Hello

I own a prolimit assault 5/3 neoprene wetsuit, that i've been kitesurfing with for two summers. Here's a few pictures of how it looks today:

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It is possible to repair these tears using neoprene glue, but just one session is enough to make them appear again, especially around the knees. The wetsuit is to tight in that area, and whenever i bend my knees, the neoprene is subjected to stress which it apparently can't handle. Also, when bending the back, as is apparent in picture 3, the stress becomes too much. To a lesser extent the same is also true at the back of the shoulders. The shape of my body probably has a part in the cause of why the wetsuit breaks so easily, i have quite big calves, and i can feel that the neoprene is stretched a lot there (this might be an issue limited to prolimit brand wetsuits). Another reason probably is that the wetsuit is single layer, which is less durable than double layer. I also use the wetsuit a lot, try to kitesurf often, and go for long sessions.

For a new wetsuit, I want a dual layer model. I also want it to be extremely warm, i kite in northern Europe, and i don't think it is to hot to kite in an 5/3 wetsuit in the middle of summer, with 20 degrees in the water.

Suggestions?

I have tried on Mystic wetsuits and I must say they are the best bang for your buck, only problem was they did not have my size so I settled for excel which is just as good!

One thing that you cant help is the pinch/crimp factor on your belly harness, unfortunately depends on your belly but at the end of the day metal plus fat belly equals pinch tear that's the only place I have any issues.......

+1 for the Radiator 3/2 ... sort of. It's a bit agricultural compared to a top of the line wettie from a major manufacturer. But they're pretty robust and warm and they dry very quickly. I am wearing a polypropylene top under mine and it was warm as toast during the cold snap we had in Melbourne.

I've been using my Radiator as my main wettie since 2009. I've also got a Rip Curl Fireskin 4/3 I have had since 2005. It is still like new but it takes a week to dry in winter.

My vote would be for a 5/3 Ripcurl Fbomb! Really warm (and the inside drys in 15mins so no more putting on a wet wetty)and super stretchy so I highly doubt you would get any tears like that. Only recently bought one so cant say for sure on durability by my Ripcurl Ebomb is showing hardly any wear after 2 seasons

Go Mystic

They are designed for kitesurfing so anything else is second best really.

Ive got an O'Neil reactor springy thats 15 years or so old and still going. Bought a new sealed O'Neil steamer thats falling to bits after a season.

Anyone know who stocks Mystic in Perth? Easy to buy online but a wetty is something that I'm inclined to buy local as doubt I could be sure of sizing...

Emanjay said...
Ive got an O'Neil reactor springy thats 15 years or so old and still going. Bought a new sealed O'Neil steamer thats falling to bits after a season.

Anyone know who stocks Mystic in Perth? Easy to buy online but a wetty is something that I'm inclined to buy local as doubt I could be sure of sizing...

Check out the site I mentioned, you'd be hard pressed to get it wrong with the size chart they have

Rip Curl 4/3 FLASHBOMB. Easily the best suit ever made. The hype is true. I've been riding in one all winter, warmer than my last EBOMB 4/3, always dry on the inside, and they have more streach now with S4.

Getting any other suit is a waste of money, FLASHBOMB is the go.

All other major wetsuit companies will be trying to work out how they can release a similar version.

www.ripcurl.com.au/?flashbomb

Watch the 'advantage' video