Hi all. Just wondering what everyone has got and how happy you are with them.
I have had a run of wetsuits that I'm not happy with and want to get some real unbiased opinion.
I know this is only subjective but you work with what you've got.
My last two:
Excel 2011 model 3x2 lasted one year then neck rubber fell apart 7/10 flex, 5/10 warmth
Excel 2012 Xzip 3x2 lasted 8 months then started to come apart at the seams on the chest, 8/10 for flex, 5/10 warmth

got a patagonia R2

good fit, warm (has wool lining), not too restrictive
well made if not a bit basic

does get a bit heavy when wet (wool) a bit bulky in neck due to closure system

remarkably easy on/off (but use plastic bag on) for a chest zip, given i have OA of shoulder

prior

psycho 2 2/2 , very good everything- has finally lost stretch andnow loose fitting but 5+ yrs old, rest is near new and had plenty of use
cant fault otherwise

3/2 RIPCURL EBOMB 2011 model excellent for my purposes really flexible chest zip and warm for local waters 2+ hour surfs

check out DEXTER SURF for reasonable rates or ebay for even better deals from US ( mine was $220 as opposed to shop $350+)

funny to hear that about Excel suits I have had both mine for 2+years and sold them for 4 years with no combacks
I wear and sell both oneil and excel I would have to rate both about even but excel slightly better stretch
I also give breezer's 15% off both brands

I've got a 4/3 Ripcurl E Bomb and a 3/2 E Bomb Pro, both chest zips.

Had no problems with either of them. The 4/3 is super warm, and they both have enough flex not to hinder my paddle.

To be honest I haven't had any experience with other brands, but then again Ripcurl have always done the job so I've not needed to look at anything else.

funny to hear that about Excel suits I have had both mine for 2+years and sold them for 4 years with no combacks
I wear and sell both oneil and excel I would have to rate both about even but excel slightly better stretch
I also give breezer's 15% off both brands

Yeah I could just be unlucky- have been pretty good washing with fresh water after every surf etc.

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Grevas said..
funny to hear that about Excel suits I have had both mine for 2+years and sold them for 4 years with no combacks

I wear and sell both oneil and excel I would have to rate both about even but excel slightly better stretch

I also give breezer's 15% off both brands

Yeah I could just be unlucky- have been pretty good washing with fresh water after every surf etc.

I found that rinsing with warm water isnt good for the seams, mine cracked like hard plastic after 6 months. It was a RC and they replaced the first one but didnt bother with the second as it took three weeks to get the first one back.

Ive got an Oneil front zip now and its pretty good. Front zip is the way to go, much better imo

I've got two Ripcurl wetsuits, a 3/2 Flashbomb steamer and a 2/2 Short Sleeved EBomb Pro. Both chest Zips

Very happy with the quality of both, have had no problems with either The Flashbombs on its 2nd season, the Ebomb on its 4th. Wetties are always soaked in cold water then hung to dry in the shade.

The only thing i'd change about these suits is the neckline - i find it quite high, almost like a turtleneck sweater and sometimes I'll get a slight rash on the back of my neck, especially if i've recently had a haircut.

Bought my Excel xzip 2 last winter, still going fine & the warmest wettie I've ever had. I'm happy with mine, but I'd be pissed if the seams started coming apart that quick. You should be able to claim the warranty no probs after 8 months Grevas....BTW I never wash mine, just hang it in the garage out of the sun.

I find oniel suits last the longest, but to do that sacrifice some of the stretch and comfort of the rip curl suits. I prefer my suits to last so always go oniel. The rip curl e bomb is super comfy though.

I bought a $150 Westsuit Enforcer 3/2 over 6 years ago and only now its showing a few signs of deterioration.Good budget wetsuit but i do get a bit cold in it after a while.
Also picked up 2 springsuits in Kmart,on special for $4 each this morning.Don't think they will be that good but for $4 I couldn't say no.

