I am looking to get into a 4/3 for the winter. Its been a while since I bought one. Any advice?

Also, my first research in a shop suggested it will cost me about $600. Does anyone have a good online option for a better price?

Cheers.

I still like the idea of supporting the local windsurf shops but if you are looking for a bargain you can go to the ripcurl factory outlet in Torquay, you can even ring them if you are looking for something specific.

check out king of watersports - cheap and free postage too!

That does sound expensive.

I bought a surfing wetsuit, as there are heaps of surfshops and it seems to give heaps of range and cheaper prices.

After the first few sessions I cut the arms off to above the elbow, and it feels fine. If its really cold, I wear a long sleeve rash vest underneath to keep off the wind, and its all good.

It's going back a while now, but I doubt I paid $300, and probably closer to $200, for a surfing 4/3.

Another way to go is to get a 2/3 wettie ($200) and a kayak wind jacket ($100). My wettie is an NP short arm and still going after 5 seasons. Having the short arms gives heaps of freedom. Chuck on the wind jacket and I'm good for a 40 knot winter front. No jacket and I'm good for spring and autumn.

Lots of talk of cheap wetsuits, but they will not have the same flex and comfort of a $600 wettie. Though maybe windsurfing you don't need the movement as much as surfing.

Saying that I bought a half price excel that was still 350 for the gerringong surf shop. The movement in it is so nice. I hate wearing wetsuits so for me paying for the freedom of movement is the most important thing.

Sputnik11 said...
Another quick one [particularly for Melbourne-ites] is 4/3 going to be warm enough for winter. I am a massive woos, hate the cold. Should I go 5/4?

I have always had a 4/3 for winter in melbourne.

Forget about buying a surfing web suit. They don't have enough flex in the arms unless they use that stretchy material. Problem with the stretch material is that you end up loosing a lot of body heat when it get's wet.

Windsurf wetsuits are generally slick skin on the outside to repel water and wind. They are generally re-inforced were they will wear out due to the type of activity. EG wearing a harness.

Don't buy online. You need a wetsuit that fits comfortably and has enough stretch. Do you really want to save $200 but end up with an uncomfortable wetsuit? If you buy a brand such as Neil Pryde or Flying Object you can expect the wet suit to last 5 to 6 years if you look after it. If you go to a shop they will likely have a number of sizes you can try on so you end up with a wet suit that fits perfectly.

I bought a Neil Pryde 4/3 with bamboo lining three years ago (still looks like new). I think it's about $400. Before that I had a $650 O'Neil Psycho II. The Neil Pryde wins hands down in comfort and keeping me warm. It's a lot easier to get on and off and you can tell it was designed by windsurfers for windsurfers. With the O'Neil I used always be cold.

stehsegler said...
Forget about buying a surfing web suit. They don't have enough flex in the arms unless they use that stretchy material. Problem with the stretch material is that you end up loosing a lot of body heat when it get's wet.

Windsurf wetsuits are generally slick skin on the outside to repel water and wind. They are generally re-inforced were they will wear out due to the type of activity. EG wearing a harness.

Don't buy online. You need a wetsuit that fits comfortably and has enough stretch. Do you really want to save $200 but end up with an uncomfortable wetsuit? If you buy a brand such as Neil Pryde or Flying Object you can expect the wet suit to last 5 to 6 years if you look after it. If you go to a shop they will likely have a number of sizes you can try on so you end up with a wet suit that fits perfectly.

I bought a Neil Pryde 4/3 with bamboo lining three years ago (still looks like new). I think it's about $400. Before that I had a $650 O'Neil Psycho II. The Neil Pryde wins hands down in comfort and keeping me warm. It's a lot easier to get on and off and you can tell it was designed by windsurfers for windsurfers. With the O'Neil I used always be cold.

Thanks. I was looking at the NP ones. Anyone know what stores stock these in Melbourne? That's the next challenge....

Sputnik11 said...

I am looking to get into a 4/3 for the winter. Its been a while since I bought one. Any advice?

