O'Neill PsychoFreak 3/2 vs 4/3 in San Diego

[Scott927]

Hi all,

New to the forums (and to surfing in general). I'm looking at buying a new wetsuit to use in the ocean around San Diego. I really like the fit and feel of the O'Neill PsychoFreak wetsuit. However, I'm not sure if I should get the 3.5/2.5 or the 4.5/3.5. I tried on the 3.5/2.5 but can't find somewhere that stocks a 4.5/3.5 to try on. People tell me that the PsychoFreak generally feels a little warmer than other wetsuits due to their addition of an extra half millimeter of neoprene.

This is my first wetsuit and at the price point ($579 retail), I don't want to get the wrong suit. Do lots of people use a 3/2 in San Diego? Can you still feel the chill from the water? Is a 4/3 considerably warmer?

[pandarturo]

Just drink allot of water so you can keep peeing....personal water heater

[jaffa1949]

Pandarturo is in Hawaii not much need of a self heated wetsuit there.
4/3 is definitely warmer than a 3/2 sealed seams means warmer too, self heated means in the end urine powered crotch rot. ask around SD get your answers on the ground.
I think though a 3/2 might do the job!
Said with little knowledge of SD waters since I live in Australia and our coldest where I am is 12C and then wind chill off the snowy mountains.

[pandarturo]

Lol but I'll be moving there soon lol

[jaffa1949]

Being stationed there after Hawaii , hoo haa!

[pandarturo]

Lol yup

[gd6]

I'm in Los Angeles so I wouldn't imagine there to be a huge difference for SD. I have a 3/2 oneill fusions wetsuit, as well as a oneill 4/3 superfreak wetsuit. the 4/3 was definitely too warm for 8 months of the year here, though I am glad to have it right now on colder or overcast days (this year has been warm enough for the 3/2 most days). I would say my body temp/comfort level is maybe a little less than some guys I know, meaning I probably like it to be a little bit warmer. Come to think of it, the 3/2 fits a little loose, while the 4/3 fits a little tight, so if you had a tight fitting 3.5/2.5, that might be perfect. I do really like the warmth level of my slightly loose fitting 3/2 most of the year.

By the way, I bought both of my wetsuits from warehousedeals.com , its through amazon, its the website they sell open box merchandise (ie: customer returns). I only paid $100 for my 4/3, and only $55 for my 3/2, both still had tags on.

[IMinCA]

If you're only spending money on one suit, I think 3/2 is sufficient for winter in Cali.