Winter is coming - 5mm rec

2xl??? Holy fok froste, time to make the switch to mic ultra

 

I have a patagonia r2 (their version of a 3/2) & a patagonia r3 (4/3), and a rip curl f-bomb 5.5/4

Lost a bunch of weight two years ago and had to replace all my wetsuits winter 2014/2015, so everything is still relatively new/seams haven't started to fail on anything yet...

Regarding patagonia: the r2 flushes way more than I like around the neck...looking to replace it with a rip curl f-bomb 3/2, probably this spring when the waters warm back up here in vb. Been going back and forth on this idea for a few years.

the r3 (hooded) is a pretty good suite. Definitely warm. Their big selling point is two-fold: warranty (I'll get to that in a sec) and thinner rubber. They essentially claim that because their suites are so warm due to the wool lining, that you get away with a thinner rubber. So their equivalent to a 4/3 is actually 3 mm; their 3/2 is actually 2 mm, and so forth. The downside is that as someone else mentioned, they aren't that flexible when compared to other high end suits of a comparable price point: matuse, isurus, rip curl f-bombs, etc. Ultimately, that's why I went with an f-bomb over an r4 for my 5/4. At that thickness, I think flexibility is critical, far more so than a warranty.

Which brings me to my next point. The main advantage IMHO of patagonia is that ALL of their products have a lifetime warranty, including wetsuits. Theoretically, every time a seam starts to go/leak, you just send that bad boy back, and they replace and/or repair for as long as you own it. That can be worth its weight in gold over the long haul, considering that I usually get about three seasons out of a wetsuit before it starts to leak. I think rip curl has the next best warranty at three years for their suits (although matuse or one of the other $$$$ brands might be comparable). Last time I checked, xcel, quik, billabong all clocked in around one year.

All that being said, my opinion after two seasons are that the patagonia suits are definitely warm, the r2 isnt worth the $, the r3 was a good buy when factoring in the warranty (had an issue after the first 3 months, took the suit & receipt back to the retailer and was told to grab a new one off the rack right then and there - freakin bad a$$)- but without it I would have gone with a competitors product, probably rip curl. I've heard great things about matuse from a comfort/warmth/flexibility standpoint, but have hear a LOT of complaints that they're not durable and fall apart fast. Haven't heard too much about isurus either way. A local surf shop owner (Freedom) used to be an oneil sales rep wasn't too impressed with their product. I have no experience or opinion with them.

I've owned everything from cheapass quiksilver to the high dorra stuff, and I won't go back to budget suits (provided i can continue to afford the expensive sh!t). I firmly believe that you get what you pay for, which is evidenced in quality construction, flexibility, and warranty/customer service. When you drop $500 on a wetsuit, companies tend to work with you a bit more than if you bought the $100 product.

 

Patagonia and Rip Curl.
Everything else falls apart.

 

I just bought a 5/3 Rip Curl Dawn Patrol from Wette Suite whorehouse for Under $150, to replace my 5 year olde 4/3. Actually my wife bought it for me for Christmas but she doesn't know it yet.

 

its all muscle bro

 

Best suite for the price is hyperflex if you live in the northeast because they ship out of NJ so you can get them super cheap. Got my 6/5/4 for $170 from sierra trading . com it kept me warm during our winter vortex a few years back and frankly I've never been cold in that thing; in fact it's too hot sometimes. It's plenty flexible while it's on but a bear to get out of.
Side note - I sent it back for a fix after my fin sliced a notch in my thigh and they had it patched and back to me in 3 days. Meaning they fixed it the day they got it and send it back that same day. Solid service

Rip Curl is my goto at the mid range price point. Never had an issue with them and love the comfort and warmth they provide.

Gloves only last a season or two so I buy hyperflex because they're the cheapest by me.

Just check reviews before buying from any company; a deal isn't a deal if the suite has to be replaced after a season or two. Winters in the northeast justify spending a little more to stay toasty.

Good luck.

PS off to Puerto Rico on Friday just in time for it to go flat there...SMH

 

Update: my wife just bought me a new tyde watche for under $50 too! She doesn't know about that yet either...

 

In her ignorance, your wife is the most generous lady!!!

 

She is generous, but knows nada about tide watches or wet suites or so her ignorance in those manners works out to be my bliss!!

 

I'm gonna try this

https://www.needessentialsusa.com/

 

i need to get me one of these wife's.

 

My wife has gotten me 3 surf boarts and an SUP since we've been together. I'm spoiled but so is she, it's a fair trade off. I take her shopping anytime she wants, so it balances out. You should try it out. Didn't you have a live-in not long ago? Ya'll split?

 

tell us how it is.

 

yeah after like 2 or 3 years. sucks but what can you do?

 

Damn man that sucks. But, perhaps for the better? Whatever you do, make sure whoever you settle down with you have sh*t in common.

 

I would not buy a wetsuit from those morons if my life depended on it.....

 

Explain why, maybe I won't

 

You will be paying for a bunch of hipsters and their flashy website........no soul, just money.

And besides--they hate pigeons!!!

 

just got a new quicksilver 6/5/4 last winter.last year the water was a bit warmer than normal,i remember coming out the water last week of February fukin sweating my arse off.technology is great people,winter surfing is..............ah I wont say,its super dangerous,only surf with a lifeguard nearby

 

if u live outside of nj winter surfing is great.if u live in nj,it sucks don't do it,wait til the summer