what's the best wetsuit?

http://www.comparesurfboards.com/reviews/wetsuits/patagonia-r2-wetsuit-review

 

Hey Tard!

I also agree with the other guys on here about the fitting of ones wetsuite. The fit over rides the company or brand.

An example- o neil suits don't fit me as well cause they seem to be cut for guys with broad shoulders. So I never owned one. Ripcurl quicksilver and sometimes xcel fit good.

 

Patagonia is a great brand unfortunately I don't think they have had as much experience with surfing wetsuite

When I pick up the wetsuite in the store it feels 5x as heavy as any other... I'm sure they are warm tho

 

Lives in BELMAR but doesn't have broad shoulders? HMMMMMM....

 

Oh man ... Ummm I mean my shoulders are too broad and my arms are too thick...

 

Yes...I have an R3 which is like a 4/3 but has the neoprene of a 3/2. It has a wool lining which is annoying at first but you get used to it. Not sure what the guy is talking about saying it is heavy. The neck is kind of annoying but I bought a "backzip" and that may be the reason...and I put on weight.

I am also kind of rich and a big deal....so having a Patagonia was the only option. I actually bought it at a big discount from Patagonia. If you are interested PM me and I can tell you the story....or my story.

 

yo!, my friends and fam have been rockin xcel drylock 5/4's forever...we have always thought of them as the best...and then my brother had to go and be a **** last year and get the patagonia...he says its better than the xcel...which is hard to believe cause the xcel can handle THE coldest the northeast can throw at us. but he says the patagonia is warmer, and more flexible...its out of my paygrade...so im gona stick with the XCEL, but according to big bro, its patagonia FTW...

 

OK....So that suite runs about $500, kind of pricey. The problem is that there are not to many Surf shops that carry it in the New Jersey area. So I wrote Patagonia an email and explained my situation......something like this:

I buy all of your products because of the quality. I appreciate your commitment to the environment. My problem is I cannot find your suit around here and every shop I go into says they will order, but try to sell me a different suit. Is it possible for me to get the "wholesale" price that surf shops get....about $350 and I will order it direct from you...otherwise I have to buy another suit.

It worked...they called and gave me the deal. Very cool people and the suit comes with a lifetime warranty so I expect the stitching to go and will send it back. My theory is that I should get two suits of use out of this one suit. I do have to say that they are very warm. It is gauged for 48-55 degrees but I have been comfy in water close to 40 degrees. It gets me through most of the winter....I don't paddle out in Jan and Feb anymore.

 

I don't understand...??? Buying this wetsuite was your only option? Have you ever..... had any other wetsuites to gauge the Patagonia suite?

Now I'm interested... Not that I would/could ever...

 

best wetsuit is NO wetsuit

 

It was kind of a joke since it is a little pricey for most people. I owned many different types of wetsuites. For a colder water suit, I think this is a very solid option...I would not buy a Patagonia for warmer water (above 55)...but for the colder water, it is really the best option for me...lighter, warmer, and more flexible. There really was a noticeable difference.

 

I'm sponsored by xcel....but they don't know it. I rock xcel head to toe. The 4/3 chest zip is beyond warm and the 3/2 is so comfortable and stretchy that I prefer it over board shorts...Weird but true

 

also sponsored by xcel, will never buy any rip curl wetsuit products again after having boots that leaked the first day and gloves that wore through after one winter.

 

Woaaah we got some sponsored kids on here! Yew!

 

I had the exact same issue with an xcel drylock 3/2. Leaks on the front chest panel, from the first day i bought it. (was a whiskey purchase, which is why i didn't return it). Have a 5/4 xcel infinity in its third winter this year and think it's a great suite.

I'm a big fan of rip curl once i found out they warranty all of their seams for 3 years from date of purchase, and xcel only does so for one.

 

+1k

 

Classique.

Correct.

Also classique.

 

seems legit