Just wondering if anyone has bought or used need essential wetsuits.
Looks like a new brand based in Torquay Vic.
They look good on the website and priced well. Especially the cold water winter ones

Yes. Have had a few. Liked the perceived value for money at first, but am off them again. You get what you pay for, but they beat lots of big names.

I've just bought some. Pretty happy so far. Quick delivery. Warm for current water temps. I did a self inflicted rip and support was excellent. I've only used it about 10 sessions.

The finish is a little more agricultural than a Rip Curl suit. The performance is equal or better and the price is crazy cheap. Service is excellent. I wouldn't buy anything else.

Like the new garage in Gosnells that opened up a week ago and has been selling petrol for 74.9 cents a litre every day.

No, never again. The fit was ok, but it was never warm like my old one and it would never dry properly. It also was hard to get into without the zip jamming. I ended up with a skin infection which took 4 week of antibiotics to get rid of. Maybe not the suits problem but the new one is much better and it's price was similar to the need.

I purchased a wetsuit from them. Quality is fine without being top class. If using their online sizing chart I would suggest erring on the side of getting a larger size as mine is a little tight from the measurements I took.

I've got 2, a 3/2 and a 4/3, really happy with both.

Had many other wetties over the years, but I've never had a $600-700 "premium", so I can't compare to these types.

These wetties are good value, well made, work fine for me, we surf all year in vicco.

Look up Zion wetsuits. Cheaper n just as good as the big brands

They look pretty good. Who are they? The contact page says they're in Wollongong.

www.zionwetsuits.com/contact/

Their suits are generally about 25% more expensive than needEssentials.

Mystic wetsuits are as good and in most cases better than your big named brands, the star 3/2 long arm short leg chest has been my preferred suit for 10 plus years great wetsuits and just over $200

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cauncy said..
Mystic wetsuits are as good and in most cases better than your big named brands, the star 3/2 long arm short leg chest has been my preferred suit for 10 plus years great wetsuits and just over $200

Gotta agree with Cauncy, ive had few Mystics, could not fault them, a 5/4 steamer for winter kiting that is 3 seasons old and good as new, a spring suit for summer that is awesome quality and comfort.

O'Neill is another quality wetty, got a O'Neill Epic 3/2 steamer very happy with it but at a recent Ripcurl sale here in wetsuit town, I couldn't resist a Ripcurl F Bomb 3/2 for $200 down from $650, have to say the F Bomb is overrated, the O'Neill is warmer and much easier to get off and on. Ripcurl is fading rapidly, don't even bother with Quiky anymore.

I get the Mystics and O'Neills from OS at bargain prices, perfect time to buy, OS winter over and ours about to start, pm me Dale if you want details.

+1 for mystic, I've had some of their stuff for nearly 15 years now, and still going strong. Their neoprene rashie I have used 100's of times and still looks like new.

I think ive tried nearly every brand at some point (granted cheap end of ranges, though no cheaper than needessentials)-and last couple of steamers were mystic as above, and the needessentials makes the rest look like terrible value garbage. If I got a season and a half out of them previously, I was happy. They would all be falling apart easily by then. Ive had the one and only steamer I bought from needessentials for over 3 years and still no holes/pulled stitching. Add to that it is the most comfortable suit I've ever worn-actually felt softer and more flexible than a mates patagonia he bought around the same time for many more $

I like their philosophy and business model, hopefully they havent dropped the quality/service when I need them next.

I'm looking at a suit and based on this forum, I looked at the Needessential site. Can anyone tell me about their sizing, using their size chart I am medium, but usually I'm large. Does their sizing differ to other suits? I am 6 foot 80kg. Any advice, even if it is sent through a message, would be great!

They're good realistically priced and great service out of Torquay - I've got a 4/3 steamer and 2mm short arm steamer both lasted 2-3 seasons now and going strong - find the sizing pretty accurate - if you're a tall skinny or short fatty then it might be a bit more difficult - went to them after some big name winter suit failures - they seem to be outperforming them all

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PaddlePig said..
I'm looking at a suit and based on this forum, I looked at the Needessential site. Can anyone tell me about their sizing, using their size chart I am medium, but usually I'm large. Does their sizing differ to other suits? I am 6 foot 80kg. Any advice, even if it is sent through a message, would be great!

