Need Essentials 4/3

Bought a vest a few years back and it did pretty well.

got a 4/3 of theirs and a couple of other wetties from them. 4/3 is all good as are the others. coming into my 3rd winter with the 4/3 - I am a wuss and feel the cold much more than all my mates, so my 4/3s get a workout. I alternate it with my billabong 4/3 which is probably on its last winter, and i will buy another Need Ess one when the billabong is dead. I think the Need Ess wetties are a slight notch down from the 'name brands', but better value for money at the price.

Last year I got a 3/2 and was so happy with it I also got a 4/3 and a vest. They are really flexible, easy to paddle in and light. They are warm but don't have the fury lining like my O'Neill psychofreak and aren't quite as warm as the same thickness equivalent with fury linings. The 4/3 Essentials is probably a bit warmer or at least as warm as my 3/2 Psychofreak but it was 1/3 the price.

I ordered my 4/3 late on a Sunday night 2weeks ago and had it at my door by lunch on the Tuesday. Can't fault the prompt service. Followed the size guide and ordered the large, tried it on and fitted like a glove. Next test to hit the water. Got out into a gloomy afternoon on the Mid this week and never felt warmer. Confident as the water becomes colder throughout the winter I have the right amount of cover to keep me warm.
I haven't had a front zipper before so to get it off afterwards was a challenge especially with a an injured left thumb, (gees do you miss your thumb when its buggered or what). Took a bit of patience but eventually peeled it off ok.
For the price I reckon it's pretty good value. True test will be it longevity however at half the cost of the name brands I reckon I will be ahead in the long run. Worth a look.

Anyone bought a Needs winter jacket ?

I've had two need wetsuits, both front zip steamers, and I will never buy one again. What do they say, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me? Well I fell for the spiel twice, so am obviously some sort of idiot. One 3/2mm front zip and one 4/3 front zip. And to be honest, they were both exactly what you'd expect for the price. They're cheap wetties, and they don't really hold up against better suits. Both tore repeatedly at the neck, which allowed water in, effectively compromising the effectiveness of the suit. They know this, I sent one back to them and they just ironed a patch on it, which tore again!
In summer it's fine, I can handle the occasional duck dive flush, but in winter it's not something I can put up with. You're better off saving your money and getting a suit that will be do the job for longer, is lighter and better cut.
I went and bought a Jap rubber Matuse Hoplite 3/2 online, which is the best investment I ever made. Took me longer to save, but it's an absolute joy to put on and wear and I am massively impressed with the quality. Wait for a sale.
Don't get sucked in, you don't need them!

I have a compliment of their wetties, steamers, springs, vests etc. Can't fault the quality or longevity of the product. Being able to buy several options for the price of one big name brand, doesn't get much better. Oh by the way my steamers have done two winter seasons and they are still fulfilling the role.

I've got a Needs 3/2 backzip steamer. Well priced, has performed admirably and seems well made and hasn't got a stitch out of place after two years.

Which is more than I can say for the O+E I bought just before that. Heap of shit, started to fall apart during the first surf (!).
Brian Cregan wanted to get involved as opposed to the retailer (this is against consumer law) and was a complete cunt to deal with.

Need are great value. Good blokes. Arzen are another good up and coming wetsuit company.Cheap price and good quality . I’ll be sticking with those two from now on.

I bought an Arzen jacket for the autumn. reversible.
good quality but the thing was so damn tight that for the first month I could not get out of it without assistance.
it eventually loosed up a bit.

might get a little zip in there next time.

good value, would buy again from them.

had no dramas with my needs stuff.

I hate fcuking wetsuits so don't want to drop 5 hundred to pay for the marketing on a big name brand. I want something good value that gets the job done, end of story.

Boardies are an essential item.

Just picked up a pair of STAY surf for $65 . All black , discrete little logo. I don’t need Bob Hurley’s initial plastered over my arse. Nice and stretchy.

Boardshorts should be wearable day in / day out for years. Let’s see how these puppies perform.

Can happily report zero scrotal irritation resulting from serious in-transit, real-time performance assessment to date. Now that I’ve mentioned it , the date also appears to be suitably cosseted .Seam /. balloon knot relations remain on good terms.

"Boardshorts should be wearable day in / day out for years."

Due to a packing error I went on a surf trip earlier this year with just one pair of boardies. This was to a place in the tropics with no surf shop within 1,000 kms so I had to wear the same pair during every waking hour for 12 days. Amazingly I got no rash.

Used to think that boardies were just boardies.

Yea but you "laundered them every day in the surf" that is acceptable. If you needed a further ten days out of em Stu the rule is, you turn them inside out and repeat the cycle.

Yeah, but it's not the cleanliness that's the worry, I could really care about that as I was travelling alone. It's how those boardies get along with my oh-so-sensitive skin that's at issue.

Not sure I could part with $65.......

On the topic of both boardies and Needs...
I'd recommend their wetsuits to anyone. Warm, durable and good price.
The boardies however; are uncomfortable, bulky and will give you a solid enough rash you'll lose the ability to saddle up for some fresh, casual sex.

really?
not mine.
I think they are in their third year.Live in the Camry year round.
comfy, no rash.

I was going to get a new pair but these ones keep on keeping on.

I actually got a pair of Quiksilvers from BCF the other day as a back-up chicken because they were last years on the sale rack.
They were $80 new, got 'em for $30.

Bought a 4/3 mid-year this year and surfed it for a month or two before the weather and water warmed up again. Great wetsuit, a bit tight when you first get it but it's held its warmth and no signs of deteriorating yet. Got a bit hot when it wasn't cold and howling here, but was great in South Oz when I did a quick trip.

Just got a new 3/2 delivered this morning and took it for a paddle in the cooler autumn like weather. Lighter, more flexi and great quality. Got even a bit warm as to be expected as I was wearing a 2mm short arm the last few weeks locally.

Highly recommend buying and supporting these guys.

There’s a few guys round here wearing Needsessentials suits. I have only heard positive things about them so far. Thinking of trying one myself. Our water gets down to 11’ in winter so you need a decent suit.

No problems with wetties or boardies at all good product..few more colours avail in boardies now
Freeride have you viited there Byron store ?

the Byron Store?

you mean Bryan Bates surfboard shop in the industrial estate? He has the stuff in stock there.
or is there another one?

18 Acacia circuit- opened May 24th ? ?

edit: ; yep same adddres as Bates...hellava Craftsman that bloke..
.no FCS boxes ..fuck em!

yeah I've been there.

Bates is amazing, the fin porn in that shop is worth the visit alone.

Got a 4/3 NEEDS for vicco/tassie winter last year. Too cold for 10-13 degree rivermouth tassie mountain water! Good for Vicco. Wore it all through this year in Sydney. Wear and tear similar to other wetties e.g. neck is frayed and letting water in. Not sure if I'll buy one again, not sure if I won't... Reasonably priced would be the summary if it was a house or a car.

Boardies, good feel. Velcro stitching gave way early on. Will sew it up myself and Jack's your aunty.

N.B. I'm pretty rough on material stuff, so maybe some more TLC and the equipment would have lasted longer??

$65 is a bit rich. I got a name brand off the sales rack outside walking past the shop for $26. They get hammered from wax etc so I’m not keen on paying big $ . The Need ones seemed fine to me too. Old school fit.

Needs site click on last chance -
some bargain wetties avail in ladies and mens- limited sizes avail.