REMINDER: THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to monitor the Forums. However, THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to review any materials submitted to or posted on the Forums, and remove, delete, redact or otherwise modify such materials, in its sole discretion and for any reason whatsoever, at any time and from time to time, without notice or further obligation to you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to display or post any materials provided by you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to disclose, at any time and from time to time, any information or materials that we deem necessary or appropriate to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, contract obligation, legal or dispute process or government request. Click on the following hyperlinks to further read the applicable Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
The Great Unbiased Wetsuit Review Thread
- Thread starter silentbutdeadly
- Start date
That's insane; I would be more cold in a trunks and top in February last year than I would a 3/2 and accessories right now. You sound more attuned to the air than the water.
This past swell was kind of a dud relative to what I expected. I thought there'd be days and days of shortboard surf everywhere but it was mostly grovel. Inside sandbars are still kind of meh, although slightly better than they were. I hope the next bump actually delivers.
i also have an injury that for some reason gloves really aggravate. just gonna try 3/2 boots for this upcoming swell. boots i dont mind too much.
the morning hide tide was bad this swell. no small wave high tide sandbar nearby. except pier. found a random shorebreakish sandbar breaking ok and had fun one day. the other days no good.
Has anyone else tried the colby? How is the fit compared to other wetsuits? I had a rip curl medium that fit great. I tried Matuse and cant fit a medium and large is too big in the shoulders so i end up with rubbing and bunching in the armpits. For the price the colby suits look worth a try.
My buddy has the super discounted colby and he loves it. flexible and warm and no issues whatsoevr. It's first season though.
SBD suit update: I have that thin run 4/3 from matuse that was an error at the factory. Got a free 4/3 (proper) because of it. The thinner mistake suit has actually been great for dawn patrols this winter. Stitching came undone on knee and I caught it with my hand on the board peeling it really far. Sent in for repair and they're taking care of it (two year warranty). Been stuck in my 4/3 matuse and just cooking. Kinda my only option cause no doubt I'd be cold in my hyperfreak 3/2.
Hooded 3mm isurus isn't getting much love this winter but its my favorite. I'll be getting another isurus next year for sure.
Haven't been thrilled with the seam/taping quality of either brand but based on people I know they seem to be one offs. Both brands have excellent customer service.
For those interested in Matuse, just save money and get a Feral.
SBD suit update: I have that thin run 4/3 from matuse that was an error at the factory. Got a free 4/3 (proper) because of it. The thinner mistake suit has actually been great for dawn patrols this winter. Stitching came undone on knee and I caught it with my hand on the board peeling it really far. Sent in for repair and they're taking care of it (two year warranty). Been stuck in my 4/3 matuse and just cooking. Kinda my only option cause no doubt I'd be cold in my hyperfreak 3/2.
Hooded 3mm isurus isn't getting much love this winter but its my favorite. I'll be getting another isurus next year for sure.
Haven't been thrilled with the seam/taping quality of either brand but based on people I know they seem to be one offs. Both brands have excellent customer service.
For those interested in Matuse, just save money and get a Feral.
Another vote for Feral. Best price, customer service, most reliable, they just work.
I picked up a pair of Vans MFeb booties. Sort of a default purchase since they were the only booty in my size that was in stock at store.
There is one weird design flaw. Other than this, they’re fine.
the heel’s pull tab is positioned almost exactly where the cuff of the wetsuit falls. So you don’t get a great seal, unless you tuck it up inside or leave it below. If you don’t pay attention it’s easy for the pull tab to be half-in half-out.
Oneills by comparison havethe tab lower on the bootie. No problems there.
oh and more design flaw: that giant fucking stripe. Why they gotta do that??
There is one weird design flaw. Other than this, they’re fine.
the heel’s pull tab is positioned almost exactly where the cuff of the wetsuit falls. So you don’t get a great seal, unless you tuck it up inside or leave it below. If you don’t pay attention it’s easy for the pull tab to be half-in half-out.
