wetsuit ratings

All surfing hardware topics here. Boards, leashes, racks, wetsuits, boardies, surfgear, ding repair, wetsuit repair, surf wax...... you get the idea

wetsuit ratings

Postby SilverShark78 » Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:03 pm

been surfing winter with a 3mm wetsuit, but now it's getting old so i'm shopping for another. i'm slighly confused about wetsuit thicknesses. what exactly does 4/3mm and 5/3 and 6/4 and 6/5/4 and 3/2 mean? you get the idea. i cant seem to find the way this works. any help? thanks guys
SilverShark78
Grom
 
Posts: 49
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:53 pm
Location: Jersey

Postby Kabazz » Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:11 pm

First number is the thickness for the main torso and the second number is for the the arms and legs.
3/2 is usually a summer suit and 5/3 winter
If you do a google there will be guide for which suit for what temperature
Kabazz
Local Hero
 
Posts: 221
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:25 pm

Postby RJD » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:29 pm

And a 5/4/3 will be 3 thicknesses.

One for body, one for upper legs (mebe upper arms) one for arms/lower legs.

But usualy you pay more for thiner wetsuits that can cope with the same conditions.

Its easy to stick thing neoprene together, but it doesnt make the best suit.

Slightly thinner stretchier neoprene with blindstiched/sealed/taped or liquid sealed will cost more.

Also build of how you get into them is important, batwings, over the head stuff, or even neck entry wetties tend to cost more and stop water getting in.
RJD
SW Pro
 
Posts: 1373
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:37 pm
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Postby Hang11 » Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:00 pm

Techie stuff like polypro linings and titanium neoprene can reduce the thickness you need for the same warmth.

Also, if you surf in windy conditions, single lined neoprene on the outside will be warmer, because it sheds water so less wind chill, although the suit won't be as durable.

Bright coloured neoprene is usually colder, because it's white rubber not black, which is a shame, because I like lime green wetsuits.

There's some small ozzie outfit making suits out of a different material that can give a 5/4 warmth with a 2mm suit. I'll search out the name later - they are supposed to be really good too, as used by Ozzie special forces etc.

Ozzies are better at making wetsuits than they are at rugby. :wink:
User avatar
Hang11
SW Pro
 
Posts: 960
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:03 am
Location: smoko

Postby Kabazz » Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:30 pm

Hang11 wrote:Ozzies are better at making wetsuits than they are at rugby. :wink:

This man speaks the truth
Kabazz
Local Hero
 
Posts: 221
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:25 pm

Postby Johno » Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:42 pm

Am off to Oz in a week tomorrow ye ha yipy for xmas, was thinking of buy myself a full summer suit to maybe use in oz and when i cum back to the UK

any one recomend good quality wetys to go for and the ones to stay away from

or is it the same as over here (Xcel, body glove GOOD - Ripcurl Bad???)
User avatar
Johno
SW Pro
 
Posts: 732
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:03 am
Location: Cheshire

Postby drowningbitbybit » Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:04 pm

Johno wrote:Am off to Oz in a week tomorrow ye ha yipy for xmas, was thinking of buy myself a full summer suit to maybe use in oz and when i cum back to the UK


Full summer suit? As in 3mm? For Australia? You'll boil!! :shock:

At the moment, Im in a 2mm shortie if its breezy, or board shorts if its not. The water temp is TWENTY TWO DEGREES! if you're cold, get in the water for a bit! 8) :wink:
User avatar
drowningbitbybit
Surfing Legend
 
Posts: 6459
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:16 am
Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.

Postby Sar » Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:16 pm

drowningbitbybit wrote:At the moment, Im in a 2mm shortie if its breezy, or board shorts if its not. The water temp is TWENTY TWO DEGREES! if you're cold, get in the water for a bit! 8) :wink:


:evil:


:lol: :lol:
User avatar
Sar
SW Pro
 
Posts: 1019
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:10 pm

Postby Hang11 » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:54 am

drowningbitbybit wrote:
Johno wrote:Am off to Oz in a week tomorrow ye ha yipy for xmas, was thinking of buy myself a full summer suit to maybe use in oz and when i cum back to the UK


Full summer suit? As in 3mm? For Australia? You'll boil!! :shock:

At the moment, Im in a 2mm shortie if its breezy, or board shorts if its not. The water temp is TWENTY TWO DEGREES! if you're cold, get in the water for a bit! 8) :wink:


Come for a holiday to Christchurch, NZ in July - 8 degrees average in the winter, but it gets colder if it snows up on the mountains. Certainly makes you think twice about going in.

I had an extra two adams apples this year for a couple of weeks of good swell, but it's nice being able to surf and snowboard in one day.
User avatar
Hang11
SW Pro
 
Posts: 960
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:03 am
Location: smoko

Postby Johno » Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:32 am

Dbbb

Full summer suit? As in 3mm? For Australia? You'll boil!! :shock:

The plan was get a good summer suit at a bargin price so i can use it in the UK, av got a cheep shorty from Aldi witch I wear in walse July Aug but its not tailerd for the neather regens an is realy painfull

will all the surf shops not be selling off summer suits cheep cheep cheep like they do with the summer suits when its going into winter????

What Ozi brands are the ones to go for?
User avatar
Johno
SW Pro
 
Posts: 732
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:03 am
Location: Cheshire

Postby drowningbitbybit » Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:41 am

Johno wrote:will all the surf shops not be selling off summer suits cheep cheep cheep like they do with the summer suits when its going into winter????

What Ozi brands are the ones to go for?


Some shops are selling off their 'winter' stock, but its not a big thing. Its not such an issue here.

Wetsuit brands are similar to the ones sold in the UK - at least at the top end of the market. There's cheap cr@p around just like the UK too :wink:
User avatar
drowningbitbybit
Surfing Legend
 
Posts: 6459
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:16 am
Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.

Postby Johno » Thu Dec 06, 2007 4:50 pm

5 more working days and am on my way ye ha :D :) :lol: :wink: :lol:
User avatar
Johno
SW Pro
 
Posts: 732
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:03 am
Location: Cheshire

Postby drowningbitbybit » Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:20 pm

Johno wrote:5 more working days and am on my way ye ha :D :) :lol: :wink: :lol:


I'm already here! :D 8) :lol:
User avatar
drowningbitbybit
Surfing Legend
 
Posts: 6459
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:16 am
Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.


Similar topics

Return to Surfing Hardware