chefchris401
10-28-2011, 10:04 AM
So I had a guy ask some questions via PM about what I use for a wetsuiting and after sending him a long email, I figured I would elaborate a little more on each suit and share with the general public.
Just so everyone knows, I have no agenda here, I don’t work for any of these companies or a dive shop, just my honest opinions on wetsuits that I’ve used in the surf for the past few years. Hope it helps someone out there.
My first suit ever was a 3mm NRS grizzly farmer John, it's the basic farmer John just cut for us bigger guys. I bought with Chris Chobot’s recommendation and based on his experiences with the suit. It's a great suit, cheap and comfy. MSRP is $135.00 Its has thick padded knee pads and some shin protection. Easy to get in and out of. Keeps you warm in the late spring, great summer suit and well into the fall before it gets too cold. . The thing I don't like about is the material is rough on the inside seams, gives you chub rub between the legs if you have a long walk. I go commando under the suit, some guys use a pair of under armor shorts so that might help. That’s really my only complaint about it. I used that suit hard for two seasons and still have it, shows little if any wear. It’s the suit that allowed me to make the jump from waders to wetsuiting and I’m glad I did.
Here is what their website says about the suit:
Big folks know finding the right size in boating gear can be a bear. Designed for the "teddy bear" in your group, the NRS Grizzly wetsuit is extra roomy.
• Our Grizzly™ Wetsuit features 3-mm Neoprene for superior insulation.
• Cut large around the chest, waist, thighs and calves to fit even the biggest paddle sports enthusiast.
• This suit combines the convenience of a full-length front zipper with roomy, over-the-shoulder Farmer Bill-style suspenders.
The next suit I own and use is the Neosport Xspan 3mm full suit, In my opinion the best suit you can buy for the money, super comfy like wearing nothing at all. Can walk miles in it and have no rubbing chaffing issues. MSRP is $155 but I think I got mine for $140. It's a great suit from late spring to early fall. One drawback is no high wear protection anywhere in the suit so you feel the rocks more if you go down or get pushed into them while wading out. I've popped a few stitches here and there too, but nothing a little neoprene sealer doesn’t fix. The suit stretches 250 times each way so it fits great. A great value and really comfortable suit to wear.
Here is what their website says about the suit:
Rubber: Exclusive XSPAN material – Ultra Soft and Comfortable – 250% 4-Way Super Stretch foam neoprene.
Fabric Laminate: Each suit is constructed of 100% XSPAN material, unlike other suits which only offer stretch panels or filler gussets.
Construction: All 3/2mm jumpsuits are constructed using our bomb proof flatlock stitching for comfort.
Knee Pads: Multi layer, thermal bonded knee pads are perfect for long lasting durability, maximum flexibility and attractive styling.
Additional Features: All Jumpsuits feature reliable and proven #10 YKK zippers, Adjustable Collars, Rolled Edges, Zipper Flap and Anatomical Fit arms and legs.
My best suit without question is my new Henderson Aqua-loc suit, it’s a 5mm full suit. It's also the most expensive suit I own, MSRP is $439, but I got mine on sale from the shop I buy all my wetsuits from for $330. It's a 5mm that has the warmth of a 7mm or even a 9mm. All the seams are sealed inside and outside. Has a fleece micro fiber lining which feels great on your skin!! The suit has the same stretch as the Neosport Xspan but better. I've been wearing it since the temps have been dropping and don't even notice the water. It's considered a semi dry suit do to it's construction, you literally have to pull the neck down to let water in if your too hot. In my opinion it's a great early spring, fall and into very late fall suit.
Here is what their website says about the suit:
The Aqua Loc® System begins with the core jumpsuit. One of the most notable visual feature on the suit is the Liquid tape Aqua Loc® seams. Every seam on the suits is
first double glued and blind stitched inside and out. Then the outer seam is coated with a special waterproof AquaLoc® liquid tape barrier which seals the seam from water entry and also helps protect the stitching from damage and unraveling.
The 5mm and 7mm core jumpsuits offer special Aqua Loc® wrist and ankle cuffs which have been designed to mate with specially designed Aqua Loc® Boots, Gloves and
Hood. The Aqua Loc® cuffs feature a soft and ultra stretchy Skin neoprene inner lining which mates to specially designed silicone seals inside the boots and gloves. (see
Boot and Glove detail below) 3mm Suits also mate with Aqua Loc® accessories but the double locking wrist and ankles have been removed since they are not required
in warmer water temps where 3mm suits are commonly
utilized. The interior of all the core jumpsuits are lined with a Golden micro fleece lining which dries quickly and feels luxurious against the skin. The Aqua Loc® suit exterior
features Henderson’s renowned Aquasilk laminate which is also utilized in Henderson’s flagship H2 wetsuit series. Rear zipper entry assures easy use while the PK G-lock
water resistant zipper eliminates unpleasant cold water exchange in the spine and lumbar area. Soft, flexibleand extremely durable Duratex knee pads complete the package.
