I just ordered Need 3/2 small. Coming from Xcel medium 3/2 which is a little big. I've also got an Xcel small 2/2 (short arm steamer) which is tight but OK, so I'm in between sizes with Xcel, but they don't do the medium-short size in Aus. We'll see how the Need goes.

Not online but if you are after the best suits in the world with fantastic back up service and impeccable green credentials, Patagonia will be dropping into Soul Boardstore later this month.

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bene313 said..
I just ordered Need 3/2 small. Coming from Xcel medium 3/2 which is a little big. I've also got an Xcel small 2/2 (short arm steamer) which is tight but OK, so I'm in between sizes with Xcel, but they don't do the medium-short size in Aus. We'll see how the Need goes.

Some notes on this wetty for anyone wondering:

Pros:
- Light weight
- Super comfy
- Flexible

Cons:
- Lets water in
- No chest/back wind protection

I have come from probably 10 years of using top of the line wetties (the $600 ones). I am used to almost no water intake - like when you wear a rashy underneath and after a long surf the rashy is still dry in parts. The Need doesn't have wrist or ankle locks - great for getting into the thing but it seems to let water in for me. I also get water through the neck/chest area.

There also is no rubber on the chest/back so wondering how this wetty will go with fresh cold winds.

Still, for the price is an awesome suit, but one I will probably use in between seasons, rather than in the middle of winter.

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Simon16 said..
i got a need 4/3 in large. Great suit. Only issue is the neck being too loose and it lets too much water in. Might just not suit me properly as I'm fairly short. Anyone know a remedy to this? beyond selling the thing.

In Pakistan they think that all Australians have big thick necks and seven feet tall!

Yeah I bought a need as a second wettie to my e-bomb and for kitesurfing and have found it great for that reason,still plenty warm enough and no logos and in all black and a good price-pretty happy with it and will buy again from them.Be interested to know how much Patagonia are doing their new sustainable ones for as all their stuff is pricey but it is good quality

Need essentials wettys - I bought one and great suit for price. been giving it a work out in the WA south west of late nd working sweet. Lets hope they can keep their prices low.

clearing all my xcell stock mostly 3x2 slx model front and back zips good sealed suits all 30%off that's $175 aud
we are just running the Oneil suits for this season 15% off for breezers
pm if you need me to check sizes

Dropped into Katana yesterday and grabbed an oneill supra freak and a pair of booties.
Great price and some good advice.
It was good to try it on first.
Cant wait to try out

I got a 2014 rip curl flash bomb for $350 from wetsuitoutlet uk online store pretty stoked with it tryed local first but no one could get within $180 of that price so went online as I no my size and no need to try wetsuit on as have been the same size for over 10 years .... Also came in under a week !

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katana said..
clearing all my xcell stock mostly 3x2 slx model front and back zips good sealed suits all 30%off that's $175 aud
we are just running the Oneil suits for this season 15% off for breezers
pm if you need me to check sizes

just wanted to vouch for the local here, who i bought one of their oneill suits from the other day. knew it was the one to go with within minutes of putting it on (can't say the same for the other surf shops adjacent scarbs), especially due to the price. used it first time today, solid product.

NEED wetsuits are available again to those looking at getting one. I have been waiting on these for a while now and will be stoked to get mine as its getting pretty chilly down here in VIC and it looks like they now have the rubber back which should take a sting out of the air in the morning. here is there website needessentials.com/ if anyone NEEDED it....... sorry for the pun. Not affiliated just putting it out there

I got my Need Essentials in the mail today and was in the water an hour later I was so excited. I got a 4/3 since I have a 3/2 that sort of still works and thought the 4/3 would be good for cold winter days and kitesurfing with the wind and rain. Anyhoo Sweet Jeebus this thing is warm. Granted it wasn't the coldest day in Sydney today but I had to open the neck seal underwater 4 times to cool myself down because I was boiling and am thinking I should have gone the smaller suit. Good thing is at that price I could replace my 3/2 and the Minister of Fincance probably wouldn't bat an eye. I could feel a tiny dribble in the cuffs but other than that I felt no real water entry to speak of besides the self induced one. Honestly I finished my surf and drank straight from the beach shower i was so warm. Normally I can't feel my feet by the end of a session. Suit is quite stretchy for a 4/3 and the neoprene felt really nice and stuck to me like glue.

I would definitely agree with Buster that it fits a bit small though. Coming from an O'Neil and Rip Curl where I am a Medium, this medium squeezed my shoulders down a bit and felt a bit short. I am thinking it will stretch out to fit me perfectly in a month or two so I thought I'd stick with it but for those beefcakes out there or tall cups of tea, a size up might be warranted even though they said they changed their sizing in line with other manufacturers. It's my first chest zip too so maybe that makes a difference somehow. Either way if you are looking at one of these I'd say go for it, you won't be dissapointed. Hell of a good suit for the price.

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dtm said..
I got a 2014 rip curl flash bomb for $350 from wetsuitoutlet uk online store pretty stoked with it tryed local first but no one could get within $180 of that price so went online as I no my size and no need to try wetsuit on as have been the same size for over 10 years .... Also came in under a week !

$620 for the 2015 flash bomb model