When I pulled up at my local beach this morning, there was a truck parked, advertising www.heatedwetsuits.com. I checked out the site, and it has my attention. Has anyone tried these things out? I've tried the Quicksilver Vest and was not impressed. If anyone has tried these models before, I would love to get your thoughts. I think the wetsuits are definitely moving in this direction; I'm just waiting on a product that actually works well. Thanks in advance! -Sanders
I finally bit the bullet and bought one back in January, when winter was giving us its worst on the Outer Banks! They are a bit expensive, but get HOT HOT HOT when they are high. I mean, like uncomfortably too hot when you put it on high. Low-Medium is where it's at. Battery life for me runs around 1 hour 45 minutes on medium or 2.5 hours on low. It's definitely a lot warmer than the Quiksilver Cypher Heat vest, but you pay for that extra warmth in the price tag. It heats all the way to the top of your back too, and not just down near the kidneys. 2 batteries instead of one, and they are a lot thinner, very similar to the size of a Bberry cell phone. I can't really comment on durability, since I just bought mine this winter. But, I've had it 6 weeks, worn it for maybe 12 sessions and haven't had any problems with mine yet. I've got an Xcel Drylock Suit, and have been good to go all winter in the Hooded 4/3 with 5mm boots/gloves on the Outer Banks. In the drylock suit, the heated rash guard is plenty warm on even the low setting. For those offshore wind days, your back is the warmest part of your body, rather than the coldest. I surf until I start to get cold, then turn on the suit, and it instantly adds 2 hours to my session. I'm stoked on it and certainly glad I bought mine! Wish they were a little cheaper, that's about my only complaint. -Willy
I use mine every time I surf, even if it's a warmer day. I don't even notice that I'm wearing it, once I put my wetsuit on overtop. It's always there, in case I get flushed by a cleanup set or just start getting chilled after a few hours. I'll turn the Thermalution on for a few minutes, warm back up, and then turn it off. It makes a cold session a lot more fun and enjoyable. I agree....too hot on high to be comfortable, unless you've got a crappy wetsuit that keeps leaking water. In that case, you might need the high setting. I'd much rather have seen them add some more heating area to the chest and arms, rather than making a high setting that is so hot. But yeah, they're nice. Your friends will be jealous. You get a lot of "Must be nice to be in a heated wetsuit," or "well, if I had a heated wetsuit, maybe I'd want to surf too."
I just got mine in the mail yesterday, charged overnight and just tried it on in my house. It feels like it is certainly going to get hot enough! I'm sure the water will cool it down when it gets wet, but dry, it was too hot for me to wear under a hoodie on the medium setting. It's amazing how quick this thing heats up. You start to feel it within 10-20 seconds after you push the button. As soon as I am able to catch a sesh with it, I'll try to post a review.
my friend totally rips all winter 30+ years,buys the quik heated vest with a 4/3 and has been freezing his ass off all winter,short surfs or doesn't even go out.5mil is necessary here on really cold days and pumping swell
Yeah, man. Quiksilver Cypher vest is no good. I bought one of those first from my local shop. You can barely feel it, even on high, and all three people I know who bought one had battery problems within the first 10 uses. Mine kept filling with saltwater in the battery controller. Thermalution....whole different story. Really will make a difference on a cold day. Much much warmer than the Cypher vest.
