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SPQR
Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 274
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Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 12:28 am Post subject: |
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I have O’Neil, Excel and Patagonia wetsuits. Two are great for summer and two are great for surfing in the winter in Santa Cruz. But I miss the no longer made Victory wetsuits from the 80’s, that was my favorite windsurfing wetsuit with the zipper all the way across your chest, easy on and easy off not like these suits today with the short chest zipper on a diagonal.
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20936
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Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:14 am Post subject: |
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SPQR wrote: | I miss the no longer made Victory wetsuits from the 80’s, that was my favorite windsurfing wetsuit with the zipper all the way across your chest, easy on and easy off not like these suits today with the short chest zipper on a diagonal. |
Totally agree! My Victor was a marvel of simplicity. I once asked Promotion why they don't make a suit like that.
"Too many people lack the strength to reach forward if they have a full width chest zip in the way. "
SERIOUSLY? Yet they can carry their crap to the water (it must take them three trips ... board, rig, and fin), and even WINDSURF? It's GYM time!
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dllee
Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay
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Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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Victory, Hotline, and Oneill all had front horizontal zips.
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sa_al
Joined: 03 May 2014 Posts: 8
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Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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isobars wrote: | rigatoni wrote: | The biggest issue is one of windchill. |
The OP doesn't have to worry about this "windchill" issue in colder weather. Goretex suits stay as comfortable on land as they are in the water, which is saying a LOT. Still, I keep a water- and wind-proof, insulated, hooded, lower-calf-length duster handy from Sept until June. Ya never know; I feel wind-chilled even in my 5mm neoprene dry suit if standing around on shore between sessions for more than a few minutes. |
Did anyone try using heated wetsuit for windchill?
https://www.heatedwetsuits.com/product-category/water-sports/
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rtz
Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 296 Location: Oklahoma City
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killeen_john
Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 61
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Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks again for all of the responses, recommendations, and feedback. I'm finding more options available in the 5/4/3 size vs 4/3 suits and hope to try some out next week while traveling.
I was originally looking for a 4/3 figuring that was a better step down from my drysuit whereas a 5/4/3 probably would overlap with drysuit conditions. I'd be curious to hear feedback on using a 5/4/3 vs a 4/3.
Thanks again,
John
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Wetsuit thickness from www.wetsuitwearhouse.com |
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dllee
Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay
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Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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Most suits, the 5 is only on the chest.
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20936
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Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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I'm more picky about getting the danged things on and off than I am about a millimeter. We can always adjust any suit's warmth by unzipping it, adding a hood, adding a fleece or neoprene neck-gaitor/neck-up, adding extra insulation beneath or over it, etc.
Another option is acquiring a pile of them. I buy them when I run across a great deal on one I don't have, keep notes on which one best suits today's conditions, and try to dress juuuuust right for the day. I seldom pay triple digits* for anything short of a 5 mil suit, and I LOVE being dressed just right because I overheat easily but I dress for the swim for safety's sake.
* e.g., Wetsuit wearhouse, 2nd Wind Hood River (I've bought MANY suits there), seasonal sales at a wide variety of stores from WSing shops to Walmart to ACE Hardware, swap meets once in a while if it's new-looking (such as factory blems or worn-once), and more. What's not to like about a new 3/2 for $35 or a new 4/3 for $60?
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killeen_john
Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 61
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Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 10:39 am Post subject: |
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Believe you me, I am very much looking for a bargain deal. If money were no object, I'd probably have a Neil Pryde Combat for the Armor-Skin (wind resistance, durability, and Yamamoto neoprene) if the marketing hype was to be believed but, can also buy a whole bunch of wetsuits for that price.
A lot has changed since I last purchased a wetsuit with more front zip models and stretchier materials so, I am planning to check out some clearance/previous year suits in person while traveling later this week to get a better feel. On the list to look at includes:
NP Recon 3/2 front zip (claims to cover the same temperature range as the 4/3 Mission model but, not sure about that or the front zip aspect)
Mystic Majestic 4/3 back zip
O'Neill Men's Epic 4/3 back zip
Zhik Superwarm Steamer (dinghy racing rather than windsurfing brand)
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20936
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Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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Most suits not designed for WSing bind when we're reaching for the booms. You're likely to want a LOT of stretch and/or a lot of extra material behind your shoulders.
Realize that the chest zips in today's suits are nothing like the old chest zips Lee mentioned. The latter were shoulder to shoulder and very easy to get on and off. I call the modern contortion suits "wrist entry" because that's about what it feels like to get into many of them.
Don't overlook the extremely popular, stretchy, comfortable, warm, tough-skinned, almost dry O'Neill Super Freak Technobutter 3 wetsuits. I love mine once I get it on. Ignore their size chart and try on the HUGE size. If you ever wear out your extremely versatile Kokatat, I also really like my Promotion "Dimension" drysuit for its breathable and tough bagtop/neo legs combo.
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