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Cornwall in 3 weeks, me and Mrs ws invested in decent wetsuits in the past so are covered but the kids obviously keep on growing. Have bought them from the surf shop at treb in the past and they've been decent. We will be spending a full week on the beach in and out the sea, couple of surf lessons then bodyboarding the rest of the time. Dint want .2mm sports direct jobs just something that's going to be warm and decent for a weeks use, daughter's will probably do her now as I can't see her growing much more as she's 17, the lad, God knows he just keeps growing!
Wetsuit Outlet or the Surfdome are my go to online neoprene fetish suppliers.
Have a look at Lomo Water sports stuff. Decent, well priced, nice people to deal with, Glasgow based.
I got a shorty from DEcathlon recently and it was decent. Their wetsuit range is pretty good.
Oh yes, forgot Lomo - use them too but mainly for kayak stuff and dry bags. Seem like a great company.
I bought an Osprey wetsuit about 10 years ago for £25 on the basis that it would hopefully last a fortnight before it fell apart and got binned.
I've used it solidly for a fortnight every year (apart from one) since and there's not a bit of loose stitching on it.
It seems to shrink a bit every year though. It's now obscenely tight.
It seems to shrink a bit every year though. It’s now obscenely tight.
They do. People think it's a joke but it's not. The bubbles in the neoprene start popping and it pulls the fabric tighter.
Wetsuits are very much like walking boots, the best ones are generally the ones that fit you best and all the manufacturers make different shapes. You are best off trying on a few.
Decathlon.
People think it’s a joke but it’s not.
It's no joke. It's also happening to all my trousers and shirts.
I think it's something to do with my wardrobe.
The only thing that still fits me is my bunnet.
Kids get cold too.
Buy the best one with the most thermal properties.
Buy s/h if you need to, plenty about.
I have put some weight on but my wetsuit would only come up to my shoulders. Even after I cut the arms and legs off to make a shorty it still wouldn't fit.
I do have several fork mudguards now though.
Bought a 5.5 mm from decathlon for £89. 2xl though. What is it with decathlon sizing?
Even after I cut the arms and legs off
Do you possess a single item of clothing that you haven't cut holes in?
I get mine off ebay, usually what the wetsuit outlet or sufdome are selling off as last years stock or distributors are off loading from last year (ie edgeactionsports is the ebay account for Ease Distridution Ltd I believe). 2 years ago I got an O'Neill Gooru 4/3 3/4 length suit for £60 (with a slight flaw). I think they'd been double that in the shops.
I've heard good things about the needessentials suits. Just had a look and they arent particularly cheap.. but cheaper than the competition for similar suits.
The water is warm at the moment. I'm surfing in boardies and a 2mm wetusit top at the moment (in Wlaes); so they may not need a full-suit. I used to like the convertible short-arm ones when I was in the SW (where its a bit colder than wales in the summer).
eBay here too for Osprey or O'Neil mine is about 6 years old now maybe 7 I've used it regular each summer and it's going strong. The kids' have been handed down and like wise still going.
Don't buy mega cheap as they provide very little warmth.
What is it with decathlon sizing?
Designed for skinny French cyclists imho
The advantage of Decathlon over ebay is that your kids can try them on...........
Most of the big shops do trade ins on kids wetsuits. Zuma jay in Bude do, and Ann’s cottage in Polzeath do.
If you want something a bit warmer, fit and taped seams are the important bits.
I would recommmend a Patagonia wetsuit but my summer suit has started to fail in the same place as my winter suit failed earlier in the year. Back to Malcom at snugg next time..
Cheers. Will head to decathlon this week to get a start.
I got decathlon ones, 20 quid each shortie and long john and a rash vest from sports direct, gul brand for 8 quid. Those tuna or something similar wetsuit shoes from sports direct were 6 quid.
So all set up for about 30 quid. Just was them through after and hang them to dry in the air they ll be good for a few years.
There's a surf wear clearance warehouse at St Columb Major. My Ma and Da get stuff for Mini and Micro at reasonable prices.
How old is he, I've four in the shed that need a good home at £15 a time... All are Palm or Decathlon full longs.
He's 14 and about 5'9". A second hand one off someone I could trust would be bang on.
I'm not sure ours will work - our youngest is 14 and about 5' 10" too.
I'll check, but I'm pretty sure they are kids med and large - the three small men's are the ones they are wearing. I'll pm you in morning after I'm home.
I'm correct - our three are kids m (x2) and a height 150cm.
Sorry...
Ok mate, Thanks for looking.
I have a needessentials suit - very happy with it for the money
Another Decathlon recommendation here.
I got a shorty there for minimal cost and it has had stacks of use SUPing, Kitesurf/windsurf and sailing.
Think I need to look at a proper winter one as my O'Neil is restricted to Kiting only as the neck seal has gone-too cold for winter surfing. Any recommendations?!
Any recommendations?!
As mentioned previously fit is everything. Not quite as bad as a swimming wetsuit but still v important. I use Gul wetsuits for both summer and winter. Pretty much at the bottom of the heap in the cool stakes for a known brand (strictly a dad brand - think Marin bikes or Skoda cars) and really only medium quality but they are the only brand I've found that really suit my silly broad shoulders. Also a bit of a fan of zip free or chest zip styles when doing the watery activity of choice but always swear I'll never buy another when trying to get in and out of the bloody things.
Thanks Convert.
I totally subscribe to the fit factor in a 'suit, just wondering if there are any good winter models to go for lately. I'm not impressed with my or my g/f's O'Neill superfreak.... the neck seal has gone on both (mine twice in 5 years) and the overall quality isn't what it was a few years ago of the likes of Tiki etc.
Wondering if Finisterre/Patagonia are worth looking at....?
Edit.. used to have a trade account with gul...good solid suits back in the day. Not really aware of what they're up to these days.