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The Great Unbiased Wetsuit Review Thread

MathDebater

MathDebater

Michael Peterson status
Apr 13, 2016
2,594
6,146
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SD
How high up on your face does that chin cup go? It looks like you could almost nibble on that flap above the seam.
 
R

rgruber

Miki Dora status
May 30, 2004
3,623
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I think suits have gotten thinner.

When I lived in San Diego back in the 90s, I never owned a 4/3 and didn't know anyone who did. Now it's pretty common place. I've definitely gotten older but you'd think surfing in much colder water regularly I wouldn't be a cold pus but when I was there in December, I was very happy to have a 4/3.
 
M

mundus

Duke status
Feb 26, 2018
37,212
16,297
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rgruber said:
I think suits have gotten thinner.

When I lived in San Diego back in the 90s, I never owned a 4/3 and didn't know anyone who did. Now it's pretty common place. I've definitely gotten older but you'd think surfing in much colder water regularly I wouldn't be a cold pus but when I was there in December, I was very happy to have a 4/3.
Click to expand...
Or the new stretchier materials are not as warm.
 
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PRCD

PRCD

Tom Curren status
Feb 25, 2020
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casa_mugrienta said:
Yeah, I agree but it might be tough getting a clear answer here. People have become used to not having smoothie and a lot of people can't remember how much it helps.

New Cyber prototype for fans of the Mutant style hood:






View attachment 105949
Click to expand...
Will they do that for a 3/2 to make a "3+"? I need the hood at dawn and when I go up North.
 
casa_mugrienta

casa_mugrienta

Duke status
Apr 13, 2008
43,587
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Petak Island
rgruber said:
I think suits have gotten thinner.

When I lived in San Diego back in the 90s, I never owned a 4/3 and didn't know anyone who did. Now it's pretty common place. I've definitely gotten older but you'd think surfing in much colder water regularly I wouldn't be a cold pus but when I was there in December, I was very happy to have a 4/3.
Click to expand...
This, this, this.

Thicker is warmer. Period.

Thinner 3/2s is why an OTR 4/3 is suddenly the wetsuit for 60 degrees for a lot of people.

Over the past 10 years suits much thinner than 3/2 are being advertised as 3/2.

Hurley made a 3/2 a few years back that was literally something of a step up from a lycra.
 
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PRCD

PRCD

Tom Curren status
Feb 25, 2020
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casa_mugrienta said:
This, this, this.

Thicker is warmer. Period.

Thinner 3/2s is why an OTR 4/3 is suddenly the wetsuit for 60 degrees for a lot of people.

Over the past 10 years suits much thinner than 3/2 are being advertised as 3/2.

Hurley made a 3/2 a few years back that was literally something of a step up from a lycra.
Click to expand...
Everyone's wearing a 4/3 in 58 degree water now. I wear a 3/2 but have to stretch it with a hood. I thought it was weird that everyone was doing that, like we'd all turned into wimps. 10 years ago, you only needed a 4/3 above Point Conception.
 
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sdsrfr

sdsrfr

Phil Edwards status
Jul 13, 2020
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San Diego
15yrs ago, I was wearing a 3/2 year round and would overheat the odd time surfing in a 4/3.

now, I go new 4/3 to old 4/3 to 2mm SS to trunks.

3/2 season is maybe 4wks long in SD.
 
maybe

maybe

Michael Peterson status
Jul 23, 2011
2,319
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I've been surfing San Diego for 35 years - I'm 5"11 190. a Sagittarius and have high blood pressure.

I've never owned a 4/3 and I hate booties. I typically wear a 2 mill full until the 1st of the year. Trunking it with a jacket isn't uncommon in November. No, I'm not a bad-ass... I just run hot.

At some point, some of you should invest in a custom Yamamoto 3/2 - it really does make a difference.
 
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PRCD

PRCD

Tom Curren status
Feb 25, 2020
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sdsrfr said:
15yrs ago, I was wearing a 3/2 year round and would overheat the odd time surfing in a 4/3.

now, I go new 4/3 to old 4/3 to 2mm SS to trunks.

3/2 season is maybe 4wks long in SD.
Click to expand...
So they've got us buying 3x as many suits. Genius.
casa_mugrienta said:
A big tell is seeing how many guys are sitting there shivering in recent model wetsuits when the water is 60+ and the air is decent.
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Yep.

Your Cyber 3/2 is toasty down to 56 degrees, right?
 
casa_mugrienta

casa_mugrienta

Duke status
Apr 13, 2008
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PRCD said:
So they've got us buying 3x as many suits. Genius.
Click to expand...
Yep.

Which i've always thought was the goal.

Your Cyber 3/2 is toasty down to 56 degrees, right?
Click to expand...
56 is gonna push it, 57 the whole season no problem.

And there is never any shivering at 60.

That's no hood, no booties. Which of course would increase the warm factor.

Of course, a lot is going to depend on the air temp too and if you're sitting through a 45 minute lull in 20mph offshores and the water is 57 then YMMV.
 
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enframed

enframed

Tom Curren status
Apr 11, 2006
11,722
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Del Boca Vista, Phase III
I'm using an old (one full season in Santa Cruz surfing 3-5 days/week) and thinning 4/3 Xcel (dunno which model, MOR though) with the legs cut off at the knees for LA. Been fine all winter. I bought a new 4/3 just before leaving SC and haven't touched it yet. Xcel have treated me very well.
 
PRCD

PRCD

Tom Curren status
Feb 25, 2020
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casa_mugrienta said:
Yep.

Which i've always thought was the goal.



56 is gonna push it, 57 the whole season no problem.

And there is never any shivering at 60.

That's no hood, no booties. Which of course would increase the warm factor.

Of course, a lot is going to depend on the air temp too and if you're sitting through a 45 minute lull in 20mph offshores and the water is 57 then YMMV.
Click to expand...
It's interesting how declining quality of mass-produced goods and shystering by corporate management is pushing us into buying custom stuff again. This is happening across all industries:
 
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