I have a West 3x2 semi dry steamer with the GBS fluid seams and the batwing bit that stops the cold water hitting your back through the zip. The neoprene is nice and stretchy and it has the fleecy chest and back pieces as well. I reckon its pretty good. If it gets a bit cold you can always pair it with a thermal rashie which you can use in the summer with boardies.

i have no problem kiting in a normal billabong 3x2 steamer. legs dont fill up either... dont no why but some peoples wetties do it and some dont.

Hi There,

Just letting you all know, we are the ION stockist in Perth, basically everything on the ION website available through us, yet to get the info up on the website but should be next week sometime. Some stock allready in.

exactly, my steamer is a psycho 2 and it fills up and leaves me with balloon legs.
the material is so streatchy when it gets wet, i even try and fold the legs up mid calf but that only lasts a while till they drop back down to ankle length and begin to balloon up again..

great wettie in the surf but

Or, cut a pencil diameter hole an inch to 2 inches from the bottom of the leg at the back. Reinforce with a bit of glue, gives you a little drain in each leg for the water to drain out through!

Mankini, fits in with the average kiter's sexuality

Try the Rip Curl Core Kite steamer, had one for two years. Comfortable, warm and has the straps to stop the balloon leg problem.
Constant winds,
Baz.

Manny said...

Thinking about getting a dry suit, are they any good?
I know they can be expensive, so it`s still more like a dream I have.
Seems like a good idea, get to the beach put it on over your clothes and just take off after your session and off you go.

For Perth? Surely its not that cold there! I have lost count the number of times I've duck dived a wave and come up next to a penguin...
Might have a drysuit review to put up soon for those interested

I'd be a bit dubious about kiting with a drysuit....they're great for diving, but there's a bit more physicality involved with kiting so don't know how the suit seals would go...

Only good things to say about the Prolimit Global 5/3 Steamer. The reason I got the 5/3 is because I used it in Canada and used it all year long. The wind skin is amazing as wind seems to pass over you not through the steamer, the seams are all of very high quality and almost invisible. Also has a second layer in the back when you zip up so water does not touch the skin if it does leek in, very useful. As for balloon legs, the bottom of the legs have Velcro which is great for putting on and taking off but may leak the slightest, not really an issue as I used this steamer through the Canadian winter and it took just an instant to get used too, but no balloon legs. Maneuverability was excellent, even on a 5/3, could do grabs, almost no movement restrictions.

Cheers