Not sure how to approach this one,, but I need some assistance.
I need a new wetsuit. But the trouble is it just doesn't seem right to just dump the old girl in the bin??

This is my first love,,,,

I mean we've shared some serious joy together over two years... she's stuck close by me,, kept me warm, put up with me lying about the size and quality of the waves, protected a little skin from the reefs, and generally been pithd on, abused, and left out to dry on many a cold night. And despite that, she still regularly hugs my private parts.

She's worn through, though, her velcro is stuffed, can see through the thin little shoulders , and has holes where she shouldn't have , etc etc,, But it just doesn't seem right to throw her out, when I decide what to buy the next one, whatever that is..

Am I the only one to experience this old wetsuit blues grief?? Any suggestions..?

Oh,,, and its a ripcurl e bomb thing that has served well, any suggestions for a replacement?

Could you cut sections of the leg or arm to make stubbie holders?

Xcel 3/2 infinity front zip. Buy that and you'll soon forget the old girl fast

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quirkus said...

She's worn through, though, her velcro is stuffed, can see through the thin little shoulders

...

Any suggestions..?

Yeah, don't hang it up by the shoulders.

mmm,,, thanks,
all sound good so far, , but have never hung it by the shoulders,, (Legion ,, you takin the pith , again? ),
maybe I just do too much paddling and not enough surfing??
JB, as for the Xcel, I noticed there are a few infinity models. What do you reckon?
Is this the go?
http://us.shop.xcelwetsuits.com/p/surf/mens/wetsuits/infiniti-x-zip-32?style=MB320Z12



edit: shoulders look more like general UV breakdown..

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Legion said...

quirkus said...

She's worn through, though, her velcro is stuffed, can see through the thin little shoulders

...

Any suggestions..?

Yeah, don't hang it up by the shoulders.

I always hang mine by the shoulders - but use a big fat-ended suit hanger... in semi-sun of course. Never had a problem.

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GPA said...

Legion said...

quirkus said...

She's worn through, though, her velcro is stuffed, can see through the thin little shoulders

...

Any suggestions..?

Yeah, don't hang it up by the shoulders.

I always hang mine by the shoulders - but use a big fat-ended suit hanger... in semi-sun of course. Never had a problem.

Yea suit hangers are perfect! My current 3/2 just finished its 3rd season and is still fine apart from needing the Velcro replaced.

Also love the stubbie holder idea!!

oniell psycho pro is the best suit i have ever owned by far

Yeah, I think stubbie holders have to be the go,,,
O'Neill psycho pro? Thanks ctn gv,, shall have a look too. I guess it mostly depends on the fit anyway, whatever it is..?

A wet wetsuit, especially the F-bomb/firewall type ones, can weigh a tonne and when you hang them by the shoulders, thick hanger or not, they'll stretch and thin out the shoulder material over time. Hang them in their middle, half each side of the hanger bar. Or on a cheap clothes rack.

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Legion said...
A wet wetsuit, especially the F-bomb/firewall type ones, can weigh a tonne and when you hang them by the shoulders, thick hanger or not, they'll stretch and thin out the shoulder material over time. Hang them in their middle, half each side of the hanger bar. Or on a cheap clothes rack.

Yeah,, I dunno,,,mine's an e bomb , (fitted like a glove but no front zip) and I've always hung it in the middle.. I still think maybe too much UV. Thinking about it, sittin on a board, shoulders have to cop a lot of UV.. but the rest of the suit is starting to fall apart anyway.. maybe I'm just too rough on stuff..
Anyway, if anyone knows of a Good thread on wetsuits, let me know..(I'm sure there's a million) I found a couple of interesting ones off site that compared Xcel with O'Neill,,, whoa ,, interesting !! Xcell sounds great, but the smell??? Que?? JB,, you had any trouble?

Wash ya farkn wet ties out hang em in a shady spot they last more than one season, maybe even 3+
I've got a billabong springy that 4 yrs old and still can't buy a new one coz its still in good nick, entomb steamer now in its 2nd season looks n feels brandspankin.....care for them they care back

Check out dexter surf .com for some great wettie specials

Or

eBay for real deals from USA uk etc as seasons switch

Cut a big ragged shark bite in it with some scissors and leave it on the beach at your local guaranteed to have the place to your self for a month

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mocha1 said...
Wash ya farkn wet ties out hang em in a shady spot they last more than one season, maybe even 3+
I've got a billabong springy that 4 yrs old and still can't buy a new one coz its still in good nick, entomb steamer now in its 2nd season looks n feels brandspankin.....care for them they care back

Yeah - I always wash my wetties out either with a hose, but mostly in a warm shower. Always get at least 3 seasons out of them, but then again, of late I have become a classic weekend warrior only...so they're not getting the use I'd like.

