I surf in New York City and Massachusetts, and I absolutely hate my 5.5/4 wetsuit. It seems like a nice wetsuit, but It is so damn thick that I feel like I am physically limiting myself when I surf, and I get so damn tired. Instead I use a 4:3 back zip with a 2 mil neoprene under-shirt with a built in hood. Works pretty well for me. But it does flush every time I go down inside a wave, which isn't pleasant. Also, if the water gets too close to 40F (5 C) (or the air to 25 (f) (-4C) I feel compelled to put on my aforementioned torture suit.

So I was thinking after doing some research that the Oneill Mutant 4.5/3 would be the perfect alternative. It has a interchangeable hood and collar. And it has technobutter 3 in the arms, which is supposed to be awesomely soft and flexible. Plus you can switch out the hood for a bigger one, and my head happens to be an XL while my body is a L or Medium. Anybody any experience with the suit? Recommendations on another suit in the in the 4:3 range that are a bit warmer than others and super flexible?

Of course like all winter wetsuits this year, they seem to not exist in any numbers. But I want to be prepared if one does appear!

www.cleanlinesurf.com/theshop/wetsuit-reviews/oneill-mutant-legend-4-5-3-5mm-wetsuit-review/

The liquid taped thermal suits are flexible and very warm for their thickness.

needessentials.com/collections/mens-wetsuits

Wow you must have some polar bear in your blood to be able to wear a 4-3 in those temps. I have a ONiell mutant 5-4 maybe two seasons wearing it not a bad suit very flexible not the warmest the hood fits kind of loose and the zip is a pain in the ass. the psycho tech is a step above and way warmer like FRP said Oniell are up their price wise.Those needessentials look great and are priced unreal and seem to be available in the US wish I had known about those a couple months ago.

Axxe custom suits made in Japan - $$$$ but the best available IMO.

KDog said..
Wow you must have some polar bear in your blood to be able to wear a 4-3 in those temps. I have a ONiell mutant 5-4 maybe two seasons wearing it not a bad suit very flexible not the warmest the hood fits kind of loose and the zip is a pain in the ass. the psycho tech is a step above and way warmer like FRP said Oniell are up their price wise.Those needessentials look great and are priced unreal and seem to be available in the US wish I had known about those a couple months ago.

bummer that the hood didn't work well. It seems that they've worked on the zipper, and I have a big head, so hopefully that would work to my favor (on my heavy winter wetsuit the hood is mighty tight). I'll take a look at needessentials!

Gorgo said..
The liquid taped thermal suits are flexible and very warm for their thickness.

needessentials.com/collections/mens-wetsuits

did a bit o' research, and the price differential is pretty hard to resist. Even if you throw in the 2mm balaclava vest...

micksmith said..

Initially thought these wetties would be good and they may be but the two I bought didn't last as long as hoped and seem to be sponges, in saying that my son has them and one of his is still fine two years later a bit tired looking but ok. I moved on to matuse and the difference is chalk and cheese so light with minimal absorption and you can get away with wearing thinner suit ie; I only wear the 3:2 in winter here in Vic.

Do you use the top of the line material mattuse (geoprene), or the Dante (geoflex)? ($600us is out of my reach, although the Dante is kinda where I was looking)

supsean said..

micksmith said..

Initially thought these wetties would be good and they may be but the two I bought didn't last as long as hoped and seem to be sponges, in saying that my son has them and one of his is still fine two years later a bit tired looking but ok. I moved on to matuse and the difference is chalk and cheese so light with minimal absorption and you can get away with wearing thinner suit ie; I only wear the 3:2 in winter here in Vic.

Do you use the top of the line material mattuse (geoprene), or the Dante (geoflex)? ($600us is out of my reach, although the Dante is kinda where I was looking)

I have two Dante 3:2 and short sleeve in 2mm and also had the tumo in 2mm full suit which I wore in winter in Victoria. The Dante is as warm as the tumo but a bit thicker (3:2) but is also much easier for me to get in and out of. It has the full yoke collar with their butterfly entry.
good value in my mind