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The Great Unbiased Wetsuit Review Thread
- Thread starter silentbutdeadly
- Start date
For this winter, I decided to give the O'neill Mutant (4/3) a try. In previous years, I have owned Xcels, an O'neill Psycho 2, numerous Rip Curls, and a Matuse.
I loved Xcels fit and warmth initially, but was unhappy with their durability, as I would only be able to get 1 or 1 1/2 seasons with them before they started falling apart. I was really hesitant to spend $420 for a drylock that might only last one season.
I found the Psycho 2 to be a little stiff, as the double fluid seam weld felt a little too restrictive. I would find myself getting tired a lot faster. The material also felt like it got stiff over time and the suit lost its warmth rather quickly.
I used to buy Rip Curls all the time. I loved them when they first came out with the draw string suit quite a few years ago, but I felt like their quality went downhill really quickly since then. I gave last years F-Bomb a shot, and it was by far the worst suit I've ever owned.
I thought the Matuse would be this years winter suit (4/3/2), but I quickly found out that it wasn't going to be warm enough to get me through winter. This suit feels really nice, it's flexible, and light, but just doesn't quite have the warmth that my Xcel 4/3's had. It's a great 3/2, but not a 4/3 for me.
As for the Mutant, I've only owned it for a month now, but I really like it. It's very warm, much more flexible than the Psycho 2 that I owned previously, and does not show signs of wear yet (my Xcels chest zips would have ripped along the neck entry area by now). It's also really nice to be able to unzip the standard neck on the Mutant and zip a hood on it. The only downside to the suit that I have noticed is that It can take a little more than a day to dry at times, where my Matuse will dry overnight.
I loved Xcels fit and warmth initially, but was unhappy with their durability, as I would only be able to get 1 or 1 1/2 seasons with them before they started falling apart. I was really hesitant to spend $420 for a drylock that might only last one season.
I found the Psycho 2 to be a little stiff, as the double fluid seam weld felt a little too restrictive. I would find myself getting tired a lot faster. The material also felt like it got stiff over time and the suit lost its warmth rather quickly.
I used to buy Rip Curls all the time. I loved them when they first came out with the draw string suit quite a few years ago, but I felt like their quality went downhill really quickly since then. I gave last years F-Bomb a shot, and it was by far the worst suit I've ever owned.
I thought the Matuse would be this years winter suit (4/3/2), but I quickly found out that it wasn't going to be warm enough to get me through winter. This suit feels really nice, it's flexible, and light, but just doesn't quite have the warmth that my Xcel 4/3's had. It's a great 3/2, but not a 4/3 for me.
As for the Mutant, I've only owned it for a month now, but I really like it. It's very warm, much more flexible than the Psycho 2 that I owned previously, and does not show signs of wear yet (my Xcels chest zips would have ripped along the neck entry area by now). It's also really nice to be able to unzip the standard neck on the Mutant and zip a hood on it. The only downside to the suit that I have noticed is that It can take a little more than a day to dry at times, where my Matuse will dry overnight.
after 2+ seasons on my qs cell 4/3, it is finally done. this was my 2nd one, & combined w/ a 1mm hooded full rashy it worked great. if i could steal another for <$200 i would.
but i can't find those e-deals on qs cyphers so i pulled the trigger on a 5/4/3 'boutique' $uit yesterday with the idea that it would be the best of all these worlds:
a. warm and comfy
b. warrantied forever...?
c. very durable
d. light and flexible
gf wanted to see what a $599 $uit looked like so i modeled it at home and we found a 1.5" long split in the 5mm sharkskin rubber near the hip - almost all the way through to the inside. guessing it happened by someone's fingernail while trying it on (i keep mine trimmed).
after reading reviews of others having experiences with this same material splitting, and also bc the suit feels too bulky and i seem to be in-between sizes, i am taking the unused suit back for a refund.
just ordered a boz 5/4/3 front zip hooded for 40% le$$. harry says it'll be here thurs. hope i can add to the bozhype. stay tuned... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wave2.gif" alt="" />
but i can't find those e-deals on qs cyphers so i pulled the trigger on a 5/4/3 'boutique' $uit yesterday with the idea that it would be the best of all these worlds:
a. warm and comfy
b. warrantied forever...?
c. very durable
d. light and flexible
gf wanted to see what a $599 $uit looked like so i modeled it at home and we found a 1.5" long split in the 5mm sharkskin rubber near the hip - almost all the way through to the inside. guessing it happened by someone's fingernail while trying it on (i keep mine trimmed).
after reading reviews of others having experiences with this same material splitting, and also bc the suit feels too bulky and i seem to be in-between sizes, i am taking the unused suit back for a refund.
just ordered a boz 5/4/3 front zip hooded for 40% le$$. harry says it'll be here thurs. hope i can add to the bozhype. stay tuned... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wave2.gif" alt="" />
Another season of Hurley Freedoms and I'm not complaining. Love these suits. 3/2s and 4/3s - wont have a need for anything thicker.
