Winter is coming, the first colds have arrived and with the end of the summer also the first perturbations. It's the time of the season change, even for our wetsuits, because it's time to bring out the 4/3 winter suits. If your 4/3 starts to get a little old and lose weight, or if you really don't have it, this article can help you choose your new surf or kitesurf suit to use for next winter.
First of all the premise. At our latitudes, for winter outings in the Mediterranean Sea, a good quality and well-made 4/3 wetsuit is normally sufficient for surfing and kitesurfing throughout the winter, of course if combined with the right accessories like hood, shoes and gloves in neoprene which are essential when the thermometer really drops. A 4/3 may not be enough if you are particularly chilly, if you go out in the lakes of northern Italy or if even in winter you don't want to give up staying in the water for several hours, as well as obviously if some exceptionally cold days should happen. But how to choose a good 4/3 suit for surfing and kitesurfing in winter? In this regard, I suggest you also read our guide to choosing a wetsuitand if you have one close to you take a ride in a good surf shop. But if you prefer to buy online, amazon has a good choice of wetsuits for both surfing and kitesurfing. We have looked at all of them and have selected those that are worth buying. Here is our choice.
The best entry level wetsuits
Even if your budget is not unlimited, this does not mean that you have to give up going out in the winter or that you have to suffer from cold. We chose 3 wetsuits that can be bought on Amazon for less than € 150, a decidedly good price for a 4/3 quality. Two of the three wetsuits we have chosen have a zip on the chest, which means less water filtering through the zip, as well as excellent technical details and excellent quality neoprene.
Billabong Intruder 4/3 back zip GBS
The Billabong Intruder 4/3 back zip is one of the most sold and appreciated entry level wetsuits thanks to the excellent value for money. If you are looking for a winter wetsuit at a very low price, you have found it. Built with AX2 airlite superflex neoprene, the Billabong intruder is a strong and well-made wetsuit. The back zip makes it easy to wear and take it off. Despite the price, this billabong can boast details like GBS seams to limit the entry of cold water.
PLEASURE: very competitive price
DEFECTS: a little rigid and tends not to dry very quickly.
Quicksilver Syncro 4/3 Chest zip GBS
The Quicksilver Syncro 4/3 Chest zip is an entry level wetsuit but with excellent features of comfort, warmth and elasticity at a competitive price. Probably the cheapest chest zip suit with zipper on the chest. Despite the price, the Syncro series is made with F'N lite neoprene, GBS stitching and warmflight thermal lining on the back and chest.
If you think an entry level wetsuit is of poor quality you are wrong. I personally used this wetsuit and I must confess that I was positively impressed, especially for the convenience.
PRIESTS: very elastic and comfortable for a first price.
DEFECTS: it is not one of the hottest wetsuits ... in January and February it may not be enough.
Ion Onyx Element 4/3 Chest zip
Onyx Element is the entry level model of Ion that with this suit is committed to offering a quality product at a very competitive price. A comfortable wetsuit, sturdy, ideal for both surfing and kitesurfing, with small details worthy of a top-class wetsuit. The Onyx Element is reinforced at the seam joint with a special Melco tape whose glue reacts to heat so that if it comes off it is sufficient to pass it over with an iron! The cutting of the panels is designed so that the seams are not in the way and small drainage holes are present to favor the leakage of water that accidentally enters.
PRIESTS: Well built and very beautiful.
DEFECTS: Flexibility and softness of neoprene can be improved.
The best mid-range wetsuits
If even in winter you do not limit yourself to some occasional outings, a mid-range wetsuit is what you need to offer you the right warmth and comfort, with some more technical details that make the difference compared to an entry level wetsuit, destined to more occasional user.
Billabong Absolute X 4/3 Chest zip
The Billabong Absolut X range is designed to offer maximum comfort and fit. Premium AX2 superflex single-lined neoprene on chest and back to offer better wind protection and double lined on the other parts. The thermal inner lining ensures good heat retention and the welded GBS seams offer maximum water resistance.
This suit is recommended especially for those who use it for kitesurfing because of the monofiltered panels on the stomach and back that offer better protection from the wind.
PRIESTS: excellent quality and top-of-the-range construction
DEFECTS: It is not very hot.
Alternatively, take a look at the Furnace Absolute model, also by Billabong. Characteristics similar to the Absolute X, but in addition the special furnace furnace lining with fast drying and very warm. The double jersey fabric creates small air pockets to keep the heat better and at the same time allows the water to drain perfectly. The Furnace Absolute suits also use a Superflex 250 Jersey. Unlike Absolute X, it does not have all the seams glued and it is all in double-lined neoprene that tends to be more elastic but also to cool down first, particularly in the presence of wind.
