Hey All - Pulled my old steamer hoping I could get another season out of it (it is 4 season old) however just doesnt look like I will.

Just wondering on what everyones thoughts are for the best 3/2 going?

I have been looking at:

Matuse
Patagonia
Also a new US company called Carapace.

All around the same price but the Carapace is custom made to my measurements.

Any others I should be looking at?

Cheers.

Steamers - the O'Neil psycho 2 is the most durable wettie I have ever owned. Love them. 4 yrs of heaven.

Thanks Ted - Didnt even consider the Oneil. Silly on my behalf it just didnt come to mind through my trawling of the internet.

I have a 3/2 Quiksilver Cypher and it is the flexiest suit I have ever worn, super easy to paddle in. Pretty warm too, for a 3/2 anyway. Holds up in Tassie waters.

I had a top of the range peak, it was good, lasted ages but was getting a bit worn so I got a C-skin as a 2nd suit and it is so comfortable the peak is now the backup.

I have never heard of C-Skins. Had a squizz on their website. They look good, although for me personally a bit too flash out out there with the colour designs/patterns.

Although i am the kind of guy to go from my black T-Shirt into my black Steamer. Nothing to fancy for me!

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Teacake said..

I have a 3/2 Quiksilver Cypher and it is the flexiest suit I have ever worn, super easy to paddle in. Pretty warm too, for a 3/2 anyway. Holds up in Tassie waters.

I had one of these - lasted less than 6 months - they replaced it for me immediately - I went straight back to the Pschyo - still have the replacement hanging in my wardrobe. Yes they are flexi - but in my experience it could not handle a winter! Glad you having more luck. Happy to have gone back to O'Neil.

O'Neill Psycho 3 - lightest quickest drying suit I have ever felt , piece of piss to get on & off too ..... got the F.U.Z.E chest zip one myself

lots of mates have rip curl e-bombs and swear by them

I might check out the oneil - rang the local store here and there is one on sale in my fat boy size for $250.

Will head in tomorrow after work and try it on.

Thanks lads!

I note Billabong did not get a mention...

I have always found that they fit me best, but my 2x2 short arm steamer I got last winter has not lasted a single season - has split in about 3-4 spots, the kneepad has come off and I have what looks like a fin chop slice across the gut (although don't remember getting hit).

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Ted the Kiwi said..

Teacake said..

I have a 3/2 Quiksilver Cypher and it is the flexiest suit I have ever worn, super easy to paddle in. Pretty warm too, for a 3/2 anyway. Holds up in Tassie waters.

I had one of these - lasted less than 6 months - they replaced it for me immediately - I went straight back to the Pschyo - still have the replacement hanging in my wardrobe. Yes they are flexi - but in my experience it could not handle a winter! Glad you having more luck. Happy to have gone back to O'Neil.

Yeah I agree they aren't the best durability wise but seeing as I didn't pay for it I don't mind if it falls apart.

I reckon I will get a year out of it before it's all over.

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GPA said..

I note Billabong did not get a mention...

I have always found that they fit me best, but my 2x2 short arm steamer I got last winter has not lasted a single season - has split in about 3-4 spots, the kneepad has come off and I have what looks like a fin chop slice across the gut (although don't remember getting hit).

I have had a very different experience. I have had a 5/4 Billabong and it has lasted around a year and a half now. Only thing now is that there is a slight bit of unstitching around the neck, but like 10mm of thread and thats it. No holes, kneepads haven't worn through which they always do on my suits, and it is still as warm as when I bought it.

Been a great suit and it will last me this winter too!

Cheers

Latest tracks mag has a very good article reviewing the latest wetsuits. Was suprised to hear that Patagonia have issues with neck seal and fit... Considering they are basically the most expensive on the market. In my experience Oneil have the best suits in terms of compromising between comfort and flex vs durability. There are more comfortable suits out there for sure...but they don't have the durability.

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Ctngoodvibes said..

Latest tracks mag has a very good article reviewing the latest wetsuits. Was suprised to hear that Patagonia have issues with neck seal and fit... Considering they are basically the most expensive on the market. In my experience Oneil have the best suits in terms of compromising between comfort and flex vs durability. There are more comfortable suits out there for sure...but they don't have the durability.

Patagonia ??? geez that's a surprise Vibes .... cannot believe how fast the Psycho3 dries & it feels like a second skin

Havent seen the tracks mag with the write up - will swing by the newsagent and have a squizz this arvo. Thanks for the tip.

Would be interested to see the write up about the patagonia.

I have a spring suit of theirs and it is awesome (got it supercheap off a website). It dries super quick, is flexible and comfortable. Actually thinking a bit more about it the neck does irritate me a little, I am always readjusting the velcro but that is because it is a back zip suit.

I also have a matuse jacket and comparing the material between the two the patagonia is alot smoother and more comfortable... They are both bloody expensive though.

Thanks!

jeepers all this steamer talk and I am still doing my early mornings sessions in boardies and a 1mm top. Must say I am not looking forward to the water temp dropping. I normally try to stay out of the steamer until May at the very least. This yr I think I might get at least another few weeks - fingers crossed

We had a cold snap a little while ago - left the steamer at home and froze my freckle off.

Luckily that passed pretty quickly however I am the same and am not lloking forward to the freezing mornings!

Its 4/3's down here already though not hoods and booties yet...I love my Ripcurl E-Bomb but teh linigs in teh new ones are not as tough as the old ones...mines only been going 3 seasons and already has a couple of holes

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Ted the Kiwi said..

jeepers all this steamer talk and I am still doing my early mornings sessions in boardies and a 1mm top. Must say I am not looking forward to the water temp dropping. I normally try to stay out of the steamer until May at the very least. This yr I think I might get at least another few weeks - fingers crossed

Get farked mainlander! Couldn't do that in the middle of summer on a 35 degree day!

No crowds is worth the rubber though!

Carefull there young TC.

I am with the TEDmeister.

Haven't even put on a rashie yet.

ET.

Excuse me,but whats a steamer

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Teacake said..



crowds is worth the rubber though!

smart boy,safe sex well done

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Macaha said..

Excuse me,but whats a steamer

Yeah Yeah rub it in lucky Goldie pr!ck

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Macaha said...
Excuse me,but whats a steamer

Geez macaha .... Silly questions like that will get one dropped on your door step ... Brown bag and all

yeah, i though a steamer was something you did before an early morning surf

I've got a 3/2 and 4/3 Rip Curl E-Bomb. Great suits and if you order them from the US they are half the price!

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MornoPom said..
if you order them from the US they are half the price!

The irony given your location just blows me away

What's a steamer

Whats a Cleveland Steamer ??

Never done one MCHenry - you in to them?

A sexual act by nature (fetish) the cleveland steamer is when one person craps on another person's chest and (very important) then sits down and rocks back and forth like a steam roller.


Billy had just gotten out of the shower, so me and John gave min a cleveland steamer.