Ok, I need a surfing wetsuit for cold water. what brand?

Question

Ok guys, so I'm loving surfing but i need a wetsuit BAD. the waters starting to get colder out here in huntington beach, and I get cold REALLY easy. I'd like to get a wetsuit to surf into late fall (I dont think I could survive winter temps) but I need some brand reccomendations.

I've been looking at body glove and billabong suits, the full wetsuits 4-5 mil with pretty good range of motion for the joints and everything, but I was wondering if anyone has any comments about these brands, or any other brand recomendations? I'd like to stick with something that I can try on in southern california btw.

thanks for ur help!

Answer 1

Wow!  A 5/4 for Huntington?  I live on the east coast and surf in 45 degree water in the middle of winter with a 4/3.  You shouldn't need more than a 3/2 suit.  As far as brands your gonna have to try them on.  Different brands will fit way different for the same size due to where the seams are and stuff, it's all a matter of personal preference and how much you want to spend.  If money's no object the O'Neill Psycho 2 is like surfing naked, I couldn't even tell I was wearing a wetsuit.

Answer 2

it depends, oneill is a great brand but its designed to fit tighter and more slim for skinney people. body glove is also a great brand and seems to keep me extreemley warm during the winter. those are my favorite brands

Answer 3

4/3s are great for 45 degree stuff but be warned you will

totally cook outside of water unless its cold out.Boots and headgear help a lot.

Answer 4

I would saay don't buy aledas becouse they are very bad wetsuits.

Don't buy ripcurl E-bomb or anything with bomb in it becouse the seams come out and so does the liquid tapping.

I have had a 'west wet suite  for about 1 year going on 2 years and everything has held up in it

Answer 5

i've been wearing Xcel for awhile. love 'em.  

Answer 6

If the Body Glove, and Billabong fit you well, with a great range of motion, they sound great. I never worried about the brand name ( I have a Quiksilver, a Ripcurl, and an O'neill), I bought them for fit, flex, and price. I also chose them due to the welded sealed seams, to keep most of the cold water out. The less expensive suits have stitched seams, which let the cold water in. Sounds like your on the right track by going to a shop and trying them on. Sometimes you can find a deal on a 2007 suit, which costs less, and still has the functions of a 2008 suit.

Answer 7

Oneill, X-cel, Aleeda, (not aleda) and billabong are all really good brands. If you have the money get a 4/3 because it will keep you super warm. You might want to buy booties as well to keep your feet warm.

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com/

Answer 8

Body Glove

Answer 9

I like Aledas.  They are made in Huntington on Gothard St.  I've used their 4-3 in cold water and the 3-2 in spring and fall.  They are double stitched and seem to hold up well.  Also, the company has clearance sales going on all the time so you can get a good deal on a regular basis.  Check them out.

Answer 10

Cold in August? You gotta come east and surf in New Jersey in the winter (I don't even surf New Jersey after November anymore!). Well, Surfammo has the right answer. If the suit fits, and has the range of motion tat you want, buy it. The brand name is irrelevant. All of you big name wetsuit manufacturers put out a quality product. Which you choose is a function of cost and personal preference.

Answer 11

i surf in san diego, water temp is nearly the same as it is in hunington beach. first off, the water's about 75, so i don't see any reason for wearing a wetsuit. i was surfing up your way last week and had 4 hour sessions with just trunks, no problem. i understand going into the fall, the water can really chill down. go with a 4/3, especially since you get cold easily. don't invest too much dinero, especially since you don't need the most expensive top notch 4/3, get the xcel 4/3 zipper on the back model (don't know the name, just look it up on the website) . 4/5 is made for diving or like surifng in antarcitca, so don't even consider it. you'll look like a loser in the line up anyway, like a seal. get the xcel 4/3 and you and your wallet can thank me later, since it's only like $160. or find one on craigslist

peace

Answer 12

saltrock winter wetsuit i got - its awesome. if u really want to push the boat out try buying alder gloves hat and shoes aswell :)