I got a wettie off them using their size chart and it was too small and I had to send it back. I would go the next size up from what their chart sugggests.

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PaddlePig said..
I'm looking at a suit and based on this forum, I looked at the Needessential site. Can anyone tell me about their sizing, using their size chart I am medium, but usually I'm large. Does their sizing differ to other suits? I am 6 foot 80kg. Any advice, even if it is sent through a message, would be great!

Medium long, Im the same dims.
The large looked a bit big looking at the chart.

I spent an extra 50 bucks and got a volte it's in its third season and still going even though I leave it in the car stinking rolled up and covered in sand

had a ripcurl prior got a season and a half
had an O'Neil prior to that and got about two and a half seasons but that O'Neil was 650 bucks so from now on it's volte all the way

for the extra 50 bucks or so you get a wetsuit that is twice the quality of a need, cannot say anything in regards to the mystic as I don't have any real life reference to them

Hi Crew,

I am reading this thread with interest, as I dusted off the old Billabong steamer on the w/e and sadly after about 5 years of service she is nearly dead - the smooth rubber is splitting and it's been patched a few times... And my short arm steamer is even worse condition, but must be even older. Don't think either of them will last the season...

My problem is that I am a big guy at around 115kg, 5'11" but at the top end of 2XL across the chest and shoulders and a good XL across the guts (38" boardies and jeans). I am looking at all the wetty manufacturer's sizing charts and they seem to top out a bit short of what I need. Having said that my Springy is an O'Neill and that fits me very well at XXL. The problem will be the length of the arms and legs in a steamer...

Xcel have a 2XLS (XXL short) - but so far I cannot find stock.

Oh, and I am looking for a back zip, as with bad back and a recent shoulder recon I just cannot get in and out of those other ones...

Keen to hear your recommendations (other than lose weight - been fighting that battle for a few years now)

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Razzonater said..
I spent an extra 50 bucks and got a volte it's in its third season and still going even though I leave it in the car stinking rolled up and covered in sand

had a ripcurl prior got a season and a half
had an O'Neil prior to that and got about two and a half seasons but that O'Neil was 650 bucks so from now on it's volte all the way

for the extra 50 bucks or so you get a wetsuit that is twice the quality of a need, cannot say anything in regards to the mystic as I don't have any real life reference to them

Just wondering how can you pass judgement on the Need quality if you haven't owned one?

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russh said..

Razzonater said..
I spent an extra 50 bucks and got a volte it's in its third season and still going even though I leave it in the car stinking rolled up and covered in sand

had a ripcurl prior got a season and a half
had an O'Neil prior to that and got about two and a half seasons but that O'Neil was 650 bucks so from now on it's volte all the way

for the extra 50 bucks or so you get a wetsuit that is twice the quality of a need, cannot say anything in regards to the mystic as I don't have any real life reference to them

Just wondering how can you pass judgement on the Need quality if you haven't owned one?

Mates on his second one in the same timeframe I have had the volte. At 6 months in he was winging about leaking seams

Also the finish on them looks like they have been stitched by child labourers,

GPA I too am a big boy at 6 foot 110kg with some form of stomach pillow, I think mines xxl or xxxl but fits good they have them stocked at Mandurah star but it pays to call if you want the xxxl I think they only had one of the premium or top one when I got mine but they had to rustle around in the back for it.

Can't beat Patagonia. Wait for them to go on sale. Keep checking their website. Buy a 4/3 in summer and a spring suit in winter. You won't get a better wetsuit.

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Razzonater said..

russh said..

Razzonater said..
I spent an extra 50 bucks and got a volte it's in its third season and still going even though I leave it in the car stinking rolled up and covered in sand

had a ripcurl prior got a season and a half
had an O'Neil prior to that and got about two and a half seasons but that O'Neil was 650 bucks so from now on it's volte all the way

for the extra 50 bucks or so you get a wetsuit that is twice the quality of a need, cannot say anything in regards to the mystic as I don't have any real life reference to them

Just wondering how can you pass judgement on the Need quality if you haven't owned one?

Mates on his second one in the same timeframe I have had the volte. At 6 months in he was winging about leaking seams

Also the finish on them looks like they have been stitched by child labourers,

GPA I too am a big boy at 6 foot 110kg with some form of stomach pillow, I think mines xxl or xxxl but fits good they have them stocked at Mandurah star but it pays to call if you want the xxxl I think they only had one of the premium or top one when I got mine but they had to rustle around in the back for it.