My last suit is a Bare 7mm Farmer John, it's a nice early season late fall suit. The main drawback is you feel the stay puff marshmallow man in it, the material is so thick and really limits your mobility. Has the high wear knee pads and shin areas. I got it for short money as a close out and used it for 2 years early season and late fall. I wouldn't recommend buying a 7mm unless it was Neosport Xspan or Aqua-Loc. It’s a decent suit but its so cumbersome to wear the suit that I never use anymore.
I wear an under armor t shirt under my farmer John suits, adds a little warmth to your upper body and helps with chaffing.
In the summer I always, literally always wear a NRS splash top jacket over my wetsuits. A few reasons for doing so, one is my jacket is orange/yellow so I like the added visibility in case someone is approaching the spot I’m already fishing or there's people on shore just to let people now I'm there. Another reason is it cuts the wind chill down, even in the summer you'll find you get a chill if the wind is really wiping or there's a lot of spray. Last it adds some warmth. It doesn't get in the way of swimming or add any resistance.
For the cooler and winder and Nor Easter weather days I wear a dry top over the wet suit, I have a Precision Pak Pluto jacket which is awesome. Again bright orange!! It keeps you really warm just like fishing in waders but can still get out to those far spots.
I also have a 3mm NRS wetsuit jacket, basically it's a zip up jacket you can wear over any wetsuit, so takes your farmer John from a 3mm on your core to a 6mm and gives you 3mm on your arms. It's a great piece of gear to own. Really helps extend your season and keeps you really warm, also might stop you from having to buy another suit. Think the jacket was around $100. The only drawback is the arms are cut weird, you get use to it but there too long and the body seems too short. Then over that I'll wear my splash top.
Well I hope that helps anyone who might be considering making the switch from waders to wetsuits.
I’m sure some of the other guys on the site will chime in about what they wear and their findings.
Just so everyone knows, I have no agenda here, I don’t work for any of these companies or a dive shop, just my honest opinions on wetsuits that I’ve used in the surf for the past few years. Hope it helps someone out there.
My first suit ever was a 3mm NRS grizzly farmer John, it's the basic farmer John just cut for us bigger guys. I bought with Chris Chobot’s recommendation and based on his experiences with the suit. It's a great suit, cheap and comfy. MSRP is $135.00 Its has thick padded knee pads and some shin protection. Easy to get in and out of. Keeps you warm in the late spring, great summer suit and well into the fall before it gets too cold. . The thing I don't like about is the material is rough on the inside seams, gives you chub rub between the legs if you have a long walk. I go commando under the suit, some guys use a pair of under armor shorts so that might help. That’s really my only complaint about it. I used that suit hard for two seasons and still have it, shows little if any wear. It’s the suit that allowed me to make the jump from waders to wetsuiting and I’m glad I did.
Here is what their website says about the suit:
Big folks know finding the right size in boating gear can be a bear. Designed for the "teddy bear" in your group, the NRS Grizzly wetsuit is extra roomy.
• Our Grizzly™ Wetsuit features 3-mm Neoprene for superior insulation.
• Cut large around the chest, waist, thighs and calves to fit even the biggest paddle sports enthusiast.
• This suit combines the convenience of a full-length front zipper with roomy, over-the-shoulder Farmer Bill-style suspenders.
The next suit I own and use is the Neosport Xspan 3mm full suit, In my opinion the best suit you can buy for the money, super comfy like wearing nothing at all. Can walk miles in it and have no rubbing chaffing issues. MSRP is $155 but I think I got mine for $140. It's a great suit from late spring to early fall. One drawback is no high wear protection anywhere in the suit so you feel the rocks more if you go down or get pushed into them while wading out. I've popped a few stitches here and there too, but nothing a little neoprene sealer doesn’t fix. The suit stretches 250 times each way so it fits great. A great value and really comfortable suit to wear.
Here is what their website says about the suit:
Rubber: Exclusive XSPAN material – Ultra Soft and Comfortable – 250% 4-Way Super Stretch foam neoprene.
