It has to be the new super stretchy stuff with a 'back zip entry...
Have tried chest zip on and get stuck in it. Im not a skinny teen anymore..
My old 4/3 flying objects has had its day..
They are so stretchy these days that a 4/3 feels like an older 3/2. I would never have considered a 543, but I might get one for next winter.
Also consider that because they are more flexible they don't last as long as older wetties, so a year old 4/3 will warm you like a new 3/2.
Isurus.
Most I've ever paid for a wetsuit.
Four years later it has been the best and cheapest wetsuit I've bought because normal wetsuits last me two seasons maximum. This one will last another season or two I reckon!!!
Select to expand quoteglaucus atlanticus said..
Isurus.
Most I've ever paid for a wetsuit.
Four years later it has been the best and cheapest wetsuit I've bought because normal wetsuits last me two seasons maximum. This one will last another season or two I reckon!!!
Geez, just looked at the website for these wetsuits online 
Mystic star, had 4/5 solid seasons without any tlc, just chucked on the fence to dry in the sun, had an ion last 2 seasons but fell apart, just got a new 3/2 long arm short leg for the new season
Select to expand quotecauncy said., had an ion last 2 seasons but fell apart,
ION,. worst wetsuit I've owned. Literally fell to pieces.
Stick with a surf suit, they have been making them for 30+ years and have it down to an art. Can't go past a rip curl/ billabong for warmth, comfort and durability.
My current billabong cost me $150 and is two seasons old and still in really good condition.
Select to expand quoteGazuki said..cauncy said., had an ion last 2 seasons but fell apart,
ION,. worst wetsuit I've owned. Literally fell to pieces.
Stick with a surf suit, they have been making them for 30+ years and have it down to an art. Can't go past a rip curl/ billabong for warmth, comfort and durability.
My current billabong cost me $150 and is two seasons old and still in really good condition.
+1 for ion being sh!t
i have a 4/3 ion and am riding ventilated if you know what i mean...
I am looking procure a new suit from need essentials
honestly I'm at the stage would pay the premium for say an Isurus if the thing lasted more than two seasons.
Lucky to get one year out of mine (even the Need essentials). Had them all, billbong, ripcurl, O'neil from cheap to expensive (top of line). Washed them in fresh water everytime and yet...
..normally it capitulates half way through the year and I just keep the damn thing like some freddy flinstone or something, because I can't justify less than a year in them. I Do spend an lot of time in the water normally but still.
Bloody things always ripping at the shoulders or the zips or....
isurus all front zips...hate front zips
Rip curl flashbomb is very warm, if you want to support a kite brand then rather mystic majestic in 3/2, have that one myself and it is good warm.
The Patagonia 3/2 feel like my ONeil 4/3, super stretchy and made mainly from plant fibres. Bit hard to get on through the feet, (easy with the plastic bag trick), but everything else is super easy to pull up, back zip with pullover collar. I have had this two years now and is still pretty much perfect.
Need Essentials best value with heavy duty zip and doesn't leak 3/2. Rip Curl are the MOST overrated expensive self destructing wetsuits made. I was once a massive fan of RC suits but not now after countless fails.
Agree was a massive riiiip curl fan back in the day, back when they were made in Torquay. Now overpriced overhyped imported **** to say the least.
Unlike others am lovin my ION 4,5wettie, super comfy and warm 2-3 seasons old now, still stretchy, no holes (except for the drain holes in the leg bottoms - now I cannot hide that I'm taking a pee when standing talking to someone :0))
Radiater, had it 5 years gets trashed, starting to show signs, like fingernail cuts on inside but not through to outside. Cut off below the knees 3 years ago never glued or stitched cut seam, never bothered the suit.
great value and local supplier, very happy,
Have been wearing wetsuits since 1970 best yet
I love my Rip Curl. So warm and comfy. Best for surfing hands down. Ive had shocking Billabong. Didn't dig my pattagonia much. I loved the Mystics with the holes in legs for kiting.
They are all warm when you pee in them
On an icy winters morning in the surf..... ohhhhhhhyeeeeah, only a surfer knows the feeling
Im mean...C'mon... who hasn't experienced that nice warm sensation on a cold winters morning ????
I have a second hand wetsuit for sale if anyone is after one.
Don't get back zip it's the worst... It leaks and the neck seal isn't great. My Mystic star lasted only a few years.
My new one is a mystic majestic zip less. Much better quality. Bloody hard to get in/out but it keeps the water out!
Select to expand quoteAlysum said..
Don't get back zip it's the worst... It leaks and the neck seal isn't great. My Mystic star lasted only a few years.
My new one is a mystic majestic zip less. Much better quality. Bloody hard to get in/out but it keeps the water out!
All true. Except I don't want to be doing a gymnastics floor routine every time I want to get in and out the damn thing. Bit of water won't hurt ?? plus i always rip the hell out of the shoulders on those front and no zip wetties. Back zip for me.
