After some feedback on winter wetsuits for cold (SA/Vic) Water. Had a Patagonia R (8-12º) for 2 years now, well made suit with 2 major flaws-1. Really inflexible, a bugger if you are an older surfer with crook shoulders, &2. Doesn't keep you warm- no sealed seems. Reminds me of my old Ripcurl Dawn Patrols of the 1980s...... can anyone recommend a well made, warm, flexible suit that won't fall apart in 6 months?

Patagonia are very good... 8-12 degree suits should be sealed... Did the seals fail? Did you try taking it back?

Patagonia Suit Advice - buy 1 size bigger than you normally would... I bought a very large size, and there is no restrictions at all around the shoulders...

Quiksilver Cypher Suits are also pretty good.

Plenty of crew are happy with Rip Curl too...

Back in Avalon, many guys really rated the O'Neil suits...

My mate Vanda gets his suits custom made from NZ...

South Coast Longboards in Torquay can also get you sized up for a Custom Suit, and I think those suits are from Japan...

Thanks mate, I bought the suit from Patagonia Torquay in 2012. The model didn't have sealed seams back then. I think they do now, I know they have changed quite a few details in the suit since then. Don't know about buying a suit bigger than I would normally though, as this one allows water to wash around by lower back when paddling, going bigger would only make worse I'd imagine.

Don't buy billabong they are ****....this year I have bought a top of the range O'Neil,and it is dying after a dozen surfs. The seams are shot,there is a hole under the arm,and a nasty email will be sent. Mate bought a peak,it is ****ed and he has sent it of under warranty, oh surfed less than mine....rip.curl has a lot of haters and some lovers. Some crew they die early, the others are up to the third season...people raved about xcel,they seem to be the less whined about where I surf either/ either I'm pretty ****ed off about it all. For a start they charge me more than double than anywhere in the world....then they want to give me some piss poor effort. Keep your trendy marketing names for your dinner parties,because your techno butter this or flash bomb that is ****ing rubbish....rant over till my fingers can type again

O'Neill Pschyo have never let me down. Love that suit. Presently I also have a Quiky Cypher - extreme flex - you do not even know you are wearing one - but not as warm as the O'Neill. I have a rip curl 4/3 flash bomb on order and can not wait to get it. Although given its been over a month and its at least another few weeks away they tell me - perhaps that is something to consider

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chrispy said..
I have bought a top of the range O'Neil,and it is dying after a dozen surfs. The seams are shot,there is a hole under the arm,and a nasty email will be sent

Chrispy - take it back with your receipt and they wills end you another one asap. Any seam issue is covered under warranty. No need to be nasty - just ask nicely and smile farrrrking smile

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Ted the Kiwi said...

chrispy said..
I have bought a top of the range O'Neil,and it is dying after a dozen surfs. The seams are shot,there is a hole under the arm,and a nasty email will be sent

Chrispy - take it back with your receipt and they wills end you another one asap. Any seam issue is covered under warranty. No need to be nasty - just ask nicely and smile farrrrking smile

I hear ya ted....but then it's two weeks and blah blah blah.... A dozen surfs and it's ****ed,c'mon.. That is bull****

Smash them Chrispy you will win in the end I think.

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Macaha said...
Smash them Chrispy you will win in the end I think.

I wish. It's just a joke. There are so many people with badly manufactured suits,compared to where crew are happy with what they have. That is across most brands as well. The other point of how pommie or yanks can pay less for ripcurl than Aussies is disgusting. We are once again treated like clowns

Hurley has anyone owned one if so what are they like?

I've found Excel outstanding value and quality.

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Macaha said...
Hurley has anyone owned one if so what are they like?

I've found Excel outstanding value and quality.

I'm a Hurley phantom boardshort fan boy...if I knew where to buy one I would. Nike have never let me down I must say I'm.pretty sad about the O'Neil suit,I like the brand and the first few times I wore it i was beyond in love..

E Bomb has to be the best wetly Ive had really flexible,warm and only showing signs of wear 2 years down the track from where i hang it over the clothesline but will get another winter out of it for sure.Had an excel last wetly and was super warm but the wicking on the inside added to much weight when wet and it lasted two winters then self destructed

I will + 1 on the Ripcurl EBomb.

I've got a 3/2 excel chest zip and it's too warm for me. I only really wear it June/July through October. I can relate to the weight thing too, I find it a bit restrictive. Into its third winter now and it gets rinsed at the end of each season, other than that I shake it out and dry it in the shade.
Wish they made a 2/1.

I've had an ONeill 3/2 for about 5 years now..admit that it's only worn about 4 months a year..but it's still a good suit ..esp after I got the heads up on the Wax Off situation

Ditto on the R/C, mines 3 yrs old now and I'm in tas so she gets used frequently. It's in very good nick except for incidents at the fault of the user, I'd happily but another.

Also, much as I'd like to support local, mine came from west suits U.K. Less than half the au price and delivered to door in 5 days, awesome service

Checked out new Patagonia R3- they've replaced the lamb's wool in arms with different insulating material, 60% more flexible. Seams now sealed. Given the quality & durabilty of the one I've got, I'll probably go for the new model. Worst suit I ever owned- O'Neill chest zip 3/2- seam sealing cracked and pulled away; thinner flexible shoulder neoprene broke down quickly; stitching came apart. All the more 'mature' surfers out there- remember the Aussie made Ripcurls of the 70s/early 80s? Don't remember a single fault in any off them. Lasted year after year, you eventually had to relegate them to the shed as they got so stiff you felt like a large starfish! Of course weren't as warm as today's suits but leg zips were a great idea- no hopping around on one leg in the carpark with the wettie around your ankles. Was simple to get new suit though- 4/3 size large Dawn Patrol every time-never varied in size or quality. Would also rub your neck and underarms like 400 grit sandpaper.

