Gidday all,
I'm 62 years old and the last time i surfed (badly) was about 4 decades ago. I've just got back from a trip to Hawaiii and got by the bug again big time. I'd like to try longboarding and body surfing again back here but my problem is that i'll be mostly restricted to surfing down at Torquay and along the West Coast (i live in Ballarat) and i'm a real sook when it comes to cold water.
I'd appreciate some suggestions as to what good cold water suits are on the market? I'm not fussed regards price for a good suit that i can stay out in 16 degree or so water for a good session.
Cheers and thanks in advance, appreciated.

Suggest you get in contact with Simondo - he surfs in that area... He's a regular poster on here.

Welcome back to the sport!

Yes I second the welcome

in winter go for a sealed 4/3 , booties hat and gloves .

the rest of the year i use a 3/2 only . some days in summer you may only need bordies ...

If you not fussed on price and like the environment go check out the Patagonia options at Torquay. Not sure if there new super duper no neoprene suits are in yet but their other ones are as environmentally friendly and high quality as you will find anywhere. You will think they are incredible if you have not played in a winter wettie for a while. I personally go for the O'Neill Psycho range - super flexi and great value - I normally get at least 3 years out of them. I find the Quiksilver wetsuits low on quality but high on flex. A lot of people are big fans of the Rip Curl e-bombs and flash bombs. I tried to buy a 4/3 last year off a local retailer and it never arrived before winter was over ! Go figure. Should have brought it on-line. Anyway the real reason for it never arriving was that so many people brought the product they had none left. Most people I know who have them swear by them - but they also say that they only get 2 good winters out of them - if you look after them. Super stretchy.

Tux surfs a hell of lot down your way and has many wetties - they get loads of use. So he is probably the best man to give you a run down. I am having a beer with him tom night so if he has not responded by then I shall force him to. Simondo also surfs a fair bit and is pretty wise - he will probably break it down in numbers for ya ! And lets not forget the Sands man !

I'm in Hobart and I use a 4/3 rip curl flash bomb through the cooler months. GREAT suit!!

Thanks all for the knowledge and for the welcome back to surfing. I really got hooked again in Hawaii but ya get spoilt wearing bordies only and then reality kicks in when you get back home to the cold waters and wind down here. I'll check out what's been suggested so far and do some more research as well before i buy something but i don't want to leave it too long because i'm itching to get back into it.

My Ripcurl Flashbomb was great but the zip was dodgy and seized after two winters. I got another one and that zip looks dodgy too.

O'neil Psycho 2 are awesome wetsuits and the best I have had. For some reason I keep trying other things. The Psychos are flexible and tough. They would get me through three winters. Possibly look at the rear flap though as they can be awkward to get in and off.

I won't get another Flashbomb after this because of the zip.

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thedrip said..
My Ripcurl Flashbomb was great but the zip was dodgy and seized after two winters. I got another one and that zip looks dodgy too.

O'neil Psycho 2 are awesome wetsuits and the best I have had. For some reason I keep trying other things. The Psychos are flexible and tough. They would get me through three winters. Possibly look at the rear flap though as they can be awkward to get in and off.

I won't get another Flashbomb after this because of the zip.

Thanks mate, i'll check out the Psycho 2 and the Patagonia. Flashbomb sounds good but not good if they have dodgy zips. But i'll have a look as well anyway and pay attention to the zips. Think i'll go with a suit thats rated for water around 16-18 degrees because i get cold real quick even when the waters pretty warm, and then also buy a lighter suit or top for the warm water months (weeks from what i remember) in january/february. It's gotta be pretty warm for me to stay out for any time without some type of suit i'm such a wimp.

Welcome back. stick with it. All the info on the wetties is spot on. I'm your age and I'm having the best time. Go for it!!!

The 2mm short arm steamer I got from "need essentials" is a cracker, $hits all over the Quiksilver Ignite 2mm short arm steamer I bought at the same time. Easier to fight your way in and out of (just), much more comfortable and far more practical zip system. Both are chest zip.

My previous suit was a 3/2 excel steamer, chest zip too but far easier entry and exit than the above suits. The flap that goes over your head was only fixed at the back of the suit as opposed to the shoulder, brilliant system. It was just too hot for me over here. Lasted well too, got three years out of it and it's still kicking.

O'Neil psycho 3

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Sandsy1 said..
Welcome back. stick with it. All the info on the wetties is spot on. I'm your age and I'm having the best time. Go for it!!!