I've had no issue with my Xcel. I love it and have had to learn not to pi-s in it though. Mostly as it just stays there for ages

The 100% stretch is the best part and have never really taken great care. Just rinse and hang up. (normally in the sun)..

I guess all the new suits that are sold will be good. Chest zip though for sure.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it...

So its stubbie holders out of the ol girl, PPig.

See what I can come up with in the next week or two as to maybe an Xcel, JB.
Reviews are definately warm and snug,, not sure sure whether I can hold my pith though ! Good wash might be the go.

GPA Mocha1, and Legion ,, shall take on board your advice.
Give her a good wash, show her some lerv, hang her from the middle.

Boof, I'm gonna have to pass on yours ,, I don't need any enemies at 'my local'.

+1 for the xcel chest zips

Love mine!

I recently bought a west nitro sealed chest zip- i love it! Got it half price which was also a bonus. My last cheapie didnt last long at all so i did some research on looking after the new one, few points i found interesting-

Wash it out in cold water after use (not in the warm shower because apparently that destroys the neoprene)

Hang out to dry always inside out.

Dry in the shade.

Thoughts?

^^^
99% of the time I wash my wetties in the shower in warm/hot water...

And whilst I generally try and leave it out in half sun to dry, sometimes it sits there all arvo and ends up in full sun...

...sometimes inside out - sometimes not.

Oh - and I generally buy mid range Billabong and always with a back zip (I find they fit me better).

don't get too hung up on it... just don't leave it in a wet heap in the boot of your car... that stinks!

yeah shouldnt piss in these new sealed wetsuits, made my ebomb smell a little funky and it also sits in ur ankles unless you flush water through the suit, been looking for a new suit so great thread

Jarryd

Thanks all..
Got a new Xcel Infinity Chest Zip Ultra stretch etc vanilla variety (not Dry Locked) on special $400 Leederville.
Even got little red trim bits in it to match my board..
Maybe not as cheap as online,, but hey, I've got someone to winge to now if there's a hassle, and I prefer to look after locals when I can.
They've got some other stuff on special too I noticed. They must have a new batch of stuff coming in for Winter I guess.
Now, ... to the stubbie holders..

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quirkus said...
Thanks all..
Got a new Xcel Infinity Chest Zip Ultra stretch etc vanilla variety (not Dry Locked) on special $400 Leederville.
Even got little red trim bits in it to match my board..
Maybe not as cheap as online,, but hey, I've got someone to winge to now if there's a hassle, and I prefer to look after locals when I can.
They've got some other stuff on special too I noticed. They must have a new batch of stuff coming in for Winter I guess.
Now, ... to the stubbie holders..

Now did they teach you how to get out of it

When i bought mine the girl said no i have to teach you. It was about 30 degrees in the change rooms, i was sweating like a pig in heat, but geez I'm glad she pushed her way in and showed me how to get out of the bloody thing..haha good news is it gets easier

WHo was it in Leederville

Geeeezzzz, hell yeah,!!!!!!!!!!!! ,

Painful getting in and out!! IMVHO. Dry lock version would be worse apparently because its sealed at one end of the front zip....

and talk about slow learners ---- the guy in the shop gave me a quick lesson,,,
yeah right,, well it took until I had it up hugging my crutch like the ol girl used to, to realize the little sucker was back to front (,,,Ok,,, well I'm sorry, but i've never had one of the those front chest zippie things on before !!)

Always fun doing it in a hot shop, too ,, agreed,,,, but I wouldn't have minded being given a helping hand by a young female shop assistant,

..unfortunately only two male gruff barnacled looking seadogs, one of which helped me get the last back bit up when I was putting it on,,,, "oh and there's a bit of a knack you'll learn to get it off",, he says with a wink after I'd bought it. I trust there's some friendlies at my local, next visit..

nevertheless, a great fit, and even makes me look like I've got some lats!!. (which I haven't)

It was Surfsail. I've never been there before, but the young guy there was pretty good.. and it was the only one that came up in a google search of Xcel and Perth , and that was about the 3rd Page !!