Suggestion for new wetsuit
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 10:39
I am thinking of getting something for these warmer spring days where my OR Pyro is not really needed. Something around 5m because I already have a 4/3 that is more like a 3/2. Can anyone recommend something good. What companies are making the best suit these days? The new neoprene looks pretty nice as does the zipperless ones.
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 10:42
#1
I really love my NPX suit.
I really love my NPX suit.
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 10:57
#2
7mm wetsuit good for kiting
Arctic 7mm wetsuit for sale $160 L/ size
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 19:14
#3
I love my hyperflex 5mm amp
I love my hyperflex 5mm amp k. Awesome construction super comfy and stretchy
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 19:49
#4
Another vote for Hyperflex
I have a 4/3 front zip Hyperflex Amp that is great. Have had it for two years and it still feels and works as new. All the seals have held and the material is super stretchy even after two years of use.
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 01:55
#6
I'm just starting out and I
I'm just starting out and I did about two hours of body dragging in 42 degree water in my 5mm hyperflex and never felt cold once.
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 10:32
#7
Hyperflex
Hey Ted,
I just got the Hyperflex Amp K (back entry) in a 5/4 and I love it. Has 100% stretch and is made from the newest materials. I paid $264 for delivered and am 100% happy. I ordered it through www.wetsuitgear.com but JD has a few still. Might want to give him a call.
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 20:51
#8
The best suit by far in my
The best suit by far in my humble opinion is the npx. Their suits are top of the line and honestly feel like you are not wearing anything. my 5/4/3 got me through all winter and is more comfortable then my hyperflex 4/3.
I know skyrocket loves his winter suit but dont know much about it. West I think, but he describes it the same way as the NPX.
Vadim at greenhatkiteboarding will usually give you a good deal on those suits.
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 08:57
#9
I love my 5/4/3 npx zealot
I love my 5/4/3 npx zealot too. It was perfect for the fall and right now it's just about right. Yesterday at dog it was sunny and high 40s and it was perfect while i was out on the water. But as soon as i got off, the chill set in. The wet 3mm arms and legs just sap the heat. It makes it real tough to get back out. I actually made it through the winter with the suit, but I won't do it again. It's just too cold between sessions. But for the fall and spring, this is a great suit. I bought mine from Phil at Inland Sea in Dennis...great guy.
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 09:39
#10
As an addition I am not sure
As an addition I am not sure which suit you have B but the NPX suits come in two varieties, one is wind mesh and is the warmer suit. It can take a little more ware then the other version but keeps you significantly warmer. the 5/4/3 windmesh is equivelant in warmth to the 6/5/4 non wind mesh for instance. It specifically helps fend off that cold standing on the beach.
Everyone is different but I made it through even the coldest days with my 5/4/3 a hood, 2mm glacier gloves, and 5mm booties.
I def suggest going to inland sea and trying on the npx if they have it in stock. You will be blown away by how comfortable it is!
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 10:10
#11
Yeah I think I missed out on
Yeah I think I missed out on that material. My arms and legs absorb water at the surface. It's not an issue while kiting, but on the beach it takes the will away. I'd like to know how that new material holds up over time.
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 10:23
#12
I have 3 npx's. a 6/5/4
I have 3 npx's. a 6/5/4 hooded whih I wear in the winter, a 5/4 for this time of year, and a 3 mm. the 6 and 3 mm are the nylon lined suits and have help up great. In general they are good suits for the price. The 5 mm is the smooth neoprene on the outside and yes it is abit more wind proof, but has not held up nearly as well as the lined ones. . I got it in fall 2009 and by fall 2010 after about 20 uses many of the seams were coming apart. so after 13 months of owning it I called the dealer and sent him pics of the seams. He promptly forwarded them to the distributor who offered to send me a tube of aquaseal...f*ck that! I expected better support of product that had failed due to manufacturing defects. so unless they have improved the seams on the smooth skin since 2009 I might avoid that the smooth skin and get the lined one. I have seen other npx smooth skins with bad seams so it wasn't just mine..not sure of the vintage of those
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 12:19
#13
oneill psychofreak's are in
oneill psychofreak's are in my opinion the best wetsuits. they offer amazing flexibily and warmth
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 17:10
#14
npx 5/4/3 assassin is the
npx 5/4/3 assassin is the only full suit ive owned, and i love it. i try to stay away from the water in the winter, but for those colder spring/fall days its great.
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 18:12
#15
I have been using the O'Neill
I have been using the O'Neill Psycho 2? 6/5/4 hooded wetsuit for the last two years or soo. Used it surfing originally and now for kiting. Keeps me toasty w/ minimal flushing... although I have been wearing a vest w/ hood underneath for a little more warmth and flush protection. Been able to stay out all day and been in the water since february with it. The one nice thing that I have seen on some of the kite suits (NPX) are velcro straps at the ankle to help reduce flushing. I just used some duct tape that seems to work 90% of the time. If I were looking at a new suit I would definitely consider the NPX suit... but I love my O'Neill suits (I have three, a spring suit, 4/3, and 6/5/4 hooded). Not sure how the NPX suits zip up... but one of the nice things about the O'Neill Psycho is that it has a back zip that makes it alot easier to get on. I always had trouble trying to get chest zip suits up over my shoulders... Now is the time to buy as well! Most surf shops have their winter suits on sale.
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 18:49
#16
I think Promotion wetsuits in
I think Promotion wetsuits in the Gorge make the best suits. They hold up like no other and they stand behind everything. Will also do custom tailoring so they fit you well. They also make kite specific suits. Very easy people to deal with.
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 19:39
#17
WEST>>>
Go with WEST, a company that only makes wetsuits and has roots in the surfing industry.
