Latest on wetsuits.....

$ 65 Brand new - 3x2 BZ steamer- Large
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ballina/surfing/brand-new-wetsuit/127595...

First time using a Needs for me on the weekend.

Bought one of their 4/3s for winter here in Vicco after hearing good reports from mates that have them. Felt great first surf. Water tight, really warm, nice and flexy and a really good fit. Interestingly it felt a lot less bulky than my RC Flashbomb 4/3. Not as warm compared to that suit, but still a very warm suit.

I got a 4/3 liquid taped Need a couple months ago, it’s been fantastic. I see no point paying double for a rip curl anymore (maybe unless you are a pro that’s needs as much flexibility as possible).

Lipped podcast released a wetsuit review episode the other day that’s worth a listen. I have no idea how jimmy wears a 3/2 through Vicco winter and in the pool in 10 degree water though. My 3mm Patagonia suit was put in the cupboard at the start of May

I have a Needs 3/2 liquid taped steamer and thought it was stiff and a bit heavy when I got it, I also bought a xcel radiant as i thought the needs wasn't going to be as warm or flexible, well after surfing in both over 2 days the needs wetty was 100% warmer and once wet was just as flexible, but the warmth factor was insane, excel so called radiant rebound didn't stand a chance

evosurfer wrote:

Just got my $140 Quicksilver Syhcro 3/2 wetsuit from Ebay absolute bargain.
feels a little more flexible than my 3/2 Needs but not quite as warm also its
a front zip so after the last few months using a back zip it will be my 2nd choice
dry backup wetti. Just hate the difficulties associated with front zips the gimmick
is over for me.

Link please?

I'm in need of a 2/2 long arm springy after the dog ate my last one a week or so ago!!!!

RichieMac wrote:

I have a Needs 3/2 liquid taped steamer and thought it was stiff and a bit heavy when I got it, I also bought a xcel radiant as i thought the needs wasn't going to be as warm or flexible, well after surfing in both over 2 days the needs wetty was 100% warmer and once wet was just as flexible, but the warmth factor was insane, excel so called radiant rebound didn't stand a chance

Needs have some last chance 4x3 BZ steamers M and L $200

udo cant see it on there site?

https://needessentials.com/collections/last-chance/products/4-3-back-zip...

thats the old style ...had one ....back dam was a pain in the arse,kept getting caught in the zip and with no way of pulling it up.......rubbish.....newer ones look like they have solved the problem

Gents - lashed out on a 3/2 Isurus. It is everything said in the comments. 4/3 type warmth from a 3/2, silky smooth to get on and off, and very comfy. I'd say similar flex to the better 3.2 but much warmer. Hope it lasts like mentioned in the comments. I notice the bottom half is taped internally but the arms are just glued, so I hope that holds up.

I have my doubts.

mine is second hand but the untaped upper half definitely leaks more than the taped bottom half.

I don't personally understand why they would do that?

Any tape would have to reduce flex. You notice it even more when taped and liquid tape on top. Maybe that's it FR. It does look like they have used plenty of glue.

https://surfhungry.com/isurus-wetsuits-review/
Wrong link i think ...but there was a few people somewhere with same leakage problems as Freeride..

I have a needs 4/3 used it all last year way to warm for 98% of Sydney surfing.
Besides that couldnt fault it. Now have a needs 3/2 back zip really happy with it
also a quicksilver 3/2 syncro front zip possibly slightly more flexible and maybe not as warm but I go for the needs more because back zip are so much better in every way.

Agreed evo, back zips are so much better! I was in denial but now I've replaced a chesty I can admit it to myself again, back zip FTW.

Have they somehow improved the back zip from leakage cause the last time I used one it leaked like a seive. I’ve used chest and zipperless for sometime now.

Definitely have with the bat wing very little leakage in mine and Ive been
heavily smashed a bit lately with the big swells. Anyway the ease of getting
in and out with back zips is the winner for me especially with my smashed
up useless shoulders.

