Are $80 scuba suits bad for surfing?

[drewbabich]

Are scuba suits bad for surfing?

Was looking at a 3mm scuba suit for $80 with free shipping, but I was concerned scuba suits might not be as flexible or have some reason they are not as good for surfing. It has zips on the arms and ankles, so maybe thats a bad reason to use it for surfing.


Here it is.

http://seavenger.com/3mm-wetsuit-scuba- ... p-127.html

I also see a surfing o'neil 4/3 wetsuit online for $99.

I surf in an old 3/2 and the water is coming in the seams, its not very stretchy and I was cold yesterday.

[tony g]

Hello, I would get a surfing wetsuit for surfing. I checked out that wetsuit and noticed that it has flat lock stitching. If you are trying to keep warmer you will want to get something at least glued and blind stitched. Flatlock stitching will allow water to go through the seams. Glued and blind stitched wetsuits are sealed in the seams to keep the water from coming through the seams. The next step up is glued blind stitched and then stress point taped. If you want to go all out you can get glued blind stitched and taped seams. As you get more wetsuit features the price also goes up, you get what you pay for. Getting the least expensive wetsuit out there will not solve your problem of being cold. Look for a good surf wetsuit with the features you think you need. What is your water temp where you surf? I know Xceland O'Neill both make an affordable 4/3mm with glued and blind stitched seams, as well as stress point taping for about $150.-$160. Xcel also has a 5/4mm with the same features for $172.50

[billie_morini]

Re: tony g --
Billie says, " what he say."

[surf patrol]

If there's one thing you should spend your money on equipment wise, i's a decent wetsuit. More comfortable, more time in the water.

[drewbabich]

Thanks guys. I knew there was a good reason I should buy a wetsuit made for surfing. Duh, I'm an idiot.

Should I get an o'neil reactor for only $99? What features does a $160 wetsuit have that this one is lacking? This one has fully glued and blindstitched seams.

Specs:

If you've ever been on the fence about getting a high performance 4/3 fullsuit, then look no further than this amazing O'Neill Reactor GBS 4/3MM Wetsuit! The price point is in EVERYONE'S range, and the materials and design are top-notch! The O'Neill Reactor GBS 4/3 Fullsuit includes 100% Fluidflex neoprene, kevlar knee pads with D-foam, fully glued and blindstitched seams for excellent durability, an extermal key pocket, and a wind resistant glideskin chest and back panel! You'll never find another wetsuit that's this packed with features for a price like this!

[drewbabich]

Or for $146 should I get an o'neil epic? Do these features make it significantly better?

Specs:

O'Neill Epic II 4/3MM CT Wetsuits offer a great value, with tech and styling from much more expensive wetsuits, but with a price the rest of us can afford. Fall and Winter are coming, so a 4/3 will keep you toasty, and tons of features like critically taped seams, a blackout zipper, lumbar seamless design, an external key pocket, well protected kevlar knee pads with D-foam, seamless paddle zones, Lumbar Seamless Design, and a Fluidflex firewall make the Epic II 4/3 CT a deal that can't be beat. O'Neill constructed this puppy from Ultraflex DS, Smoothskin, and Fluidflex materials for the ultimate in flexibility and comfort

[jaffa1949]

Stupid thing is that while the Australian dollar is marginally higher than the US dollar we are paying up to twice as much for the same beastie and all Apple products are twice as high.
Back on the subject O'neill stuff is pretty good. Might hurt your wallet a little but beats freezing your butt off with cheapo leaky seams.
That's the Maine thing