Coral Reef is great, you go in see Shane or Tony, get measured, and soon after you have a new suit that is custom made for you and fits perfect.
Anyone else running Patagonia suits? I have an R3 chest zip without hood.
Would otherwise wear a 5/3 or 4/3 through winter
Here’s my review (Had the suit 2 months now.)
Easily the warmest suit I’ve worn
The wool is great and dries quickly also
Heavier and less flexible than my old suits (ebombs and an f bomb)
My main issue is neck rash and underarm rash, though its only a new suit so I’m hoping that passes as I wear it in more…
I’ve worn a Patagonia suit for the past five years. Best warranty in my opinion. I’ve had other brands and they are toast in six months. Just for back ground, I surf anywhere from three to six days a week, depending on mother nature of course. The 3mm Patagonia works all year for me. The water gets down to 52 sometimes and the 3mm is enough. After about a year of use I’ve taken my suits to the Patagonia store to have them repaired (a couple small holes at the stretching points). Every year Patagonia has replaced my suit with a new one for free, calling the holes factory defects. How is that for customer service? If it was O’Neil they would replace the panel charge you for it plus shipping just so you can wear the suit for two weeks before it tears again. Patagonia suits are comfortable and warm, maybe stiffer than others but not by much. Patagonia is also coming out with a new yulex suit that is supposed to be amazing. We’ll have to wait and see on that one.
I am looking for a good wetsuit and I wouldn’t mind if it was environmentally conscious!
what I do not really want is any of the major brands like ripcurl, billabong, o’neill and the likes.
what I would like is something like a boardshort from birdwell! locally produced, sustainable, etc…
Check out '‘Surf ‘n Sea’’ in Ocean Beach, (aka OB) San Diego. Custom makers. On Bacon St. just off Santa Monica.
Surf and sea is no more
Check out Boz. From Peru. I’ve worn them for years. The best rubber. But understand that the fit is perhaps the most important thing. The best suit poorly fit will be cold.
All the best
Who knew? What happened? I bought my first ‘‘shorty’’ there on Dec.31, 1958. A memorable day, 56 degree water, with a raging Santa Ana offshore wind, and eight foot surf. Never been so cold! Would lay down in the inshore shallows, to warn up.
Google Isurus Wetsuits. Top line . Small privately held company. Or try Pro-motion in The Gorge, Oregon. Coral Reef and Aleeda are in Orange County.
Is that the shop that was owned by the hmm, shall we say ladies in the 70’s??
Used to be the place to get Birdwells too 1960 stiff as could be stand up in a corner took a couple years to break in…Had a “Super suit” lifetime guarantee…Stiffer than the Birdwells. Dem “ladies” were across the street than Yvonne started making the wetsuits mid 70’s ? She died early this year and just not enough money in making wetsuits to keep it going. Too bad OB aint what it used to be
Aint that the truth ! Had a lot of good times there, and the Cliffs, surfing with Jim Fisher, Blackie, and Mouse. Mid to late sixties. Far less crowded then now, eh?
You are thinking of the spinnaker nylon Birdies. They will stand up by themselves when new. The stock Birdwells are made of ‘surfnyl’ and are much softer than spinnaker nylon. Mine only take a Summer or two to break in. But, I wear them every day.
The original Birdwells were made of canvas. Nylon came along a few years later.
I have a few pairs
How about Moray dive suites , for those who surf in etremely cold regions…any good ?
My only advise is buy from a wetsuit company.
Not a clothing company.
I’d love another pair of Birdwells.
Had a pair last for years as a kid.
Out grew them, not wore them out.