4 bucks for a wettie is great.

Ive got the R3 patagonia It was stiff like a diving suit at first. When it loosened up its fine. 3 years in and the knees are going. I patched them up the other day. They seem to loose a bit of heat each winter or maybe I'm just getting older. Plan on getting the r4 next winter.

when i bought my current steamer (4 years ago) I tried on half a dozen brands and found that many didnt fit quite 'right' so I guess fit is an individual thing. Im tall 6'3" and found the necks and underarm areas on lots of brands were way too restrictive. Ended up getting a peak 3/2 fully seam sealed at an end of season runout for about $200 (was a $400+ suit). Really happy with it, surf 3-4 times a week in winter and its still going strong.

Got a billabong sg5,it is very stretchy and warmth is debatable as the water is still 20,does stop the wind chill. I rate it at 1/10 as after my fourth Surf the inside seems are already cracking. Will use it this winter and return it when the season is over. I did buy it. at the billabong factory super cheap

just got an O'neil chest zip, good wettie but getting into the farken thing is a process, also noticed yesterday that when I trail a hand into the face of the wave the water gets in. Used to only buy RC but had a Dawn Patrol that fell apart after a year, the E-bomb was OK but also only lasted a year and a bit.

I have an Excel X-zip with the bamboo lining and I love it. Before that I had an O'Neill back sip and it was cold in the winter and it has started to tear at the seams after less than a year. I don't think I will buy anything other than a chest zip now, no more flushing up the back for me! Also I bought my wettie from the US at about half the cost in Oz, it was in a sale and was a great buy at $140.

What does someone here work for the bong? If so don't give reds just fix your products,if not you must be a retard and cannot voice an opinion because all you do is fail. Yeeeew

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katana said..

funny to hear that about Excel suits I have had both mine for 2+years and sold them for 4 years with no combacks
I wear and sell both oneil and excel I would have to rate both about even but excel slightly better stretch
I also give breezer's 15% off both brands

Yeah same as me, best fitting wetsuit I have ever had too (infinity x-zip2) (they have every possible size range you could think of.) I'm pretty good with rinsing it and keeping it out of the sun though. Wetsuit before that was an Oneil psycho and the seams just fully deteriorated on me after 1 season, crook.

Xcel infinity chest zip 3/2 too warm for me but I AM a phat phu$&er and already have a bit of padding.

Reckon you'll need it tomoro mick it's fkarkn chilli at the mo, although I did see a young (-17) Suba disciple in the water this morn just boardies........brrrrrrrrrrrrr.........musts been a new pair

Surprised by the lack of Westsuits mentioned. Local company if your West Australian which most of the crew on here are. Always a lot of talk about supporting local yet most seem to be wearing overseas suits. Understand there not made here anymore but they still employ locals and run by locals. Each to there own and that's fine but there good suits. I wear the Lotus and buy a new one every couple of years because I can but there normally still OK after that time. Couple of months ago I had a count and had 5 in the shed so I gave 3 away to local groms, so the oldest suit was 9 years old and still going. Why do I only buy Westsuits. I prefer a back zip and they are one of the few company's that still do a good one. There size L fits me like a glove. There warm, local company and you can generally get them for a good price. Before it's put out there I'm a mechanical fitter with no affiliation with the surf industry, just voicing an opinion.

i love my O'neill Psycho - first one lasted 4.5 yrs, replaced it with a Quiksilver chest zip which I loved...after 9 months it died - whilst waiting for the replacement under warranty i picked up a Psycho 2 on ebay second hand and are still wearing it 2 winters later whilst my replacement Quikky is in the wardrobe in its plastic wrapping still I am trying to swap it for a new lens. The Psycho 2 still looks like and feels like new.

