Here's a link with some good prices. Also check Ebay. http://www.departmentofgoods.com/xcel-hawaii-3-2-infiniti-wetsuit-womens
This sounds like a dive suit... totally different animal from a surf suit. Go to a surf shop now and try for an older model on sale to make room for the new models. I do that every time I need a new suit. Saves bucks and you get the best fit - as long as the shop person is knowledgeable.
Hey Betty- I would totally look into getting a new 3/2 with taped and glues seams. most of the major surfing name brand are taped these days, but make sure to double check. If you want to save money and see a suit you like on the internet, go to a local shop and try on different sizes from the same suit company to ensure correct fit. it sounds like that 3/2 that you have is an older style more suited toward diving vs surfing. you will notice a huge change in warmth, weight and flex with the correct suit. with a suit that is properly taped and sealed- it will feel like you don't even get wet under the suit! Huge difference in warmth! Try this site- they have sales once in a while- http://www.dogfunk.com/womens-wetsuits its encouraging to hear that your enjoying surfing!
whiskeymilitia.com. The site only has one deal at a time so you need to keep your eyes peeled. Try backcountry.com and dogfunk.com also. You can score a great deal occasionally. Or just google 'cheap wetsuits' and start hunting!! Good luck.
When checking to see if seams are taped, be sure to turn the suite completely inside out. Many times only the first few inches of the sleeve or leg seams are taped. The rest of the seam is glued only. So if you just turn the opening inside out, it appears as if the seam is taped, but it may not be. If the seam is fully taped, you'll pay a bit more, so it's up to you to decide if it's worth the extra cost.
<-- OCM, 62 Now THAT I want to see! Single layer, taped seams (minimal flushing) ultra flexible is the route to go Betty. The problem will likely be more the air temps than the water temps. Whisky Militia sometimes has some real bargains. I just picked up a 6/5/4 Xcel Infiniti hooded suit for $199 there.
The best time to buy a suit is at the begining of summer and get deals on last year's version. I suggest going to a shop where you can try some on before you buy rather than the web unless you know sizes for sure. The charts don't always work well. Good for you!
I guess they figure the gluing is good enough and taping will just add to the (very high) cost. I actually have one (only one season old so far) and have had no issues with flushing or leakage. We'll see if stands up to the test of time.
As others here have said, it's not exactly the same to add layers rather than getting a warmer/thicker suit, but if layering around your 3/2 keeps you warm and isn't constricting, great, enjoy your surfing. But a decent 4/3 would likely provide total warmth (you might even get too hot on some days) and better comfort/flexibility than layering. Here's the real point I want to make: If you want to buy a 4/3, be aware that there are three basic types of suit constructions intended to run the spectrum from from more-flexible-but-not-as-warm to warmest-but-(slightly)-less-flexible. This means that NOT all 4/3 suits are equally warm - by design. On the flexible end are suits that are just a layer of 3/2 or 4/3 (or whatever mm's) neoprene, period: they're great for people who don't get cold easily, or who are competing and want the most flexible suit, but they're not cozy. In the middle are suits that are neoprene with an added lining of fuzzy insulating material inside next to your skin; these are warmer but still quite flexible. Warmest are suits that are both lined inside and have that sticky rubber panel on the outside chest and back; the rubber panels block the windchill and possibly heat up from the sun better. (there are also some other variations, like rubber outside, no fuzzy stuff inside.) Since you have, ahem, grownup circulation, and since you're longboarder, and sit up high on your board out of the water, you're exposed fully to the wind, so if it's often windy where you surf you'll probably be happiest in the suits with rubber panels outside and the lining inside. If you think of suits this way, in terms of the construction, it's easier to choose between brands and models.
How exactly do you sweat in the water? lmao I've been in 68 degree water with air temps in the upper 70s and been perfectly comfy in a 4/3. Don't listen to some of the advice on here. A lot of these guys surf in the middle of the winter in the mid atlantic/northeast and say their comfy.(I've seen them shaking violently and near hypothermia with no feeling in their hands and they'll say their warm) As far as layering. It's a terrible idea like other said. It really restricts movement/bunches up and is uncomfortable and isn't as warm. You can barely tell the difference between a 3/2 or 4/3 when it comes to movement. You will notice the difference in warmth though.
A lot of good advice has been provided. Here's my $.02. When looking for another wetsuit make sure the seams are glued and blind stitched (GBS). Taping inside and liquid taping outside the suit will add durability and cost. A flat lock stitched seam (found on many less expensive suits) will allow water to enter through the stitching. Back zip wetsuits are the easiest to take on and off but will allow some flushing through the zipper, chest zip entry will prevent this. To help prevent against wind chill find a wetsuit with smooth skin (rubber exterior) on the chest and back. Look at the construction of your current suit, an upgrade to a better 3/2 may solve the problem. I agree layering is not the best solution. In the end comfort is personal preference. I get cold easily and would rather be too warm than a little cold. With that said, using a good 4/3 for the dead of winter would be my preference.
Death traps? lol. I've NEVER had the zipper come down ever and fill with 30 pounds of water. Sounds like a crap wetsuit. A few notches is not going to kill you anyway. Just ruin your session and make you come in immediately if it's extremely cold out. OP is surfing in Florida for pete sakes. I hate chest zips. I also find them to annoy my shoulder/chest area as well as being hard to get in and out. Also, you can't adjust the neck which is highly annoying. Much prefer back zips personally. How many people have died surfing from a back zip failure? Chest zips are relatively new thing If op gets cold easy, a 5mm w/o hood would also work well.
Get a 3/2 with a fleece liner inside. Make sure it's 100% stretch. You'll find that it's worth spending the money on a good suit.
I'm not that familiar with women's suits, but for the under-$200 price you have to look at the Roxy Syncro 4/3. Roxy is the women's brand of Quiksilver, and in the Syncro they use the very stretchy neoprene. It's got some fleece lining and outside rubber chest/back panels. I think it comes in both backzip and chestzip, and I've seen them advertised for $150-$175. In men's suits, I'm told the Syncro is the best under-$200 suit.
