The Great Unbiased Wetsuit Review Thread

[Swallow Tail]

Anyone using Colby + -their newer suits, not the clearance ones?

anyone using hotline?

I’m in a hooded suit yr round n they always start to go to sh!t after 8 months. Rinse n hang dry in shade after every session BTW.

 

[oeste858]

What do we think of wetsuit shampoo? Waste of money?

Do they make the material softer or just get rid of smell?

Could be in my head, but I swear it restores the neoprene elasticity / softness . I usually only remember to do it when a suit is feeling a bit stiff.

 

[silentbutdeadly]

perfect what time should I drop my suits off?

 

[Sharkbiscuit]

ever notice nobody gets a retro wetsuit to match their retro surfboard?
View attachment 179994View attachment 179995

You live in North County SD and you've never seen anyone with those vertical front-zip retro-look jackets?

 

[oeste858]

You live in North County SD and you've never seen anyone with those vertical front-zip retro-look jackets?

Sure but that’s wrong decade: retro 70s.
90s are back now. I saw griff is wearing what looks like Kelly’s first Quik suits now.

 

[Landloct]

Could be in my head, but I swear it restores the neoprene elasticity / softness . I usually only remember to do it when a suit is feeling a bit stiff.

That's likely a combination of the water you're using to shampoo the suit, plus the actual shampoo.
Even soaking a suit in a tub of water for a few hours after it's sat unused for a season will restore some of its elasticity.

 

[silentbutdeadly]

Did a nice soak in Dr Bronners today. I'll report back with my findings. Hoping this get's me over the hump in my stagnant surfing career

 

[jkb]

Just make sure you don't shampoo with a degreaser......like Dawn dish soap or something equivalent.

That can potentially eat seam glue and neoprene (so I've meet told).

 

[silentbutdeadly]

Makes sense. Hippy soap FTW.

I'll probably get some real poo soon

 

[encladd]

Did a nice soak in Dr Bronners today. I'll report back with my findings. Hoping this get's me over the hump in my stagnant surfing career

I do bronners with some conditioner. The conditioner is key to softening it up if it's been in storage for a few months.

 

[sushipop]

are we still talking about wetsuits or…

 

[Sniper]

My wife just ordered a 7til8 custom suit for an Oregon trip and it was super easy to do, as they walk you through the whole measurement process. Then if it doesn’t fit they take it back for alterations. I am surprised that they only cost 700 dollars for the amount of work it must be to spend an hour on FaceTime with every customer; then take it back to alter if it doesn’t fit.

 

[Atrain505]

Colby+ yamamoto update. Few surfs in. Very lightweight, very flexible. No leaks. Zero flushing. Easy to get on and off. Nice suit. Only downside is just a touch tight in the crouch. There's a review on their site saying the same thing and that will be updated for next year. But if you are towards the taller side of a size range I would recommend going for the next length up.

 

[sdsrfr]

Colby+ yamamoto update. Few surfs in. Very lightweight, very flexible. No leaks. Zero flushing. Easy to get on and off. Nice suit. Only downside is just a touch tight in the crouch. There's a review on their site saying the same thing and that will be updated for next year. But if you are towards the taller side of a size range I would recommend going for the next length up.

Like small D energy small in the crotch or My balls hang low nuts to shoulders small in the crotch?

 

[motosurf]

Anyone using the needessesntials suits? I needed a new hooded 4/3 and I found a volcom one for dirt cheap on sale. Looks identical to the needessentials suits, I'd imagine they are made in the same factory.

I need a new 3/2 also. Was wondering about the sizing though. I'm 5'10 and vary between 175-190lbs. I'm at the heavier end right now and am in an XLS in the volcom. It isn't the best fitting suit I've had but for the price it's fine. Kind of big in the lower leg and waist. According to the needessentials size chart I'd be in a LS. For reference I wear large in rip curl, body glove and isarus (kinda tight).

 

[expotatonator]

one way i scored waves at Peru's better spots....a Boz wetsuit...when in Rome...

 

[Atrain505]

Like small D energy small in the crotch or My balls hang low nuts to shoulders small in the crotch?

I'm not sure what that means, but it isn't terrible. I've had worse before on a bargain big brand lowest tier suit I got for one trip. I'm not uncomfortable, but I would definitely prefer a tad more room. Like I said, If you are height wise towards the top of the size range for a specific size I would get the next length up. If I ever buy another one (depends on if seams last a decent amount of time on this one) I will be asking about this specific situation.

 

[maybe]

What's the latest verdict on Need wetsuits? Looking for a jacket for summer, and was pretty underwhelmed on my last Needs purchase 10 or so years ago.

Have they improved? Looking for a no-frills, minimum branding, stretchy...