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Ted the Kiwi said..
I have a rip curl 4/3 flash bomb on order and can not wait to get it.

My 1st E Bomb 4/3 lasted 3 and 1/2 seasons now my summer suit (neck stretched lets water in reckon I'll get one more year) 2nd one is warm as toast so your flash bomb should have you frying like a BBQ

I'm going to.give the O'Neil crew a chance at fixing this...then I'm not sure. I wear a springy way more than a steamer and it just seems to.keep living. Why? So how do you go.two weeks without surfing because a brand new suit fails? Does your warranty restart for 12 months after it has been repaired? Just seems like such a lottery with all the brands... Once again,anyone know anything about the Hurley suits?

I have an Excel 2-3 climb in through the neck, glued seems wettie. Best wettie I've ever had, warm, very flexible coz of the material & no back zip which reduces flex & also lets in the cold. Coming through the second winter with a reasonable amount of use & it has no probs. I say reasonable amount of use coz I generally wear a springy till June & wear the steamer till about the end of Oct. But I think thats enough testing coz my springy had thread probs within 3 months (diff cheap brand).

I bought an xcel 4/3 drylock about a month ago and couldn't speak more highly of it, for warmth and flexibility its great. Its been a bit chilly on the vic west coast over the last couple of weeks

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DaveBasher said..
After some feedback on winter wetsuits for cold (SA/Vic) Water. Had a Patagonia R (8-12º) for 2 years now, well made suit with 2 major flaws-1. Really inflexible, a bugger if you are an older surfer with crook shoulders, &2. Doesn't keep you warm- no sealed seems. Reminds me of my old Ripcurl Dawn Patrols of the 1980s...... can anyone recommend a well made, warm, flexible suit that won't fall apart in 6 months?

First thing I would be looking for is sealed seams!

Most mid-range priced suits from the major manufacturers are a good compromise between durabilty and flexibility. Go for the best fit?

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chrispy said..
I'm going to.give the O'Neil crew a chance at fixing this...then I'm not sure. I wear a springy way more than a steamer and it just seems to.keep living. Why? So how do you go.two weeks without surfing because a brand new suit fails? Does your warranty restart for 12 months after it has been repaired? Just seems like such a lottery with all the brands... Once again,anyone know anything about the Hurley suits?

Yeah get onto them pronto - they'll sort it out ..... can't say I've seen anyone in a Hurley as yet though champion but will now keep my eyes open

Rip Curl E Bomb...****ing fantastic....my last one went for three years and the one before that probably went for 4 or 5 years.....and considering I wear min 7-9 montsh of the year 3-4 times a week I reckon thats pretty good going

I've got an Ebomb jacket that's lasted around 4 years now with the only issue being the little velcro tag that keeps the little side zip closed pulled off this season, $5 repair.

I wore my new Xcel 3/2 steamer on my trip south a couple of weeks ago for the first time, it's not the real flash one with the chest zip but mine still has some sort of flap against your back that directs any water down & out at your lower back. This was a great suit, warm & very comfortable with great flexibility, I never felt restricted at all. For the amount I use a steamer this will do me just fine.

Excel 3/2 steamer for me, offset back zip one, sounds similar to Vanders...

Into its 3rd season

Used from June to Sept but only once every week or two....

Yes in Qld - I am a sook when it comes to cold water.

It is still going strong with no holes/seam rips etc...will be sticking with Excel for future upgrades/replacement methinks...

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smicko said..
I've got a 3/2 excel chest zip and it's too warm for me. I only really wear it June/July through October. I can relate to the weight thing too, I find it a bit restrictive. Into its third winter now and it gets rinsed at the end of each season, other than that I shake it out and dry it in the shade.
Wish they made a 2/1.

They do the same suit in a 2/2 I have often wondered about trying one as i also find when its pumping i get too hot in the 3/2
I find you can often pick up the 2/2 rather cheap online sites like Wetsuit warehouse..

Yeah but only with short sleeves hey Rod?

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smicko said..
Yeah but only with short sleeves hey Rod?

Im sure I've see seen them in ling arms as well.. Ive often thought about one myself. Last year i was thinking about grabbing one at $120 But i didn't..I thought it would be not a big step and bought a springy instead..

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jbshack said..

smicko said..
I've got a 3/2 excel chest zip and it's too warm for me. I only really wear it June/July through October. I can relate to the weight thing too, I find it a bit restrictive. Into its third winter now and it gets rinsed at the end of each season, other than that I shake it out and dry it in the shade.
Wish they made a 2/1.

They do the same suit in a 2/2 I have often wondered about trying one as i also find when its pumping i get too hot in the 3/2
I find you can often pick up the 2/2 rather cheap online sites like Wetsuit warehouse..

Hey guys I have had the e bomb for 4-5 seasons and currently an Oneil psycho which is in its 4 th season ,both have been great but I do wash in fresh water religiously after every surf and never hang by shoulders and I think this is why I get such a long time out of each one , however I was talking with the owner of Triple X wetsuits on a completely different matter a couple of months ago and I think after looking at those I will give them a try , have a look at his web site ,he has the full range and might be worth a try .