thanks man anything to help someone stay in the water I hope someone can use them . they have been sitting in a tote of all my wetsuit and I found out at the last minute they were not my size . So at the last minute I had to search donw a set of 10's.
Hey man, thanks for the education. I think your approach is much better than some others on here who just say "^&$% you bro I've been surfing since the 80's and you have no $^&#*&@ what you are talking about!" Getting all agro on someone who is less "knowledgable" than them. Anyway, while they are tooting their horns about how many suits they've owned, I'll be working on my backside hack. I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong and for all I know these are the best suits out there I've just never worn one to know whether they're good or not. That is why I stated that I don't know. Then continued to say that in my opinion I would feel more comfortable buying and supporting a surf company. I didn't ever say that the OP should buy from a surf company and not even look at the patagonia (it's out of his range anyway!) I said I would. Thanks again for taking to time to respond in a reasonable manner and explaining yourself instead of just spewing from the mouth like other posters who "think" they know everything.
That is true....but he moved there 30 years ago. In a time when wetsuits were horrible. I just think the fact that a wetsuit company based in Hawaii sounds funny. I'm just an xcel hater sry
Dude! Are you gonna stop ****ING crying yet? You were uneducated on the subject get over it. Otherwise, if you insist on talking trash lets meet up so I can end this.
I'm not talking trash on you bro. That post was a response to mofosurfer. Believe me no one is crying I can post whatever I want. I admitted to being uneducated on the subject and I don't have to explain myself to you. If you want to go through life trying to prove that you are better than others and angry then be my guest.
It never fails to see an argument and a thread-take over. Start your own **** talking thread fellows...
haha...ok breh. Thanks for the PM (shakes hands) Just for the record though. I don't think I am better than others....I have just been around for a while and know some things. Yes I know I can be aggro. Still working on that one!
SEAMS have gone bad in every wetsuit I've ever owned. Which includes Quicksilver, O'neill, Xcel, Billabong, and Rip Curl. Only Rip Curl will take it back and replace them every couple years, for free. Including replacing any panels, tape, velcro, zippers, and elastic you include in the letter you send with it. It's really not a hassle sending it back at all, considering my suits sit unused for a good 4 months every year, and it only takes about 2 weeks or so from the day you ship it.
Thanks for the help everyone. It looks like ive narrowed my choices down to: 4/3 Body Glove Vapor Chest Zip ($410) OR 4/3 Matuse Hoplite (last years model) on sale for under $400 dollars on their site. DOES ANYONE OWN A MATUSE SUIT? ive heard a lot of great stuff about them, but no one seems to have ever owned or used one.
No, but I have several friends who love theirs. I hear the same thing everytime when they first get it "Man, this suit is so comfortable but I feel like I'm going to bust these straps that go over your head in the first month." and yet the suits have lasted for quite some time with no problems. All of them claim that they work great, feel incredibly flexible, and keep them warm (take this with a grain of salt, I am in Southern California where it drops to a mind blowing 50-52 degrees mid-winter). Then again, I have some friends that use the 4/3/2 suit... they are amazed by how warm and flexible they are. Good suits. Sorry I only have a few friends to base this on. Hey, actually if you go to the surfermag.com forum and do a search you will find a TON of reviews on these suits. In fact, I recall one thread that was pages and pages documenting the life of a Matooooooose wetsuit. Just remember to rinse them out, They need a lot more tlc (not thc) taking care of them. Hang it over a bar in the shade, dont hang it to dry on a hanger. Lets put it this way, I've heard a LOT better things about that suit than the Vapor. In fact, the overall reviews I've heard/read on the Vapor were very poor. But then again, what do I know? I never had one.
I have the Vapor, going on 4yrs old. There is nothing wrong with it, still in perfect condition, with all seams intact. It is so warm and pretty flexable too. It is WELL worth the $130 i got it for. If i were you i would look around and see if you can get a deal on it. (then again, i got it in the spring)
I've had a matuse 3/2 for about a year. The geoprene is lightweight and doesn't absorb any water so it stays light - no big deal in a 3/2 but it feels great paddling and i'd love to see how their heavier wetsuits feel. Bottom line: lots of use, warmest 3/2 i've had, holding up nicely. Oh and as far needing extra TLC..this suit isnt getting anything extra from me...rinse and plastic coat hanger in the garage..am i supposed to be doing something more? F that.
I've sent them both back multiple times. It sucks though since if a big swell hits when your suit in in CA getting fixed your out of luck. I went out and bought a West 3/2 and 5/4/3 so the next time i have to send a suit back, I have backups.
check out the billabong SG5 on they're website I haven't worn it but i seems pretty good...it has solar panel type material on the back, pretty sweet http://www.billabong.com/au/product-cat/202/sg5-wetsuits _______________ John 10:10
I think that's all the tlc I mentioned that was needed. Just a rinse and hang in the garage (out of the sun) to dry. Ummm... "No" if you were looking for a response from me?
I have a 4/3 Hyperflex Flow. It was very warm and stretchy/comfortable. It worked well for me in 52 degree water/55 degree air on a dreary/rainy day last early April. I'm going to see how it does this winter...I'd bet I can go down into the high 40's water temp and still keep me pretty warm at least for an hour session. With your budget, the top of the line Hyperflex Amp 5/4/3 hooded might be the best value purchase out there. I'm still waiting for some more "wear-n-tear" input from Hyperflex owners since alot of the positive comments are still on fairly new purchases (like mine). PS: I'm not too crazy about the Hyperflex 5mm gloves I bought though. They get waterlogged easily and they don't extend up your wrist/arm quite far enough. They barely cover your hand so water comes in from the wrist.
All my suits are hyperflex and range from 1-6 years old . My 3/2 My 5/4 are my oldest suits . the 3 /2 is going on its 4th year and the 5/4 is going on its 6th year in Dec. They still have nice strech and warmth. The lettering on the one arm on the 5/4 is starting to come off but thats is. I am getting either a 6/5/4 or a 5/4/3 Flow next weekend . The 6/5/4/ is 269.00 and the 5/4/3 is 224.00 . Both are from what I hear form ppl who have them say they are really Warm and have nice strech. If you ever have a issue with there suits they are in Millville , NJ so in most cases you can take the suite to them if it ever needed any type of repaire depending on where you live. As far as TLC I rinse them out everytime I use them with fresh water and once a month is use wetsuit shampoo on them . Far and hanging them on a Hanger to dry I was always told never to do that cause it streches them out and puts stress on the seams. I either throw is over the shower curtain rod or I have and made rack which is a big wood dowl hung between the rafter of my shed and I hang my suits on them to dry as well
.....you spoiled son of a b*tch. come up to jersey mid-febuary bra. you'll be beggin for those "mind blowing" 50 degree water temps.
