Hey Folks,
Im just waiting on the winds to arrive to get out for my first winter sailing season. I'm not a huge fan of cold water so im planning a wetsuit upgrade. Not sure on the best thickness or best value decent wetsuits.
What wetsuits do you reccomend for the NSW winter season?
Cheers,
Gavin
I bought a Need Essentials front zip 3/2 steamer last year, I highly rate it and the price was great too.
My other wetsuits are Ripcurl E bomb 3/2 and a Patagonia Zulex 4/3. It certainly doesnt pale in comparison to these top end wetsuits
I use a Ripcurl E-Bomb 3/2 for surfing and sailing in winter. Very flexible as it is zipperless, but can be a pain to get out of after a session when you are tired. Works well for the Mid North Coast of NSW and is my only winter suit. May need something more substantial for south of Sydney. This will be the third season for this suit and it is still in good nick......I am careful with it though......the rubber is very flexible but feels softer compared to cheaper suits where the rubber is more robust (and less flexible), so you need to be careful with your board's deckgrip when climbing on board ect.
Seriously consider sailing wetsuits. for me they aren't as steamy and are heaps easier to move in compared to surfing ones.
I have Musto wetsuit pants 2 mm for winter and 1mm for summer and i just change the top layer bettween a wetsuit rashie and regular rashie.
I have a Neil Pryde 5/4/3 which is good except I got sucked into a pretty one with a coloured arm. I didn't realise the coloured area wasn't windproof so now I have to wear a windproof over the top when it's really cold.
I sail lakes that get to 11 degrees water temp + windchill etc.
I recently needed a wetsuit for Lake George as my old Aldi steamer had died.
I was in a hurry and bought a dive wetsuit 3mm. I always get them roomy a size bigger and it's been really great! It was only $120? too rather than the $500 odd for the Neil Pryde. The dive one was on special.
wetsuitfactory.com/
I'm running a 3/2 long sleeve/long leg wetsuit in Sydney. I was nice and warm yesterday. I don't tend to run cold though so YMMV.
I'm in Sydney and haven't had a steamer for many years, as I too hate the cold water, even with good insulation. Unfortunately I decided I was missing out on too much time on water so I relented and ordered one.
In time for this past weekend I received a Vaikobi 4/3mm FZ Steamer I ordered online and it was AWESOME!
I had at least 2 big crashes while wing-foiling and didn't even feel the water coming in. It was also really comfortable to move around in, not restrictive at all.
I'd definitely recommend them...
Tell me how it lasts. I will never buy a Vaikobi wetsuit again, mine fell apart in 1 month. Musto for me personally but the Zhik stuff is also good.
Try to go to a store, it is inportant to get a good fit, to big and you will get cold water cycling through your suit when you fall in.
To small and you will struggle with movement,
Try to go to a store, it is inportant to get a good fit, to big and you will get cold water cycling through your suit when you fall in.
To small and you will struggle with movement,
Agree with this my O'Neil xl steamer fits well, when I wanted the style in long spring etc I just order the same size. How wrong was I. Eventually back to shop to resize and get refitted.