What kind of wetsuit / drysuit for a whale like me?

[Maristar210]

I hoped to get some advice on this from you guys. I have a shorty that I wear but would like something more for spring and fall. I tried on a drysuit and it was like wearing a chocke collar.

Any recommendations?

TIA - Steve

[erkoehler]

I have a BFI dry suit and so far, it is pretty good. No leaks, and once the seals stretch a bit they are very comfortable.

Oh, we carry BFI too, so let me know and I can hook you up

[X2M]

Have you looked at full wetsuits? They dont choke as bad as a drysuit but still keep you warm.

[east tx skier]

I bought an TI wetsuit from Ski Limited several years ago and it has been fine for those early chilly months. Inexpensive, too.

[Sodar]

If you are looking for a westuit, I LOVE my 3/2 Xcel Infinity suit... I use it for surfing and skiing, all the time.
http://xcelwetsuits.com/05surf/home.html

I also have an O'niell (not sure what the name is) that is very nice. It is a 4/3 for the COLD water. I like it, but it is just not as comfy as my exel 3/2.
You can also build a suit to your specs though O'niell... http://www.oneill.com/mens-surf-wetsuit-builder.php

If you would like any O'neill products, I can check on getting a discount for you, my buddy gets most stuff at wholesale through the lifeguard department...

DO NOT go with a cheap suit, if you use your suit often and spend long lengths of time in the water... this is one product where you REALLY get what you pay for... the Ski Limited, Gladiator, etc. suits that you see in overtons and the like are great for short times in the water and used infrequently, but for long in water time and lasting quality, a name brand is the way to go!

[east tx skier]

Just to revisit, I'll just say that the cheapo Ski Ltd stuff work fine for what cold water we get in Texas. They (all 3 of them that various members of our family own) have also held up well for many seasons (short wetsuit seasons). No rips, torn seams, or anything but fine work. They've kept me warm enough.

My hot top (that sees a bit more use) is an O'Neil and it's definitely better from a quality standpoint. But the el cheapos have done just fine for the four or so outings they get per year.

That said, if I lived in a colder climate or had need to use them more, I'd splurge on/recommend an O'Neil.

[Sodar]

I am coming from a surfer's standpoint, where my suit is worn at least 3 times a weak and I sit in the water for hours on end. All the Ski Limited suits do not hold up very well in these conditions and from what I have seen are just stitched at the seams. I always go with a suit that has been glued, stitched and taped at the seams. Most of my suits could virtually be dry suits if they had a waterproof zipper and wrist and ankle seals because of this...


My truest apologies Doug!

[jraben8]

I have a ski limited wetsuit that is about 15 years old. It gets worn about 2 times a year but it has done everything that I have asked it to. It is definitely thinner than any other suit that I have owned but has withstood the test of time. Not bad for the money.

I have a BFI shorty barefoot suit that I will wear the majority of the time when I need one.

I also have a Polaris (yes, that's right) dry suit that I picked up for next to nothing. I haven't worn a Bare or O'Neill dry suit but it is definitely warmer than the Galdiator suit that I have tried. The Polaris also came lined in a thin layer of fleece. Just something else for you to think about...

[Archimedes]

Unless money is really an issue, I would go O'Neill all the way. All our suits (wet and drysuits) are O'Neill and they're awesome. Not only do they perform great, but they last and last. I wouldn't buy anything but O'Neill myself.

[suedv]

My son has various wet suits of his own. However, I know one that he's borrowed from his roomate and has worn a lot was actually made for surf boarding.

One of his roomates is from California and did a lot of surfing before coming here to Michigan... he got Ben hooked on the wet suits made for surfing. I'll try to remember to ask Ben next time he comes home if he knows what brand it its. He's said that it's warm and more flexible than his so movement is easier.

[east tx skier]

My truest apologies Doug!

Absolutely no apologies necessary. Like I said, they are "el cheapos." And if a wetsuit was something that was more of a necessity around here (or if I was a surfer), I'd have gone with O'Neil as I did when I bought my 1.5 mil neo shirt. The fullsuit I have gets used four times per year tops. So I just went with something that was quick and easy and for that it has served its purpose and continues to do so.

[TX.X-30 fan]

I hoped to get some advice on this from you guys. I have a shorty that I wear but would like something more for spring and fall. I tried on a drysuit and it was like wearing a chocke collar.

Any recommendations?

TIA - Steve

This would probably fit huh????

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Staristar, get out your phone book. Look for Omar the tent maker. Call him up. Tell him to get a semi truck load of neoprene delivered to him, sew it up in the shape of that Staypuft marshmellow man from Ghostbusters, and pick it up at the fair grounds.

For real, It depends on how much cold weather skiing your going for. I have a dry suit I wear for cold weather with fleece under it. then I wear a full body wetsuit 3/2 MM for the rest of the summer until fall. I am a freeze cat, so I stay in a wet suit. I can go with out, but they tend to break falls a bit easier, and I fall often.

I recommend a BFI dry suit. Excellent quality!

As far as wet suit, just pick one that fits you well and fits your needs.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

This would probably fit huh????




[ATTACH]20115[/ATTACH]

Thats the idea!!! Staristar! he found your wetsuit!

[Maristar210]

This would probably fit huh????




[ATTACH]20115[/ATTACH]

Hey Texas X-30

What you make your girlfriend dress up as on the weekends is your business not mine