Hi ,

I'm trying to replace my (very) old Neil Pryde winter wetsuit, as it mostly consists of glue by now Have been trying out different brands - but somewhat limited by only having a handful of brand options available within 3-4 hours drive.

So far my absolute favorite in term of body fit is the Neil Pryde Combat wetsuit. It does however have one big problem: The neck is too tight, and I'm pretty sure its beyond something that I can 'get used to'.

So... I remember hearing suggestions years ago, that this sort of problem can be fixed by placing a 'cylinder' in the neck opening for a period of time to expand it. Basically a bucket with a diameter similar or slightly larger than my neck.

Wanted to check here, if any of you have experience with such approach? Does it actually work? or would you expect it to either do nothing or simply damage the suit?

Thanks in advance,
Jannick

I think neoprene wont stretch. It is what it is cut at.

If your NP wetty lasted a long time, that's good, they are not built to last these days.

I use Needs Essentials wetsuits. I am skin and bones and even the 2mm steamer is keeping me warm. They are built to last. The sizing guide is pretty good for ordering online. Scary not trying it on first, but it has worked for me so far.

Severne Wetties are cut for windsurfers to windsurf in. Yes and very warm & comfy. Check them out

Should work to a certain extend, some folks tackle too tight forearms in a new suit by placing bottles inside the sleeves.

Have a look if you have anyone in your area making or repairing wetsuits. Have a chat to them, they would most likely be able to adjust the neck collar to your size.

Cylinder method you mentioned can work! Some folks use a bucket or a cylindrical object to gently stretch the wetsuit neck.

Thanks for all your replies. I guess that still leaves me at 'maybe' :)

My quiver is 100% Severne so would love to try their wetsuit, but the only severne shop in this country does not keep them stocked.

I'm pretty sure its not important that your wetsuit brand matches your sails. That's kiter type of talk. A real windsurfer would just stretch it out with a bucket or something. And if overdone and it leaks water , just tuff it up and buy another sail.

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MobZ said..
If your NP wetty lasted a long time, that's good, they are not built to last these days.

btw I ment surf brand wetty's not made to last these days.
not sure about NP.
most surf wettys do the job of keeping warm and being flexy super well now, but only the best ones last long.

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BSN101 said..
Severne Wetties are cut for windsurfers to windsurf in. Yes and very warm & comfy. Check them out

And made in an NP factory!

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janb said..
Thanks for all your replies. I guess that still leaves me at 'maybe' :)

My quiver is 100% Severne so would love to try their wetsuit, but the only severne shop in this country does not keep them stocked.

Its ok. My son's quiver is severne and he uses needessentials wetsuit. I believe its an approved match.

Pryde and severne together is not a thing!

Very funny :) My point was - I have been very happy with the serverne gear i've gotten so far, so it would be obvious to try on their wetsuit IF there had been any shops stocking anywhere nearbear.

Get a rear zip wetsuit, then you can adjust the neck with the velcro closure.
I have the opposite problem, my neck is too skinny. I get water leaking in on my front zip wetsuits unless I wrap tape over the top of the wetsuit around the neck. Hence I have gone back to a rear zip for my winter wetsuit with no leaks.

I can vouch for NP wetties defanatly the best windsurfing wetsuit I've ever owned. Not sure why or how they differ from surfing suits but my NP wetty is super comfy for windsurfing but not for surfing and I have a nice O'Neill i use surfing that i hated windsurfing in. Both steamers both ?. Neoprene is not meant to stretch, but does loose some elasticity over time.

mebbe take a chance and cut a slit in the top of the neck portion and use some of that wetsuit glue to patch on a bit of additional neoprene to re-make the opening larger. if i was going to do this, i'd probly do it at both sides; to be symmetric, and not be against the front of my neck