Surfing Waves

Looking for a person that's tried a bunch of different wetsuits. What's been your favorite? I've been surfing for 12+ years. I live in San Diego and there's a RipCurl outlet 40 mins from my house, so I've purchased all my suits from the outlet. I can save over $100 on Ripcurl's top of the line suits at the outlet. However, I'm looking to try a different suit this time. It's that time, the water is cold and I need to purchase a new suit.

I like Ripcurl suits, they are comfy and warm. The issue I've had is with durability. They only last a season for the most part, and every season I need to buy a new one. Ideally, would like to find a suit can get a longer life out of.

Any advice you can offer is appreciated.

hit_the_lip wrote: The issue I've had is with durability. They only last a season for the most part, and every season I need to buy a new one.

Question:
1) Which model / level of Rip Curl wetsuit you have ? I've used the F-bomb zip-free for two seasons now, only a bit on thinning where my boney elbow is.
2) Where is the "durability" issue ? The shoulders, knees, etc ?
3) Are you using a hanger or draping the wetsuit ?

Like with most sports, you trade of Performance for Durability. ( say for instance a street motorcycle where you only oil change every 3000+ miles while a race bike does a whole top end rebuild after every race ) . The Dawn Patrol series might be a lower level than the E-bomb or F-bomb, but the Dawn Patrol might be more durable.

hit_the_lip wrote: I like Ripcurl suits, they are comfy and warm. However, I'm looking to try a different suit this time. Ideally, would like to find a suit can get a longer life out of.

You might not realize but Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Billabong, O'neil wetsuits are all made in the same factory. It's been said there really is no difference, just the marketing. So if you like the fit and warmth ( and discount price ) of the Rip Curl wetsuit, stay with them.

Like all products these days, things aren't built to last. Manufacturers need you to keep buying over and over. Look at your current iPhone that slows down once the "new" iPhone comes out. Or the old Shimano 8-speed bike shifter that won't work with the new 12 speed gear system. It's called planned "planned obsolescence".

Between scuba and surfing, I have now owned 5 wetsuits:

Bare brand (3/2 shorty and 3 full suit) paid less than $100 each

Billabong 5/4/3 w separate hood - $175

Pinnacle 5mm - $150

Quiksilver 6/5/4 - $300

Accessories:

Rip Curl Flash Bomb booties - $80

Billabong Furnace X booties - $60

Patagonia mittens - $60

The Billabong wetsuit seems to have a slippery lined surface that makes donning & doffing easier than others. Bare hold up really well for low budget suits. Rip Curl booties leaked and straps broke after less than 10 uses. Board feel was excellent, but the Billabong booties are proving to be a better product. The Quiksilver has an awesome lining, and fits very well, but one of the seams appears to be coming apart after about 20 uses. Granted, it's on the stomach.

From what I've been told, RipCurl is better quality than Bare, Hyperflex, etc, but at the prices I have found, I've been satisfied with other brands. All of the above brands had an appropriate size for me at 6'1" 185-190lbs.

Hope this helps!

Tom

I know it doesn't help with getting away from Ripcurl, but there's a new outlet on Linda Vista road by USD!

Two winters, so far so good. Flashbomb 4/3 Zip Free. I travel by train so the fact the flash lining dries faster helps with the carry weight.

I’m not sure how true it is but I’ve heard xcel fits very similar to ripcurl.

hit_the_lip wrote:Any advice you can offer is appreciated.

I don't think you can go wrong with the wetsuit endorsed by both Vladimir Putin and John McCain: The black/torch Maverick X.
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/roka-mens- ... t-8156572/

I live & surf in Santa Cruz where wetsuits are always a necessity and have tried Xcel, O'Neal, Rip Curl. I have found the Xcel to not only fit better but last longer while keeping me warm. The levels of suit you buy makes a huge difference on durability. For instance my Xcel Drylock series last about 2 years ( used year round 3-4 times a week) but the Xcel Comp or Revolt model last about a rear. Same thing with my O'Neal suits - the top end model last about twice as long. I have only had one Rip Curl suit, it was a Flash Bomb. Never fit very well and the stupid chest zipper zips the wrong way. Meaning, you have to line up the 2 edges to zip which can be a problem when it's cold. O'Neal and Xcel all you do is zip from right to left without lining up the 2 zippers. That's a big deal when it's cold and your fingers are kinda numb. My preference is Xcel as #1, O'Neal as # 2 and Rip Curl #3.

I got my wetsuit from the same outlet. I'm guessing you're going to san Clemente for that ripcurl outlet. There is a new one in downtown SD. Will probably go there in the next two days.

I have more wetsuits then I can count. My first and oldest one is Xcel and none of them have durability problems. I thought the seams would rip, especially the chest zip ones. But they lasted me for years. Are you mistreating your wetsuit or perhaps you surf too much!?

Surf Hound wrote:I live & surf in Santa Cruz where wetsuits are always a necessity and have tried Xcel, O'Neal, Rip Curl. I have found the Xcel to not only fit better but last longer while keeping me warm. The levels of suit you buy makes a huge difference on durability. For instance my Xcel Drylock series last about 2 years ( used year round 3-4 times a week) but the Xcel Comp or Revolt model last about a rear. Same thing with my O'Neal suits - the top end model last about twice as long. I have only had one Rip Curl suit, it was a Flash Bomb. Never fit very well and the stupid chest zipper zips the wrong way. Meaning, you have to line up the 2 edges to zip which can be a problem when it's cold. O'Neal and Xcel all you do is zip from right to left without lining up the 2 zippers. That's a big deal when it's cold and your fingers are kinda numb. My preference is Xcel as #1, O'Neal as # 2 and Rip Curl #3.

I've been shopping for a wetsuit again because I want to get a full hooded wetsuit. I'm leaning toward an Xcel, but the new O'Neill Technobutter 3 is pretty incredible material. I felt like I was wearning a sweater instead of a wetsuit when I tried on one of those Jack O'Neill commemorative wetsuits. It's the stretchiest, most flexible neoprene I've encountered. I'm still not crazy about front zips, but if the neoprene is flexible enough it doesn't matter.