The only two wetsuits I need are...?

Definately 3/2 and 5/4. Having a 4/3 is great though. Ive never eventried a 6 mil suit but theres a few days I think it would've been nice. I usually got at least and hour in on the coldest days I've surfed though in Jan and Feb.

 

I did that for a little while but its pretty uncomfortable. Id rather just put on my 5 mil with the hood.

 

Hey bro...dont know if it will fit...but I have a brand new West Fluid Lotus 6/5/4 that has never been worn I can sell you at a good discount if you are interested. It's a LT size though. Chest zip. PM me if interested.

 

always had a 3/2 excel infiniti and 4/3 psycho 2 but it def gets freakn cold during long sessions in the deep winter months probably will move to the 5/4 when I get a new suit this season or next...and from my experience the chest zip is soo much more comfortable and less binding in the neck than the oneill zen zip.

 

I just have a few questions about wetsuits and decided to post them in this thread rather than make a new one.

1. Is a 5/4/3 better than a 5/4, all other things being equal? Does a 5/4/3 have three layers of neoprene, as opposed to a 5/4, which has two?

2. Is a 5/4/3 or 5/4 sufficient for surfing in NY during the winter? I already have a 7mm boots and gloves.

3. Are any of these 5/4/3 wetsuits good enough for NY winter (they seem awfully cheap)? http://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/page/WW/mens-fullsuits-5/MWFU7F54 http://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/page/WW/mens-fullsuits-5/SA501MG

 

to answer your questions:

1. 5/4 is a bit warmer than 5/4/3. I believe the way it works is 5 mils of neo in chest/back 4 mils of neo in arms and 3 mils of neo in legs. I may have the arms and legs reversed but this makes most sense to me. So the numbers aren't in regards to layers of neo but thickness. SO a 5/4 would have 5 in chest/back or core and 4 mils in the legs and arms.

2. Yes a 5/4/3 or 5/4 especially with 7 mil boots and gloves is plenty for NY

3. those look decent but it isn't clear if they have integrated hoods. I have never seen a 5/4 or 5/4/3 without a hood but you want to make sure the hood is attached. The one says it comes with a bibbed hood and that's not the best option although those prices are pretty good. Both brands are good, Quiksilver's stuff has come a long way in the past few years. I have the cypher and I love that thing. 5/4/3 is plenty for NJ winters.

 

3/2 and either a hooded 5/4 or 6/5/4.

I'm in Nj and have been using only two suits for a decade. I don't even use a good 3/2, it's a $100 suit. Yeah, I'm a little warm in the late fall early winter when i make the switch but it's no big deal.

Guessing most of the people against the 6 mil have never used one. I always used a 5 mil until 3 years ago, now I won't go back. I notice the extra warmth more than the restriction of a thicker suit.

I also only use one set of boots and gloves. Same thing, hands and feet sweat at the initial transition but no big deal. You can always pull the neck out and flush yourself if you get too warm....too cold and your done.

 

Agreed- once again- make sure that the hood is attached- if your buying a new WINTER suit, don't mess around- get the attached hood.... unless you like to get flushed and ice cream headaches...

And Wallys correct about the thickness of the suit- the number refers to how thick (in millimeters) the neoprene is in different areas of the suit.

Get the cypher- its the suit that kelly wears...

 

I use a 2 mil and a 5mil. A good 5 mil is plenty warm all winter up here in RI. The 2 mil lasts until about late oct-mid november. I would rather be a little chilly than hyperventilating and hot.

 

Yes you will be hating life only having a 4/3 and 6/5/4 on the Delmarva, and wasting money on unneeded rubber. You will be sweating your ass off in the 4/3 for over a month in both the spring and fall when the air is warm and the water is chilly and during summer when we have cool upwelling. And a good hooded 5 mil wetsuit is all you need for the winters on the Delmarva.

 

I say 3 suits and a top. 4/3, 6/5/4, and spring suit, plus a short sleeve top. That is what I own and loved having the 6/5/4 in the winter. I would be sweating when the water and air is in the 30s and the 4/3 is good the rest of the time with the spring suit for late Spring and Fall, plus the top for summer.

I lived on Delmarva for several years and would rather be hot than cold.

 

im in maine and im in a 2 yr old 5/4 and its no prob..and im plenty skeeny. the 6/5/4 excel is a hundred bucks cheaper that the 5/4 drylock though so do the math. and buy your suits in NH and save on tax. i mean i moved here from san diego.. if its cold its cold why split hairs

and if you do move here be prepared to say bye bye to those punchy beach break barrels.

 

3/2 Full
4/3 Full (w/ a hooded poly-vest inside)

 

If you are really serious about staying in the water for longer than 2 hours in the dead of winter, you'll probably want a 5/4 to last on those really cold Jan/Feb days.

You can get away with a good hooded 4/3 like a Drylock and a heated wetsuit vest too, if you wanted to keep the rubber thin but stay warm. You've got two options on that route:

Quiksilver Cypher Vest

Thermalution Heated Wetsuit Vest

 

Vasoline and Whiskey!

 

How's the Mutant fit you?