Need Wetsuit Knowlege!

[BC SKIM]

Hey guys I am thinking about investing in a wetsuit for the winter months so I can still skimboard. I skim at Tybee Island, GA. I am about 6 foot 150 lbs, kinda skinny so i need something to keep me warm. I have no clue about any kind of wetsuit. Can anyone help me out? I found one that I like but its a spring suit. Like i said I dont know anything about them.

[MATT JOHNSON]

You might need a Medium or a Meduim small. I have nothing but hyperflex in my wetsuit arsonal. They have a great product, great price and aswome custumer service.

In my opinion they are much better than the top brands. I have had the same 3/2 hyperflex suite for 4 years now. After each use I rinse it out with fresh water and sometimes wetsuit soap and it looks brand new no rips tears or dryrott. I see guys in the line up with excels and Ripcurl suits taking about there suite is rippin after one year(weather or not they rinse them after use i dont know so that could be why there's are ripping after a year). I have to sit back in laugh. I spend half the money and get a better product and I support a local company.

[BC SKIM]

do they keep you warm?

[MATT JOHNSON]

Originally Posted by BC SKIM

do they keep you warm?

Hell yeah I sweat my nuts off in it . I have a 5/4 full suite for the colder months too with 7mm boots & hood and lobster mitts I am toasty warm . The 3/2 is what I am in now and compared to my old rip curl dawn patrol 3/2 it really warmer. The strech is better and better quality too. I plan on getting a 6/5/4 this winter too see how warm they are as well but I have already heard great things

[eclipse13]

If you are just skimming and not fully in the water a lot a 3/2 should be enough, maybe with some booties. I wear a 4/3 with booties and gloves and it keeps me toasty most of the time. Last year I got a Billabong Revolution and it was a world of a difference from my bas model Xcel Xflex.

Go to a shop and try some on to make sure you get the right size. Spend a little bit more to get a mid level instead of a base model and it will make a difference. You will have better range of movement and any type of front zip will let less water in the neck than a back zip.

[MDSurfer]

Hyperflex doesn't fit as well as the more traditional namebrands like O'Neill, Xcel, Rip Curl and such. But they are considerably cheaper. I have a 3/2 short sleeve Hyper Flex full suit as well as an O'Neill Psycho 2 3/2 full suit, and then my winter suit is a 3.5 Psycho Freak that is quite comfortable down to 38 degree water in Maryland. It's also the priciest suit I own, but it fits like a glove.

Keep in mind that it's not just about warmth, it's about flexibility, especially with skimming. One thing to avoid at all costs is "Flushing." A suit that doesn't fit well and which has bags and gaps in your body shape is especially prone to "Flushing" where large quantities of water are exchanged and tend to slosh around inside the suit. When this happens, you won't last long in colder water. Be sure to try on any suit you finally decide to purchase because a good suit is a pricey investment. The Hyperflex Amp is a decent suit, at a very good price, but I personally think my Psycho Freak with the fluid taped seams is the best I've ever worn.

[BC SKIM]

I want the most bang for my buck. I dont really have to much to spend on one because im a broke college kid. Just need something simple and cheap but still warm, if thats possible.

[Scarecrow]

You can get a 3/2 Hyperflex for around $100. Since you're not really going to be immersed in the water, I'm sure it'd be fine.

[BC SKIM]

would a spring suit keep me warm in the winter?
and all the full suits i have found fit in the weight range and waist but im always a few inches taller then them is that ok?

[eclipse13]

Like I said, you really need to try them on to see how they fit.