What winter suit do you use? And how does it rate, ease of entry/ exit, flexibility, warmth and comfort. Any issues? Chaffing? Choking? Squished nuts?

Views and opinions please

jonathan 2 of the best things to keep you warm is wetsuit cap and booties,and get a poly fleece jacket and beenie as soon as your finnshed

I use an O'neil psycho 3/4 and then I 'll add a 1mm neoprene rashie underneath when it's really cold. This works pretty well as the suit is virtually dry on the inside when I take it off.

The only issue is that you can get the shot of water up the leg which lets the heat out. For that reason i would get a dedicated WS wetsuit next time around. They have a velcro lock on the ankle to to keep the seal.

Neil Pryde make a a range os WS wetsuits and they well priced, cheaper than the Oneill.

And as keef said, get out of the wet gear as soon as you leave the water. Thats the only time I usually get cold is standing around chatting after the sail.

This advise is too late now..buy one in summer for a good deal!

I bought a NP assassin 4/3 last year and its the warmest most flexible wetsuit I have worn in the last 30 years - and you dont need a rashie as the fleecy stuff keeps your chest warm. They don't seem to compress yopur forearms and get a compartment syndrome and start to lose strength

Very good price compared to the ripcurls and Quicksilver suits I would traditionally buy.

Its the front cross chest zipper model - first time I tried to get out of it it took me 20 mins of rolling around the carpark like a complete idiot - but have it sussed now.

just started wearing it on the cloudy days but its still a bit too hot

just orderd one of these today4/3, my old billabong will be going cheep it should fit you like a glove keep your eye on the westerlys?, hope to see you there
http://gallery.neilpryde.com/video/174/neilpryde-3k-series-wetsuit-2011

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keef said...

just orderd one of these today4/3, my old billabong will be going cheep it should fit you like a glove keep your eye on the westerlys?, hope to see you there
http://gallery.neilpryde.com/video/174/neilpryde-3k-series-wetsuit-2011

Heading to SP for the southerly tomorrow.
Just ordered a NP 5000, won't say from where but about $250 including shipping, it got bamboo and limestone **** in it .... That gotta be good right?

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DrJ said...

keef said...

just orderd one of these today4/3, my old billabong will be going cheep it should fit you like a glove keep your eye on the westerlys?, hope to see you there
http://gallery.neilpryde.com/video/174/neilpryde-3k-series-wetsuit-2011

Heading to SP for the southerly tomorrow.
Just ordered a NP 5000, won't say from where but about $250 including shipping, it got bamboo and limestone **** in it .... That gotta be good right?

sounds like a good deal ill tell you how much mine was when i see you , i brought a new 5/9 freeride so im going to have a look at callala bay tomorrow if i dont sail there ill see you at SP

I guess your winter is a lot different than here in Canada. However for colder water I use a Xcel Infinity Drylock (5/4mm) hooded..it is incredibly flexible and warm, however fancy surf suit right now don't have a good reputation for lasting! So my best suit I use it at the min, when Ice will take or when Ice just melt..so maybe 10 times a years. The reste of the season I take a cheaper version in Xcel, so don't need that extra strech since it is thinner and last longuer. NPX got really good reputation and good for the money!!!

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DrJ said...

What winter suit do you use? And how does it rate, ease of entry/ exit, flexibility, warmth and comfort. Any issues? Chaffing? Choking? Squished nuts?

Views and opinions please

Any of the 3000 or 5000 Neilpryde wetsuits arrived yet that you people ordered. They look warm and comfortable. Are they? Are sizes similar to other wetsuits? Some good cheep prices from UK at the moment.$$

yes mine arrived yesterday from WS&S its a medium my previous suit was maddog large and a bit tight ,the 3000 fits great soft and stretchy no chokeing and a perfect fit, i found it a bit hard to get off because the smooth material seems to stick to itself ,
it cost more but i had the option to post it back

One has not arrived but just had three public holidays back to back .... No post at all, hoping it arrives thus week.

