Wetsuit suitable for windsurfing

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Odaddy
Odaddy
NSW
2 posts
NSW, 2 posts
22 Aug 2013 12:38pm
Hey guys I've out grown my old wetsuit and was interested to know what people like to wear when windsurfing.

I was looking at a zhik skiff suit as i like to wear a rashy on top and sail a bit too?? they also seem lighter than surfing wetsuits.
jermaldan
jermaldan
VIC
1572 posts
VIC, 1572 posts
22 Aug 2013 4:13pm
Ion, Flying Objects, Mystic and Neil Pryde/NPX make great windsurfing centric wetsuits. They differ by having more flexibility around the arms for movement, less tight around the forearms to prevent arm-pump, and some even have drainage holes and straps around the ankles to keep the water out or keep it from gathering at the ankles.

Personally I am real happy with my surfing Rip Curl E-bomb C-zip 4/3. Comfortable, light and warm.

baywavebill
baywavebill
VIC
266 posts
VIC, 266 posts
22 Aug 2013 4:55pm
Recently bought an ION wettie after wearing Ripcurl and O'Neil for years. The ION material seems to be better at deflecting the wind as the have a smooth skin surface over most of it. The flared ankles with velcro tighteners are cool too.
AJEaster
AJEaster
NSW
698 posts
NSW, 698 posts
22 Aug 2013 5:15pm
Bought a Simmer steamer off GSPOT in Gerro - used it 4 times and love it - flexible, wider forearm to prevent arm pump, warm as toast for a 3/2.
curac
curac
WA
1160 posts
WA, 1160 posts
22 Aug 2013 4:15pm
oneil physco 3
russh
russh
SA
3027 posts
SA, 3027 posts
22 Aug 2013 8:19pm
Simmer generator 3/2 - toasty warm in a very cool SA winter- good forearm space, flex and a back zip (no contortionist training required to get in and out).
Very happy
Jman
Jman
VIC
881 posts
VIC, 881 posts
22 Aug 2013 8:55pm
russh said..

Simmer generator 3/2 - toasty warm in a very cool SA winter- good forearm space, flex and a back zip (no contortionist training required to get in and out).
Very happy


I decided on a new front zip suit and it is more difficult to get on and off but I reckon the neck seals better than the previous back zip suits i have had.
Wind Foiler
Wind Foiler
WA
143 posts
WA, 143 posts
23 Aug 2013 7:39am
I've just bought a 2/3 oneill physco RG8. This suit unlike the physco 3 is all 2mm apart from the chest/back panel. Unbelievable flexibility, and being a chest zip seals very well. I tried the earlier chest zip Oneills and they didn't impress me much, but the lastest version I can not fault. I have a largish neck and still find it very comfortable. As long as you use the left arm first theory, they are nearly easier to put on than the rear zip, as everything pops into place as the suit comes up.

It is almost too warm for perth winters so the physco 3 would handle any Aussie conditions.

There is another thread on here with the Dutch guys saying the 5/3 is too warm unless its below 5 or 7 deg. I believe they mostly use 4/3.
My Physco II lasted 3 seasons of surfing heaps and windsurfing more, without ever washing it out (or drying it for that matter
Obelix
Obelix
WA
1171 posts
WA, 1171 posts
23 Aug 2013 8:24am

Anyone using Flying Objects? Curious how they compare to the above.
russh
russh
SA
3027 posts
SA, 3027 posts
23 Aug 2013 12:06pm
Jman said..
russh said..



Simmer generator 3/2 - toasty warm in a very cool SA winter- good forearm space, flex and a back zip (no contortionist training required to get in and out).

Very happy


I decided on a new front zip suit and it is more difficult to get on and off but I reckon the neck seals better than the previous back zip suits i have had.