Also, my first research in a shop suggested it will cost me about $600. Does anyone have a good online option for a better price?

Cheers.

I bought two oneil wetsuits from king of watersports in the uk and saved heaps on retail. one of them was a 3.5/2.5 psychofreak and frankly it's too warm for nsw (so far) but it would probably suit your needs. It is very warm with a 'firewall' fabric on the inside and it is surprisingly cofortable for a wetsuit of that thickness. Best of all it was less than $220 with free postage (for all orders over ?100) while the retail in Australia is $500+. https://www.kingofwatersports.com/item.do?item=21250&pad=1&chgcur=7 They also have heaps of other wetsuits including windsurf specific ones super cheap and a saving of 20% not having to pay their VAT.

Hi All,

Flying Objects is just releasing their new range of Windsurf specific suits. There are a significant amount of differences in a suit that is purpose designed than just a standard surf suit.

The real difference in our suits is that we firstly design them around the movement and functionality required when sailing, this is a very different action to surfing, so the cut and shaping must allow stretch where required. Then we use materials that are going to retain the heat better when on top of the water in the wind. The suit is then finished with features that again are more specific to a wind sport.

Our suits are made in one of the worlds leading factories that either supply or manufacture many of the leading surf brand suits. So we are very confident that our product matches the surf brand suits in terms of quality, stretch and comfort but we blow them out of the water in price.

Our new Flux chest zip uses the best in neoprene on offer with additional features and an RRP of $359.00 for a 3/2, we also do a 5/3 for $399.00

Specific features:
Over-sized forearms - reduces fatigue from forearm pump
Aircell chest panel - maintains chest and back warmth
YKK Chest Zip - heavy duty metal slider
Chest Zip - improves movement through back and shoulders
De-bossed knee backs - reduces bunching at the back of the leg
Ankle cuffs - Reduces water penetration up the leg
Liquid seams - water tight seal
Seamless underarms - stops chaffing from arm movement




These suits have just arrived and not in shops yet, but please help a local Aussie business and ask your shop to get some in.

Cheers,
Marco
Flying Objects is a site sponsor

I stay toastie in Melbourne in my 5/4 O'Neill Psycho 2 (plus booties) - in fact , I hardly get wet and have to fall in to cool down! Well, that's my excuse anyway

NOT THESE SUITS AGAIN !!!................Not enough single lined areas (smooth ) Double lined is no good for windsurfing !!

AUS4 said...





NOT THESE SUITS AGAIN !!!................Not enough single lined areas (smooth ) Double lined is no good for windsurfing !!

A lot of us wear a vest ie: buoyancy, weight or impact and a harness which covers most of the "trunk" area so smooth panels around your chest would be pretty much irrelevant

Having used a single lined dryskin suit in winter (The dryskin makes such a difference to warmth, I loved it!), I now have one for summer too -a shorty. I get cold easily and I really don't like wind chill, and it's nice being able to drive home in my wetsuit without getting chilled. No need to strip off in the car park!

marco gribi said...

Sorry to disagree, but sales would indicate that the vast majority of Windsurfers wear Double lined suits. Even in Europe where it is far colder and a higher wind chill they are converting to Double lined for Durability, Stretch and Warmth.

I can second that. Overhere in the Netherlands we sail all year round. Even with temperatures close to freezing and wind chill well below freezing. Most guys I know have double lined wetsuits and prefer those over the single lined ones they had before. The reasons Marco mentioned is exactly what I've noticed.

Yes, when standing still a double lined wetsuit has somewhat more wind chill but during sailing you won't notice the difference. The durability and specialy the stretch when sailing is a huge plus over single lined windsurf wetsuits. If you're somewhat bigger built or more muscular in the upper body the double lined surf wetsuits are a better fit than windsurf suits. Surf wetsuits have more space around the upper arms and shoulders.

Most used 5/3 or 5/4 wetsuits where I sail in winter are hands down O'neill Psycho II and Psychofreak. Yes double lined but with good boots and a liner these are the warmest wetsuits available for a decent price.