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Looking at buying a new wetsuit for the first time in maybe 10 years. Currently looking at a ripcurl dawn patrol 4/3 and the srface 4/3.
Has anyone tried either of these suits?
C-skins have got a good rep.
I’ve got a finisterre winter suit
which is good but a complete bastard to get off. Patagonia summer suit that has seen better days, will probably get an O’Neill hyper flex to replace it.
I have Rip Curl wet suit, not dawn patrol though. It has been hardwearing. It is now 21 years old. It has been surfing, Snorkeling, Caving, Whitewater Rafting and been used to help get plant baskets out of a large pond. It does the job and will continue to do so until it actually falls off me as I'm not buying another for use in the Sea 3-4 times a year until I absolutly have to.
My O'Neil Psycho 5/4 started leaking like a sieve in February (I've not been impressed with O'Neil-both my g/f and I have had to have new neck seals done), so I got an Animal 5/4/3 winter suit (I like supporting a company based locally) and it's been v impressive - I actually got too hot in a cold February surf on the S Coast...!!.
Summer suit is a cracking front zip Tiki one and I'll probably get another Animal one 4/3 in the summer ready for autumn/early winter.
So in summary, Tiki always good (I've had a few over the years) and a recent Animal convert....
. It is now 21 years old
A new wetsuit would blow your mind how flexible and warm they are now.
I think in the next couple of years it will convert itself into a shorty so I have been looking at prices, the left knee hole is getting much bigger!
Having had various including custom made over the years, my current Xcel Infiniti wetsuits have been great, they get used regularly for kitesurfing so plenty of use and abuse.
Also I’d never go back to a back zip having gone to a mini front zip a few years ago.
I was looking at the ripcurl suits as i've been told they are generally good for taller, thinner people, the dawn patrol i've found for about £130 on sale which seems reasonable. The next one up, the E bomb is around £180.
The advantage of the srface suits is they have 30 day trial and free returns. Bit more at £210 which is about as much as I would want to spend.
Ive had an older c skins winter suit which I wasn't that impressed with but their newer stuff is maybe improved a lot? But I think any half decent newer suit will seem miles ahead than what ive used last few years!
If you are looking for maximum flexibility, I've heard the birthday suit is hard to beat. Also by far the cheapest option on the market mate 😉
I’ve got a Dawn Patrol back zip for kitesurfing, it’s my summer suit in 3/2.
I’m quite tall with skinny arms & legs and it fits really well and is comfy.
I do have a bit of an issue with it though with the back flap inside the zip, half the time the top of it folds over and it’s just in the wrong place for me to grab and flatten out before doing the zip up. If someone else is around I get them to flatten it or I just wear it with it caught up. It’s not the end of the world but worth checking if you’re trying one on.
My winter suit is a mystic front zip which I prefer, it just takes a few goes to work out how to get it off.
I have a Visla 3/2 front zip and it's great, very flexible, although I did have the neck re-sized to be a little more snug and it's much better now. Also have a 4/3 Finisterre and as above it is a total bugger to get into and out of, I keep telling myself it'll get more comfortable but frankly I think I'll just sell it on. Before that a Billabong back zip that I have for 11 years before it died.
I bought a picture front zip after I found I couldn't fit into my old snugg (too much swimming meant my shoulders didn't fit) and I love the new one. Comfortable and also it is an ecoprene so less nasties used or made during production
Also have a 4/3 Finisterre and as above it is a total bugger to get into and out of, I keep telling myself it’ll get more comfortable but frankly I think I’ll just sell it on
Ive got the 6/5/4 hooded and first time I used it, I ended up driving home in it as I thought I was going to tear it or dislocate my shoulder. Worked it out now but it still isn’t easy, especially when cold/tired. Super warm in the water though, means I haven’t worn gloves this winter which is a real bonus.