Just to add to the debate, I've owned loads of suits over the years and don't know how anyone could make one last 12 years!!... Thats prety impressive Sim.



I guess it depends how often you get out on the water of course.



Especially a Gul, I've never had a single Gul suit that lasted me more than 12 months. The last 3 gul suits I had were terrible, the first one last about 2 sessions before the seams started falling apart, so it went straight back to Gul. The replacement they sent me wasn't much better and was really cold, so after about 3 months it went back to Gul again who admitted that the neoprene wasn't up to scratch so they sent me another replacement. This one was a little better, but only lasted about 6 months before the neoprene started breaking down on the shoulders and the seams came apart.



I didn't even bother sending it back that time and just bought a Sola suit instead which so far seems (seams??) fine.



As far as semi-dry suits go, then my Sola 6/5/4/3 Concept (you can get them for around 150) is lovely and warm, and also pretty comfortable as theres lots of freedom of movement in the shoulder area. Loads of people swear by Spartan suits too, which is pretty similar to the Sola but they are expensive.



Boots are a must for the winter... although I was out this morning without any, but I'll soon start wearing them. I sometimes use a hood, but a helmet (which I always wear) also helps prevent heat loss through your head.



As lots of people have said, I can't get on with gloves either, but find if the rest of you is warm then your hands fare OK... It does get a little uncomfortable at times, especially when the wind chill is minus 16!!!



Usually though once you're out there, you soon warm up. Its the putting the wet wetsuit on in the first place thats not nice!!! I think I'm going to get a few wetsuits all the same so that they can have time to dry out in between sessions and I'll always have a dry one to get into.



Al.

hi there



pro limit pro series





This is a great wet/drysuit

I have just bought their ZF PRO SERIES WINTER STEAMER.

COST 170 BUT BOY ITS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!



Let me just say that along with a decent rash vest boots also pro limit and gloves 1.5mm o'neill fluid seam weld(which by the way are so warm they are great) I can and do windsurf in the Irish sea all winter long



.Just last sunday with - 2 wind chill i was out for 3 hours and didn't get cold one little bit. As im new I fall in more than average so the suit is well tested!!



There is very little flushing thanks to the 100% no water entry ZF dryzip system.You put the suit on and pull up over your head a waterproof hood then zip up the suit.



I looked into all of the suits and this seemed the best value for money.Its a 5.8mm and 3.8mm so its good and warm.



take a look at their site its worth it.



Hope this helps

Thought I'd stick in my two cents worth. I've surfed a few years previously through snow and winters etc.

Don't listen to anyone tell you about each wetsuit brand. Find a good shop stocking a good range of suits and find the one that fits you the best. The worst problem is washout when water washes through when you fall in. Once the water is in and heated up you are OK. Suits will last a few years at the most but the salt cystalises and destroys the neoprine and reducing its waterproof quality. A twelve year old suit will leak water like a knitted jumper. New suits use new stretchy neoprine which can fit a lot more snuggly that older suits (DONT BUY SECOND HAND its false economy and you will freeze).

Finally gloves - a few of us found surfing that drysuit gloves are good. They are a bit like black coloured 'marigolds' and you can wear a pair of thin fleece gloves underneath keeping hands cosy and warm.



The best tip :--- plan ahead, all the cheapest and best suits are in the shops around the spring / summer time as they are getting new stock in so get next years suit then. You should be able to pick up a shorty now for next to nothing.



Best shops:--- if you get a chance head to Croyde, Braunton, Newquay this is the place where all the factories are and the shops are full of stuff. Tiki has a shop in Braunton and do some good budget suits at great quality, Gul is further South. Second Skin is around North Devon as well. I haven't heard of any major wetsuit outlets up around here. Why not get together to do a road trip down south for the wkend could point you towards some great pubs!!!



p.s. Get into your wetsuit in the shower so you already have hot water in your suit before you start.