Hi AUS4,
Did you happen to visit our website? The Flux is not the only suit we design, as with most brands we make suits for specific conditions / temperatures.
Not many sailors in Australia would need the warmth of a single lined suit, so our Lava series is mostly aimed at the European market. Single lined suits require far more care in handling and not everybody likes the restriction in harness movement around the body.
So the Flux is far more fit for purpose in the Australian market. A 3/2 smoothie may have similar warmth than a 5/3 double lined, but the 5/3 DL will be more durable, as warm, with less restriction in movement. I know which I would prefer 
Cheers
Marco
Lava Series - Single lined (smooth skin)
Diablo Series - More price conscious & durable
Mike
I use a 3x2 Simmer generator. So nice and flexi with the windsurf cut. Its a top suit with all the trimmings. Sealed, the furry fleecy stuff on the chest inside, the quality zip, the neck lining, super stretchy. Best suit I have ever had. I use mine for surfing as well and its fine for that.
Back in the day, I had a single skin 5,3 N.P. Would be far far too hot over here. I wouldn't go single skin all over again, unless you absolutely needed it for somewhere freezing.
yep agree with NR and others. Stay away from single skin unless you will be sailing in sub 10deg temps. I had a 5/3 NP single skin that probably only got worn 5 or 6 times and I lived somewhere cold.
I have had shorty, spring suits and steamers that have lasted over 10 years, but of course if you buy a cheap suit you will get problems. I have never heard of any wetsuit smooth or double lined having the surface peel off. I have sold and designed wetsuits for 20 years, I am just trying to help someone who wants to stay warm and have over sized arms.
custom made wettys are the same $$ and way warmer, and you can design it exactly how you like, a mate gets one every year from seatec.com.au in west sydney and rates it very high.. wing also do it but they are ****.. just my 2 cents
Husa said “That may be true, but how long is a smoothie going to last? From my experience, that stuff they use to keep the wind out, peels off, tears, and lasts maybe one season.”
Au contraire and for the record, my first NP 5000 was replaced only after 10 years of winter service here in Vic. It had not peeled (never heard of that before) but had deteriorated in the shoulder area, due to the stress in that area plus UV degradation.
It has to be recognised that the single-lined material IS more susceptible to cuts and abrasions, but my experience shows what is possible with care (and given their price, who wouldn't look after them?). Being more than happy with it, I replaced it with another NP 5000 model for mid-winter, then added an NP 3000 model for the autumn/spring cool water plus 25+ knot winds that we get here (and are due tomorrow).
Marco, I found you information very helpful and I was not aware that FO suits had many of the same design features of NP. Whilst I'm right for wetties at the moment, I'll keep your info in mind for the future. Many thanks for replying.
I wore a 4/3 flux all winter down here in TAS last year and have just started wearing it again as the temps a lowering, really warm/comfortable and didn't feel the cold at all. Heaps of the guys down here wear the 4/3 flux, most popular windsurfing suit down here!
Wow! Heaps of replies. Thanks, looks like I opened up a can of worms. I thought I'd only get a couple of replies and suggestions.
I have found the various web sites use a lot of high tech jargon, I need them to dumb it down for me
R1der I have the same problem with fore arm cramps with wetsuits despite buying large wetsuits and having thin forearms!
I asked a wetsuit manufacturer about making mods and they suggested stretching the arms. This has worked well for me. Might sound daft as neoprene is elastic but what I do is stick a piece of plastic drainpipe wrapped with old towel to adjust the size into my wetsuit arms. this stretches the neoprene long enough for a 6 or 8 hour sail. It tends to return to it's original size after this so I just remember to refit it.
that way I wear an off the shelf $200 wetsuit.
p.s. Remember to take the drainpipe out before putting wetsuit on
How warm are Tri Suits?
- I can't find much info about them, but I ask because they are 2/3/4mm, and are completely covered in what looks like wind-proofing material.
eg this Speedo for under $100: www.chainreactioncycles.com/speedo-tri-event-full-sleeve-wetsuit-2013/rp-prod88129
Other brands of tri suits are Orca.
Anyone worn any of these who can comment on their warmth?
In the meantime, I am also looking at these (Hyperflex Amp-3 wind):
hyperflexusa.com/product/amp-3-wind-series-front-zip-wetsuit/
do not sail in a tri suit. The skin is fragile to finger nails and you need to wear gloves to put them on. They will not survive one session sailing. Stick with surfing or windsurfing wetties.
NP make real warm and real flexible suits.
I'm sitting here right now repairing the split seams on mine at less than a year old.
CAN'T RECOMMEND THEM.....
This is the second one I've had.The first did 2 seasons and even though it fell apart I was silly enough to buy another.They really are that warm and comfortable.
But that's enough, never again.
Guarantee, you ask...yea right!
My nephew, who works for them, asks why I no longer sail their stuff .
This reminds me.
The other worthwhile feature for a WS wetsuit is a Velcro seal on the ankle. I hate it when you hit some chop or stack and get that shot of cold water up your leg. what's more the water stays there in a big bulge around your ankle until u can stop to let it out!
For colder weather I bought Spartan 5/4, very soft neoprene, easy to dress and undress, really warm, nice touch ad the neck and by the hands. It has wider sleeve at the forearms.
www.spartanwetsuits.com/
Try Seventh Wave wetsuits in Christchurch.New Zealand. They do custom fit. I have been using them for 15 years . I replace them every 4-5 years .Each new one is better as the materials improve. Price should be Ok with the exchange rate
no, it's the right size and has all the dazzle dazzle features like Marcos adverts but the reality is....they are a one season suit which is Mr Prydes policy with much of his product line.
Select to expand quote
And I thought there'd be nothing of interest in this thread for me, thanks
Same for me, was actually wondering what was the purpose of a wet suit.... staying dry ?
Must be bloody hot inside, couldn't stand it !!! 
If you want a wetsuit that will last 5-10 years,buy one a size too large.
It's more comfortable,has heaps more flexilibility and due to less stretching of material will last much longer.
I bought a 5mm drysuit once from cash-converters,wore it for a few minutes in a 15 degree C day and i nearly died of heat exposure.
+1 for the new F/O flux 3/2 I got just before going to France.
Plenty warm enough and good wind resistance tested in 40 knots.
nice stretchy mat in the arms so issues with arm cramps
certainly a much better wetsuit than what I had before very happy.
Dont know if you can get the simmer generator suits out there, they are brilliant. Surf suits are tight on my calves, back, shoulders and arms. The simmer is great, almost baggy on upper arms but doesnt leak. Sailed this winter in the 5/4 in very cold temps without getting cold once. Takes a few dropped gybes for the water to get through. I have the 3/2 on order at the moment, they also do a short arm option.
