The Best Wetsuit Available for an NJ Surfer

Discussion in 'Mid Atlantic' started by perfectsilence3, Mar 2, 2010.

Which of the newest wetsuits feature the best combination of the newest technologies

  1. Ripcurl F-Bomb Chest Zip

    19.4%
  2. O'Neill Psyco Freak

    10.4%
  3. Body Glove Vapor Slant Zip

    3.0%
  4. Xcel Infinity Dry Lock

    38.8%
  5. Matuse Tumo

    7.5%
  6. Quiksilver Cypher

    6.0%
  7. Billabong SG5

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  8. Matuse Hoplite

    3.0%
  9. West Lotus

    3.0%
  10. Patagonia R4

    9.0%
  11. Hotline Reflex

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  12. Other

    7.5%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. njsurfer42

    njsurfer42 Well-Known Member

    Nov 9, 2009
    i dunno, w/ as warm as this stuff is supposed to be, i doubt it will make much of a difference.
     
  2. MATT JOHNSON

    MATT JOHNSON Well-Known Member

    Oct 11, 2009
    well i never had split toes so I cant say if I woudl like them or not. 5 finger gloves just bother me . It make my hands feel all swollen like someone bashed them with a hammer and there all puffy
     

  3. Ray F.

    Ray F. Well-Known Member

    396
    Sep 13, 2009
    My current suit is a Psychofreak 3.5/2.5 & it took me through VB's winter. I was so warm that I bought a cap (vs a hood) so I wouldn't overheat. Water dipped into the high 30s in January. This wetsuit flexes like crazy.
     
  4. idsmashh

    idsmashh Well-Known Member

    404
    Aug 2, 2010
    really?? 3mm gloves in january?? i have always heard atleast 5mm. whats everyone elses opinion on this??
     
  5. shorepoints

    shorepoints Well-Known Member

    79
    Feb 20, 2010
    For me 3MM gloves down to as low as 44-45 water temp, as long as the air temp isn't freezing. This assumes you have good gloves that don't leak. Any leaks, and all bets are off. Below 44 water temp (or air below 30) and I go with 5MM lobster claws.
     
  6. idsmashh

    idsmashh Well-Known Member

    404
    Aug 2, 2010
    why claws over 5 finger?? do you think 7mm booties are ever necessary in south Jersey??
     
  7. Driftingalong

    Driftingalong Well-Known Member

    356
    Mar 6, 2008
    for 5mm I prefer claws over 5 fingers
    less seams, plus it keeps three of your fingers together for more warmth. having the index and thumb separate is enough maneuverability for me to grab the board, duck dive etc...

    I go 5 fingers for a 3mm

    As for the boots, some days I've found myself wanting 7mm in OCMD
     
  8. shorepoints

    shorepoints Well-Known Member

    79
    Feb 20, 2010
    Boot thickness is very personal. Depends on your circulation/tolerance. My PERSONAL rule is to go as thin as you can and still be warm. For me, 5MM Drylock Split-Toe keeps me warm in winter north NJ. For others, perhaps not.
     
  9. MATT JOHNSON

    MATT JOHNSON Well-Known Member

    Oct 11, 2009
    I prefer mits over gloves . I cant weat 5 mil gloves plus with mits your hands will be warmer cause most of you fingers are closer together. For boots I use 7 mils cause I hate when my feet get cold once that does I am done for the day
     
  10. njsurfer42

    njsurfer42 Well-Known Member

    Nov 9, 2009

    i operate off of this principle as well...& in the dead of winter, that means 5mil roundtoe boots w/ a pair of socks underneath (makes the boots a TON warmer! try it!), & either 3mil or 5mil 5 finger gloves. i like to have as much dexterity as i can (which precludes mitts or claws, IMO) & have found that if i can wiggle my fingers, they will stay quite a bit warmer. which i wear on which day depends on the wind & air temp. i wore the 5mils A LOT last winter.
    i'm also one of those guys who tries to wear a 4/3 thru the entire winter. generally i succeed, except on the absolute coldest of days (& last winter).
     
  11. idsmashh

    idsmashh Well-Known Member

    404
    Aug 2, 2010
    thats my go on winter surfing as well. i think that 7mils the only way to go with boots in winter. you barely notice the difference in feel except that your feet are nice and toasty. i just got 7mill drylock booties in last week. they are f*ckin awesome. not only are they nice and warm but sooo comfortable. if they weren't so hard to take on and off i'd wear them for slippers around the house.