Looking for some feedback... 1) Does it bog down and feel heavy in the water? 2) Does it flush from the hood? 3) Does the hood fit nice and snug? 4) Do the materials hold up or does it fall apart like most rip curl suits?
aka the most basic questions of all wetsuits. Its a 5/4, its going to be heavy. it flushes on the rare occasion. Hood feels good. Its a rip curl, itll be perfect for 2 years then start to deteriorate, like every other suit on the mart. depends how you take care of it i.e. wash it, leave it in the sun, get changed on pavement ect. common sense regular type sh*t.
xcel and patagonia is the way to go im on my 4th year with my xcel 4/3 infinity which holds up fine in the northeast all winter. I hear the new body gloves are great though too. keep your head hands and feet warm and your all set.
Someone again giving wetsuit advice that is totally personal to HIM. Pick a brand that fits YOU best. 4/3 is absolutely not going to cut it for all winter for 99% of people in the northeast. Most people don't surf in the winter anyway. That's why there's less crowds. Winter surfing is brutal in the northeast and wearing what's basically a early to mid fall suit for the northeast(4/3) is even more nuts. Doesn't matter who makes the suit. It's still 4mm of rubber no matter what gimmicks are thrown in. That being said, I personally wouldn't spend hundreds of dollars of top end rip curl suit vs. their mid/lower end of the line. WHY? Because all you're paying for is a suit that drys quicker with that "flash lining" which I don't find very comfy over my entire body. Almost the entire suit is lined. Much prefer the feel of neoprene. Honestly, who cares if the suit drys instantly. Just sit in your car with heater on for a few minutes if that bothers you. You're going to get wet anyway as soon as you get in the water! It's not a dry suit. Also, not great for pissing in! You can get a dawn patrol 5mm back zip without a attached hood if you want a MUCH cheaper 5/3mm suit from rip curl that will work great for less than half the price. It's retailing for around 180 bucks on rip curls website. They also have the E-Bomb if you want an attached hood/chest zipp 5mm suit for 100 bucks less than the flashbomb. It's going for 340 bucks
So I actually own a Flash Bomb (3/2) unlike the other replies (except maybe Gnar?)... and I will reply to your specific questions rather than giving you an unsolicited lesson on wetsuits. 1) Yes it does seem to be noticeably heavier to me than my other 3/2's. 2) Sorry I can't comment I don't have the 5/4 3) See #2 4) Mine has held up well through 1 year of use including some surf trips
... and I will reply to your specific questions rather than giving you an unsolicited lesson on wetsuits. Thanks! haha
I have a 5/4 Rip Curl FlashBomb. Size Large. Fits great, doesn't feel heavy, is warm as hell. And I'm selling it, because I bought a size too small. Only used 6 times. Let me know if you're interested.
I should add that after wearing that flash lining a few times it does "work in" better and feel more comfortable than it did in beginning.