It Took me 15 minutes of writhing around in the carpark on the first use to get my last NPX 4/3 off - it ended up falling apart after 1 1/2 winters - tore across the shoulder. Hence the choice of a back zip with a good neck cover flap - certainly get a spot of water in a heafty wipeout - price definately assisted in the purchase decison

Reflex Films
Reflex Films
WA
1460 posts
WA, 1460 posts
23 Aug 2013 11:02am
i have an FO FLux with chest zip

super easy to get into- i find having the zip at the front is easier than trying to throw the back zip cord over my shoulder
after a surfing paddle out with 5 duckdives my back is still dry - you actually stay pretty dry in this suit the whole time

Windsurfing is great - not arm pump - great flexibility and a warm as.

i cant compare to Rip curls / etc as i havent used them - but i like using a suit that was designed as a sailors suit.
Bodies come in all shapes and sizes - so it is a fact of life that often a particular brands cut will suit 1 person more than another.

If credibility counts for anything -You will find most of the top wave sailors and many of the top racers in OZ are using FO wetties.
And also a lot of the good SUPPERS too.

And the guys that run the FO show are right in to windsurfing....
Gonewindsurfing247
Gonewindsurfing247
WA
966 posts
WA, 966 posts
23 Aug 2013 11:15am
Obelix said..


Anyone using Flying Objects? Curious how they compare to the above.


I have a Flying Objects Flux with the chest zip too (3/2). I have been using it 90% of the time this winter for Windsurfing and 100% of the time for Supping. It is super comfy and stretchy and is really easy to get on and off. It has really good reinforcement around the knee area which is great for Supping and the ankle straps are great too because they stop balloon leg. I think it is a great wetsuit but for the really cold days I still prefer my Oneil Psycofreak. The Psycofreak is warmer but more restrictive for windsurfing. I wouldn't use it for Supping because it gets too warm. I think for the mild winter we have had in Perth this year the FO was perfect but in colder areas I think the 3/2 would struggle compared to others like the Psycofreak. If you lived in colder areas it might be best to go with the 5/3. I hope this helps.
stehsegler
stehsegler
WA
3571 posts
WA, 3571 posts
23 Aug 2013 11:19am
go and see Windsurf and Snow. I bought a Neil Pryde wetsuit there two seasons ago. Best purchase I have ever made.
Mobydisc
Mobydisc
NSW
9029 posts
NSW, 9029 posts
23 Aug 2013 4:00pm
stehsegler said..

go and see Windsurf and Snow. I bought a Neil Pryde wetsuit there two seasons ago. Best purchase I have ever made.


Same here. A Neil Pryde suit that is wearing well after a couple of years.
Maddog49
Maddog49
WA
102 posts
WA, 102 posts
23 Aug 2013 5:21pm
Where is the best place to buy a wet suit for the xx large person and how much should one pay?
stehsegler
stehsegler
WA
3571 posts
WA, 3571 posts
23 Aug 2013 9:19pm
Maddog49 said..

Where is the best place to buy a wet suit for the xx large person and how much should one pay?


Sorry to keep banging on the Neil Pryde wetsuits. When I tried the one I currently have they also had several size in slight variation in the store. I think the size where 102 / 104 / 106. Very different to the sizing you'll find surf wetsuits which is generally xl, xxl, xxxl. Which in my experience means nada. EG In Australia I wear XL t-shirts yet when I buy t-shirt in the US I generally need L. Yet when I buy a 104 dress shirt in Germany / UK / Spain it's the same as a 104 dress shirt in say Singapore or Sydney.

Perhaps try Windsurfing Perth if you want to check out a Neil Pryde wetsuit. At the end of the day I my recommendations are:

1) Don't buy a wetsuit unless you can try it on. (ie don't buy over the net unless you can return it if it doesn't fit)

2) Buy a wetsuit that is made for windsurfing. (eg Neil Pryde, Flying Objects, Ion etc)