Ion Onyx Core 4/3 Front zip
The Ion Core range offers a good compromise of flexibility and warmth at an affordable price. Compared to the entry level range Element is above all the softness of the neoprene that makes the difference. It is also lined with special Hot_Stuff 2.0 panels that ensure warmth without limiting the flexibility of the neoprene.
PRIESTS: excellent quality and many small details such as small holes for draining excess water.
FAULTS: It does not have seams glued to the outside.
Mystic Drip 4/3 Chest zip
Drip is the Mystic wetsuit designed to offer maximum warmth and shelter from the wind for kite-surfing in winter. The Drip is made with very elastic and flexible neoprene. The Drip uses many precautions worthy of a good quality wetsuit like the GBS seams, taped at the points of greatest stress (but not externally glued). On the back the suit has a single-lined panel to shelter from the wind. Particular attention is paid to wrists and ankles to prevent water from entering. It also has drainage holes for water that should accidentally enter.
PRIESTS: good quality and many small attentions such as small holes for draining excess water.
FAULTS: It does not have seams glued to the outside.
Hurley Advantage Plus 4/3 Chest zip
The Hurley Advantage Plus 4/3 suit was born to offer maximum protection from the coldest temperatures. A performance wetsuit made of super light and elastic Exoflex neoprene. The Advantage Plus has a generous zip on the chest with asymmetric zip and adjustable snap closure. The chest and back are completely insulated with a hollow fiber fleece lining, while on the outside the single-lined neoprene protects from the wind. All seams are taped inside to minimize water ingress and prolong the life of the suit.
Our favorite performance wetsuits
If the budget is not a problem and in the winter don't give up going out even when the temperatures get really cold, you can orient yourself on top of the range models able to offer you the maximum in terms of heat, without sacrificing lightness and flexibility. These are wetsuits with which you will not feel cold and will not in any way limit your movements, but often they require some little more attention in the care because sometimes the lighter materials can be even more delicate. But basically the same tricks that you should follow for any wetsuit are worthwhile: rinsing with fresh water, never drying on a coat hanger and attention when putting it on your nails or other objects such as watches and bracelets that could scratch the neoprene ... not to mention rocks and fins!
Quiksilver highline 4/3 zipless
A top-of-the-range suit at a decidedly competitive price compared to rivals. Quicksilver has concentrated in this suit the best of its technology to offer maximum warmth and above all comfort. The HIGHLINE SERIES is made with neoprene, which makes it the lightest and most flexible. The zip-free design eliminates the weight and bulk of a zipper. Wrists and ankles are elastic to limit the entry of water inside.
The Highline has a special Warmflight thermal lining on the body, legs and arms. The super warm fleece lining keeps the body heat. This lightweight material insulates from the outside to keep warm and repels water to dry faster.
Billabong Furnace Carbon Comp 4/3 chest zip
The Furnace Carbon is Billabong's performance wetsuit. This suit is equipped with a Carbon Furnace lining and a carbon coating that allows the suit to dry in record time, as well as being super flexible and resistant. The Airlite stretch outer lining makes this wetsuit the most elastic in the range.
All this makes the Furnace Carbon one of the lightest suits on the market, without this being less hot, in fact you will hardly be cold with this suit.
Xcel Comp X Slate 4/3
The Xcel Comp is the suit that in 2017 was crowned the year's suit at SIMA. A further improved technology concentrate. The suit uses a lighter, warmer and softer Limestone Japanese neoprene that fits like a second skin and is able to regulate body temperature. The Thermo Drying celliant lining is extremely warm and light, as well as guaranteeing ultra-rapid drying.
Rip Curl Flash Bomb 4/3 zip free
Flash Bomb is the top of the line range of rip curls. Among the various models available we have chosen the zip free version to have an even lighter wetsuit that minimizes the possibility of water entering. Needless to say, this is an incredibly light, elastic and comfortable wetsuit. Wearing it and taking it off is really comfortable and in the water it is able to accommodate every movement, without making you strenuous paddling in the surf or limiting yourself in the handle pass with kitesurfing. The heat is the other strong point of this wetsuit that is completely covered inside with the special E5 Flash lining which, besides being incredibly warm, channels the water to let it out and then dry much faster. The panel on the chest and back protects from the wind.
Ion Strike Select 4/3 back zip
The STRIKE SELECT is the top of the Ion range, a concentrate of technology that does not go unnoticed. The strike select is a wetsuit made for those who do not underestimate style, and obviously do not accept compromises in terms of comfort. The strengths of this suit are: Plasma_Plush lining, brand new Water_Gate_3D construction, large single-lined rear panel to offer maximum shelter from the wind, Power_Seam stitching technology to ensure long-lasting stitching, plus great elasticity. Compared to the models of the past years, this year the wetsuit has panels cut to minimize seams which means more warmth and elasticity than ever. The only negative note, on a pack of this level, is in our opinion the
Pubblicato il 07 novembre 2018 | Blog > Equipments: KITESURF | SURF | SUP