Thanks mate, it's funny how all of a sudden i felt like i was the oldest one on the ski slopes, kayaking the rivers, hiking the mountains etc so i thought what the hell, i might as well go the whole hog and get back into the waves.

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leashless said...
If money is no object - I would go for a full custom.

Either:

https://www.carapacewetsuits.com/

www.axxe.jp/us/wetsuits.html (Southcoast surfboards can measure you up for these, they are down that way).

Have you owned one of these? If so can you tell why and how much better they are....tganks

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scrounger said..

Sandsy1 said..
Welcome back. stick with it. All the info on the wetties is spot on. I'm your age and I'm having the best time. Go for it!!!

Thanks mate, it's funny how all of a sudden i felt like i was the oldest one on the ski slopes, kayaking the rivers, hiking the mountains etc so i thought what the hell, i might as well go the whole hog and get back into the waves.

Mate old guys rule on mals,the older you get the better you look imo.

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Macaha said..

scrounger said..

Sandsy1 said..
Welcome back. stick with it. All the info on the wetties is spot on. I'm your age and I'm having the best time. Go for it!!!

Thanks mate, it's funny how all of a sudden i felt like i was the oldest one on the ski slopes, kayaking the rivers, hiking the mountains etc so i thought what the hell, i might as well go the whole hog and get back into the waves.

Mate old guys rule on mals,the older you get the better you look imo.

Well, isn't there some saying about even if you can't do it you should look good trying Thanks fellas for the heads up

Nah haven't owned one Chrispy - Would like to once my 2 Billabong wettie rotation ends its life....

Being not the normal sized surfer - 6" 110kgs ex athlete, I find wetsuit sizing difficult, with basically only the Billabong XLS fitting somewhat decent for me (legs are still too long, stretches over shoulders and neck).

A custom suit that is made to measure to my frame etc just makes sense...

Whilst these are not for everyone and can be expensive as all hell OP did say he isn't fussed on pricing...

Benny from compare surfboards did a review on Carapace (some love his reviews, some hate them - good to have someone showing the boards off like he does I think) - he is a larger guy I believe and also with a totally different body shape to the average surfer.

comparesurfboards.com/reviews/wetsuit-reviews/carapace-custom-wetsuits-exo1-review

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leashless said..
Nah haven't owned one Chrispy - Would like to once my 2 Billabong wettie rotation ends its life....

Being not the normal sized surfer - 6" 110kgs ex athlete, I find wetsuit sizing difficult, with basically only the Billabong XLS fitting somewhat decent for me (legs are still too long, stretches over shoulders and neck).

A custom suit that is made to measure to my frame etc just makes sense...

Whilst these are not for everyone and can be expensive as all hell OP did say he isn't fussed on pricing...

Benny from compare surfboards did a review on Carapace (some love his reviews, some hate them - good to have someone showing the boards off like he does I think) - he is a larger guy I believe and also with a totally different body shape to the average surfer.

comparesurfboards.com/reviews/wetsuit-reviews/carapace-custom-wetsuits-exo1-review

I'm pretty standard sizing i reckon leashless. 5 foot 10 inches and 76 kegs with just a slight old guys gut, so off the rack suits should do, just chasing the one that's likely to give me the best cold water protection and longevity for dollars.

Hey leashless I understand about the custom fit part....I was just interested in the rubber side,like flexibility and whatnot.

I also asked because I have not owned one and I don't know anybody who has.

The patoginia rubber I have seen does not look as flexible as the other brands img...once again I have not worn one and would love to hear from people who have

No idea on the rubber side (haha) Chrispy - I know Carapace use Yamamoto but that means pretty much nothing to me.

I have a Patagonia spring suit which is nice, but feels heavier and thicker than the 2mm it is... If that makes sense.

I also have a Matuse 2mm top that feels super light but not as flexible as the Patagonia...

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leashless said...
No idea on the rubber side (haha) Chrispy - I know Carapace use Yamamoto but that means pretty much nothing to me.

I have a Patagonia spring suit which is nice, but feels heavier and thicker than the 2mm it is... If that makes sense.

I also have a Matuse 2mm top that feels super light but not as flexible as the Patagonia...

Your patoginia description is how they looked and felt to me.

I am interested to see a few opinions on their new neoprene free wittiest when they come out

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chrispy said..

leashless said...
No idea on the rubber side (haha) Chrispy - I know Carapace use Yamamoto but that means pretty much nothing to me.

I have a Patagonia spring suit which is nice, but feels heavier and thicker than the 2mm it is... If that makes sense.

I also have a Matuse 2mm top that feels super light but not as flexible as the Patagonia...

