I like the look of the West Lotus 6/5/4 Hooded. Anyone tried it. I am a perfect MS size in Xcel infinity hooded so if you know the both suits can you comment on the sizing as I have to order via internet or go a long way to try on. Alas am trying to avoid another Xcel because of poor work done twice (and needs it again ) under warranty.
I have never tried that particular suit (none of the West’s for that matter), but both of my sons had the top of the line 4/3 West suits that they won in contest and they did not like them. They said that they were always cold. We live on California central coast (Morro bay) and 4/3 are all we wear here. Water temps usually range from 50 to 60 Fahrenheit, I don’t no what that is in Celsius. I am sure the 6/5 is much warmer, but if you really need that much suit, it might not be warm enough.
I have a recent model Lotus by Westsuits, though not with the hood.
I’ve found it a well made well fitting suit, amply warm for the deep south of Victoria Australia. I can’t tell you offhand what water temps we encounter down there, but its well chilly.
I’m guessing you’ve had British brands of cold water suit like Gul and Alder?
hi,mark,i use a snugg 5/4 mini zip which is a good suit but too pricey really at £275, i have had a rip curl f bomb 5/4 for two winters and that is as warm as i have ever been ,you can add a hood on as well,they also do a 6/4 hooded allso, i would certain get another f or e bomb, pete
I have a 4/3 Lotus that I got in Sept as our water temp started its annual plummet. The temperature range i wore it in was about 60F to 48f (then i jumped into an ONeil 5/4 Mutant and now the water is 39F in am in an older Xcel 6/5/4}. Back to the West; I am a perfect XL in the other brands. I originally found the West a little tight. After my first wave, it seemed that I wasnt wearing a suit. The Lotus is now my favorite suit and as i replace my others, i will buy West.
Speedneedle the Gul and the Alder are regarded as less good suits here. I don’t think they make a non back zip suit. Front mini zips are popular and work really well on the hooded winter suits but so far I have yet to see a successful non hooded front zip since the Ripcurl F bomb non hood with the draw cord in the neck was phased out (which had other problems). The Xcels have taken over and pretty much anyone who fits them has the hooded ones for winter or if you have a large head then the new C-skin 6/4 hooded are brilliant except the hood is a bit thin and the neck too wide.
PeteUK the Ripcurl F bombs were popular if you had a long body and short legs but every year there was something major wrong. First couple of years the neoprene lining came away and the glideskin chest panels split then when they went over to the front zip the zips broke then the liquid seams cracked in a zillion places and pinched and scratched you too bits all within a month of owning the suit. This happened to everyones suits. Got so I could look at a new suit and know where and how it was goint to fail eg liquid seam not well joined to the 4 reinforcing ellipces either side of chest and back guarenteed a wear hole in the suit.
Good warranty and every suit was replaced but sometimes problems wth stock so couldn’t get a replacement untill next seasons came in. Also went the mini zip Snugg made to measure and went to Cornwall to be measured up ( 5h drive) but what was sent was so far removed from a good fit I can only assume there was a mix up in the order.They made another but still not brilliant fit except it was super warm if not as supple as high end suits. Quite a while ago and things change so as £270 is what a Xcel suit costs if I lived nearer maybe I would try again.
Xcel are a good fit for me except been very disappointed at need for repairs on areas covered by warranty but more disheartened at the quality of the repairs.When new the suit lasted less than the winter season (bought christmas eve and leaking cold water middle of march) then away twice for 2 weeks each time with poor repairs.
Chillysurfer. I like the look of the Lotus because the panel look similar to the the Xcel. I haven’t found anyone with a 6/5/4 in stock in the uk so West UK are trying to get one sent over from USA. All this without trying the suit on is a bit of a stab in the dark but encouraging that you like yours.
Unlike some I don’t expect a suit to last more than the season I buy them for.
So far not able to ask at surfermag as I can’t find my old login details and they are taking no more new registrations.