Have a look at the ION wetties super comfy really warm, once you go ION you won't go back to anything else. I've had a few really good ripcurl wetties and after about 6 months my harness would rip holes in them making them useless my ion suits are a year old now and still like new.

403 stands for the thickness.. 4mm in the body 3mm in the arms. thats a pretty thick wetty.. it should last a bit longer.. this months ASL (australian surfing life) has reviews on all the latest wetties.. My advice is if your using for kite boarding only get one in the $300 price mark.. but if you are using for surfing aswell get the better ones cos they are more comfy and they have much better stretch in places they need it. The cheeper ones tend to last a bit longer to.

most ripcurl wetties are good, i have had mine for almost a year now and it is still in absolute perfect condition. i wash it after every session in the shower so should be in good cond. anyway

Where can you get a ION or try it on

Are the flap things on the legs for letting the water out? I have a rip curl wetty that is great but water trapped in the bottom of the leg is a big downside!

Dont want to put velcro straps on my ankles otherwise where is the wee going to go?

Any oniel one.
I have the guru, and its wicked. But your in SA, so the phyco (its called something like that ) would probably be better. My last oniel wettie broke because it was way to small (after about 3yrs). My current one is going strong.

does any shop in Perth stock sizes LT or XLT for a tall skinny dude?
billabong, west, ripcurl or oneal?

looking for 3x2 glued and blind stiched steamer long legs and long arms.
so far I havent come across one.

I have had a custom before and now use a billabong XL. Its just a bit loose in the guts and its 4 seasons old, so I'm looking to update.

Got a Oneil Epic today $290, tried on Billabong foil, Rip curl classic, and was about to try on ripcurl F-Bomb for $650. The F-bomb looked quite cheap for the price, and I was going to try it on but the cheapness & price put me off. Some guy on ebay is selling brand new F-bombs for $325 if anyone is keen (ebombs on there for $329)

But as I said they looked quite cheap, and read reviews of the 05 models falling apart fast. Probably improved since then.

The Epic felt the most comfy and flexable out of the foil and classic, all felt about same warmth. Ill test drive it tomorrow.

BTW anyone looking for a new wettie check this out www.wetsuitwarehouse.com and hanger94.com both cheap.

Bascially a billabong foil after express postage to AUS is $200AU, in shops they want $325. I only brought mine today from the store cause I need it for tomorrow.

BTW those ION wetties looked pretty sweet but couldnt find a dealer.

N-Diver for best quality and best material.

I worked as diving instructor for many years. My custom made dry suit I purchased (oh dammit, time runs fast!) 17 years ago has approximately 1000 dives on it's neck and is still in great condition.
My custom made 7mm semi dry is approximately 2000 dives "old" and looks very good too (a bit thinner but hey, there were quite a "few" deep dives).

I would recommend you get a wetsuit custom made. It just feels like a second skin.
They sell "off the shelf" shorties but a custom made Northern Diver wetsuit should still be cheaper than a Billabong or other fancy brand.
Here is a sample: http://www.ndiver.com/site/wetsuits/storm_shortie.html

Cheers
Caesar

BigFatMick said...

I had a RipCurl a while back and it always smelled nasty, like wicked chemicals mixed with cat pee, anyone else had a similar experience? Never had that with O'Neil, or Billabong. All have lasted really well.

Whatever you get, go for the flat stitched and sealed seams (pretty standard now anyways) coz they make it so much more comfy.

PS. Holes punched in the back of calves will drain excess water, and cheap DIY velcro wraps on outside will stop most of it getting in to begin with. TOASTY

maybe if you didnt pee in your rip curl wetty then it wouldnt smell like cat pee..i have a rip curl..they are all time.

i bought a 2mm Triple x super stretch this year, used it once. 4 to 5 hour session. Fits nice and lives up to its claims on warmth. I would buy it again. Definitly worth a look.

I'v got an O'neil heat 3x2 steamer that's 4 years old and still going strong. The only thing is that you get huge amounts of water up the legs that sits between your calves and ankles.

On that does anyone know of a wettie that doesn't do this? As it annoys the hell out of me.

D

Bugger the "Best quality and longest lasting"

Go to your local dive shop and buy your budget-ar$ed Adrenalin 3mm steamer for $50. They're plenty stretchy, look a lot better and are a better build quality than they used to be.

I was scuba instructing for years before getting into kiting and found the neoprene breaks down just as quickly in the good suits as it does the cheapies.

And lets face it, at $50 if you get two seasons out of it you're still ahead and can change the colour more regularly to suit your new kite or board. I gives any of us older guys with "fluctuating waistlines" a chance to make sure the new suit is a good fit. Plus it leaves you more money for important things.....like kites

insomniac_alcoholic said...

Bugger the "Best quality and longest lasting"

Go to your local dive shop and buy your budget-ar$ed Adrenalin 3mm steamer for $50. They're plenty stretchy, look a lot better and are a better build quality than they used to be.

I was scuba instructing for years before getting into kiting and found the neoprene breaks down just as quickly in the good suits as it does the cheapies.

And lets face it, at $50 if you get two seasons out of it you're still ahead and can change the colour more regularly to suit your new kite or board. I gives any of us older guys with "fluctuating waistlines" a chance to make sure the new suit is a good fit. Plus it leaves you more money for important things.....like kites

I'm in Cairns with probably the most dive store in one town.
Where can you get these days a wetsuit which is not ugly black?

In my experience the more expensive suits tend to last a little less time.

Currently have an Oneill Psycho (something arother) and it is tearing apart at the seams (all glued and welded). Probably had it 3 years. I think the harnesses just tear them apart, especially if you are riding toeside. Wearing a rashy/tee over the top looks totally ghey (not that theres anything wrong with that) but seems to allow the harness to slide much better - thus not stressing the seams as much. Got some Neoprene glue the other day to hopefully make this one last till the end of winter when I can pick up a new one for a reasonable price.

Probably will go for one with stitching this time and hope it lasts a little longer (like my previous suits). I have seen some with towelette texture on the inside that looks pretty comfy.

cya Pete.