new wetsuit brands?!?

[woodysurfer]

just wondering if anyone has any input on some of the smaller brands breaking out as of now? IE. buell , vissla , imperial motion , 6till 9 etc. looking to get new suits for next year and wanna see if these smaller companies have anything to offer yew thanks!

[IB_Surfer]

Only Vissla, my budy got a custom one made, not like a tailor but based on specific measurements. I haven't had much experience with the others, usually stick to Ripcurl or Xcel due to how they fit. I have tried quicksilver and bodyglove and the wife just gave me a hurgley for xmas.

[RinkyDink]

I started out with a Carapace wetsuit (now 7 till 8 ). The seams came apart in the crotch area within the first 6 months. They repaired it and sent it back, but it took like a month (inconvenient, but a new company). My wetsuit didn't have much of a wind barrier in the front and I learned that a wind resistant kind of rubber skin on the neoprene is requirement for me (wind is what makes me cold). My wetsuit had a hood as well, but I wasn't crazy about it because it was a little uncomfortable. It also was a custom fit, but I have since learned that I have to fit my wetsuits myself. I don't care for the way wetsuit companies guide people into the skin tight fit. The skin tight fit makes sense to me in theory, but in practice I don't like being encased in a second skin that feels semi-restrictive. I figured out that I prefer a looser fitting wetsuit--one I can layer things under. I currently use this as a hood https://www.xcelwetsuits.com/shop/produ ... ?color=BLK and I really like it . I like Xcel wetsuits, but I haven't found one yet that is the perfect fit. Anyway, good luck finding a suit.

[RinkyDink]

I was so impressed with the O'Neill Technobutter3 neoprene that I picked up a 4/3 Psycho One wetsuit. I love this wetsuit. It's a front zip, but the material is so flexible I don't have to fuss with it at all when taking it off. I wear a hood/compression shirt under it and I'm really warm. The suit doesn't have a wind barrier on the front or back, but I haven't even noticed the wind. And I've been out on some windy days. My back zip O'Neill Heat was working pretty well, but I did start to get cold toward the end of my sessions. It'll be an excellent wetsuit during the warmer months. As much as I like the Technobutter 3 flexible neoprene, I still think Yamamoto neoprene is really impressive as well. That neoprene seriously dries out in like 3 hours. My Psycho One doesn't shed water nearly as well as my Yamamoto wetsuit, but the flexibility of the Psycho One suit more than makes up for it even though there's a little bit of dampness the next day. By the way, I wear my wetsuits kind of loose so your mileage may vary. When I bought my suit the shop clerk said, "In my professional opinion, it's a little too loose," but so far I'm very comfortable.

My main problem with O'Neill is their marketing. I can't stand their Hyperfreak, Psycho, overcaffeinated Neurotic . . . product themes they use. You know O'Neill, there are middle aged adults buying your products. Please give your products less juvenile names. Tell the 24 year old Saatchi & Saatchi marketing genius naming your goods to go back to the drawing board.

[YungGrom]

Vissla make good suits. Just stock runs out pree quick