Got a West 4/3/2 in the rotation, but the wetsuit is starting to get tight in the neck area (where the pull over batwing type thingy is) - which is weird, because it wasn't tight before. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
Got a West 4/3/2 in the rotation, but the wetsuit is starting to get tight in the neck area (where the pull over batwing type thingy is) - which is weird, because it wasn't tight before. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
My latest suits are Hotlines and I like them alot. I got an older 4/3 Freebird and a 5/4 CCU with the full front zip, old school style. The suit is super warm and so much easier to get in/out of which is a big deal when the windchill is way below freezing. The materials and construction on both are quality as well as their customer service. Their 7mm booties also fit great.
I need a new 3/2 suit for the coming spring and summer months. Also for when I'll be out in CA in the fall. I've been pretty faithful to O'Neill over the years, and I have a 5/4 mutant that I am wearing now in the winter here in New England and I like it.
I tried on their 3/2 Psycho (may have been the psycho 2... can't remember) at the shop and I was blown away by how comfortable it was. But I don't know if I can spend that kind of cash on a wetsuit right now.
I have seen the West suits around though and their prices for a 3/2 are pretty reasonable for a suit with sealed seems. Haven't been able to try them on though, and I've heard they fit tight for some people.
I tried on their 3/2 Psycho (may have been the psycho 2... can't remember) at the shop and I was blown away by how comfortable it was. But I don't know if I can spend that kind of cash on a wetsuit right now.
I have seen the West suits around though and their prices for a 3/2 are pretty reasonable for a suit with sealed seems. Haven't been able to try them on though, and I've heard they fit tight for some people.
Matuse Warranty Update
sent it in 4 weeks ago. got a call this morning asking to clarify what is wrong with it(filled out their form, giving written description and using graphics of the problem areas. why the call?). which are, there are 3 or 4 seams that are separating on the chest area and under the arms, also on the inside of the knee there is a soft spot that allows water the flow freely into the suit as soon as I get in the water.
ahh, the reason for the call, the knee problem is not covered under warranty. Apparently I duck dive too much for this suit and that is why the material failed. Yes obsf does require you to duck dive an excessive amount imho, but I have never had another suit have this issue(this includes suits w/ yamamoto rubber.
he said if I want them to fix it , it will cost me $25. I asked wont it fail again at the same place in 3 months though? he did not have an answer, so I said no. so he promised to send it to their factory today and I should get it back in 2-3 weeks.
suit cost total $395
3 months old(used average 3x's a week)
in for warranty for 6-7 weeks
this suit has been a big fail for me
<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/toilet.gif" alt="" />
sent it in 4 weeks ago. got a call this morning asking to clarify what is wrong with it(filled out their form, giving written description and using graphics of the problem areas. why the call?). which are, there are 3 or 4 seams that are separating on the chest area and under the arms, also on the inside of the knee there is a soft spot that allows water the flow freely into the suit as soon as I get in the water.
ahh, the reason for the call, the knee problem is not covered under warranty. Apparently I duck dive too much for this suit and that is why the material failed. Yes obsf does require you to duck dive an excessive amount imho, but I have never had another suit have this issue(this includes suits w/ yamamoto rubber.
he said if I want them to fix it , it will cost me $25. I asked wont it fail again at the same place in 3 months though? he did not have an answer, so I said no. so he promised to send it to their factory today and I should get it back in 2-3 weeks.
suit cost total $395
3 months old(used average 3x's a week)
in for warranty for 6-7 weeks
this suit has been a big fail for me
<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/toilet.gif" alt="" />
damn that sucks...I was surprised by Matuse going above-and-beyond the requests on the form I sent in, even being over a year-old, but I guess my main problem was the zipper, which are covered I guess...
My only complaint is that my 1 year-old 4/3/2 Matuse is now definitely a 3/2 in terms of practical warmth. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
My XCEL Drylock I sent back for repair came back in almost worse shape than I sent it - a total joke. I paid $35 to a local diving wetsuit maker and he did the strongest and most impressive level of repair I have seen. 3rd party repairs might just be the way to go... He re-sealed/taped areas where water was trickling in and it really brought back that initial warmness in the suit.
My only complaint is that my 1 year-old 4/3/2 Matuse is now definitely a 3/2 in terms of practical warmth. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
My XCEL Drylock I sent back for repair came back in almost worse shape than I sent it - a total joke. I paid $35 to a local diving wetsuit maker and he did the strongest and most impressive level of repair I have seen. 3rd party repairs might just be the way to go... He re-sealed/taped areas where water was trickling in and it really brought back that initial warmness in the suit.
