The Best Wetsuit Available for an NJ Surfer

[perfectsilence3]

PLEASE READ AND POST YOUR THOUGHTS, REVIEWS, IDEAS, AND OPINIONS REGARGING THE BEST WETSUITS AVAILABLE TODAY WITH THE NEWEST FEATURES. THIS COULD REALLY HELP OUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY!

Which wetsuit features the best combination of the newest features?

Which features are most important to you?

Can certain features allow you to use thinner suit while providng you with the same amount of warmth? (5/4/3 fireskin for a regular 6/5/4)

What thickness would offer the most effective useful life for an NJ surfer? (might get cold, but wont let you freeze in Jan-Feb, but won't be too warm in transitional months like Apr or Nov)

The same question about thickness but aimed at booties and gloves and do features like fireskin or thermo fiber allow you to use 5mm booties in place of regular 7mm's?

What wetsuit has the best longevity, greatest durability, best warranty, best customer service, and best customer satisfaction?


Location: Atlantic City, NJ (generally windy avg about 15-20 knots)

Avg Water Temps (Jan 37, Feb 36, Mar 41, Apr 48, May 53, June 63, July 70, Aug 72, Sept 70, Oct 60, Nov 52, Dec 44)

Avg Air Temps (Jan 29-41, Feb 31-43, Mar 37-49, Apr 45-58, May 55-66, June 64-75, July 70-81, Aug 70-80, Sept 64-74, Oct 53-64, Nov 43-55, Dec 34-46)

[MATT JOHNSON]

Ask anyone here I am a firm HYPERFLEX beliver . My 5/4/3 Flow is the best suit I have ever worn.
I have been out up to 4 hours in it when guy in top of the line suits didn't last half as long.
Also the qualiy is great too. I never have had 1 bad experience

[aka pumpmaster]

I used to be a huge rip curl fan but I have to say that their quality has suffered greatly over the last several years. whatever they are using for their tape welds just doesn't hold up very well. Ive sent both my suits back for each of the last 3 years.

[stoneybaloney]

I can't even read the original post, but I just bought the Hyperflex FLOW 6/5/4 recently and it kicks ass. I can't speak about its longevity, but its warm and light. My 3/2 is made by QS like 8 years ago and its decent, but not as sleek as the Hyperflex. Not to mention Hyperflex is usually cheaper than the comparable alternatives.

[Danny]

i have a xcel drylock 5/4/3 and a rip curl f-bomb 4/3 and both suits have withstood the test of warmth however they are both only ending their second seasons. The drylock is super warm and flexible although i will say itis a little heavier than others and the f-bomb 4/3 chest zip makes me not even worry about going into a 3/2 its so light and flexible. Neither of which have given me tape or seam trouble so i will have to give big ups to both of these suits.

[MDSurfer]

Psycho Freak 3.5. Super flexible, warm, and quite dry.

[njsurfer42]

i've been wearing the rip curl f-bomb & e-bomb for several years now & they're the warmest suits i've ever worn. i've never had to go into a 6/5/4 b/c the 5/4/3 keeps me plenty warm, even when the air is really cold. & i hate being cold. winter sucks for me that way. the suits are flexible & easy to get into as well.
i've always heard a lot of complaints about the durability for rip curl's suits, but i have to say that i've never experienced any of those issues. i find that they tend to last about 4 years before they're so stretched out as to be unwearable. i'm pretty sure my last 5/4/3 was so stretched out that it was nothing more than a hooded 3/2. it'd be great if the suits would last longer, but 4 years is about what you'll get out of any brand out there.

i would really like to give a matuse a run, but they just don't fit me right. they're just cut funny. i've got a long sleeve top that's great...stretchy, flexible, warm. & it fits pretty well. the other suits tho, seem to be cut from an odd pattern.

[Gabe]

i have a 5/4/3 west lotus and i get uncomfortably hot in that when the suns out.

[headhigh]

i just invested in a 4/3 billabong sg5 and i couldn't be happier. its not quite as cold as jersey down here but with a 40 degree water/air temp that thing cooks. i was out today and had to pull my hood off to cool down, and it was raining. im wearing an o'neill hood attached to a .5 mil (offers a negligible amount of warmth) top.

i have three friends on the other hand that swear by their O'neill 'mutant' 4/3s. thats what i would have bought if i hadn't got a deal on the sg5. the modular hood is such a great idea. if i was in nj i would have just forked over the extra dough for the mutant 5/4/3.

good luck

[Conspiracyrider]

I use to like the billabong wetsuits solution gold. They were great wetsuits but overtime they would come apart a little bit. I still like like them but i converted over to the Xcel Infiniti Drylock. I only use a 3/2 and 4/3 drylock all year and they're great.