Sorry guys.. I didnt want to start a thread on this but I have some questions. Question 1 - I recently bought a 3/2 rip curl dawn patrol wetsuit that I wore about 10 times and it is a liitle big. I got it off line which is a big mistake because i always go to the shops. I'm 61 about 175 so i got a large tall because thats what it said the suit was fit for. I t fits welll for the most part but i have chicken arms and legs and water gets into that part of the suit and seems to flood. Is there anything I can do to fix this , for example, shrink it a little . Question 2 - Now that winter is over I feel it is time to look into a new winter wetsuit. I'm thinking 5/4/3/ or something thst is comfy, warm, durable and money is no conflict, I want a warm nice suit that wont hinder my surfing abilities. Any advice would be cool.
Aquaholic is right. All the good advice you'll get here isn't worth anything until you go check the fit on the brands and styles available. Each one is different.
i really think that rip curl's size scale is off. i'm 6' & 190lbs & i wear a large. you prob. would have been better served w/ a medium tall...it'll be slimmer in the arms & legs. unfortunately, there is really nothing i know of that will shrink the suit w/out destroying it. i think your best option to "fix" this is to but a new, properly fitting suit from your local surf shop & sell the other one on e-bay or something. i really like my rip curl f-bomb 5/4/3. it fits well, is toasty warm even on the coldest of days (that's really the only time i wear it...normally, it's a 4/3 for me) & they're fairly durable. i got 4 years out of my last one, which is about all you can expect from the things, esp. w/ heavy use. i think that some of the "thicker suits hinder your surfing" thing is mental. until i started gaining weight & surfing less (life caught up w/ me), the idea never even crossed my mind.
When I was in CA, I bought a new Oneill. Got me thru the trip, then realized it really wasn't fitting right. Wore it about 10x. Got home went to shops and got fit right in a Rip Curl. Sold the Oneill on ebay and only lost $50 in the end. But the Rip curl was and still is a better fit for me. Suit charts are one thing, but everyone's body is different. I'm 5'11" 185lbs. and xtra large fits me best. I just got a new Rip Curl 6/5/4 that is super flex and warm. My old one lasted over 8 years. Gave it to my nephew, still getting used.
If its a little big try wearing a rash guard under it.That might help just a little.As far as a winter suit ,I love my Hyperflex Amp 5/4/3.
2 cents I am aslo 6 1 175 lbs with thin legs and arms. I have a few differnt suites by different makers, cant remember by who, but they are Medium tall. Pain sometimes geeting in and out but that normal. Winter, whatever you decide but get it with an attached or built in hood. Helps reduce the washin when your tossed and dragged.
Thanks for the advice.... Has anyone on here used a psycho freak 4.5/3.5 or any heated wetsuits or vest. I'm kinda curious about some of these suits. The psycho freak looks sick, but I'm not sure if they make it with a hood even though I could wear my oneill thermo under it. I prolly wouldn't buy a heated suit just for the fact that I dont think I need that much warmth, but would like to hear what people thought of them.