I hate to plug my blog here, but my buddy wrote a solid Matuse review with epic Billy Madison references...and I'm to lazy to upload the photo and video.
"Gotta love a broken zipper a few months shy of almost having this suit 1 whole season. Even better on a morning with waves at 6:45 AM. I heard so much hype about these suits before owning one. "ohhh best suit ever" , "So warm, warmest suit I've ever had" etc.
Have you ever read the book "The Emperors New Clothes"?
I can't back the bullshit. Here's my honest opinion of the 3/2/2 Matuse suit -
I put this suit on for the first time last February 2009 and surfed the Venice breakwall at 2:30 in the afternoon. I was cold within an hour. By June the suit was more or less completely leaking and had torn itself two holes in the chest panels where the smoothie met. Awesome. Alternating between this suit and an Aleeda for another few months (didn't wear it in summer, duh) the suit took it's final blow this morning, December 28 2009, with a busted zipper while suiting up in the parking lot. Feb-June, not wearing everyday because of alternating fullsuits = holes and leakage. Oct-December = Dusted ass suit. fark.
Now keep in mind I'm not a ***** retard and know how to put on a suit. I've worked in a surf shop for wayyyyy tooo long and instruct donkey's on the finer points of slipping on rubber daily. For the record, 80% of the time I changed into that Matuse suit I used a plastic bag because it was so damn hard to get into. Even bone dry it was a pain in the ass. The ankles were tighter than junior prom night. I babied the suit, meaning I wasn't a lazy fark and washed the thing out every time, hung it in the garage out of the sunlight, and even used a super gay changing mat in the parking lot.
So there Ya go, a non bias review of a Matuse suit. fark the hype, these suits are mediocre at best. A good afternoon suit, as it's not that warm, but it is awfully flexible and comfortable. Final thoughts - next time you hear some siked yuppie talk up his matuse because he likes talking about how innovative and amazing it is (read, overly expensive and overly hyped) tell him to eat a dick and try a psycho 1."
You can check it out here:
http://www.svrfandestroy.com/2009/12/heres-nice-piece-of-poop-matuse-review.html
<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wave2.gif" alt="" />
"Gotta love a broken zipper a few months shy of almost having this suit 1 whole season. Even better on a morning with waves at 6:45 AM. I heard so much hype about these suits before owning one. "ohhh best suit ever" , "So warm, warmest suit I've ever had" etc.
Have you ever read the book "The Emperors New Clothes"?
I can't back the bullshit. Here's my honest opinion of the 3/2/2 Matuse suit -
I put this suit on for the first time last February 2009 and surfed the Venice breakwall at 2:30 in the afternoon. I was cold within an hour. By June the suit was more or less completely leaking and had torn itself two holes in the chest panels where the smoothie met. Awesome. Alternating between this suit and an Aleeda for another few months (didn't wear it in summer, duh) the suit took it's final blow this morning, December 28 2009, with a busted zipper while suiting up in the parking lot. Feb-June, not wearing everyday because of alternating fullsuits = holes and leakage. Oct-December = Dusted ass suit. fark.
Now keep in mind I'm not a ***** retard and know how to put on a suit. I've worked in a surf shop for wayyyyy tooo long and instruct donkey's on the finer points of slipping on rubber daily. For the record, 80% of the time I changed into that Matuse suit I used a plastic bag because it was so damn hard to get into. Even bone dry it was a pain in the ass. The ankles were tighter than junior prom night. I babied the suit, meaning I wasn't a lazy fark and washed the thing out every time, hung it in the garage out of the sunlight, and even used a super gay changing mat in the parking lot.
So there Ya go, a non bias review of a Matuse suit. fark the hype, these suits are mediocre at best. A good afternoon suit, as it's not that warm, but it is awfully flexible and comfortable. Final thoughts - next time you hear some siked yuppie talk up his matuse because he likes talking about how innovative and amazing it is (read, overly expensive and overly hyped) tell him to eat a dick and try a psycho 1."
You can check it out here:
http://www.svrfandestroy.com/2009/12/heres-nice-piece-of-poop-matuse-review.html
<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wave2.gif" alt="" />
about a month now using my 4/3 Xcel DryLock. 2009 model without the bambo & cell material. Great suit! plenty warm for the coldest so-cal days. my first chest zip and I'm loving it. easier for paddling compared to a back zip and no more lower back leakage from the zipper. suit is showing some minor signs of wear. some of the rubber strips on the inside of the arm cuffs are starting to peal off. some shoe goo will probably fix it. like usually with Xcel the key pocket SUCKS excluding that a really good suit so far
I absolutely agree with you regards the Matuse suit. Overpriced piece of garbage. I have the latest model and have worn it around 20-30 times. The seams under the arm and on the back have split and water gets in. I haven't taken it back to Mitch's in la jolla because it is my only suit. Maybe i will investigate trying to seal the seam myself.
