
DO NOT BUY WEST
DON'T BUY WEST whatever you do.
West offer the BEST bang for your buck.
I bought the Mrs. a West Nitro recently and although not great, it was $80 and she likes (bcos she has nfi).Select to expand quoteJfunk said..
I used to be a wetsuit rep many, many, many years ago and I am amazed at how good suit are nowadays. You get what you pay for though. Cut, type of stitching and particularly the neoprene.
What do you think of Geoprene? I've got a 2mm Matuse summer top and honestly I can't tell if it's better than a 2mm neoprene top... just bcos I haven't tried them side by side.
It's not as stretchy as the Technobutter, but they say it's better than Neoprene.
Personal choice:
1.- O'neil Psycho 3... made in Thailand.
2.- Matuse Hoplite geoprene... made in Thailand.
I find the Thai's generally make better quality garments, so I'll always choose them over something made in China.
Depending on where you live will help also.
In Perth region and the odd south trip I find I'm all good in a 3/2 wetsuit. If you live way south, or in Vic you could go a little thicker. In my short life of surfing, wetsuits have changed heaps. If you pay good coin you'd be struggling to find a bad wetsuit.
I do rate the Rip Curl Flash Bomb. Something nice about most of the inside of your suit being dry for an arvo surf after a morning surf.
