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O'neill Epic 5/3 v's C Skins Legend 5/3

  • 04-05-2011 09:52AM
    #1
    gerryp2000
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61 ✭✭


    I will be buying a wetsuit, for the first time, very soon and could do with some advice from those with experience.

    I intend to use it for swimming in Irish waters during the summer , for q-time with my two young kids.

    I have arthritis in my back so I feel cold weather/water very quickly. With that in mind I have narrowed my choices down to “Winter” type and with a very tight budget I am considering the following two brands based upon internet reviews;

    1) O'neill Epic 5/3 Winter Wetsuit - 2010/11 @ £104
    Here’s the link –
    http://wavegames.co.uk/products/O%27neill-Epic-5%7B47%7D3-Winter-Wetsuit-%252d-2010%7B47%7D11.html

    2) C Skins Legend 5/3mm Wetsuit - Winter 2010/11 @ £104
    Here’s the link –
    http://wavegames.co.uk/products/C-Skins-Legend-5%7B47%7D3mm-Wetsuit-%252d-Winter-2010%7B47%7D11.html


    So, what do you think of these?, how long can I expect them to last and are there any stores on the north side of Dublin for me to try these on and to haggle with??

    Is buying online a no-go, size wise?


Comments

  • #2
    SurferDude41
    Closed Accounts Posts: 339 ✭✭SurferDude41


    The wetsuits you mentioned are surfing specific winter entry level suits, these would have glued and blindstiched seems. The 5/3 versions would most lightly be too warm for swimming during the summer months, as sea temps are about 12 degrees C during April...climbing to about 16 degrees C twords the end of August.

    5/3 means 5 milimetre thickness neoprene on the body of the suit and 3 milimetre on the arms and legs.

    As a surfer who spends hours in the water, I use an O'Neil Heat 5/3 with liquid seam seals....these suits have seams that are glued with liquid rubber, this makes for a much warmer suit during the winter. Price about €200...

    When the water temp climbs above 14 degrees I tend to use a summer suit with 3/2 neoprene, again this would have liquid seam seals... O'Neil Psycho 2...These cost around €250

    So in answer to your question, and bearing in mind your physical problems and limited budget....the cheaper O' Neil Epic 5/3 mm suit should keep you nice and warm, although It won't be as flexible and easy to swim in as a swimming specific tri-suit...


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