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DJMWA said..

katana said..

funny to hear that about Excel suits I have had both mine for 2+years and sold them for 4 years with no combacks
I wear and sell both oneil and excel I would have to rate both about even but excel slightly better stretch
I also give breezer's 15% off both brands

Yeah same as me, best fitting wetsuit I have ever had too (infinity x-zip2) (they have every possible size range you could think of.) I'm pretty good with rinsing it and keeping it out of the sun though. Wetsuit before that was an Oneil psycho and the seams just fully deteriorated on me after 1 season, crook.

I had a psychofreak that did the same, cracked on all the seams that were single lined after one winter so they replaced it and then that one had one tiny hole at the end of winter with a few minor cracks on the seams , I sent it in hoping to get a repair and was willing to pay, but they gave me another newie with 12 months warranty. Can't fault that, they changed the design too , no more single line panels hopefully this one will last as Ive probably worn my welcome out. New one is very warm and comfortable, 3.5/2.5

Had a westsuit once, bit like a straight jacket.

I had an eBomb . It was a good fit, and stretchy, and I can't remember being cold last year.
It only lasted about 2 seasons if that, though.
I have an Excel now, whilst it feels strong etc I've been cold this year.
I think a lot has to come down to fit. Small pockets of water in the wrong spots don't help.

Ripcurl dawn patrol 3/2 . Is 3 years old and still in pretty good nick. Good wettie but I want to replace it with a 2/2 short arm chest zip for summer

Mostly wear my xcel drylock 4/3 chest zip. So warm, feels great. Is about a year old now and still feels close to brand new. Highly recommend them

Also just on rip curl service.. My brother in law has a 3 year old ebomb that the back zip tore completely away from the wetsuit. He took it in and they repaired it for $15. I thought that was pretty good service considering it was well out of warranty and really looked like it just needed to be thrown out

Oneil gooru 3'2 chest zip entry and sooooooo comfy.... It all depends on your body shape... I'm stocky and the ebombs don't fit me at all... I reckon they're made for fanning so of you're his shape then go for the ebomb but if you're a bit nuggety then oneil gooroos are epic.... I stayed dry for the first 10surfs....

^^^^
Interesting point.. I'm taller and maybe thinner, and the ebomb was a great fit 6'1" ish and 80 kgs.. but how Shams B-I-L's ebomb lasted 3 years is beyond me,, ??

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katana said..

funny to hear that about Excel suits I have had both mine for 2+years and sold them for 4 years with no combacks
I wear and sell both oneil and excel I would have to rate both about even but excel slightly better stretch
I also give breezer's 15% off both brands

I second the excel,I've had a jacket for two years great and just purchased a 2/3 mm steamer,warm and great fit.

I got a quicksilver 3.5/3/2 chest zip at the beginning of last winter. was 300 reduced from 650.
By far the warmest wettie ive ever owned. Nice and stretchy and has accommodated the weight gain since I bought it.

Only issues is that its a little hard to get out of, and the seals on the inside are looking a little cracked after a year, however the outside seals are still going strong and no leaks yet. I dont think the zip locks in at the end but it doesnt slip.

Oneill phsyco 2 fell apart after 12 months
2 X Quiksilver Cells, really comfy but 2 had the internal lining delam after 9 months, wetsuits rooted within 1 year of purchase. I always rinse and hang mine in the shade but they get used a fair bit and just don't last. Of the above I sent some back and got replacements for free but all did the same thing within the same amount of time.
Now onto Matuse hoplite 432.
Best wetty I ever had hands down. Almost a dry suit, no flushing at all, super warm, light to wear and fast to dry. If it last 2 seasons it will be all I ever buy. ****en hard to put on but, and u gotta be careful when choosing size, they are a bit smaller than most other brands so u gotta step up a size.

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remarc said..

Surprised by the lack of Westsuits mentioned. Local company if your West Australian which most of the crew on here are. Always a lot of talk about supporting local yet most seem to be wearing overseas suits. Understand there not made here anymore but they still employ locals and run by locals.

That's a good point.

My understanding is that West is since mid-2011 owned by a WA small business.