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Boardroom show announced it was postponed today. Not sure why anyone would still pay for a brand name wetsuit, just get a Need Essentials made with the same Yamamoto rubber, in the same factory, with no name on it and no retailer mark up for half the price. No brainer.Looking for a nice, stretchy 2 mil full with Spring upon us. My Vissla is still serviceable from a couple seasons ago.
Was hoping to talk with folks at the Del Mar event.. will this current news squash that?
Sidenote: Gary, I won't accept your advice because you wear a 4/3 year-around in San Diego.
If you were good with the Vissla maybe no reason to change? I have the 2mm Xcel comp and I like it. Casa Mugrienta if I remember hated his. It has no vulcanized rubber/smoothskin whatever panels. It's light and stretchy compared to a Drylock or Infiniti. I had a fancy Hurley 2mm with rubber/smoothskin chest/back and it was a bit higher end suit that the comp and while 62 and sunny is doable in the Xcel comp for me, maybe lower on a warm day with consistent surf and no lulls, 58 and shitty was doable in the Hurley, and booties extended that range down for me.You've been a wealth of knowledge SBD. Thanks for the effort.
Again, asking you folks out there for info on a stretchy 2 mil suit. Might just go for another Vissla 2/2 and order a custom Yamamoto for next winter.
Honestly, I have a Matuse suit that is nearly new from 2008 - a glorified 3/2 with a small patch of 3 in the chest. Been tucked away in the closet for years. If I lose another 5-10 pounds, might squeeze into it.
I have a Need Essentials 4/3. I don't think any of them have smooth skin, but they have liners. Suits are warm and more than enough for So. Cal. I wouldn't pass them by because of lack of some smooth panels. $200 and so far so good. They are selling some of the suits at 20% off right now to get rid of old stock.I just checked their site. Does need essentials always avoid smooth panels on their suits? Seems like they only have it on the back panel of one back zip suit. I know it's less flexible, but it is nice on windy days.
That's because you have tho old version (good) and I have the new version (bad).I have the 2mm Xcel comp and I like it. Casa Mugrienta if I remember hated his.
Matuse tactical 2mm. Had for about 3 years, still no leaks.You've been a wealth of knowledge SBD. Thanks for the effort.
Again, asking you folks out there for info on a stretchy 2 mil suit. Might just go for another Vissla 2/2 and order a custom Yamamoto for next winter.
Honestly, I have a Matuse suit that is nearly new from 2008 - a glorified 3/2 with a small patch of 3 in the chest. Been tucked away in the closet for years. If I lose another 5-10 pounds, might squeeze into it.
Not that I know of but Rob, one of the founders is very responsive via email. I had a deal with Matuse for years and swore those suits were hands down the best, I still think they are but my deal has changed so I thought I would give Need Essentials a try and I am really impressed so far. I am wearing the 4/3 chest zip versus the Matuse 3mm Scipio chest zip and I have been hot in it so far here in SD in 58 water temps, even when the air temp has been in the high 30's with stiff offshores blowing. I would imagine that suit would be plenty warm down to 55 or maybe below. I personally like the direct to consumer model that avoids the retailer mark up. Rob and his partner apparently ran the wetsuits division at Quiksilver for a long time so they know the business, supply chain, manufacturing, etc. You are getting the same quality without all the mark up and marketing that adds extra costs. I wish I would have had the knowledge and connections to start the same business!I just checked their site. Does need essentials always avoid smooth panels on their suits? Seems like they only have it on the back panel of one back zip suit. I know it's less flexible, but it is nice on windy days.
Not that I know of but Rob, one of the founders is very responsive via email. I had a deal with Matuse for years and swore those suits were hands down the best, I still think they are but my deal has changed so I thought I would give Need Essentials a try and I am really impressed so far. I am wearing the 4/3 chest zip versus the Matuse 3mm Scipio chest zip and I have been hot in it so far here in SD in 58 water temps, even when the air temp has been in the high 30's with stiff offshores blowing. I would imagine that suit would be plenty warm down to 55 or maybe below. I personally like the direct to consumer model that avoids the retailer mark up. Rob and his partner apparently ran the wetsuits division at Quiksilver for a long time so they know the business, supply chain, manufacturing, etc. You are getting the same quality without all the mark up and marketing that adds extra costs. I wish I would have had the knowledge and connections to start the same business!
I think the importance of smoothskin panels is overrated. I have a 3/2 xcel, blind stitched on outside, taped on inside, no smoothskin at all. It is at least as warm as my billabong 3/2 with smoothskin chest and back panels. I'm happy with both suits.If you were good with the Vissla maybe no reason to change? I have the 2mm Xcel comp and I like it. Casa Mugrienta if I remember hated his. It has no vulcanized rubber/smoothskin whatever panels. It's light and stretchy compared to a Drylock or Infiniti... .
You can get a 5/3 from a few manufacturers, if that helps at all.I hate everyone who has the luxury of surfing in warm water all year. My sinus's are in constant pain all winter. It's not coronavirus! Seriously though, I wish someone would make a 6/3mm, 6mm on the legs and chest/back, 3mm smooth skin on the arms and shoulders with hood. It sucks paddling with 4/5mm around the shoulders.
And add a 1mm vest under the 5/3. I do this with my 3/2 and never feel the need for a 4/3. Gives extra warmth to my core but keeps my arms and legs free.You can get a 5/3 from a few manufacturers, if that helps at all.
Yeah, i've had a couple and while they were comfy and well priced - they both fell apart just outside of the warranty. That said, there appears to be plenty of people that love them. I just wait until a good brand is on sale and go from there - usually get two seasons out of all the major brands.Need wetties are not great suits and are not equivalent to what we are all used to. This is from direct experience over many years. The rubber on these is NOT the same as used by other manufacturers. They are also made in China, compared to Sheico in Taiwan for the vast majority of suits.
Just trying to fix the misinformation in this thread.
Would like to know the background of your comments, as they are in contrast to what I have heard about the manufacturing of their suits from people in the industry. What do you know about them, educate me so I am smarter about purchasing. I can only compare them to Matuse which I have been wearing for years, and for me there is very little difference in flex, warmth, etc. I have only been wearing the Need suit for about a month, so no idea on longevity and durability. I am curious what you know as actual facts about where they are manufactured and from what rubber?Need wetties are not great suits and are not equivalent to what we are all used to. This is from direct experience over many years. The rubber on these is NOT the same as used by other manufacturers. They are also made in China, compared to Sheico in Taiwan for the vast majority of suits.
Just trying to fix the misinformation in this thread.