$530 - what a waste, what was i thinking.
DO NOT BUY A MATUSE
$530 - what a waste, what was i thinking.
DO NOT BUY A MATUSE
Bought a used 4/3/2 hoplite a couple of weeks ago. Although the suit is used, I was also expecting that the suit would be warmer. not as warm as a 4/3 drylock. I like the suit overall but wouldt pay $500 for it for sure. I have a Gato Heroi 3mm which is far more flexible and warmer too.
Just curious if you guys with the issues have the '09 model. I have had the '08 (Hoplite 3/2/2) for a few months now and haven't had any problems *yet.
What I will say is that the suit is:
Positives:
- seems to be really well made
- feels really light in the water
- reasonably warm **when you are on the move** considering how thin it is
Negatives:
- not very warm on a lully day (if you are looking to replace a 3/2 the 4/3/2 will likely be a better match)
- not as flexible as you would expect considering how thing the rubber is
- drying time is only slightly faster than other suits
- durability is now a big question mark, based on this thread
I recently got a Patagonia R3 chest zip (for free) and with that suit I can totally see the value. It is almost 2 times as thick as the 3/2/2 Matuse but just as flexible. My understanding is that with the Patagonia suit, you also get stellar customer service for repairs or replacement, which Matuse buyers dont seem to be getting. I would bet/hope that this is a growing pain with the company (Matuse) rather than consumer neglect.
I really wanted to the Matuse suit to be good since they are an SD business. But in the end, its just a wetsuit and only marginally better than the other more economical suits out there. If I had paid full price (rather than $295 on wetsand.com) I think I would be a little disappointed with it. For the most part due to the lack of warmth. The 3/2/2 doesn't seem like enough rubber for a San Diego winter and I have only ever worn 3/2's in San Diego.
Now I am using the Matuse Hoplite 3/2/2 when the water is 60+ (58+ if its sunny) and the Patagonia R3 for anything colder. If I could do it all over again I would without question go for a Patagonia R2 chest zip as a year round suit.
What I will say is that the suit is:
Positives:
- seems to be really well made
- feels really light in the water
- reasonably warm **when you are on the move** considering how thin it is
Negatives:
- not very warm on a lully day (if you are looking to replace a 3/2 the 4/3/2 will likely be a better match)
- not as flexible as you would expect considering how thing the rubber is
- drying time is only slightly faster than other suits
- durability is now a big question mark, based on this thread
I recently got a Patagonia R3 chest zip (for free) and with that suit I can totally see the value. It is almost 2 times as thick as the 3/2/2 Matuse but just as flexible. My understanding is that with the Patagonia suit, you also get stellar customer service for repairs or replacement, which Matuse buyers dont seem to be getting. I would bet/hope that this is a growing pain with the company (Matuse) rather than consumer neglect.
I really wanted to the Matuse suit to be good since they are an SD business. But in the end, its just a wetsuit and only marginally better than the other more economical suits out there. If I had paid full price (rather than $295 on wetsand.com) I think I would be a little disappointed with it. For the most part due to the lack of warmth. The 3/2/2 doesn't seem like enough rubber for a San Diego winter and I have only ever worn 3/2's in San Diego.
Now I am using the Matuse Hoplite 3/2/2 when the water is 60+ (58+ if its sunny) and the Patagonia R3 for anything colder. If I could do it all over again I would without question go for a Patagonia R2 chest zip as a year round suit.
I Think you would need to go class action to get anywhere. Considering that Matuse's office is inside a law office (I think the ceo/owners dad is a lawyer), that path might be rough. I would try reaching out to the company if you are that dissatisfied.
On the other hand if its a monetary thing, most credit cards will cover things being defective, lost etc within the first few months (sometimes up to a year). A lot of credit cards also double the manufacturers warranty.
Keep everyone posted <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
I sent a letter today(since they don't give an email address) to Matuse explaining my experience and asking for clarification as to why duck diving, for a 3 month old suit would cause an issue to be out of warranty. How can they explain away how duck diving is not 'normal recreational use' thus voids warranty, stated by them.
If they reply it should at least be entertaining. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/beer.gif" alt="" />
enough of this matuse, excel, oneill b.s. this is the most warmest and best wetsuit ever. and it works in space <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/monkey.gif" alt="" />
http://www.roddenberry.com/rdt-custom-wetsuit-5mm.html#
<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/nananana.gif" alt="" />
http://www.roddenberry.com/rdt-custom-wetsuit-5mm.html#
<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/nananana.gif" alt="" />