I've had a couple of Xcel... a 2mm long arm springsuit which lasted more than 3 years of heavy constant use and my current 3/2 steamer which is well made, well fitting ( I use XLS which not all makers supply) and is probably the best I've had. I used it last year and it shows no signs of failure and I would expect to get at least a couple more years out of it.
1st proper kite today for a few hrs in the mystic star 3/2 long arm short leg
pretty wicked suit for the dollar, has thermal core, never let a drop in, was a bit of a pain getting out of but I'm very broad shouldered, tbh it feels a step up in quality in my old mystic, which lasted 4/5 seasons
Hi STW,
i donned a brand new 4/3 this season straight from the dealer meeting. The ION Strike Amp 4/3 is so stretchy, soft and warm. I love it. Best wetty I've ever put on. Ever!
DM
For value for money you can't go past the need essential wet-suits. Certainly the way to go if you use your wettie for surfing all through the winter. No point spending big bucks if a cheaper suit is going to wear out at the same rate as a $500-$600 suit.
Or, grab yourself a LS jacket, overly large s it goes over your steamer. While kiting we don't need the super flex of a surfing suit, but windchill is the issue. I use a 2/3 cheap arse steamer, unsealed so I don't take my pee home, with a 3 mm XXL jacket over the top, that's 6mm on your core, warm as.
And as the temps warm up, loose the jacket.
Does anyone here use the same steamer for spearfishing as kiting?
As far as I can tell it's only the cammo that sets the spearing ones apart and I'd rather only buy one than two.
Agree with the jacket idea. Last year or so I've been running an XL need essentials front zip jacket over whatever wettie I've been wearing (Large Tall) when foiling as I get colder foiling than twinnie riding. It was a cheap way to step up each wettie in my range, especially the old rip curl 3/2 that is shot in the shoulders but still ok elsewhere. Getting the jacket one size up from your regular wettie provides good combination of fit without constriction. Also, use the plastig bag trick to get arms into the jacket without messing up arms of steamer. Front zip on jacket helps too.
Select to expand quoteSaveTheWhales said..
It has to be the new super stretchy stuff with a 'back zip entry...
Have tried chest zip on and get stuck in it. Im not a skinny teen anymore..
My old 4/3 flying objects has had its day..
Hey Phoney,
a dive suit is a different beast. If you dive often, get a dive suit farmer John and top with hood. For winter I use a 5mm that gives me 10mm on my torso and 5 everywhere else. I can dive for hours and not feel the winter cold water. A 3mm will compress to a 2mm do a 5 is realistically only a 4/8 after a few uses.
A wind sport suit suit doesn't need to keep you insulated from the cold water but evaporation from wind is an issue. Different suits do different things. Compromising means. Or bring fully happy at either sport.
DM
Select to expand quoteSaveTheWhales said..
It has to be the new super stretchy stuff with a 'back zip entry...
Have tried chest zip on and get stuck in it. Im not a skinny teen anymore..
My old 4/3 flying objects has had its day..
Hey Phoney,
a dive suit is a different beast. If you dive often, get a dive suit farmer John and top with hood. For winter I use a 5mm that gives me 10mm on my torso and 5 everywhere else. I can dive for hours and not feel the winter cold water. A 3mm will compress to a 2mm do a 5 is realistically only a 4/8 after a few uses.
A wind sport suit suit doesn't need to keep you insulated from the cold water but evaporation from wind is an issue. Different suits do different things. Compromising means. Or bring fully happy at either sport.
DM
Select to expand quoteSaveTheWhales said..
It has to be the new super stretchy stuff with a 'back zip entry...
Have tried chest zip on and get stuck in it. Im not a skinny teen anymore..
My old 4/3 flying objects has had its day..
Hey Phoney,
a dive suit is a different beast. If you dive often, get a dive suit farmer John and top with hood. For winter I use a 5mm that gives me 10mm on my torso and 5 everywhere else. I can dive for hours and not feel the winter cold water. A 3mm will compress to a 2mm do a 5 is realistically only a 4/8 after a few uses.
A wind sport suit suit doesn't need to keep you insulated from the cold water but evaporation from wind is an issue. Different suits do different things. Compromising means. Or bring fully happy at either sport.
DM
Select to expand quoteSaveTheWhales said..
It has to be the new super stretchy stuff with a 'back zip entry...
Have tried chest zip on and get stuck in it. Im not a skinny teen anymore..
My old 4/3 flying objects has had its day..
Hey Phoney,
a dive suit is a different beast. If you dive often, get a dive suit farmer John and top with hood. For winter I use a 5mm that gives me 10mm on my torso and 5 everywhere else. I can dive for hours and not feel the winter cold water. A 3mm will compress to a 2mm do a 5 is realistically only a 4/8 after a few uses.
A wind sport suit suit doesn't need to keep you insulated from the cold water but evaporation from wind is an issue. Different suits do different things. Compromising means. Or bring fully happy at either sport.
DM