Your patoginia description is how they looked and felt to me.

I am interested to see a few opinions on their new neoprene free wittiest when they come out

ive got a long sleeve top. I thought it would be heavy and less flexible. it does feel like more than 2mm.

but super comfy. I think its in the cut and its more flexi than you would think.


been real happy with mine.

would try to get it again then I need too. 2 years and still looking and feeling good

Just to add its like they use different rubber or something to everyone else

I've heard a few good things about Patagonia wetties. I've had E Bombs over the years and they're pretty good but don't last long.You want to be able to move though.

Ok..the boys have your wettie problem solved


Now the BIG one.....Which Board


BTW..at 62 you're still a kid...

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surfbroker said..
Ok..the boys have your wettie problem solved


Now the BIG one.....Which Board


BTW..at 62 you're still a kid...

You're too kind mate. Dunno yet regards a board, that is the hard one, i'll be after something for cruisy small waves that makes me look better and more skilled than i am

Needs Essential very good suits half the price without loosing any features
Patagonia bit on the exy side will last 3-4 winters
Excel - Very warm hard to get in and out of if your a bigger fellow or older
Ripcurl - great suits but probably only last 2-3 seasons with alot of use
Raffle the rest

3/2 will get you by if you aren't surfing in winter
4/3 for winter

If you surf a lot get 2 x 4/3 so your not getting into a cold wetsuit when its freezing in July
Booties and hoods are also recommeded

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Tux said..
Needs Essential very good suits half the price without loosing any features
Patagonia bit on the exy side will last 3-4 winters
Excel - Very warm hard to get in and out of if your a bigger fellow or older
Ripcurl - great suits but probably only last 2-3 seasons with alot of use
Raffle the rest

3/2 will get you by if you aren't surfing in winter
4/3 for winter

If you surf a lot get 2 x 4/3 so your not getting into a cold wetsuit when its freezing in July
Booties and hoods are also recommeded

Good stuff, thanks Tux. Doubt i'll be bothering going out dead of winter when the trout are biting and the snow mountains are calling anyway. Mostly be out in spring through to late Autumn i reckon down in Vic anyway.

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scrounger said..

Tux said..
Needs Essential very good suits half the price without loosing any features
Patagonia bit on the exy side will last 3-4 winters
Excel - Very warm hard to get in and out of if your a bigger fellow or older
Ripcurl - great suits but probably only last 2-3 seasons with alot of use
Raffle the rest

3/2 will get you by if you aren't surfing in winter
4/3 for winter

If you surf a lot get 2 x 4/3 so your not getting into a cold wetsuit when its freezing in July
Booties and hoods are also recommeded

Good stuff, thanks Tux. Doubt i'll be bothering going out dead of winter when the trout are biting and the snow mountains are calling anyway. Mostly be out in spring through to late Autumn i reckon down in Vic anyway.

Yeah a good quality 3/2 will get you there then bro...some blokes I know only use a 3/2 all winter but they usually only last an hour at most

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Tux said..

scrounger said..

Tux said..
Needs Essential very good suits half the price without loosing any features
Patagonia bit on the exy side will last 3-4 winters
Excel - Very warm hard to get in and out of if your a bigger fellow or older
Ripcurl - great suits but probably only last 2-3 seasons with alot of use
Raffle the rest

3/2 will get you by if you aren't surfing in winter
4/3 for winter

If you surf a lot get 2 x 4/3 so your not getting into a cold wetsuit when its freezing in July
Booties and hoods are also recommeded

Good stuff, thanks Tux. Doubt i'll be bothering going out dead of winter when the trout are biting and the snow mountains are calling anyway. Mostly be out in spring through to late Autumn i reckon down in Vic anyway.

Yeah a good quality 3/2 will get you there then bro...some blokes I know only use a 3/2 all winter but they usually only last an hour at most

I'll have a poke around down the coast this weekend and try a few out. Cheers mate.

Agree with a lot of above , esp Tux saying have more then 1 for winter . Nothing worse then a cold , damp wetsuit on a cold day . I personally hate 4/3 suits , have 1 hanging in the garage hasn't been used for about 3 years . Find the thinner the suit the easier to paddle so the longer you can stay in the water . Personally I wear 3/2 spring , Autumn and winter . When it gets cold a put a vest underneath which I guess makes it a 5/2 . Always wear booties nothing worse then losing feeling in your toes from the cold .Most of my suits are anchor , half the price of the rest and still great quality . Got my teenager a 3/2 steamer on the weekend at their yearly sale for just over $200 and a pair of booties for me for $30