....yeah, I know this thread has been done before and that this has nothing to do with Thermomix, Covid or dresses, but here goes, lets talk about watersport accessories.
Back in the hunt for a new wetsuit. Had a few disappointing ones over the last few seasons....generally buy Mystic, but my with my last few the stitching has come apart and they have ripped in no time. Then generally the neck deteriorates rapidly.
So looking at going local and am eyeing off Needs Essentials. Boring looking suits, but hoping quality is up there. Any feedback would be great before I pay up.
Cheers.
I have a Need Essentials which is not bad but I found the neck seal went loose pretty fast
The necks on all of my wetsuits have been the first to go. Reckon the material being used nowadays for the neck is going for max comfort and seal, but the durability is just not there.
i have a new need essentials. seems good quality and durable but i must say its not got the stretch of the more expensive big brand options. bit tight between the legs and doesnt fit that great across the chest (loose)
but i bought it cause it was cheap and i figured it wouldnt fall to bits in 1 season.
Ive tried a few brands, but always seem to go back to the good old O'neill Psycho range. A bit more pricey, but I usually seem to get a few seasons out of them. The necks seem ok, its the chest panels that seem to come apart at the seams eventually. Im too buff (see fat)
With my latest one I have also invested in a 3 pack of stormsure and will use old bits of wetsuit to patch up my new wetsuit when it begins to fail. I'll probably look like a patchwork quilt eventually.
Yeh i found the stretch on the need essentials lacking to. Have got a volte at moment which is okay but yeh the neck is going!! I just assume now its a new wetty every year - if that. Although i tend to wear them until i look like freddy flinstone.
Billabong Furnace Graphene 4/3 been using it all winter in Vicco, no hood no gloves no booties warm as toast.
Been using 4/3 in Perth over last winter and this one, toasty. Tight when i got it (ML 70kg) perfect fit after a few months.
got a shorty as well and had 2 summers with it.
all in all for the price i give them a thumbs up, they are defo good value compared with other wetsuits in that price point. I reckon i'll get 3 seasons minimum out of em.
After having both need essentials and matuse I can say with confidence matuse wins on all accounts other than price, but then you get what ya pay for. Of course I've had O'Neil and ripcurl but matuse eats them up also. Had the matuse Tumo 2mm very warm and lasted years, have had the matuse Dante a few years now and it is great, easy over head yoke and warm as toast. No contest boys
Had a Need Essential to give the local product a try but found that it wasn't as warm or easy to use as an Ion. Yes the Ion is double the price but I'm staying with them. Sorry it's a no to the Needs
Got the need Ess 4/3 and 3/2, had them for 2-3 years and use at least couple times a week.
Both fantastic wetsuits
Pff both my son and i burned through our needs in literally months. You musnt be going hard enough lol.
O'Neil seems the best for me, also have a S2 spring suit that won't give up after 5+ years of regular use.
Select to expand quoteDiver said..
O'Neil seems the best for me, also have a S2 spring suit that won't give up after 5+ years of regular use.
So is there anything you do to prolong longevity?
I liked Excel steamer, but my last one had a dodgy zipper that I needed a pair of pliers to get out of. They fixed it for free though & has been ok since.
Bought a "Coastlines" springy last March & the neck material is all broken & ripping. Shortest lifespan of a wetsuit ever.
Bought a Need Essentials about 6 weeks ago, I'm normally MT but their sizing is different. Had to send back to exchange for a L which still feels really tight around the shoulders. Taking off is hard work & I noticed yesterday duckdiving a couple of waves it flushed cold water in through the neck which is something I've rarely experienced with other wetties. I think the material is not as flexible & heavier than other main brand wetties. But thier pricing is competitive right now since no ones offereing much of a special the last 18 months or so.
My Quicksilver I bought in 2019 is probably hanging in the best, seams are not as watertight as when I first bought it but its otherwise fine for times outside of coldest winter days.
Also bought an Ocean & Earth wetsuit for the missus in May which is good quality & one of the last completely Oz owned companies. My next wetsuit will likely be an O&E.
Always had the mystics still have for summer Long arm Shorty but grabbed a volte on recommendation from ESC exmouth no issues and a nice feeling suit $300ish from memory
Select to expand quoteeppo said..Diver said..
O'Neil seems the best for me, also have a S2 spring suit that won't give up after 5+ years of regular use.
So is there anything you do to prolong longevity?
Just wash and dry in the shade after each surf. Not sure why this one has lasted so long when others have given up so quickly.
I've got a Needs 1.5 mm top and their long arm spring suit. I'm in QLD, the long arm spring replaced my O'Neill Psycho 3/2 steamer.
I'm happy with the Need Essential gear - although I just about have to dislocate my shoulder to get out of the spring suit (Chest-zip). The O'Neill was heaps easier to get out of (also chest zipper).... but also let more water in.
Got a rip curl flashbomb plus 4/3 in May 2018. Had four winters with it and still good for at least another year or two. I windsurf and wigfoil in Port Phillip Bay, averaging 2-3 days a week in winter. Very comfortable and warm. Had a long swim for 4+ hours couple of years ago when I broke my mast in offshore winds on a sunny but cold day when water temp was 10.5 degrees with no sign of hypotermia.
Expensive but very warm and flexible. I love the 100% i.e. including legs and arms flash lining that feels dry to the skin even when wet.
I rinse it pretty much after every session in the shower with cold water. I had to use neoprene cement to touch up some of the seals this year but no big drama at all. Another tip for longevity is don't get too tight a fit. I was 86kg when I bought it and I've been 76-78kg for the last two years and it still fits nicely without any loose feel.
I wear Ninja booties all year and a spreytop in winter that helps a lot with windchill. A hoody is a good idea for wamth as well but this year I didn't need it.
