**Official wetsuit review thread**

[tibu35]

Drylock would be a good option in my opinion. I have all excel suits and have had no complaints. If you're willing to spend some cash check out the Patagonia suits

thanks man...i'm really not to worried about price because the suits get the use and it is worth it to me...

[GnarActually]

Looking to get a high end 3/2 that would get me through december in new jersey before I have to switch to the 5/4....I'm a fan of rip curl and oneill, but would like others suggestions.....I have a rip curl dawn patrol which is low end and just not gonna cut it....I don't really want any drylocks, back zips or heated wet suits because i dont trust them yet.....looking at maybe a psycho freak or high end rip curl, but other suggestions are welcome.....i'm sure my answer is buried somewhere in this 16 page thread, but i didn't want to read the whole thing (just being honest) thanks in advance

-The rip curl flash bomb is cool - dry to the touch in 15min and supposedly it works as they say it does. $400
-Buell Wetuits - up and coming, will be a big brand soon, they make suits for nike 6.0, volcom, rusty ect and are chest zip (the closer is magnetic which is a nice touch) , superior neoprene and awesome taping. also lots of color combinations if you want to look like your in the 80's or just want a little flash of color. I bought the 3/2 and 4/3 and while i haven't used them yet since the water is still warm where i am i tried it on and its extremely comfortable suit and best fitting suit i ever tried on. 3/2 = $360 www.buellwetsuits.com
-Quiksilver cypher DST is a very warm suit. quiksilver is starting to make really quality wetties. The cypher DST has poly fleece lining on the chest and legs and air chamber on the back that traps air to give you insulation. more pricey, maybe you can find last years model, google it. price for a new 3/2 = $425
- Xcel, i haven't worn one in a while but while they are good suits and keep you warm they are extremely heavy.
- Billabong SGX ZERO is supposedly an innovative suit for billabong this year featuring an extra neck seal and new warmer neoprene and yada yada yada. wouldn't be my 1st choice. price = $440
- O'neil, eh. I used to be all about O'neil but O'neil just is being as innovative and focus on their marketing of their suits each fall making it seem like they are totally redesigned form last year and are so much better but they really haven't changed that much in 5 years, sure they have the RG8 but thats just a psycho 1 chest zip. the psycho freak isn't worth your $$$$
*all suits i mentioned are chest zip*

....for some reason i know way to much about wetsuits.


Oh,
- Patagonia suits. very very warm. the entire suit is lined with merino wool. not the most flexible or highest on the market, but not the worst. their R2 (2mm) is equivalent to a 3/2. if you don't mind dropping a cool $550 then go for it.
-Matuse makes great suits, a little cheaper than patagonia, but if i were to drop the big bucks i'd go with patagonia over matuse

[tibu35]

-The rip curl flash bomb is cool - dry to the touch in 15min and supposedly it works as they say it does. $400
-Buell Wetuits - up and coming, will be a big brand soon, they make suits for nike 6.0, volcom, rusty ect and are chest zip (the closer is magnetic which is a nice touch) , superior neoprene and awesome taping. also lots of color combinations if you want to look like your in the 80's or just want a little flash of color. I bought the 3/2 and 4/3 and while i haven't used them yet since the water is still warm where i am i tried it on and its extremely comfortable suit and best fitting suit i ever tried on. 3/2 = $360 www.buellwetsuits.com
-Quiksilver cypher DST is a very warm suit. quiksilver is starting to make really quality wetties. The cypher DST has poly fleece lining on the chest and legs and air chamber on the back that traps air to give you insulation. more pricey, maybe you can find last years model, google it. price for a new 3/2 = $425
- Xcel, i haven't worn one in a while but while they are good suits and keep you warm they are extremely heavy.
- Billabong SGX ZERO is supposedly an innovative suit for billabong this year featuring an extra neck seal and new warmer neoprene and yada yada yada. wouldn't be my 1st choice. price = $440
- O'neil, eh. I used to be all about O'neil but O'neil just is being as innovative and focus on their marketing of their suits each fall making it seem like they are totally redesigned form last year and are so much better but they really haven't changed that much in 5 years, sure they have the RG8 but thats just a psycho 1 chest zip. the psycho freak isn't worth your $$$$
*all suits i mentioned are chest zip*

....for some reason i know way to much about wetsuits.


Oh,
- Patagonia suits. very very warm. the entire suit is lined with merino wool. not the most flexible or highest on the market, but not the worst. their R2 (2mm) is equivalent to a 3/2. if you don't mind dropping a cool $550 then go for it.
-Matuse makes great suits, a little cheaper than patagonia, but if i were to drop the big bucks i'd go with patagonia over matuse

thanks man for the great info....i was just on the patagonia website looking at what they have

[surf reject]

I've got a ripcurl dawn patrol 4/3. It's a good bargain suit and it's warm. Goes for about $160. It's worth it

[sharp eye]

I've got a ripcurl dawn patrol 4/3. It's a good bargain suit and it's warm. Goes for about $160. It's worth it

If your wearing that with good gloves, booties, and hood, how long will it last you into the fall/winter?

[epidemicepic]

Anybody tried out a ripcurl flashbomb yet ? Or at least checked one out in a shop ? Impressions?

[mOtion732]

If your wearing that with good gloves, booties, and hood, how long will it last you into the fall/winter?

In nj - mid december

[DelP]

I purchased an Xcel 5/4 Drylock last winter. The suit is super warm. It rarely allowed any water to enter the body of the suit and when it did the cool water was more than welcome cause more often than not i was sweating. The only complaint i have is that the hood allows too much water to enter when duckdiving, even when cinched tight. i'm not sure why this happens. i now wear ear plugs with my hood on just to prevent the annoyance of constantly pulling on my hood to try and drain the water, especially when scratching for the horizon during bomb sets! the suit cost me about $450. worth every penny.

[tibu35]

Anybody tried out a ripcurl flashbomb yet ? Or at least checked one out in a shop ? Impressions?

I think i'm gonna get a 3/2 rip curl flash bomb....did a bunch of research and seems to be a good suit....anyone on hear own one?

[AbdulaOblongata]

I have a RipCurl F-Bomb 6/5/4. Absolutely great suit. Surfed in it for 2 year while I have been in Alaska. I can surf this suit in the dead of winter for hours comfortably. That said I'm moving back to Eastern NC and want something thinner. I like RipCurl because of my experience so I'm really interested in the E-bomb and the Flash Bomb but also wanted to hear some opinions of the new Hurley and O'Neil suits. Or any thing else that might be good for that area. Thanks.