I didn't throw this on the wetsuit thread because the traffic on that seems slow. And this is somewhat of a specific question. So, for my birthday, I was offered a free suit. As excited as I am, I'm not sure if I want to 4/3 and later buy a hooded vest, or just get a 5/4 with a hood. The two suits I'm somewhat torn between are the Ripcurl Insulator 5/4 with a detachable hood, ( http://ripcurl.com/index.php?aid=7896 ) OR the Ripcurl flash-bomb 4/3. ( http://ripcurl.com/index.php?aid=7879 ) I have a 4/3, but it's too small this season after trying it on so now, I'm left with a 3/2 full and a 2mm short sleeve full. So to have a well-rounded year without having to buy another suit, do you think the 5/4 or the 4/3 are a better bet? If I do get the 4/3 does anyone wear hooded vests under them in the winter, and how well do they work for you? I think I explained that well enough.
I say go with the 5 mil. I would get one with a hood, but not detachable, just a regular hooded 5 mil. You don't have to wear the hood, but eliminatea possibilty of flushing at the attachment. You may be a tad warm in it when your forced out of the 3-2 but warm is better than cold. My 2 cents
gotta go with the 5 mil.. like someone else said, way better to be hot than cold (you can fix being hot pretty fast out in the water)
I think with your location the 4/3 will get more use. I surf in OC and use my ripcurl fbomb year round. You can get a good hood. The 5/4 will be warmer but overall I see you using the 4/3 late November through the winter. The vest with a hood would make it more versatile.
The ripcurl fbomb 4/3 will hold the same heat as a 5/4. So i would go with the 5/4. I currently use a oneail heat 4/3 with a detached hood threw out the winter but on days when the air temp is below 35 and water temp 40s i can't take it so im getting a 5/4 this year. And get a attached hood. And ill see you out in the cold haha.
I have 3 suits...a flatlock 3/2, a sealed/taped 3/2, and a hooded sealed/taped 5/4/3. its enough to make it through the entire jersey calendar year. No need for a 4/3... on those warm spring days I just flip back the hood and im good. Oneill Mutant is a good suit from what I hear (detachable hood), but I don't know firsthand.
