Wetsuit shopping

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sflinux
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Re: Wetsuit shopping

Post by sflinux » Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:12 pm

I've heard S.C. Ripcurl has good deals.
For S.F., I like Wise. I had a Rip Curl suit (~1 year old) that ripped along the seam at the knee cap. I dropped the clean/dry suit off at Wise and they had it repaired and ready for me in a few days, no charge.

kandrey89
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Re: Wetsuit shopping

Post by kandrey89 » Mon Jun 10, 2013 3:21 pm

Anyone know when O'Neill wetsuits go on sale, approx which month?

Would be nice if I could get 30% off on O'Neill Psycofreak 3.

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turbinedude
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Re: Wetsuit shopping

Post by turbinedude » Tue Jun 11, 2013 1:16 am

Kandrey,
Need to know if you need the wetsuit extra girth or breast pockets?

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Re: Wetsuit shopping

Post by kandrey89 » Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:21 am

What?

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Aloha
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Re: Wetsuit shopping

Post by Aloha » Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:53 am

Advisement on psychofreak ESP for kiting. I had one 3 years ago as a winter suit and yes they are warm - but the air neoprene at least then was very fragile... After a few months there were quite a few tears on the surface exposing the air material underneath, some eventually worsening to be all the way through.

The Psycho line (non air neoprene unlike psychofreak) on the other hand are their suits that really set the bar for surfing for warmth durability and fit

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Re: Wetsuit shopping

Post by WindMuch » Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:21 am

I'll chime in with a +1 for O'Neil suits - particularly fond of the "Mutant" with a removable hood. It's like having two suits in one. Plus they're super durable, crazy flexible and really, really warm.

I'm on my second suit after 5 seasons of kiting (mostly on the coast, sometimes in the bay). Each of my suits (a 5/4 and now a 4/3) have lasted, literally, hundreds of sessions (yes, I'm one of those nerdy guys who keeps a kiting log).

A hood keeps water/wind out of your ears and your head warm. It's a really good idea and a preventative measure against Surfer's Ear/Exostosis. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfer%27s_ear

I'll also mention "Mirazyme" cleaner/odor eliminator - you can get it on-line or at REI. I stopped peeing in my wetsuit a long time ago (when the designs and super stretchy rubber made it so water doesn't 'flush' through the suit any more), but suits still get pretty funky smelling. A soak in this stuff in the bathtub every couple of months makes me a LOT more welcome when I come home after a session. Call it marriage counseling in a bottle...

Kirk out

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Re: Wetsuit shopping

Post by Aloha » Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:10 am

Kirk showering as soon as you get home may help too...

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le noun
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Re: Wetsuit shopping

Post by le noun » Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:52 am

I'll just chime in with what I know.
I've been using underwave for the past 2 years.
They are simply bomb proof. I have no tears or whatsoever on them even after two years, and I don't even pay much attention to them: leave them in the sun for a few days to dry, grab them with my nails to put them on.
And they are cheaper than the big names like O'neils and rip curl.
Only problem is that they don't come in as many sizes as the big brand: it's simply XS/S/M/L/XL. No "ML", "MS" and that kind of stuff. Not a problem for me, M fits me well.

here is there website
Kites: 2020 F-One Bandit: 10m.
Board: 2018 F-One Slice 5'1 Surf/Foil convertible
Harness: Manera Union.
Wetsuit: Manera 5/4 X10D

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