5/4 or 4/3 winter suit???

Freckleina

Investing in a winter suit after freezing my ass off for far too long in my summer suit during the colder months, and cant decide on whether to go for a 5/4 or a 4/3 suit. Bar the obvious difference, does the extra thickness on the 5/4 really make a difference on flexibilty? Im looking at an O'Neill suit in particular. I've also got a C-skins rashie which gave me a little extra warmth in my 3/2. Wearing this with the 5/4, will it reduce flexibilty even more? or will I simply be nice and toasty in the freezing Atlantic ??? Opinions/advise appreciated:)

loctite

You are out this time of year in a 3/2????:eek:

kodute

Thats pretty hardcore...

Of course if your only going out for a 10 min surf then its a bit pointless. How long can you stay out with a 3/2 in this weather?

If I were you I'd go for a 5/4 for warmth.

Freckleina

In fairness, havent been in the water since November, and I did kinda get to the point where i was turning blue, and feared hypothermia would start to kick in Lasted about an hour... So hence the purchase of a new suit. I think ill go with a 5/3 - ive learned that its probably better to be too warm than too cold Cheers for your feedback.

cornbb

Go for the 5/4, if you're worried about flexibility then go for a higher-end suit (say an O'Neill Psycho or Mutant). Warmth should be your main concern, you will enjoy your sessions much more if you're comfortable.

Not The Real Scarecrow

cornbb wrote: »

Go for the 5/4, if you're worried about flexibility then go for a higher-end suit (say an O'Neill Psycho or Mutant). Warmth should be your main concern, you will enjoy your sessions much more if you're comfortable.

Definitely.I'm a complete and utter perisher so I go for a 6/5 hitech. You get used to the flexibility and to be honest reckon will probably end up wearing it through the summer as well,cause I'm getting just that little bit older.

The-Ry-Man06

Feckleina ur a mad yoke!! 5/3 is an absolute must. I just surfed last three weekends and it was the coldest i've ever felt. People underestimate the temperature difference between december and february. If your sitting out the back waiting for a set in a 4/3 you will go in after an hour or die. I invested (I use that word because it makes me feel better about forking out 320 squids for a suit) in a psycho 2 last summer best decision of my life but really all the O' Neill suits have very good flexibility. I'd recommend a 5/3 heat if ur on any sort of a budget. Other than that u can't beat the aul psycho.

I've heard people complaining about the flexibility of some of the winter xcel models just to bear that in mind if people tell you they are the cold water specialists.

BTW: I would look more into getting very good accessories such as gloves, hood and booties more than splashing out on a top of the line wetty. Its these little things that keep u from feeling frostbitten.

kodute

Meatwad wrote: »

Definitely.I'm a complete and utter perisher so I go for a 6/5 hitech. You get used to the flexibility and to be honest reckon will probably end up wearing it through the summer as well,cause I'm getting just that little bit older.

You will boil in a 6/5 in the summer

Not The Real Scarecrow

kodute wrote: »

You will boil in a 6/5 in the summer

Good, it might help me loose abit more weight,lol.

Freckleina

The-Ry-Man06 wrote: »

Feckleina ur a mad yoke!!.

Haha...yeah i probably was - but i've learned my lesson ! I've decided to go with the 5/3 O'Neill suit (the Psycho is unfortunately just out of my budget). I've got good booties and gloves (needed them with my 3/2!!) and Im hoping my strong tolerance to the cold will remove the need for a hood...!! - knowing my luck now, I'll get surfers ear...
Cheers again for your advice - always appreciated.

conno16

great sale on at king of watersports at the min

lg123

i have the o neill mutant, absolutely great suit imo.

stay away from billabong

conno16

i have a billabong and its well good
5 -3 got it for around 160 and have never looked back