Surfing Waves

I'm shopping around for a new wetsuit and I'm looking at a Billabong Foil. But I'm interested in hearing if anyone has any experiences with Billabong wetsuits? I'm mainly interested in the fit and durability. I'm 5'10", but with broader shoulders than most people, so I need to have a wetsuit that can accommodate people with broader shoulders. I know that the obvious answer is to try them on at a local shop, but most of the shops around me seem to carry only O'Neil wetsuits, so I'm stuck looking online. O'Neil wetsuits aren't feasible because they're cut too narrow for me. I have a Hyperflex Cyclone, and it fits fine, the only problem is that I get a lot of neck chaffing, so I want to have a wetsuit with a collar to prevent the neck chafing. Second, how are Billabong wetsuits with their durability? Do they last for a good amount of time or fall apart after a few months?

Do you have a rash vest?

We have four Billabong suits between me and my son. I use a 3/2mm GBS Foil for Summer and a 5/4/3mm Revolution Hybrid for Winter. My son has a 3/2mm Flatlocked Foil for summer and a 5/4/3mm Foil for Winter (although he tends to wear this almost all of the time)

Okay we're not in the water all of the time, but I reckon that mine have both been used a reasonable amount. Mine have been very reliable, they fit well, keep me warm. The Revolution is a superior quality suit compared to the Foil in terms of build quality and resisting flushing I cannot criticise either of them in any way. However I've only ever had Billabong suits, so I have no experience of other brands in which to make a comparison. I did try on several others and found the Billabong fitted me best, was easy to get on and off and was within my budgets. Sizing has been very consistent - but I'm not excessively broad in the shoulder, just average build vs height. 6'0" tall and 13stone - Large fits me perfectly.

My son's flatlocked one is the same size as his gbs winter suit but is definitely smaller all round and is now too small. Quality wise neither can be faulted and he says he wants the same again when he grows out of his winter suit.

Hope it helps, cheers

Thanks for the input, it sounds like Billabong suits are pretty good quality-wise.

I have a few rashguards, but I doubt that they'll help. My 4:3 Hyperflex chafes my neck because the velcro neck fastener is a little stiffer than the rest of the collar, so when a wave crashes on me, usually when I'm paddling out, it rubs the velcro fastener against my neck. That part of the neck is higher up on than what my rashguards cover, so unless I have a turtleneck rashguard, it's not going to help much. I do use Headhunter Rash Guard Formula, which works, until it washes off. I don't have this problem with my O'Neil spring suit though, so the collar is probably constructed a little better, too bad it doesn't fit me well, which is why I need to replace it.

I have a Billabong Neoprene wetsuit top 1.5mm and its lasted me over 3 years now, both for surfing and also for some added warmth whilst diving under my regular wettie, and apart from a little fading, theres no issues with it at all, its taken alot of punishment and use and still no damage.
also im quite broad shouldered too and it fits me just fine, im 5'11 and around 185, and its very comfy, no squeezing or pinching issues that some tops have given me.
would definately buy billabong again

My only problem with billabong suits is I'm really, really tall, with broad sholders. I'm 6'4" and quite thin at the stomach, but with a sturdy build everywhere else. From XL and up they seem to fit the suits with a bit of a gut, since most people buying an XL would be older guys with a bit of a belly, since few people are 6'4" and athletic built. But before I grew to my rediculous length, and got my super shoulders, a Medium Tall fitted me perfectly, without any problems. I would definitely reccomend it. Just be sure to go for a suit that allows you do grow a bit of muscle from paddling and training, so instead of the medium, go for the MT.

Oh, and I find that unless I have a 5 hour plus session, the rash is minimal. But, if you really have some problems, try some Petrolium Jelly.

if you are after Billabong Wetsuits try :

http://www.ocean24seven.com/wetsuits

Kaaimans wrote:Oh, and I find that unless I have a 5 hour plus session, the rash is minimal. But, if you really have some problems, try some Petrolium Jelly.

In a complete reverse of what Kaaimans is saying DO NOT use petroleum jelly it will solve the rash in the short term but rot/perish your wetsuit wetsuit a lot faster than normal wear and tear , wear a rash vest under the wet suit they are designed to prevent rash.