patagonia or rip curl flash bomb

I have an R4. It is very very warm. This past winter, I was sweating most days. It is not the most flexible suit. I don't really have anything to compare it to as it is the only 5 mil suit I've owned, but no flushing issues and no issues with the wool lining. The lining is a little weird at first, but definitely keeps you toasty.

 

Surfed all last winter with the Flash Bomb 5/4. Stayed warm for hours in every session, and that is unusual for me. Haven't tried the Patagonia, but can't imagine it being better. The F Bomb is light, warm, flexible, and dries quickly.

On a second note, I bought a size too small, and am selling my F Bomb, size large. It was used 6 times. Let me know if you're interested in getting a "like-new suit" for a cheaper price. And as a testament to the F Bomb, I'll be buying a new one shortly, just as an XL Short.

 

Can't go wrong with Flash or Excel in my opinion... Pats are super stiff rip off's. I love all their clothes. I could pend $50k on everything in the catalog (if $ wasn't an issue). But I sam not a fan of the suits. Which suprised my. I thought that they would be super stretchy and comfortable, but it was the worst suit I ever used.

Plus it made me feel like I should be driving my new Range Rover to Ditch and paddle out on my brand new $5k SUP, get in everyones way because I don't know what I'm doing , almost kill everyone that gets close to me, then tell evryone how hard I ripped over Apple Martini's at the Surf Club (where all the real surfers chill)

 

Sorry to bump this, but ironically enough, this thread was the first link when I googled "patagonia or flash bomb wetsuit." I've been going back and forth between a R3 and the E4 Flash for the last month. After reading this thread, I'm leaning towards the Flash Bomb. Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.

How's the RC, pumpmaster? Are you glad you went with that instead of a Patagonia? Anything that you do not like? Best feature?

 

Try on an O'Neil mutant before you pull the trigger. I loved my 5-4 f bomb but it often made me feel like the little bro from The Christmas Story, very little flex. Last year I got a 4-3 mutant with hood and it made my winter really fun and I was so happy with the flexibility compared to the flash bomb. Try it on

 

Since Matt is no longer here, and I got a Hyperflex amp 5-4 as a result of his promoting them (and the price) I have to say, I've had the suit for three years ( I only get out 5-6 times a winter, fewer last year because of a new kid) but I love the suit. It was lighter, warmer and more flexible than my O'Neill Mutant 4-3, just an overall very nice suit at a budget price. Hyperflex seems to put a lot of stretchy material in their suits, definitely worth checking out.

 

I wanted the r4 but it didn't fit me because I'm a large man I had to go with the rip curl flash bomb and honestly it's pretty friggen Awesome. Dries fast too so that's a perk if your a double sesh in the winter type of guy. I think the rip curl was 100 bucks less. I've been told tho that the Patagonia is still warmer tho. I believe it. Patagonia knows cold.

 

Go for the rip-curl! Got some Patagonia claw gloves and they are too warm! I sweat like crazy in them, and then when I take them off I feel like my sweat freezes. I know it sounds weird but I think it is bad to be too warm in cold environments. Once your body temp decreases, your sweat will work against you

 

patagucci... man I want one. I supposedly have an "in" with the rep to get one at employee purchase, but I'm almost done holding my breath. I've been surfing forever and every other season I go through this same internal struggle, but I almost guarantee that I'll save myself another $300 and buy another xcel chesty. They work, they are warm, fit me like a condom, and last at lest 2 winters of constant use, changing in gravel parking lots, forgetting to hang it up, etc. I understand the value of money all too well to buy a damn $600 wetsuit.

 

Plan ahead you guys! I got an R4 25% off this spring and an R3 @ 1/2 price in July. I'd say the R4 is a bit stiff, but patagonia says (and I believe them) their suits are more durable and will last longer. Also got a pair of R4 gloves and they fit really well and seem to be constructed better than any gloves I've every had.

 

Sorry to bump again, but I wanted to thank everyone for the great advice. I also reached out to Josh, at Cleanline Surf Shop, for some additional information. He is super knowledgeable and I highly recommend giving him a call if you have any question about wetsuits, regardless of brand. Great customer service too!

Anyway, I'm going with the Patagonia R2 and I'm not looking back. I'll post a review after a month or two of use, since you can't find much online.

It's fall - go out and have a pumpkin ale on me. Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale is my current steez. Have a great day!

 

I've always had flash bombs and they lasted a long time (taking full advantage of warranty repairs and my own proficiency with aquaseal). Rip Curls are a bit thicker than other suits, but I think they're also warmer.

This year, I'm trying an O'neill psycho 3. It was a lot more expensive than rip curl. It's super thin, but still surprisingly warm (not as warm as rip curl in equal mm). Unfortunately, the neoprene is prematurely cracking, so I don't think it's going to last as long either. Other than the weight, I don't think it was worth the extra $$$.

Neoprene is perishable, no matter what the brand. It starts degrading at about a year (even unused), so the smartest purchase is a lower end suit that still gets the job done. When it starts to crack, you can just toss it and buy another.