I think as they make them stretchier, they get less warm. When I lived in southern california 20 years ago, no one had a 4/3. Now I feel like they are common during the winter, probably because a 3/2 now isn't as warm.
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The Great Unbiased Wetsuit Review Thread
- Thread starter silentbutdeadly
- Start date
Was ready to order a new winter suit and Feral is out of stock until January
Not really feeling it for this winter, maybe take a break until spring.
Not really feeling it for this winter, maybe take a break until spring.
They have been "worse" for a long time with most brands... starting with hitting the point of diminishing returns when making them stretchier (often by making them thinner) and use of water-based glues.
The consumer has been duped, I think a lot of people at this point don't realize just how bad their suit is.
The trend in this thread seem to be buying new suits all the time and/or seeking out bargain labels and every suit seems like a roll of the dice.
That's a hassle I wouldn't commit to. I surf a lot more than most people and I've bought one 3/2 in the past 3 years and I'm still warm once the time comes for it (62 deg or less).
The wetsuit is more important than the board, a lot of people don't see that.
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IMHO the Drylock 3/2 is warmer than anything from 20 years ago, and I'd be surprised if the fancy E7 wasn't the same.
I do agree about the stretchier though. I remember the Xcels with no smoothskin/vulcanized rubber panels being a minority, and like every O'neill the smoothskin felt Fluffy-proof, Rip Curl and Billabong had a shitload with smoothskin...
Now it seems like the only option for a chest zip with smoothskin is the Drylock and the Infiniti. Last time I pepsi challenged those two, the Infiniti felt a touch less warm but better flex.
If there is a breeze smooth skin is always going to be warmer. Just ask kite guys. Or any serious cold water suit.
Fit/sizing. When I did the ghetto measurement for sizing a bicycle, my height vs leg length put me in like the 90-something percentile of stumpy-legged/long torso people.
Yeah and I live for the Winter days at Mayport and there's almost always some solid Northerly blowing. I saw 3/2+ and 4/3+ technoblubber 3 at Sunrise and was kind of curious, but I've had 2 all-3mm wetsuits. The fancy Hurley 303 was nice but not as amazing as the 202. The budget back zip Xcel was a total brick piece of sh!t. And I'm pretty sure you told me you pepsi challenged a 4/3 no smoothie vs 3/2 smooth and the 3/2 won?
My 2mm shortsleeve full is ancient.
My 2mm full and 3/2 comps are 4 years old. The 3/2 was less fancy but actually the better of the two suits - felt slightly flexier which seemed weird.
My 3/2 Drylock and 3/2 Infiniti are 3 years old.
I am thinking new Drylock and I want to try the zipperless Rip Curl shortsleeve fullsuit. I have a springsuit like that and it's buttery gummytastic.
I still like xcel's tops. They are the only one that I know of with a waist cinch and trunk tie loop. They can be found pretty cheap if you scour the web.
patagucchi top has been the best I've had (mine's lasted 6+ years) but they're not super cheap
Not cheap but my hyperfreak has waist cinch and trunk tie on.
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Found this CL ad for any O’Neill fans looking for a sweet deal on a size L
"I surf a lot more than most people and ..."Pure comedy right there
Casa - the only thing you do the most is post on this forum.
Happy Holidays
The wetsuit is more important than the board, a lot of people don't see that.
year 2.5 on a 3.5mm hooded feral in OBSF. All seams have stayed solid and the only damage is a small hole by where the hood is attached to the entry (not a big deal). Feral suits have been the only suits for me where the seams have held up for more than a season. Got a 5/4/3 from them last year that I rotate in with it now.
Used all kinds of other suits when I lived up north (Xcel, Ripcurl, Bong, Isurus, Finnisterre, O'neill) and Feral has been my favourite in terms of durability (O'neill wins for flex)
Also liking this Buell I got during the summer, super flexible and good value for price
Used all kinds of other suits when I lived up north (Xcel, Ripcurl, Bong, Isurus, Finnisterre, O'neill) and Feral has been my favourite in terms of durability (O'neill wins for flex)
Also liking this Buell I got during the summer, super flexible and good value for price
I have one of these and like it. FWIW, I wear MT's in pretty much all brands (except Rip Curl which are always too short in the arms) and this jacket was way too small in MT. It's still a little tight in a large.Not cheap but my hyperfreak has waist cinch and trunk tie on.
Men's Wetsuits & Surfing Suits
Unleash your potential in ultimate comfort and performance with O'Neill's men's wetsuits. Free shipping available for O'Neill Rewards members.