I've always used Ripcurl suits until a few years back bought a Xcel Infinity xzip. OMG I love it. coming up to the end of second season and I am still happy. I feel the material maybe getting a little stiff sometimes around my feet. Creaks a bit pulling and I tend to be careful putting on and off, but still lets no water in, comfy and super warm.

I don't look after it either. I rinse it in fresh water but hang it up in the sun. I don't wash it in hot water as they say not to.

Would I buy another one, yes in fact I don't think id buy anything else. Even if it only last me another 6 months

West nitro sealed 3/2 chest zip for me, not sure how it compares with the others because u havnt tried them. I never get cold- picked it up at half price!

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Ted the Kiwi said..

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.

I hear you and I agree, however unfortunately as with most things in WA, they are overpriced. I prefer to have stuff shipped from the US at half the price. I do however buy sticky feet wax as I find it to be the best and of course it is a local brand, as well as being environmentally friendly :-)

Have the west lotus back zip and rip curl E3 chest zip. For me the E3 is the warmer, better stretch and superior neck fit with less rash.
The lotus chest zip may have a better neck fit but i will never buy a back zip again. Had quicksilver before that and only lasted one winter.

An old West wetsuit that I started out surfing in. It has surprisingly survived after years of me wearing the O'niels and Dawn Patrol and while it's in tatters, it is doing the job although I could not feel my toes this morning leaving the surf. Pretty ironic for all the technology etc the old faithful does the job just right!

I have had 2 O'Neil Psychos that lasted about 18 months each then were stuffed. Last September I bought a Ripcurl Ebomb Pro that deteriorated so badly at the back and under the arms that Ripcurl have replaced it recently with the the new Ebomb with the E4 rubber under warranty. Lighter and warmer though it is giving me neck rash. So I can't win. The latest Ebomb Pro has a rrp of $499, which is alot of $$ if they only last a season.

I've had an Excel chest zip for over 10 years and it is still kicking. Granted I don't surf every day but I'm not a once a month surfer either. The quality of the rubber in this suit is superior to other brands I reckon. Mine is still pretty supple and stretchy and the seams are perfect. Got a slight tear where you stretch it to get in, but the tear hasn't grown for ages. I'm pretty amazed at how well it has lasted. As for my Billabong springer, seam tape disintegrated after about 18 months and they told me to F@*& off when I asked for a warranty (12 months only).

Not so happy with rip curl. Already repaired once ( for free) and now needs another go ( still free, I guess) .

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barndog said..

EDIT:
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.

The best wetsuit I have ever owned. Another Australian brand that hasn't been mentioned because they are targeted at bodyboarders (meh) but they use very good quality materials and workmanship are Attica. The Attica chest zip steamer I had a few years back was the second best wetsuit I've ever owned.....on a par with the Matuse. I purchased it as it was on special and I scored a bargain. I don't really care too much for brands

I have a Billabong solution gold 3/2. had it for a few years and did the job but the glue is now coming off the seams so water gets in. Apart from that was a pretty good suit

I think any good suit these days should last a couple of seasons. They all use ultra flexible / stretchy material. I think it's best to try several brands and get one that fits perfect. I use ripcurl ebomb pros, have many of these all over 2 seasons old but they fit me well (not let water in) and keep me warm; that's the important bit I reckon

My last couple have been 3/2 Westsuits, basic but do the job.

I have two Westsuits steamers - both 3/2 sealed seams - and they have been great. Both are more than warm enough for 99% of WA winter conditions. The older one is almost 4 years old and just a little stiff but great as back up when the other does not dry

I also have two Billabong short sleeve steamers I got on special. The first is a 3/2 and has lasted 3 years so far with a couple of small repairs. It tore at the base of he zip so JAM Wetsuit repairs patched it and put in a loop to grab when putting it on which has given it another year of life so far. Its the most comfortable suit I have ever had and it has never given me a rash so I bought a new one this year, but in 2mm instead.

I also have an O'Neill springsuit that has lasted over 5 years and a Westsuit short john about the same age. These do not tend to have any wear points like a steamer so they last a bit longer.

Now my son is bigger (slightly taller than me) having a few spares is saving him a bit of pocket money and giving us both a bit of choice on any given day.

I sent my Excel X-zip off to get repaired about 2 weeks ago, it came back with only half of the split seams glued up. My mate at the shop who sent it off told me that the Excel rep was just in and that they now get repaired by Adrenalin Wetsuits. Back to the repairers it goes!

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Grevas said..

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

RipCurl e-Bomb all the way.

Wouldn't buy any other wetsuit, maybe it's just me but the cut and the fit is perfect, and if looked after they last well too.

Oh yea, get some "Gear Wash" from your local scuba shop and use this regularly to keep the suit in good nick, and to help with the longevity ! Mine last 3 - 5years.