Wetsuits...

[LucasG]

I'm having a hard time choosing a wetsuit and what not. A friend of mine, shaper/local suggested me a 3/2 wetsuit and he mentioned he uses a 4/3 to stay real warm, I might go ahead for the 4/3 too as I am not too happy with the cold either. The only thing is I am wondering if there is much stretch difference and what not. What brand should I be looking for? I will need booties and a hood. Looking for something between $100 - $200.... comments/suggestions welcome.

[oldgrom]

Bro go for the 4-3 you can allways make a hot suit cool down but ya can't make a cold suit warm up. As for booties and hood well it's realy preference unless your in truley freezing water. Booties are something you'll have to go and try on for a perfect fit and get used to surfing with em on pluss they will keep your feet a lil warmer. Hoods are a pain in the ass to me but still do like em if it's windy so my head don't freeze off. As for $100 to $200 bucks,,, It will more than likely be a used suit for that much. When it comes to suits spend as much as possible and a good to great suit in the 4-3 area is around 400. and top line is 500 and up. then you still have booties and hood anouther 100. Don't go cheap on suits they are a very important piece of equiptment. You could have 30 boards in a quiver but can't surf one cause you don't have a suit...

[danno]

hey check out sierra trading post. just google them. I got an awesome 4/3 full suit, very flexible and well made in Austria for $79. with a coupon. i think they have gone up a little but they are amazing. very warm. camaro c1-11 style 73. Seems like quality of 200 to 400$ ones i have seen.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,245 ... r-Men.html

Make sure to click detail 73 to see the actual suit. The one you see isnt it.

make sure to make an account and sign up for the email deal flyers. They give 20% and free shipping sometimes. Thats how I got mine so cheap.

Also look at size chart carefully for how tall you are, if you borderline height wise then go tall.

I have seen nothing for the $ money that compares. If you spend more I have heard xcel rules.

[jon.biarritz]

Depends where u live and surf. Here in SW France the 3/2 is what I use the most, the 4/3 is for winter but the 3/2 gets you thru the rest of the year except July/August when it's shorty or boardie time.

You'll end up needing 2 or 3 wetties if you surf all year....

[Sillysausage]

if you can wear a 3/2 all year you shouldn't need a hood. boots are a possibility if its cold but better without if you can put up without otherwise get some.

can't see how you would need a hood if you only need to wear a 3/2 suit though...only wear a hood when the water is around 8 degs and the air temp is aound 0 degs

[jon.biarritz]

When it comes to suits spend as much as possible... Don't go cheap on suits they are a very important piece of equipment. You could have 30 boards in a quiver but can't surf one cause you don't have a suit...

Totally agree with oldgrom. Been spending 240 euros on sale to 300 euros full price for 3/2 and 4/3 suits. Dunno about that Camaro $79 suit if you're surfing a lot, maybe just for occasional surfing it could be the right choice. Otherwise I'd go with Body Glove, Excel or O'Neill in their better models.

[Snoodle]

I also agree with oldgrom; try on suits and go with the best fit regardless of price. A hyped-up top-of-the-line suit might not actually be the best for you, if it doesn't fit you right in the shoulders or the small of your back or something. As for booties I would also say go with booties a bit thicker than your suit, 5mm if you're with a 4/3... maybe it's just me but my feet are always the first thing to get cold. It's chillier up here though (vancouver island) and I use a 6/5/4 with 7 mm booties. Also 5 mm gloves. Ick... can't wait til my next trip to Indo...

[LucasG]

I live in the Mexican Gulf Coast, right at the border with Mexico.

I think today and yesterday have been the coldest days of winter this year and the water temp is at 67° and the air temp 41°. I think I'm just going to go for a 4/3 with booties, not sure about the hood. I'm looking at the quiksilver lineup, they seem to fit my body structure and will be ordering online and taking all the measurements needed to make sure they are what I need, otherwise I'll end up having to return it. I don't have any good surfshop here to check out decent wetsuits, they are all by order.

[Snoodle]

Those temps are pretty mellow, I'm sure a 4/3 will be nice and comfy. With an air temp that much lower than the water temp I would consider a hood though, too keep the head warm. If those are the temps then odds are your head and shoulders will get cold before your core. But I don't know what people usually wear down there, if it's fine without a hood or whatever... I don't know what quiksilver's suits are like, but I know o'neill makes a suit (the Mutant) with an easily removable hood that can go either way. But it's a lot warmer where you are then were I am; last few times I've surfed the hood stayed up the whole session, and I think there were only one or two people with hoods down... and they looked mighty chilly! That's a mellow water temp you have though, I'm jealous... we have around 48 water temp and air... anywhere from 23 to 35 right now.

[jon.biarritz]

A 4/3 is probably too warm for 67° water temp, even though your air temp is pretty chilly, that's a big diff between air and water temps.

Usually above 58° water you're into 3/2 territory. Thinner is easier to surf with, too.

As for hood, boots & gloves... I get cold easily but don't put all that stuff on until the water gets below 50/55° unless the wind is really cold.

[oldgrom]

Hmmm that's a close temp rating to judge. Only real way to deal with your temp is how can you handle the cold. For me that temp is not what I'd consider cold. Cool is better describing it and would be looking to score a killer 3/2 or 4/2 suit ( that way I'm ensuring fit / flex / wieght /warmth,,, have all been taken into consideration). You might allso want to consider if your going to travel anywhere with a different temp rating and what is the average temp ratings in your surf areas so you'll get the most overall use outta your suit. (( ie little chillier but still doable// lil warmer need to flush a bit,,, but get the most months use outta it.

Just remember hot suits can be cooled down,not the reverse and fit fit fit is #1 importance quality is #2 Body Glove,O'Neill,Rip Curl,Billabong etc. are good stable choices to start in. I own Body Glove,Billabong,O'Neill and now a Matuse and have the same good bad and ugly to say about em all so it's all unto the wearer of the suit that is stressed.

[sebastiansurfer]

unless you cant handle an inch of cold you wont need a 4/3 in the gulf coast.id go for a better 3/2 and some booties

i use a ripcurl 3/2 fireskin.i only get a little leakage but im a skinny sob so no worries
booties help with no wax either!

[LucasG]

Is it a big difference on how comfortable it is between a 4/3 and a 3/2, or is it just abit. I 'think' I rather go for a 4/3 in case I end up going to surf to a place colder or if it gets colder at some point around here, the temps have been going up and down real bad.

[LucasG]

I have gone ahead and ordered the following:

http://hansensurf.com/Oneill-Mens-Wetsu ... Suit-.html
http://hansensurf.com/ONeill-Mens-Surf- ... Black.html

[LucasG]

I have gone ahead and ordered the following:

http://hansensurf.com/Oneill-Mens-Wetsu ... Suit-.html
http://hansensurf.com/ONeill-Mens-Surf- ... Black.html

Well, due to stock issues, I ended up ordering a Psycho I (http://www.hansensurf.com/Oneill-Mens-W ... -Suit.html) with the same booties. They just arrived here, I ordered Medium and it actually ended up being a perfect fit. It's my first wetsuit and it feels great, no real "flexibility" complaints.

[ace92]

great choice. personaly, i think they are the best wetsuits out

[billie_morini]

Cool, Lucas! Give us a report after you use it.