Interesting had mine for 2 SA winters - and its the best wettie since an O'neill Phsyco 4/3 I I had 5 years ago - had simmer, ION, Ripcurl and billabong that all shat themselves in one winter season

What are you people doing to your wetsuits that causes them to wear out in a year or two. I have never ever had a wettie wear out. That is in at least an average of 3 sessions a week for the past 45 years. A lot more sessions in the past few years because of foiling and being retired.

I am still using 5 and 8 year old suits. I have passed on an older suit to a mate who still uses it.

I have damaged suits, but it's usually fairly easy to repair them to a usable state. I did have a problem with the early super stretch suits because I hung them on coat hangers to dry. The ends of the hanger would damage the shoulders a bit. That no longer happens.

What does happen is that old wetsuits are less warm than new wetsuits. I haven't worked out if the old suits degrade, or the new wetsuits are much better.

Anyway, after years of trying out various name brands I have settled on Need suits. I could not be happier with them. Yes, go for a larger size than their size chart says.

I now view wetsuits as a consumable, essential item. Need suits are so cheap I can update just for the hell of it. Being warm makes a huge difference to the pleasure of a session. It's hard to understand people wearing 3mm suits in Melbourne in winter and whinging about the cold. A 6mm ultra premium from Need is cheap as and so warm and comfortable. (Note that prone paddling and other disciplines uses more energy than SUP or foiling and you can get away with a thinner suit.)

Just had a look at the Volte, extra $50 someone said-I'm always chasing best value. Their 3/2 back zip steamer over $400, nearly twice needessentials price. Pass

My last wetties
Rip Curl E-bomb 3/2- seams leaking, shoulders stretched after 2 seasons
Rip Curl F Bomb3/2- super warm but shoulders fell apart after 2 seasons
Need 4/3- nice and warm- used for 3 seasons and good for spearing, tape came off some seams after 2nd season
ONeill 3/2cant remember model- rubber in legs stretched, seams split after 1.5 seasons, was worst out of my last few
Patagonia springy- had it for one season and feels good and warm for the spring autumn
ONeill long arm springy- about 4 seasons before it fell apart, very good
2 x excels- ok when new but seams started leaking and neck rubber fell apart after 1st season, won't get another

I always wash my wetties out after every surf, but a mate gets more life out of his wetties and never wahes them- could be the **** hard water we have

Just ordered a Coastlines 3/2 which should get here end of the week

Which week? Things aren't as they ought to be didn't you know.

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Emanjay said..
Just had a look at the Volte, extra $50 someone said-I'm always chasing best value. Their 3/2 back zip steamer over $400, nearly twice needessentials price. Pass

Star surf Mandurah advertised right now on their web page for 320 if you have the old school star card it's minus 10% so around 290....... I think needs are 230-250 landed??????

Maybe even less than 50 bucks more??

The springy is 100 bucks, where you pulling 400 plus prices from????????

this thread gave me wetsuit fomo, So i ordered need 4/3 on monday and it got here today (thurs).

I am on the bottom scale of MT (72kg, 182cm), its a perfect fit but wouldnt want it any smaller. Quality
looks good, i can't pick any issues in a side to side compare with other brand-name wetties lying around. Probably cant give a meaningful review as comparison is with a saggy 3/2 west thats 5 years old and full of holes...

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Razzonater said..

Emanjay said..
Just had a look at the Volte, extra $50 someone said-I'm always chasing best value. Their 3/2 back zip steamer over $400, nearly twice needessentials price. Pass

Star surf Mandurah advertised right now on their web page for 320 if you have the old school star card it's minus 10% so around 290....... I think needs are 230-250 landed??????

Maybe even less than 50 bucks more??

The springy is 100 bucks, where you pulling 400 plus prices from????????

I saw $400 on Voltes site but I see what you mean, Star have them much cheaper than RRP, Volte also have a lower cost option that looks as though it'd be closer to $200 in store, though not sure how much the quality/performance drops (just found them-$150 at Star). I see Needs are now $240 plus $15 delivery so the gap is small-fair call. All these prices are 3/2 back zip steamer. I might have to check them out next time. For now my needs suit refuses to die, which makes me reluctant/too lazy to try anything else...