The Great Unbiased Wetsuit Review Thread

[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).

No feedback on the 3/2 needessentials suits? Trying to decide between the needessentials 3/2 for 200$ or the last years isurus for 180$ more...

I have a 2mm short arm isurus and it's a nice suit but don't know if it's worth the extra $. I'm hesitant on the need suits if they are the same as the volcom suit I have. It will randomly give me a rash under my arm and the knee pad is leaking where I duckdive and I've only had it a few months..Haven't gotten a wetsuit rash since the 90's until this suit.

 

[sdsrfr]

If you can spare the cash, go for the nicer suits.

it’s worth it as we age and get grumpy about things that were trivial in our younger years.

I don’t know that I’ll ever go back from Yammy. At the very least go colby+ over the old needs. I didn’t know they still sold needs, tbh, unless you’re in aus.

 

[terdroamer]

No feedback on the 3/2 needessentials suits? Trying to decide between the needessentials 3/2 for 200$ or the last years isurus for 180$ more...

I have a 2mm short arm isurus and it's a nice suit but don't know if it's worth the extra $. I'm hesitant on the need suits if they are the same as the volcom suit I have. It will randomly give me a rash under my arm and the knee pad is leaking where I duckdive and I've only had it a few months..Haven't gotten a wetsuit rash since the 90's until this suit.

I would find a good 3/2 bezt fit first, comfortable and flexy 2nd, and then not overpriced for 805 normal winter and long upswelling spring. I have a 4/3 hooded 'bong furnace for North trips. Try suits at beachhouse, CI, and or VSS. If you order on line cleanline is a great shop to buy from

 

[rgruber]

Xcel Drylocks are my fav for all things boots and gloves although I've abandoned the wetsuits.

I am looking for a comfortable 3 mm wetsuits boots with a soft grip sole with good board feel..........any recommendations?

 

[sushipop]

I am looking for a comfortable 3 mm wetsuits boots with a soft grip sole with good board feel..........any recommendations?

Vans Surf Boot 3mm

 

[slipped_disc]

I may be the odd one out but my Vans booties were disappointing. Leaky from the get-go, and the sole wore out faster than other brands.

Xcel Drylock’s also been my favorite RT bootie so far.

 

[Aruka]

Xcel still my go to for booties and gloves. There may be better options but I'm generally disappointed when I stray from Xcel.

Actually for my travel booties I dig the Billabong 3mm split toes.

Tried some 5mm vans and they were wayyyy to tight.

 

[oeste858]

Xcel still my go to for booties and gloves. There may be better options but I'm generally disappointed when I stray from Xcel.

Actually for my travel booties I dig the Billabong 3mm split toes.

Tried some 5mm vans and they were wayyyy to tight.

“Travel” booties?

 

[sdsrfr]

“Travel” booties?

I guess all my booties are travel booties ever since I started going hood no booties in SD

 

[oeste858]

I guess all my booties are travel booties ever since I started going hood no booties in SD

Didn’t even need a hood this winter. Thanks a lot, Soft Top!

 

[silentbutdeadly]

next year the nina is gonna make you put them back on

 

[Aruka]

“Travel” booties?

Ya for when I venture outside the arctic circle.

 

[surfapotomus]

I am looking for a comfortable 3 mm wetsuits boots with a soft grip sole with good board feel..........any recommendations?

The Billabong Furnace Comps. It's just a neoprene sole covered with thin silicon strips for traction. They're the only booties I'll wear. The caveat is that they're not very durable. Don't walk on concrete with them and you might want to look elsewhere if you surf mainly rocky breaks.

They run large. I'm a 9.5 shoe and wear Furnace Comp in a small.

 

[Bob Dobbalina]

For Drylocks:

Do you size up/down or true to size?
I'm usually a 10.5 in shoes and often go 10 in booties (sometimes .5 sizes are not an option so i trend down).

 

[rgruber]

I'm generally a 10.5 and I go with an 11 in Drylock boots. I always get the rounded toe variety and have them in 3, 5 and 7 mil versions. If you can try on, do. Drylocks have a lot of rubber around the toes and are lower volume than some other boots so don't tend to stretch as much as others. I think Xcel was doing half sizes for awhile but not sure if that still is thing.

 

[Aruka]

For Drylocks:

Do you size up/down or true to size?
I'm usually a 10.5 in shoes and often go 10 in booties (sometimes .5 sizes are not an option so i trend down).

I size down. I'm a 12 in most shoes and I go 11 in the round toe Xcel's.

My take is that booties should be very snug when new. Not painful but definitely tight for the first couple sessions. Once they break in they will be perfect. If they fit perfect to start they will get saggy after a couple sessions and that's pretty much the worst.

Just busted out a new pair of 8mm Xcel infiniti boots for this morning's session. Toasty feet, hell yeah.

 

[Swallow Tail]

I’m in 3mm booties yr round, in the water 3+ days a week typically.

Drylock booties. Always end up going back to them. Xcel wetsuits in recent years are hot garbage but their booties are still the t!ts.

 

[oeste858]

I size down. I'm a 12 in most shoes and I go 11 in the round toe Xcel's.

My take is that booties should be very snug when new. Not painful but definitely tight for the first couple sessions. Once they break in they will be perfect. If they fit perfect to start they will get saggy after a couple sessions and that's pretty much the worst.

Just busted out a new pair of 8mm Xcel infiniti boots for this morning's session. Toasty feet, hell yeah.

8mm?!? Might as well wear some Sorels

 

[freeride76]

I’m in 3mm booties yr round, in the water 3+ days a week typically.

Drylock booties. Always end up going back to them. Xcel wetsuits in recent years are hot garbage but their booties are still the t!ts.

3mm booties year round????

Where do you live?

 

[Maz]

I wear 3mm booties for the walk down the track on frosty mornings - maybe 10 days a year?