I surf in New York City and Massachusetts, and I absolutely hate my 5.5/4 wetsuit. It seems like a nice wetsuit, but It is so damn thick that I feel like I am physically limiting myself when I surf, and I get so damn tired. Instead I use a 4:3 back zip with a 2 mil neoprene under-shirt with a built in hood. Works pretty well for me. But it does flush every time I go down inside a wave, which isn't pleasant. Also, if the water gets too close to 40F (5 C) (or the air to 25 (f) (-4C) I feel compelled to put on my aforementioned torture suit.
So I was thinking after doing some research that the Oneill Mutant 4.5/3 would be the perfect alternative. It has a interchangeable hood and collar. And it has technobutter 3 in the arms, which is supposed to be awesomely soft and flexible. Plus you can switch out the hood for a bigger one, and my head happens to be an XL while my body is a L or Medium. Anybody any experience with the suit? Recommendations on another suit in the in the 4:3 range that are a bit warmer than others and super flexible?
Of course like all winter wetsuits this year, they seem to not exist in any numbers. But I want to be prepared if one does appear!
www.cleanlinesurf.com/theshop/wetsuit-reviews/oneill-mutant-legend-4-5-3-5mm-wetsuit-review/
The liquid taped thermal suits are flexible and very warm for their thickness.
needessentials.com/collections/mens-wetsuits
If you want a full winter wetsuit for cold weather that is very good I would highly recommend the Oniell Psycho Tech 5.5/4 chest zip. Expensive, very well made, great flexibility, dries fast and warm. I wore my first one out after three years and purchased a new suit this fall. My summer suit is an Oniell Psycho one 4/3 non-hooded.
I suspect the Mutant 4.5/3 would be very good as long as you are not spending too much time in sub freezing air temperatures.
Cheers
Bob
Wow you must have some polar bear in your blood to be able to wear a 4-3 in those temps. I have a ONiell mutant 5-4 maybe two seasons wearing it not a bad suit very flexible not the warmest the hood fits kind of loose and the zip is a pain in the ass. the psycho tech is a step above and way warmer like FRP said Oniell are up their price wise.Those needessentials look great and are priced unreal and seem to be available in the US wish I had known about those a couple months ago.
Select to expand quotesupsean said..
I surf in New York City and Massachusetts, and I absolutely hate my 5.5/4 wetsuit. It seems like a nice wetsuit, but It is so damn thick that I feel like I am physically limiting myself when I surf, and I get so damn tired. Instead I use a 4:3 back zip with a 2 mil neoprene under-shirt with a built in hood. Works pretty well for me. But it does flush every time I go down inside a wave, which isn't pleasant. Also, if the water gets too close to 40F (5 C) (or the air to 25 (f) (-4C) I feel compelled to put on my aforementioned torture suit.
So I was thinking after doing some research that the Oneill Mutant 4.5/3 would be the perfect alternative. It has a interchangeable hood and collar. And it has technobutter 3 in the arms, which is supposed to be awesomely soft and flexible. Plus you can switch out the hood for a bigger one, and my head happens to be an XL while my body is a L or Medium. Anybody any experience with the suit? Recommendations on another suit in the in the 4:3 range that are a bit warmer than others and super flexible?
Of course like all winter wetsuits this year, they seem to not exist in any numbers. But I want to be prepared if one does appear!
www.cleanlinesurf.com/theshop/wetsuit-reviews/oneill-mutant-legend-4-5-3-5mm-wetsuit-review/
I can't speak to the wetsuit, although I understand your feeling. I wear a 5/4 Aleeda that is over 20 years old and still warm but I can barely move. Cleanline is my hometown surf shop in Seaside, Oregon. I bought my first boogie board a mach7.7 there in 1984. I didn't have enough money for a wetsuit so Josh the owner sold me one for 20 bucks. It had a hole right in the base of the zipper and every time water seeped in it was on the small of my back. Anyways, Cleanline has come a long ways and they ship quickly. So, while I can't speak to the wetsuit, I can vouch for the shop. 
Select to expand quoteaceman8772 said..supsean said..
I surf in New York City and Massachusetts, and I absolutely hate my 5.5/4 wetsuit. It seems like a nice wetsuit, but It is so damn thick that I feel like I am physically limiting myself when I surf, and I get so damn tired. Instead I use a 4:3 back zip with a 2 mil neoprene under-shirt with a built in hood. Works pretty well for me. But it does flush every time I go down inside a wave, which isn't pleasant. Also, if the water gets too close to 40F (5 C) (or the air to 25 (f) (-4C) I feel compelled to put on my aforementioned torture suit.
So I was thinking after doing some research that the Oneill Mutant 4.5/3 would be the perfect alternative. It has a interchangeable hood and collar. And it has technobutter 3 in the arms, which is supposed to be awesomely soft and flexible. Plus you can switch out the hood for a bigger one, and my head happens to be an XL while my body is a L or Medium. Anybody any experience with the suit? Recommendations on another suit in the in the 4:3 range that are a bit warmer than others and super flexible?
Of course like all winter wetsuits this year, they seem to not exist in any numbers. But I want to be prepared if one does appear!
www.cleanlinesurf.com/theshop/wetsuit-reviews/oneill-mutant-legend-4-5-3-5mm-wetsuit-review/
I can't speak to the wetsuit, although I understand your feeling. I wear a 5/4 Aleeda that is over 20 years old and still warm but I can barely move. Cleanline is my hometown surf shop in Seaside, Oregon. I bought my first boogie board a mach7.7 there in 1984. I didn't have enough money for a wetsuit so Josh the owner sold me one for 20 bucks. It had a hole right in the base of the zipper and every time water seeped in it was on the small of my back. Anyways, Cleanline has come a long ways and they ship quickly. So, while I can't speak to the wetsuit, I can vouch for the shop.
good to know. I always appreciate their reviews. They are biased to the brands they carry, but they do seem to carry alot, which gives me some perspective. I hope to go local if I can when I make a decision. Although I can't find alot of winter equipment right now near me.