Oneills by comparison havethe tab lower on the bootie. No problems there.
oh and more design flaw: that giant fucking stripe. Why they gotta do that??
Last edited:
Anyone know if the sizing has changed on xcels boots? Mine are like 8 years old so planning to order a new pair online. sizing so important on boots.
The focus on "excellent customer service" is interesting.
If contacting customer service is a common thing it's because the suits are poorly constructed.
And that means time out of the water while your suit is getting fixed.
Makes more since for it to be done right the first time.
If contacting customer service is a common thing it's because the suits are poorly constructed.
And that means time out of the water while your suit is getting fixed.
Makes more since for it to be done right the first time.
i was kind of thinking the same. never contacted xcels customer service.
I've gotten my last few Xcels crotches re-sealed since Xcel seems to have forgotten how to properly seal and tape a crotch in the last few years.
They have a good repair policy and are pretty quick, but unfortunately, the crotches in question still leaked when I got them back. My old Xcels used much wider pieces of tape in this area which seem to have worked a lot better. No more Xcels, except for warmer weather comp suits where I'm not going to be sitting in a pool of freezing water literally freezing my balls off.
They have a good repair policy and are pretty quick, but unfortunately, the crotches in question still leaked when I got them back. My old Xcels used much wider pieces of tape in this area which seem to have worked a lot better. No more Xcels, except for warmer weather comp suits where I'm not going to be sitting in a pool of freezing water literally freezing my balls off.
isurus customer service contacted me immediately after I ordered. human consultation on sizing. I did not ask for support but they offered it anyway.
Afterwords I wondered how many returned suits were coming back ruined before that became their normal.
Weird question. I seem to like the feel of wetsuits like the matuse dante where the "hood" for lack of a better term even on a non hooded wetsuit pulls over from the back and is attached at the back. Does anyone else have a problem with suits like for example the colby + or new matuse apollo having that part as part of the shoulder make it pull from that side? I have a dante but the fit in the chest is a bit big so it rubs in my armpit. The apollo has a heavy pull towards the side on my neck so i might try the same size but tall version and im curious if anyone else had this issue
think I know what you're saying. I sometimes got aches in my left shoulder/neck, the side where the chest zip closes and cinches. I'm using a zipperless suit now which is much better. I don't recall having the issue with the Dante I had, which as you noted, has symmetrical velcroed flaps and no cinch on one side.
Sounds like im not the only one. What zipperless are you using? Ive used the rip curl but dont want to any more. Buell fits me alright as well. Im looking for a 2mm springsuit.
@oeste858 is an isurus boi
this is what you want
Shield 2.2 Zipfree Short Arm Spring Wetsuit
IF SOLD OUT. CONTACT US. WE WILL REFER YOU TO SHOPS THAT HAVE IT IN STOCK. The latest 2.2 zipfree short arm spring/summer wetsuit from the Isurus Shield range. Model pictured wears a size M: Height 5’10” (178 cm), Weight 165 lbs (75 kg), Chest 40” (102 cm), Waist 33" (84 cm), Inseam 32" (81 cm)...
surfisurus.com
I have the same suit, and it is money in spring thru fall in my area
@oeste858 is an isurus boi
this is what you want
Shield 2.2 Zipfree Short Arm Spring Wetsuit
IF SOLD OUT. CONTACT US. WE WILL REFER YOU TO SHOPS THAT HAVE IT IN STOCK. The latest 2.2 zipfree short arm spring/summer wetsuit from the Isurus Shield range. Model pictured wears a size M: Height 5’10” (178 cm), Weight 165 lbs (75 kg), Chest 40” (102 cm), Waist 33" (84 cm), Inseam 32" (81 cm)...
I have the same suit, and it is money in spring thru fall in my area
[/QUOT
I wish they made a short leg long arm version. Im in hawaii and almost nobody wears long leg suits