Definitely have with the bat wing very little leakage in mine and Ive been
heavily smashed a bit lately with the big swells. Anyway the ease of getting
in and out with back zips is the winner for me especially with my smashed
up useless shoulders.

yeah spot on plus the zips are are better less water gets thru

Remember the days when nobody complained about wetsuit durability?

then chest zips and zipperless came in with all that yanking and stretching on the most fragile seams and panels of the suit and now "all of a sudden" you're lucky to get a season out of a suit?

Then you go back to a back-zip and " all of a sudden" wetsuits last again.

I tell you, it's like magic.

They've definitely improved on back zips keeping water out. In the middle of winter in QLD a flush of 20c water down your spine isn't really noticeable anyway. I'll trade that for the ease of access any day.

Really, this not involving a bat wing or flap of sorts?

my mate can't fault his Need wettie, will be on my list when I need a new one. I did purchase the 3mm gloves from Need and found them a lot better than RC.

Rip Curl chest zips & zipperless all the way for me. Just get in and out of them carefully (not that fucken hard) and rinse/hang in the shade after surfing and they last for ages.

29 June and surfed the dawny this morning in a 3/2 and hood (no booties....hate em') with an air temp of 3 degrees. Super comfortable.

Only need to use the 4/3 in July August.

Whats water temp ?

https://wetsuitwarehouse.com.au/collections/birthday-sale-surf-steamers

Hovering around a balmy 14.0 at the moment down on the Vicco surfcoast.

That Billabong 3/2 Graphene i bought the other month for only $270 that was more a back up wetty ended up being a pretty good buy, i went into a comp for a board signed by Occy when i bought it, and today my local surf shop rang me and told me id won the board :D

Well done ID

Nice, now just need to get some turps on it to get the texta off and you've got yourself a sweet looking board!

I'd hang it in the pool room.

Good score Indo.

Could be a forum topic. To surf that thing FR or not. Looks pretty sick.

Hahah goofyfoot, I was going to say , quick get some wax on it to cover up that grubs signature, but well done, not a bad looking board.

Sell it
Zen will list on Jap Ebay for you and it will bring big $$$
Easy enough $ for 2 new customs .

goofyfoot wrote:

Nice, now just need to get some turps on it to get the texta off and you've got yourself a sweet looking board!

Acetone would be better than turps GF

Lucky bugger Indo. That should go well down your way

I was going to just ride it as close to my dims and i already have plenty of boards(vintage) on my walls.

But one of my best mates was frothing on it and offered me a decent price so im going to sell it to him, says he wants to hang it on the wall of his kids room.

What dimensions, ID?

6,2 x 19 7/8 x 2,3/4 @ 35.6L has for Occy written with the dims, funny enough the classic Billabong decals are only stickers set up is just a thruster, id be more tempted to ride it if a quad.

But also have mixed feelings anyway, do you keep it nice and wall hanger, or do you ride it?

Either way seems a waste, so kind of happy my friends going to take it.

If it's got 'For Occy' written on the stringer you may be able to get a few extra dollars by selling it.

If you don't want to display it that is.

Yeah he gave me $1k for it maybe i could get more but i think thats a fair price for both parties and nice to go to a mate, im sure he will do what he says and hang it on the wall, so i can still see it every once in a while.

Saw it on Gumtree this morning for $2k.

Some mate.

yeah i was gunna offer $10000 for it ...oh well

Raging Bulls - are $899 on the rack
So your mate did well..

Yeah i know i could most likely get more, before i talked to him i was thinking of putting it on eBay and letting the market decide..

But sometimes things are about more than just money, im happy to have $1k i didn't work for, but im also happy to make my mate stoked and see him happy and know it's gone to a good home.

Id rather that than get $1,500 and it go to some stranger never to be seen by me again.

Sage words Indo.

Goodonya!

good one ID

Well done indo but your pic suggests it's a dog of a board!

I salute you, ID. "Good for you - good for me!"

A mate of mine has a JS Raging Bull and swears by it. Feels nice too.

Thanks guys