Fabric Laminate: Each suit is constructed of 100% XSPAN material, unlike other suits which only offer stretch panels or filler gussets.
Construction: All 3/2mm jumpsuits are constructed using our bomb proof flatlock stitching for comfort.
Knee Pads: Multi layer, thermal bonded knee pads are perfect for long lasting durability, maximum flexibility and attractive styling.
Additional Features: All Jumpsuits feature reliable and proven #10 YKK zippers, Adjustable Collars, Rolled Edges, Zipper Flap and Anatomical Fit arms and legs.
My best suit without question is my new Henderson Aqua-loc suit, it’s a 5mm full suit. It's also the most expensive suit I own, MSRP is $439, but I got mine on sale from the shop I buy all my wetsuits from for $330. It's a 5mm that has the warmth of a 7mm or even a 9mm. All the seams are sealed inside and outside. Has a fleece micro fiber lining which feels great on your skin!! The suit has the same stretch as the Neosport Xspan but better. I've been wearing it since the temps have been dropping and don't even notice the water. It's considered a semi dry suit do to it's construction, you literally have to pull the neck down to let water in if your too hot. In my opinion it's a great early spring, fall and into very late fall suit.
Here is what their website says about the suit:
The Aqua Loc® System begins with the core jumpsuit. One of the most notable visual feature on the suit is the Liquid tape Aqua Loc® seams. Every seam on the suits is
first double glued and blind stitched inside and out. Then the outer seam is coated with a special waterproof AquaLoc® liquid tape barrier which seals the seam from water entry and also helps protect the stitching from damage and unraveling.
The 5mm and 7mm core jumpsuits offer special Aqua Loc® wrist and ankle cuffs which have been designed to mate with specially designed Aqua Loc® Boots, Gloves and
Hood. The Aqua Loc® cuffs feature a soft and ultra stretchy Skin neoprene inner lining which mates to specially designed silicone seals inside the boots and gloves. (see
Boot and Glove detail below) 3mm Suits also mate with Aqua Loc® accessories but the double locking wrist and ankles have been removed since they are not required
in warmer water temps where 3mm suits are commonly
utilized. The interior of all the core jumpsuits are lined with a Golden micro fleece lining which dries quickly and feels luxurious against the skin. The Aqua Loc® suit exterior
features Henderson’s renowned Aquasilk laminate which is also utilized in Henderson’s flagship H2 wetsuit series. Rear zipper entry assures easy use while the PK G-lock
water resistant zipper eliminates unpleasant cold water exchange in the spine and lumbar area. Soft, flexibleand extremely durable Duratex knee pads complete the package.
My last suit is a Bare 7mm Farmer John, it's a nice early season late fall suit. The main drawback is you feel the stay puff marshmallow man in it, the material is so thick and really limits your mobility. Has the high wear knee pads and shin areas. I got it for short money as a close out and used it for 2 years early season and late fall. I wouldn't recommend buying a 7mm unless it was Neosport Xspan or Aqua-Loc. It’s a decent suit but its so cumbersome to wear the suit that I never use anymore.
I wear an under armor t shirt under my farmer John suits, adds a little warmth to your upper body and helps with chaffing.
In the summer I always, literally always wear a NRS splash top jacket over my wetsuits. A few reasons for doing so, one is my jacket is orange/yellow so I like the added visibility in case someone is approaching the spot I’m already fishing or there's people on shore just to let people now I'm there. Another reason is it cuts the wind chill down, even in the summer you'll find you get a chill if the wind is really wiping or there's a lot of spray. Last it adds some warmth. It doesn't get in the way of swimming or add any resistance.
For the cooler and winder and Nor Easter weather days I wear a dry top over the wet suit, I have a Precision Pak Pluto jacket which is awesome. Again bright orange!! It keeps you really warm just like fishing in waders but can still get out to those far spots.
I also have a 3mm NRS wetsuit jacket, basically it's a zip up jacket you can wear over any wetsuit, so takes your farmer John from a 3mm on your core to a 6mm and gives you 3mm on your arms. It's a great piece of gear to own. Really helps extend your season and keeps you really warm, also might stop you from having to buy another suit. Think the jacket was around $100. The only drawback is the arms are cut weird, you get use to it but there too long and the body seems too short. Then over that I'll wear my splash top.
Well I hope that helps anyone who might be considering making the switch from waders to wetsuits.
I’m sure some of the other guys on the site will chime in about what they wear and their findings.