Wetsuits Southern California - O'niell mutant and others?

Question

I'm in the southbay area, recently moved here and I'm already starting to get excited for the winter time. I was at a shop today and looked at some wetsuits. I looked at a O'neill mutant 3/2 its got an awesome price on it right now, from last fall. It also comes with a hood. Does anyone know about this particular suit? It has a entry system which has flaps over the neck and shoulder area as opposed to a zipper that runs down the back. Also how long will the 3/2 hold up in the cold. Some people have told me to just get a 4/3 but I'm worried that I will have an intermittent period in the fall and spring where I will bake in a 4/3 but it will be too cold for me not to wear anything. I've also heard that a 3/2 with booties will help keep you warmer (i'm assuming less water exchange that way???). I would really appreciate any advice on other brands (heard good things about rip curl) and whether I should pick up multiple suits (although I'm short on cash). Thanks for your help everyone and I hope your all in the water as much as you can be, it seems to me like its the best place to be.

Answer 1

Get an Xcell 4/3 for winter.

Answer 2

In the OC most people wear a 3/2. The water here is about 57-63 in the winter. A 3/2 might be a little cold but with booties and a hood that should work.

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com/

Answer 3

A 4/3 is WAY too much for the OC. Go with the 3/2. Most days in the winter you won't need the hoodie or the booties (I personally don't like booties - my feel can't feel the board).

Also know that technology changes every year. So while it's last years model, it's still a good suit.

Answer 4

You don't need the hood down there. Plus, I've heard the mutant falls apart. I would try a psycho 1 or gooru with booties in the winter.

I think a great suit is the xcel infiniti chest zip 3/2.