5 Mil or 6 Mil?

Jul 4, 2006
52
51
18
New England
I can't tell the difference between a 5mm and 6mm suit, but when its 15-30 degree air and 38-42 degree water, I'm happy for every bit of heat I can retain. Feral 6/5/4 has been good for me; I think I'll get a third winter out of mine in New England. Dense rubber does a good job blocking the wind, seams have held up MUCH better than the glued panel smoothie panels of my prior Drylocks.
 
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Bob Dobbalina

Miki Dora status
Feb 23, 2016
4,261
4,655
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I havent had an xcel in ages but I always felt like the drylock was the warmest suit on the market. Rip curl flashbomb was a close 2nd. Neither brand fit me very well, being too short in the limbs. They didnt last even a full season for me either.
I had pretty good luck with my Flashbomb. It certainly never felt particularly "light", but it was super warm and fit well with my stumpy legs. it's at least 5 years old now. The chest zip failed on me after a couple years, they fixed it. A few years later, the zipper just lost a corrosion battle and it fell off. I'm hoping with some pliers and a few minutes, I can get it together again and limp another season out of it as a backup. I only get to surf 1-2 times a week on a good week, but I surfed a lot more when I first got it.

I think I was a Large
5'11"
190-200
 
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Jul 18, 2018
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I used to use the xcels, switched to billabong and they are ok. Now that the billabong 5 mil is about done thinking of either Feral or Isrus, anybody have any reviews of the 2?
I prefer my Feral suits to my Isurus suits. Granted the Feral's are newer than the Isurus, fit could also be the issue as my Isurus suit flushes a little too frequently
In general, I've become a fan of Feral's style of suits (no liner, thicker neoprene).
The Isurus liner is very nice but I find that its annoying to put on or take off when wet as the liner has quite a bit of friction to it.
In my opinion, you can't really go wrong with either but I am happier with my 654 Feral than I was with my 5/4 Isurus. The suits are also significantly cheaper.
Note, the Feral suits fit a little tight/short.
I'm 5'11" 165lbs and am happy in a M 543 but needed to go to MT for the 654.
The first time I wore the 543 it felt way too tight. After two sessions it's perfect.
YMMV
 
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mundus

Duke status
Feb 26, 2018
36,724
15,942
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I prefer my Feral suits to my Isurus suits. Granted the Feral's are newer than the Isurus, fit could also be the issue as my Isurus suit flushes a little too frequently
In general, I've become a fan of Feral's style of suits (no liner, thicker neoprene).
The Isurus liner is very nice but I find that its annoying to put on or take off when wet as the liner has quite a bit of friction to it.
In my opinion, you can't really go wrong with either but I am happier with my 654 Feral than I was with my 5/4 Isurus. The suits are also significantly cheaper.
Note, the Feral suits fit a little tight/short.
I'm 5'11" 165lbs and am happy in a M 543 but needed to go to MT for the 654.
The first time I wore the 543 it felt way too tight. After two sessions it's perfect.
YMMV
5'9' 160, medium should fit? Still hate buying suits without trying on.
 
Jul 18, 2018
141
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43
5'9' 160, medium should fit? Still hate buying suits without trying on.
I think you'll be stoked in a Medium.
That said, definitely try it on more than once before you surf in it as it will stretch/mold to you a bit.
When I first put on the Medium I thought "no way" but after taking it off and putting it back on again, my confidence was restored.
 
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Sauce

OTF status
Oct 6, 2021
283
423
63
Just FYI 54 degree water is pretty warm for a 5/4. For NY/NJ water temps get into the high 30's in the dead of winter.

In 54 an average 4/3 will keep you pretty toasty.
My flashbomb a 4/3 , and I think it could hang in anything an nc winter might have, even with snow. But jeebus, yall are polar bears out there in 30-40 water temps!