Jman
Jman
VIC
881 posts
VIC, 881 posts
24 Aug 2013 9:22am
I dont think its that big a deal getting a dedicated windsurfing wetsuit, all the quality wetsuits these days are super stretchy around the arms compared to 10 or 15 years ago.
Having said that I have a NPX Assassin which Im happy with but its actually very tight around the wrists and forearms, so its really just the material that makes it comfy.
I would also consider your return warranty options when purchasing a new wettie because things go wrong from time to time with wetsuits.
aus301
aus301
QLD
2039 posts
QLD, 2039 posts
24 Aug 2013 10:30am
here is my blog post on my new FO suits...

ozwindrider.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/new-suit-ready-for-business/

I previously had rip curl E-Bomb suits, and while they were fantastic suits, the FO ones are even better for wind sports. The Flux is easy to get in and out of, super stretchy, comfortable and warm. I have used my steamer for both windsurf and surfing and it has not let me down at all.
russh
russh
SA
3027 posts
SA, 3027 posts
24 Aug 2013 2:15pm
I've been wearing winter steamers from all the major brands over the past 30 odd years and personally I think the The Neil pryde wetsuit was warm and flexible but the least durable of any I have had in the past 10 years and several of the local crew that bought them has had them fall apart - one fully split down the back / shoulder the first time they put it on - buyer beware

Mr Steghlles dont know if your getting a good deal or just pimping but from those of us they paid full price it the NPX Pryde it wasnt good value as it needed replacement soon after warranty ran out. I also have a short arm FO that after one summer the smoothie neoprene is fully perished across the chest. That put me off buying another F/O

the Simmer Generator is a windsurf / SUP designed wetsuit - and only time will tell if it too falls apart - probably all made in the same factory in china

Maybe I just have face the fact that suits are designed to last one season of 3-4 uses a week
Waiting4wind
Waiting4wind
NSW
1871 posts
NSW, 1871 posts
24 Aug 2013 2:59pm
russh said..

I've been wearing winter steamers from all the major brands over the past 30 odd years and personally I think the The Neil pryde wetsuit was warm and flexible but the least durable of any I have had in the past 10 years and several of the local crew that bought them has had them fall apart - one fully split down the back / shoulder the first time they put it on - buyer beware

Mr Steghlles dont know if your getting a good deal or just pimping but from those of us they paid full price it the NPX Pryde it wasnt good value as it needed replacement soon after warranty ran out. I also have a short arm FO that after one summer the smoothie neoprene is fully perished across the chest. That put me off buying another F/O

the Simmer Generator is a windsurf / SUP designed wetsuit - and only time will tell if it too falls apart - probably all made in the same factory in china

Maybe I just have face the fact that suits are designed to last one season of 3-4 uses a week


I think it's the sun that kills them. I've had a good run with my NP shortie, the shoulders are starting to deteriorate but it is over 5 yo. And still serviceable.

I have this super stretchy rip curl steamer but the shoulders died after 2 seasons, however I think with the long sleeves they get more stress when putting them on.

I also havea oneil psycho over 5 yrs ans shoulders intact but this one is 5mm and only comes out on miserable days and usually overcast
sboardcrazy
sboardcrazy
NSW
8333 posts
NSW, 8333 posts
24 Aug 2013 4:12pm
I have a Neil Pryde Serene 5/3 and no worries re quality- I wash it in fresh water after each sail and dry it out of the sun though..
stehsegler
stehsegler
WA
3571 posts
WA, 3571 posts
24 Aug 2013 3:33pm
Don't know what version I have. It's got the bamboo lining. The only damage I have is a couple of fin cuts in the legs but that was an easy fix. No problem with the seams or shoulders so far. That said I always roll the wetsuit rather than hanging it or folding. I don't usually wash it either. I leave it in side out when I dry it.

Can't remember what I paid. I did get a few dollars of the RRP but that was more due to having bought quite a bit of gear from the same shop.
Odaddy
Odaddy
NSW
2 posts
NSW, 2 posts
25 Aug 2013 7:48pm
Thanks for all the advice. I got a good deal on a second hand /ex demo Neil Pryde steamer so far so good feels pretty flexible at 3.2
Cheers
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