Wetsuits

[Tom-Irons]

Hey Im quite new to surfing and I live far away from the sea more like central England but i try to go as much as possible. I was thinking of buying a wetsuit but as i live so far away it would have to be reasonbly cheap and good quality. Does anyone know any good ones?

[RJD]

IMo the good one is the one that fits you.

Also dependant on stiching, stretch etc, but doesnt matter if the best 'make' doesnt fit.

[Ellie]

Have a look in a local surf shop (ok, maybe not so handy in the Midlands, but when you next go to the coast for a surf!) Not a brand name shop like O'Neill, but an independent one.

They quite often have a lot of deals on certain suits, and you can try em on to make sure they fit. The LAST thing you want is a wettie bought cheap online that is so big you AND your baord could fit in it!

And of course, if you alwyas go to this shop for other stuff you need - renting boards etc. buying new suits, gloves, booties - they wil grow to know and love you, and you'll get some darn good advice, and maybe a lil discount!

In terms of make, I find C-Skins good, but mainly because their kids sizes fit me perfectly, and they are pretty bargainous!

[Stone Fox]

I bought a Kangaroo poo wetsuit on ebay recently, incredibly cheap. Buying online is fine if you have the sense to check the dimensions, but then anyone buying something from ebay without reading the full description deserves to get burned.

I love my K-Poo wetsuit - it fits nicely and it does what it's supposed to - keeps me warm!

[Sar]

I am toasty in my cskins, they seem to have a good rep but have nothing to compare it too. For me the sizing is waaaay to small - the size 8 looks like a kids suit to me so not sure what the mens dimensions are like

[Stone Fox]

http://www.c-skins.com/products/c-skins-products.htm

go there.

Pick a wetsuit.

Click on the size chart.

for example this is a C-Skin Atom:
mens height chest waist
S 5'4" - 5'6" (162-167cm) 34" (86cm) 28" (71cm)
MS 5'6" - 5'8" (167-172cm) 36" (91cm) 30" (76cm)
M 5'8" - 5'10" (172-177cm) 38" (97cm) 32" (81cm)
MT 5'10" - 6'0" (177-182cm) 38" (97cm) 32" (81cm)
ML 5'10" - 6'0" (177-182cm) 40" (101cm) 34" (86cm)
L 6'0" - 6'2" (182-187cm) 42" (107cm) 36" (91cm)
XL 6'2" - 6'4" (187-193cm) 44" (112cm) 38" (97cm)
XXL 6'2" - 6'4" (187-193cm) 46" (117cm) 40" (103cm)

And this is the O'neill size chart.


MEN HEIGHT WEIGHT CHEST WAIST HIPS NECK INSEAM
XS 5'7" - 5'9" 125 - 140 34" - 36" 28" - 30" 33" - 35" 14.5 28" - 29"
S 5'8" - 5'10" 135 -155 36" - 38" 29" - 31" 34" - 36" 15 28.5" - 29.5"
ST 5'9" - 5'11" 140 - 160 36" - 38" 29" - 31" 34" - 36" 15 30" - 31"
MS 5'8" - 5'10" 140 - 160 38" - 40" 30" - 32" 35" - 37" 15 28.5" - 29.5"
M 5'9" - 5'11" 150 - 170 38" - 40" 30" - 32" 35" - 37" 15.5 29" - 30"
MT 5'10" - 6'0" 155 - 175 38" - 40" 30" - 32" 35" - 37" 15.5 30" - 31"
LS 5'9" - 5'11" 160 - 180 40" - 42" 32" - 34" 37" - 39" 16 29" - 30"
L 5'10" - 6'0" 170 - 190 40" - 42" 32" - 34" 37" - 39" 16 29" - 30"
LT 6'1" - 6'3" 180 - 200 40" - 42" 32" - 34" 37" - 39" 16 30" - 31"
XLS 5'10" - 6'0" 180 - 200 42" - 44" 34" - 36" 39" - 41" 16.5 29.5" - 30.5"
XL 5'11" - 6'1" 190 - 210 42" - 44" 34" - 36" 39" - 41" 16.5 30" - 31"
XXL 6'1" - 6'3" 210 - 230 44" - 46" 36" - 38" 41" - 43" 17 30.5" - 31.5
XXXL 6'2" - 6'4" 220 - 240 46" - 48" 38" - 40" 44" - 46" 17.5 30" - 31"

You can find the answer to pretty much any question you could possibly ask on the Internet, except (from what I hear) 'How long is Kitey going to take shaping?'

[thaya]

You can find the answer to pretty much any question you could possibly ask on the Internet, except (from what I hear) 'How long is Kitey going to take shaping?'

LOL!

[chris fixxy]

I have a question about summer and winter wetsuits while we are on the subject.

Would it be worth getting a winter wetsuit anyway? or is it too bulky in the summer?

[Dr Rev]

Depends where you surf ? I wear a Billa Bong Oscillator 5-4-3mm all year round, no problems at all !

[justloafing]

I have a question about summer and winter wetsuits while we are on the subject.

Would it be worth getting a winter wetsuit anyway? or is it too bulky in the summer?

It really depends on the water and air temp. You could end up sweating your arse off or freezing your arse off depending on the air and water temps.

[chris fixxy]

Depends where you surf ? I wear a Billa Bong Oscillator 5-4-3mm all year round, no problems at all !

uk basically.

[Sar]

i only had cash for one suit so bought a winter one, if you get too hot you can always open the zip a little or something. Theres more surf in winter anyways...

[Milo]

I get all my kit from my local shops, but i`m very lazy and use there web site`s and order over the net.

[Tom-Irons]

I am toasty in my cskins, they seem to have a good rep but have nothing to compare it too.

I heard that cskins are pretty good. I spoke to a rider in Croyde when i was surfing and he recommended them. Has anyone else got cskins and would recommend? or anyone know any bad bits about them?

[Stone Fox]

I've got some C-Skin gloves & Boots.

Do exactly what they say on the tin.

I'm a little confused about the whole 'this wetsuits better than that one' thing, what's the difference if it keeps you warm, fits properly and is flexible?

[RJD]

I'm a little confused about the whole 'this wetsuits better than that one' thing, what's the difference if it keeps you warm, fits properly and is flexible?

Its the keeps you warm bit, thats dependant on fit, material, construction, technology in the suit. All arnt equal.

Especialy my 2.5mm bodyglove which fits nothing like a glove...

[derbyshire surfer]

Hi Tom-Irons,

I just got this one a few weeks ago

I live in the midlands, surf mainly East coast, surfed on a snowy day not long back and I found it great for the price! Infact I've ordered another one. Nice to have two suits for a one day 'sesh'!

Maybe I'm a wuss, but I tend to use my winter suit pretty much most of the year on the East coast! Try to get to Portugal at least once a year, just for a 'boardies sesh' or two!

http://www.boardshop.co.uk/product/detail/surf-wetsuits/rip-curl/classic-fashion-5x3.jsp

[Clark]

try this mate theres a decent Gul wettie there www.surfinghardware.co.uk

[Tom-Irons]

Ive Checked out all your links but i'm still not certain wether i should buy online or go to a local shop when i next go surfing. Has anyone had bad expieriances from buyin on the net? Or has anyones buy all ways been a good one from the internet?

Tom-Irons

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

Ive Checked out all your links but i'm still not certain wether i should buy online or go to a local shop when i next go surfing. Has anyone had bad expieriances from buyin on the net? Or has anyones buy all ways been a good one from the internet?

Tom-Irons

Like was said...you can normaly save a bunch by purchasing on the internet. Go to a shop, and try them on, figure out what size you need. Then pick em up online...