Westuit Features they should Add

Xcel was using that on the wrist cuff for a while...wish all suits had zippered leg key holders.

 

A agree...being able to stick a car key and scrap of wax in the outside calf pocket is making me like my Rip Curl e-bomb 3/2 a LOT.

 

I think that by now they could make wetsuits heated, with thin resisting wiring throughout.

 

That's what the heated vests use

 

My 4/3 suit certainly would've benefited from such reinforcement. The ankles and cuffs are by far the most worn out parts of the suit - all from taking it on and off for two winters (actually late fall through most of spring). Two to three sessions per week. Bought it used in Oct 2012, but it was in very good shape. Also have a couple holes along the seams on the legs, so some patching up will be needed to get it through another winter.
I'm fortunate to have a push-button keyless entry on my car, so keeping a key on me hasn't been an issue.

 

I had couple Rip Curls with the batwing snap-in hoods that worked well with no complaints. Also judging by the responses on the dump thread...I'ma say wetsuits should add a dump flap

 

http://www.windsurfing.hu/cikkimg/eszkoz/neoprene/feature_batwing.jpg

Rip Curls used to have little snaps along the collar that attached it to the flush panel behind the zipper. You could un-snap the collar and attach a rip curl hood as needed

 

In the winter I wear a heated shirt. Thermalution, costs a bloody fortune, but keeps me warm. I get cold even surfing in the summer, so I need something in the winter in New England! I had a Quiksilver vest,but the batteries went dead and then the vest went dead, I have had no complaints with the Thermalution, it worked super. My buddy has a Quiksilver that he's had for a couple of years now.

 

Here in the northeast if you need a hood , you probably would skip this suit ,I have a couple of friends who had this suit and attaching the hood is a pain in the ass .On to the heated vest I have one [ Thermulation ] and it works great, so far . Wore it last winter here in NJ , 11 degree air 34 degree water and was toasty for about 2 hours .

 

I have used the rip curl heated vest for the last two winters...never need anything heavier than a 4/3. Worth the money IMHO...my battery had an issue this season and RC replaced it no questions. Would definitely buy another...

As for suits...forget the custom...sounds like a sizing issue. Try on some of the different manufacturers...all different cut. For example in an Xcel I'm a ML, and M in the O'Neills...food for thought though...the Isurus compression suits I've seen are unbelievable...if I had the money I would switch over everyone of my suits!

 

Waterproof stash pocket as Gaff said. And a glory hole.

 

I have the 4/3 Mutant with detachable hood. At first I thought it was pretty great...that was before I bought a used Rip Curl Ebomb for winter. The Rip Curl never flushes. It's an excellent suit. The detachable hood will flush more than a suit with a permanent hood. I think you're better of getting a fixed hood and just pulling it down when not needed.

 

best suit innovations in the last 10 year:
chest zip
more flexible neoprene
stash pocket
better glued seams
anything drylock
anything quick drying

anyone who surfed winters in north east the over 20 years ago knows how far wetsuits have come. we used to get out of the water and be simply unable to move. with the right gear i have not been truly cold in 10 years.

 

attached hoods are better than the attachable hoods. Have less water flush even when my hood is down. I rock a 543 and 32 all year untill I can wear my boardies.

 

Exactly what I do. I’ve got my 5 mil xcel drylock for winter and 3mil xcel chest zip for the rest of the year (also have a 2mil short arm full for the chilly summer days, same suit as the 3/2). I’ve had the heated quiksilver vest for around 3 years now and it’s def been a worthwhile investment. It’s taken the place of a 4/3 since I can just wear it under my 3 mil once the water warms up to ditch the 5/4/3. Keeps me going in the bitter winter months as well, only complaint is it’s a li-ion battery and it’s on its last leg. Holds a charge for about half the time. Gonna either order a new batter soon or take apart the one I have now and rig it up with some IMR batteries I’ve got lying around lol