Surfriding Wetsuit Thread. (good/bad love/hate)

[Nuklear6]

What wetsuits are you guys using (brand and model)?

Have one you love, tell us why.
Have one you hate, tell us why.

Things of interest..... soft or hard material, stretchs well, easy to get on off, light or heavy, etc.

Keep it short and to the point. If you have a link to the wetsuit your using post it.

Thanks

Chuck Palmucci

 

[smoofers]

Still rocking my full length Quicksilver 3/2. I bought it new 10 years ago and it's still holding up like a champ.

 

[ocdfreeride]

I think mine's O'Neal materials technobutter best wetsuit I've ever owned

 

[SXIPro]

Old style Slippery Matrix: Thumbs Up
Newer ones, thumbs down.

 

[Big Kahuna]

My 2006 Slippery Matrix was my all time favorite, It got stained, sold it, ordered a new one, sold it a year ago or so. Only complaint was they ran small.

 

[whitca]

Billabong Foil: Very warm, sizing was spot on, soft and stretchy. I wear a chest entry and it's a pain to get in and out of but i don't have to worry about a zipper on the back working it's way open. Durability is hard to gauge-it's got some small tears after 3 seasons but it's a surf suit and not intended for waterscooters.

Jetpilot Apex John: Light, stretchy, fits well. Back zipper would occasionally work it's way open. Light colored which faded after a few seasons.

 

[thomps33]

I switched to Needs Essentials. Designer used to work for a big name wetsuit company and then started his own direct to the consumer company. Fits good, super stretchy, seals well (I can come out mostly dry sometimes), excellent prices. Cons: only comes in black.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I'm still rocking my Slippery LTD suit that I bought back in 99'. The pads are torn off the knees but otherwise it's still usable. It's warm, flexible and one of the least restrictive suits I have ever worn.

I also have one of the newer Matrix suits purchased around 2001 but they fit small and are way too restrictive. They stretch out so they fit a wide range of body sizes but you fight it all day like wearing one of those stretchy workout bands over your whole body.

FYI, I moved south so I wouldn't require such items anymore...

 

[300hpman]

Got a Hurley front entry suit, really like it, but order a size bigger then you need, runs small.
We also have several Jet Tribe wet suits the are okay. The old Matrix was the best, wore it out.

 

[Quinc]

Jettribe full suit is comfortable and stretches well. Size XL and I am 235ish. Also decently priced when they have the 30% off coupons.

 

[chixwithtrix]

Jettribe 2 piece. Material is soft and stretchy. Like it much more than my Slippery.

Only complaint is the knee material is slick and easy to slide out of tray.

 

[JRock637]

Rip curl dawn patrol. My fav so far, soft, very flexible, fits awesome 2 seasons old no damage at all, chest zip a must.

I'm looking into getting a Fox one next. ( need insider help since they are made for sponsored athletes)

 

[Turtle]

Rip curl dawn patrol. My fav so far, soft, very flexible, fits awesome 2 seasons old no damage at all, chest zip a must.

I'm looking into getting a Fox one next. ( need insider help since they are made for sponsored athletes)

Any pictures of you wearing it ? i'm interested

 

[JRock637]

Any pictures of you wearing it ? i'm interested

You come to the broke back freeride I'll model it off for ya, even let ya try the zipper as a tease ;-)

 

[OCD Solutions]

You come to the broke back freeride I'll model it off for ya, even let ya try the zipper as a tease ;-)

Mixed reactions...

 

[JRock637]

Don't judge us we are proud Hilary supporters.

 

[jetx]

https://www.jobesports.com/

Just stumbled upon these guys...had never heard of them before but looks like they have some decent stuff

 

[Paulk1]

O'Neil . Just gotta find what fits. The cuts are all different between brands. Make sure u order where you can return easily. Have to try on. I'm a 5'10" skinny fat guy. They have a lot of in between options. Have Spring through drysuit all fit exactly the same. Gotta stick with what fits and awesome quality. One suit is 6 years old still fits and looks new. I've tried probably 5 or 6 brands, O'Neil has best seams in my opinion. Some others def cooler colors, but I want it to move and be warm

 

[AirJunky]

https://www.jobesports.com/

Just stumbled upon these guys...had never heard of them before but looks like they have some decent stuff

The company itself has been doing waterski stuff since the 80s. In the early 2000s they were owned by HO Skis/Hyperlite & the gear was a similar brand as the HO stuff. I used to see it at Costco. Recently they were acquired by a company in the Netherlands. Not sure how the gear has changed, but I can't imagine the white looks very good for long.

 

[long beach local]

I prefer surf suits they are much warmer . Rip Curl 3/2 front entry nice suit cheap oneil 4/3 under 200 bucks is toasty on chilly days back zippers dont hold up well though. Jetski suits look good are useful for racing but are not cost effective imo as they all wear out quickly if you use them often . I dont like hangers as the shoulders wear prematurely I dry at first inside out then rightside out and store dry my climate is usually dry lucky for me