Surfing wet suit guidance? please help me choose.?

Question

im stuck between these two wetsuit and i dont know which to get.

http://www.gonesurfing.com/store/itemid=WW7151E/color=BLK/

this one seems to be over kill but it would be nice to have one for the winter. but im wondering if the hood comes off?

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Glove-Flatlock-Wetsuit-Medium/dp/B000FOEMU0/sr=1-14/qid=1170792390/ref=sr_1_14/105-3666361-3037210?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods

this one just seems like a good price, but im wondering if it'll keep me warm enough.

I live in LA and will be surfing mostly around here. whatya think?

Answer 1

Um... i think you havent really narrowed your field of choices very effectively since you have one wetsuit that would be warm enough in seaside washington in the winter, and another that would be cold in marin county CA in the summer.

All my friends from LA surfed 3/2s all year, and some wore 4/3s in the winter.  none are down with hoods.

I think the ripcurl with the hood would be way too hot for you in LA.  That is sure a good price though!  But seriously, you would sweat bullets in the summer, and be uncomfortable all year.

I would recommend that you go into a local surf shop and try on a bunch of the popular suits that are in your price range, get a few favorites, and then search for deals online.  The most important factor in wetsuit choice is the least arbitrary: the way it fits your body.  The "best wetsuit" on the market could be absolutely wrong for your body type.  Maybe the way you move your arms is such that a seam rubs really badly on the O'neil, but not in the Xcel.  You never know.  You really have to try them on to figure it out.  Try to find four or five ones that fit really well, and then search for another great deal.

Yeah, and ask what the guys think in the shop, but you probably want a 3/2.  Peace