Select to expand quoteKDog said..
Wow you must have some polar bear in your blood to be able to wear a 4-3 in those temps. I have a ONiell mutant 5-4 maybe two seasons wearing it not a bad suit very flexible not the warmest the hood fits kind of loose and the zip is a pain in the ass. the psycho tech is a step above and way warmer like FRP said Oniell are up their price wise.Those needessentials look great and are priced unreal and seem to be available in the US wish I had known about those a couple months ago.
bummer that the hood didn't work well. It seems that they've worked on the zipper, and I have a big head, so hopefully that would work to my favor (on my heavy winter wetsuit the hood is mighty tight). I'll take a look at needessentials!
Select to expand quoteFRP said..
If you want a full winter wetsuit for cold weather that is very good I would highly recommend the Oniell Psycho Tech 5.5/4 chest zip. Expensive, very well made, great flexibility, dries fast and warm. I wore my first one out after three years and purchased a new suit this fall. My summer suit is an Oniell Psycho one 4/3 non-hooded.
I suspect the Mutant 4.5/3 would be very good as long as you are not spending too much time in sub freezing air temperatures.
Cheers
Bob
I find the 5.5 too hot unless their is a ton of wind. I don't really like going out under freezing because the I have to put on heavy gloves which kills the paddle technique: and if I did, I could always wear a neoprene vest underneath. A 4.5 seems like it would work for me paddling above the water in most conditions. I have a low-end XCEL 4:3 already, but when I upgrade from it, I would love to have one wetsuit to get me through most conditions outside of summer/early fall. Then if it got really cold, I could put on the torture suit.
Select to expand quoteGorgo said..
The liquid taped thermal suits are flexible and very warm for their thickness.
needessentials.com/collections/mens-wetsuits
did a bit o' research, and the price differential is pretty hard to resist. Even if you throw in the 2mm balaclava vest...
Select to expand quotesupsean said..Gorgo said..
The liquid taped thermal suits are flexible and very warm for their thickness.
needessentials.com/collections/mens-wetsuits
did a bit o' research, and the price differential is pretty hard to resist. Even if you throw in the 2mm balaclava vest...
Initially thought these wetties would be good and they may be but the two I bought didn't last as long as hoped and seem to be sponges, in saying that my son has them and one of his is still fine two years later a bit tired looking but ok. I moved on to matuse and the difference is chalk and cheese so light with minimal absorption and you can get away with wearing thinner suit ie; I only wear the 3:2 in winter here in Vic.
Select to expand quotemicksmith said..
Initially thought these wetties would be good and they may be but the two I bought didn't last as long as hoped and seem to be sponges, in saying that my son has them and one of his is still fine two years later a bit tired looking but ok. I moved on to matuse and the difference is chalk and cheese so light with minimal absorption and you can get away with wearing thinner suit ie; I only wear the 3:2 in winter here in Vic.
Do you use the top of the line material mattuse (geoprene), or the Dante (geoflex)? ($600us is out of my reach, although the Dante is kinda where I was looking)
Patagonia
No other wetsuit compares.
I used O'Neil for 20+ years. Over the last couple of years they have gone down hill. Seams would come apart (no weight gain on my part). They wouldn't even consider warranty.
Select to expand quotesupsean said..micksmith said..
Initially thought these wetties would be good and they may be but the two I bought didn't last as long as hoped and seem to be sponges, in saying that my son has them and one of his is still fine two years later a bit tired looking but ok. I moved on to matuse and the difference is chalk and cheese so light with minimal absorption and you can get away with wearing thinner suit ie; I only wear the 3:2 in winter here in Vic.
Do you use the top of the line material mattuse (geoprene), or the Dante (geoflex)? ($600us is out of my reach, although the Dante is kinda where I was looking)
I have two Dante 3:2 and short sleeve in 2mm and also had the tumo in 2mm full suit which I wore in winter in Victoria. The Dante is as warm as the tumo but a bit thicker (3:2) but is also much easier for me to get in and out of. It has the full yoke collar with their butterfly entry.
good value in my mind
Select to expand quoteGreenTea said..
Patagonia
No other wetsuit compares.
I used O'Neil for 20+ years. Over the last couple of years they have gone down hill. Seams would come apart (no weight gain on my part). They wouldn't even consider warranty.
I used Patagonia for years...
Axxe completely blow them away. Softer, more flexible, warmer for less thickness (warmer linings), better entry, full custom fit and colours etc. Axxe is about 30% more $$ so it would want to be better...
I understand that $900-$1000AUD is heaps for a wetsuit, but TBH for winter in VIC, for me - it's a no-brainer.
To the OP,
Look at 7TILL8. I've got one of their full custom 4/3's in Yamamoto and it's 5 years old now and still mint. (can't say that for my R1 + R2 Patagonia). The linings etc are not as good as Axxe IMO, but it's still yamamoto neoprene (the best), fully taped seams, they are based in the USA, and they'll make whatever you want.
Need Essentials is based in the town that I live in. Sizing/fit is great for teens/young adults - but if you have any thickness (muscle or fat) to you, good luck.