Fingers crossed

Usually a couple of weeks if coming from UK. Add some extra for the public holidays.

I had a top of the line West wetsuit - it lasted six years but chaffing around the neck was terrible!

Yesterday I bought a RipCurl F-Bomb, from last year for $349! Very comfy and I think the chest zip system will be good with a waist harness.

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Crash Landing said...

I think the chest zip system will be good with a waist harness.

waite till you get to my age, id like to see guys our age trying to get in and out of those things
why would it be better with a waist harness

no more zip digging into my back!

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northsail said...

Usually a couple of weeks if coming from UK. Add some extra for the public holidays.

What makes you think it's coming from the UK? Surely it would be crazy to order something as heavy as a wetsuit from oversea, there is no way it could work out cheaper having it shipped from the otherside of the world, than buying it nationally.

Nah that's just insane !

DrJ if you ordered on the 15th April and you still do not have your NP5000 wetsuit that is very slow postage!

Indeed it is slow, but it was free and, meh it's Australia post for ya!

has anybody ever owned a ripcurl dawn patrol 3/2 or 4/3 suit ad how do they rate? they are a little cheaper the e - bomb series but seem pretty good value. i wll be surfing and windsurfing in wa (mainly perth) for an idea of watertemp...anybody in vic had any of the above mentioned suits and how long do they last??

Got my NP 5000 series, neoprene very soft and flexy, a million times more comfy than my 5 year old NPX, neck is super stretchy and also more comfy than previous suits. took me twice as long to get out of it than into. If you make the mistake of trying to take both arms out at the same time it kinda turns into one huge Chinese finger trap, so my advice is one arm at a time. Another thing but probably applies to all suits like this if you decide to use the optional Velcro ankle straps ..... Taking them off before trying to pull legs out is a must.

The 5000 sounds good. What are they worth$$$

^^ how much are they worth? or how much do they cost ?

Well I paid $254.48 including shipping for a 2011 NP 5000 and I think it's well worth that.

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DrJ said...

Got my NP 5000 series, neoprene very soft and flexy, a million times more comfy than my 5 year old NPX, neck is super stretchy and also more comfy than previous suits. took me twice as long to get out of it than into. If you make the mistake of trying to take both arms out at the same time it kinda turns into one huge Chinese finger trap, so my advice is one arm at a time. Another thing but probably applies to all suits like this if you decide to use the optional Velcro ankle straps ..... Taking them off before trying to pull legs out is a must.

Same thing happened to me when I was trying on an Oneil Psycho Freak in the shop. Getting it on wasnt too bad but at one stage I thought I was going to have to get someone to help me get it off as I had managed to get both arms pinned to my sides.

This months Tracks mag has a wetsuit review.

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OceanBlue64 said...

DrJ said...


Same thing happened to me when I was trying on an Oneil Psycho Freak in the shop. Getting it on wasnt too bad but at one stage I thought I was going to have to get someone to help me get it off as I had managed to get both arms pinned to my sides.

i had the same problem , i used the suit today for the first time and didn't have a problem getting out of it when it was wet infact its the easiest suit i have ever got out of, if anyone is looking at buying one of these wet suits you will need to go at least one size smaller

sorry for digging up this topic but just managed to go out with a brand new Neil Pryde 4/3. wet suit. After freezing my but off in an O'Neil Psycho II 4/3 I would not buy another wetsuit from a surfing company.

Do yourself a favour and get a proper windsurf wetsuit. Windsurf and Snow here in Sydney seem to stock a good selection of Neil Pryde. They had different sizes even within the same length in stock.

In addition, it seems the areas that should have a bit more give such as around the biceps seem more comfortable. Also the slick skin keeps the cold air out much better then that stretchy stuff and it seems to heat up a lot quicker too.

Not sure what other brands are available in Australia but sadly we don't seem to get the same selection you get in Europe.