I am looking to get into a 4/3 for the winter. Its been a while since I bought one. Any advice?
Also, my first research in a shop suggested it will cost me about $600. Does anyone have a good online option for a better price?
Cheers.
Try to look for a wetsuit made for windsurfing rather than surfing. I bought a Neil Pryde 4 by 3 mm wetsuit around two years ago. Its a great wetsuit, quite easy to get on and off and flexible. Its good for NSW winters where it gets down to below 10 degrees c if a strong westerly is blowing early in the morning. If it lasts a few years more then I'll be happy to replace it with another.
I think it cost about $400 or a bit less from a windsurfing shop. So don't discount checking out bricks and morter retailers.
I still like the idea of supporting the local windsurf shops but if you are looking for a bargain you can go to the ripcurl factory outlet in Torquay, you can even ring them if you are looking for something specific.
I'm not averse to supporting the local shop, and unless its much cheaper online, I will buy local. But I thought I'd check first because the difference these days in retail can be 50%, and for the difference I just can buy from the bricks and mortar shop. Will have a look at the NP ones.
check out flying objects there made for sailors and well priced good quality ive been using my 3/4 for a while with no probs!
That does sound expensive.
I bought a surfing wetsuit, as there are heaps of surfshops and it seems to give heaps of range and cheaper prices.
After the first few sessions I cut the arms off to above the elbow, and it feels fine. If its really cold, I wear a long sleeve rash vest underneath to keep off the wind, and its all good.
It's going back a while now, but I doubt I paid $300, and probably closer to $200, for a surfing 4/3.
Another quick one [particularly for Melbourne-ites] is 4/3 going to be warm enough for winter. I am a massive woos, hate the cold. Should I go 5/4?
Another way to go is to get a 2/3 wettie ($200) and a kayak wind jacket ($100). My wettie is an NP short arm and still going after 5 seasons. Having the short arms gives heaps of freedom. Chuck on the wind jacket and I'm good for a 40 knot winter front. No jacket and I'm good for spring and autumn.
Try dextersurf.com.au, Simmer 3/2 charger is very very warm, like a 4/3 and around $230, cant go wrong. I had mine on in Adelaide yesterday afternoon and felt hot, couldnt wait to get it off. Good wetty, great price.
Lots of talk of cheap wetsuits, but they will not have the same flex and comfort of a $600 wettie. Though maybe windsurfing you don't need the movement as much as surfing.
Saying that I bought a half price excel that was still 350 for the gerringong surf shop. The movement in it is so nice. I hate wearing wetsuits so for me paying for the freedom of movement is the most important thing.
Check out the ZHIK website. lots of super warm tops/ bottoms that have been designed specifically for sailors.
in extreme conditions i use a super warm top coupled with a pair of fleece pants. will have you sweating in 5degree temperatures. in summer i use the pants and a rashie, the pants help to stop bruising when you stack it (probably not relevant on a windsurfer) so the pants get used all year round. and the superwarm is for when only the brave dare to get out of bed ;)
I have a 5/4 large tall dedicated kiting/windsurfing wettie I bought without trying on, and it's too big. Never even gotten wet. Keep meaning to place an add to sell it and never get aroudn to it.
Paid $600, will off-load for $250. If you are interested I will give you the details and sizing chart (can't remember off the top of my head, and I'm at work). PM me
Forget about buying a surfing web suit. They don't have enough flex in the arms unless they use that stretchy material. Problem with the stretch material is that you end up loosing a lot of body heat when it get's wet.
Windsurf wetsuits are generally slick skin on the outside to repel water and wind. They are generally re-inforced were they will wear out due to the type of activity. EG wearing a harness.
Don't buy online. You need a wetsuit that fits comfortably and has enough stretch. Do you really want to save $200 but end up with an uncomfortable wetsuit? If you buy a brand such as Neil Pryde or Flying Object you can expect the wet suit to last 5 to 6 years if you look after it. If you go to a shop they will likely have a number of sizes you can try on so you end up with a wet suit that fits perfectly.
I bought a Neil Pryde 4/3 with bamboo lining three years ago (still looks like new). I think it's about $400. Before that I had a $650 O'Neil Psycho II. The Neil Pryde wins hands down in comfort and keeping me warm. It's a lot easier to get on and off and you can tell it was designed by windsurfers for windsurfers. With the O'Neil I used always be cold.
Another option if you in Melbourne is SimmerStyle at SHQ. They seem very good value for money and well made.
Hi All,
Flying Objects is just releasing their new range of Windsurf specific suits. There are a significant amount of differences in a suit that is purpose designed than just a standard surf suit.
The real difference in our suits is that we firstly design them around the movement and functionality required when sailing, this is a very different action to surfing, so the cut and shaping must allow stretch where required. Then we use materials that are going to retain the heat better when on top of the water in the wind. The suit is then finished with features that again are more specific to a wind sport.
Our suits are made in one of the worlds leading factories that either supply or manufacture many of the leading surf brand suits. So we are very confident that our product matches the surf brand suits in terms of quality, stretch and comfort but we blow them out of the water in price.
Our new Flux chest zip uses the best in neoprene on offer with additional features and an RRP of $359.00 for a 3/2, we also do a 5/3 for $399.00
Specific features:
Over-sized forearms - reduces fatigue from forearm pump
Aircell chest panel - maintains chest and back warmth
YKK Chest Zip - heavy duty metal slider
Chest Zip - improves movement through back and shoulders
De-bossed knee backs - reduces bunching at the back of the leg
Ankle cuffs - Reduces water penetration up the leg
Liquid seams - water tight seal
Seamless underarms - stops chaffing from arm movement
These suits have just arrived and not in shops yet, but please help a local Aussie business and ask your shop to get some in.
Cheers,
Marco
Flying Objects is a site sponsor
I think WindsurfnSnow in Sydney were doing a deal on ION wetsuits (don't quote me though).
I buy my suits from Surfection in Sydney (on Military Road). The last one was a RipCurl e-bomb, super flexy, warm and had 50% off so cost me $300.
I wouldn't pay full price and wouldn't spend less dollars - flexibility is key (after 10 years of windsurfing in 6/5/4mm suits through the UK winters).
I stay toastie in Melbourne in my 5/4 O'Neill Psycho 2 (plus booties) - in fact , I hardly get wet and have to fall in to cool down! Well, that's my excuse anyway 
I get through most Vic winters in my 3/2 E-bomb with 1mm rashie...I've noticed that the past few years I'm getting colder (growing old) so will prob use my 4/3 E-bomb this year (plus the 1mm!). A helmet or hood keeps you warm too.
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NOT THESE SUITS AGAIN !!!................Not enough single lined areas (smooth ) Double lined is no good for windsurfing !!
Thanks for all the info and quite a few PMs as well. I've narrowed down my search and got a good idea of what I want now.
Cheers.
Hi AUS4,
Sorry to disagree, but sales would indicate that the vast majority of Windsurfers wear Double lined suits. Even in Europe where it is far colder and a higher wind chill they are converting to Double lined for Durability, Stretch and Warmth.
However the Flux is only one model in the range, so I guess the Lava is more your speed?
Cheers,
Marco
Having used a single lined dryskin suit in winter (The dryskin makes such a difference to warmth, I loved it!), I now have one for summer too -a shorty. I get cold easily and I really don't like wind chill, and it's nice being able to drive home in my wetsuit without getting chilled. No need to strip off in the car park!