Blind stitched, glued seams, Japanese limestone-best in the market, west and o"neil only use it.
This comes from someone that has kited for two years, year round. I have a 5/4 hooded.
I've been rocking a 3/2 Aer0 for the past month with a lyrca vest that has a hood on it, if you can believe that!
They can be purchased from him whose name should not be spoketh down the Cape 
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 21:29
#18
Japanese limestone is the
Japanese limestone is the same as NPX wind mesh.
Wed, 04/20/2011 - 07:36
#19
Not so sure about that.
PaulT wrote:
Japanese limestone is the same as NPX wind mesh.
Not so sure about that. I was under the impression that the wind mesh, or smooth skin, on any suit is a surface treatment and has little or nothing to do with the material. For instance, NPX/Neil Pryde call their limestone-based neoprene "S5". In the NPX line the use of S5 is, I believe, fairly limited to their neck seal and perhaps some of their neoprene tops. In the Neil Pryde line, the S5, or limestone based neoprene, is used entirely in the construction the Elite II, and then comprises progressively smaller amd smaller percentages of the suit in the 5k and 3k series of suits, respectively.
Also, NPX call their wind mesh "Apex Mesh", and have the following to say about it:
NPX website wrote:
"Apex-Mesh neoprene is a sheet of neoprene that is heat sealed on one side only. The neoprene on the sealed side is called 'closed cell' neoprene and has a waterproof rubbery texture that cuts down wind-chill, making it popular among windsurfers and kitesurfers. The unsealed side is called open celled neoprene has the air bubbles, thus allowing water to soak through. This side is laminated with a super-stretch jersey for maximum flexibility."
Wed, 04/20/2011 - 07:39
#20
Where???
I've been checking out the West suits, can you provide more info about he who's name should not be spoketh without "spokething" his name?
Wed, 04/20/2011 - 08:09
#21
Wetsuits
I've owned a Bare Drysuit, O'Neil, Rip Curl, Body Glove, Prolimits, Promotion wetsuits which I currently have. The Promotions have lasted 10+ years but now starting to breakdown a little around the necks. Old world not stretchy. Last year research led me to a 2010 NPX 5/3 Zeolot with the mesh. Almost bought the Hyperflex AMP-K. The Zeolot is the one with more smoothskin thus warmer when standing around. The suit is stretchy and lightweight. Cons, maybe not as warm as I would have liked (I'm picky) but the big problem at least for me is getting the neck sealed and the back zip closed on my own. Only wore it 2-3 times last Fall so maybe both the suit and myself need to breakin and learn how to get it on myself. Quality seems to be there. Gonna replace my 3/2 this year with probably a NPX or Hyperflex Amp- K. BTW, my Bare suit I bought in 1993 and still have the original seals although the neck finally went this year. I use Sealsaver religously and keep it in the dark when not using it. Granted I only wear it 10 times a year maybe.
How do riders feel about backzip vs. front?
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 08:36
#22
Can't go wrong with the
Can't go wrong with the Patagonia R4 (Japanese limestone neoprene, wool lining so its as warm as a 5/4 mm but flexible as a 4/3.) Costs more than your drysuit though.
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 08:52
#23
I recomend Seal Skin. You can
I recomend Seal Skin. You can club them yourself near monamoi island, but if you dont have the stomach for it, I can do it for a small fee. about 8-9 seals will do it unless you want matching boots and gloves in that case, club about a dozen. once you have them cleaned, shoot them off to Rodrigo with your dimentions and hell sew it up. mmm mm mmmm toasty!
Fri, 04/22/2011 - 14:33
#24
Done!
Done!
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 10:47
#25
Thanks for all the info.
Thanks for all the info. Seems like the consensus is either NPX or Hyperflex Amp-K.
Sun, 04/24/2011 - 18:35
#26
My recomendation would be the Hyperflex.
I have a 5/4/3 amp with hood. have never been cold. It's flexible durable and warm. AND CHEAP. better cost/value than any other suit. the customer service there is great as well.
Sat, 04/23/2011 - 16:33
#27
Mystic!
I ride Mystic wetsuites. They are great. have worn a Mystic 5/4 Crossfire all winter (the bay I kite in has been half frozen at times) It is great keeps you warm wicked flexible the water drains right out of it, and if you have a hood gloves boots water pretty much stays out of the suit... Great suite lots of flexibility and durable... Great line from winter suites to summer suites...board shorts...great colors and graphics... Great Company... Mysticboarding.com
Sun, 04/24/2011 - 09:02
#28
Hyperflex K. I have a hooded
Hyperflex K. I have a hooded 5/4/3 and a 4/3. Both are awesome.
They are made by Henderson who has been making wetsuits longer than anyone. They started manufacturing wetsuits in the 1960s and sold rolls of neoprene and glue so you could make your own.
Plus they are pricing these suits much cheaper than any comparable suit.
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 17:38
#29
hyperflex
Have a 6/5/4 hooded amp, warm all winter, Service is outstanding if anything goes wrong, headquarters is in N.J. so quick turnaround.
Sun, 05/01/2011 - 21:55
#30
Oneil psychofreak
A few of us in WBay use Oneill Psychofreak. They have a 4.5/3.5mm version and I use it Fall and Spring. Very little flushing and very very flexible an dvery warm. Feels as warm to me as some of my old 5mm Oneill wetsuits. They also have a hooded 5.5/4.5mm version. Real usually discounts current model about now or in summer. Durability has been great and those of us using them wouldn't use anything else except our drysuits.
The hyperflex look pretty nice. How warm is the 5m or the 4m? Are you guys using them now?