Custom wetsuit on a Budget

[Island Bri]

I'm going to be heading for Wellington winter waters and I'm wondering what type of wetsuit to get. I've tried reading up on the current lingo (differences between 3/2, 4/3, 5/3, etc.) and it's got my head spinning!

Also, I've looked at different sizing charts and I don't fit in any of them. My height and weight are one size, my waist another, hips another, and neck/inseam yet another! How plausible would it be to procure a custom wetsuit? I would to hate to have half of the wetsuit fit and half of it not.

[RJD]

You can get wetsuits made to measure, seventh wave (NZ, chch) do them for about $70-100 more than an off the shelf.

But dont get too worried about width, its more height/length thats important.

Basicaly try em on and see what fits, if any.

I picked up a top of the line 4/3 (4mm body, 3mm legs/arms) for $300, should have been $750 (NZ dollars). A summer wetsuit (3/2 or 2.5) will be $100-200.

[Island Bri]

My budget is about $100-$150 for the entire wetsuit. I've found a couple at O'Neill and Ripcurl, but I don't know how to shop for quality.

I take it I should stay from 3/2mm?

The length and weight (at least from O'Neill) seemed to be alright at an 8 (I'm 5'8" and 112lbs.), but I've heard that the neck measurement is something you want to be picky about. Unfortunately I have a 13/12 inch neck, which apparently is a few sizes up from where it should be from my height and weight.

Do you know of any shops in Wellington?

[RJD]

Is that US or NZ $?

Untill I picked up the f-bomb I surfed in a body glove 2.5mm in Chch 8-9 months a year (no bootas/gloves), itas pretty loose, and I'm relativly hardy so early spring/late Autumn was a bit chilly. That was $120 NZ from warehouse. Sea temps are 7-8 in winter to 15-17 summer(C).

Neoprene stretches. If its not stretchy it wont be any good anyhow, usualy theres some scope for fit & adjustment around the neck too (where you velcro it closed).

Cant help you on the shops in Welly, there will be some, as said even Warehouse ( kind of Wall mart) sells cheap wetties.

But basicaly try em on, so long as there not too loose or too tight and the right height there ok, there quite easy going on fitting.

[Island Bri]

US dollars (sorry, forgot about the conversion there). Is that a reasonable price or am do I need to go higher?

I'm unfortunately not hardy in the least bit (toothpick would be more like it! ), so I'm thinking of going for either 4/3 or 5/3mm.

[RJD]

$100 US = $140 NZ.

Cheapest 4/3 you'll find here is about $280 and it'll be overkill for ~6months of the year minimum for you.

Thicker wetsuits are harder to put on/take off, heavier and harder to paddle/move in. You often pay for tech to make it thinner (i.e. mine has sealed seams etc).

Mines top end and I had boots/gloves on yesterday but I didnt even notice the temperature of the water, which was about 45f.

[Island Bri]

So the US dollar goes farther in New Zealand? That's very nice to know.

I'll be in New Zealand roughly from July to November. (I'm studying abroad, though with the hopes of moving permanently. I've got a couple job possibilities that I might be able to work out through a student visa)

So in conclusion, I should....

- Go for 3/2mm
- Add booties/gloves
- Try the wetsuit on before buying (so online purchasing isn't such a great idea?)
- Make sure it fits mostly in height/length and not worry too much about width.

Sound about right?
- And pray that I don't freeze to death.

[RJD]

July is the equivelant of January in the northern Hemi, its usualy a cold month. middle of winter.

November is mid/late spring - April or so NH.

If you wanna surf July/August your going to want a 4/3 w boots & gloves most likely.

Worry about FIT, if it doesnt fit (to big, wrong shape) it'll be as good as useless. a little tight is better than a little loose. Buying online unless you've tried on is not good.

And trying on wetsuits is a mission in itself.

[Island Bri]

Oof, that would be like the Polar Bear clubs here in January.

So nix the 3/2mm and go for the 4mm with boots & gloves. Got it. Thanks RJD!