If you're a girl and you're looking for your next winter wetsuit for surfing or kitesurfing, I strongly suggest you consider a Prolimit and now, after trying it, I'll explain why.
I've been using my new Prolimit Flare 5/3 for some outings and so I can tell you how I found myself with this wetsuit, if it's worth buying and what its strengths and weaknesses are.
The Flare wetsuits are prolimit's mid-range women's wetsuits. They are wetsuits designed to offer warmth, great comfort and flexibility with a very competitive quality-price ratio, it is no coincidence that they are among the best-selling and most appreciated prolimit wetsuits. Let's see its characteristics.
Prolimit Flare wetsuits are made in Down Airflex 500+ limestone neoprene. Airflex Neoprene is a neoprene obtained from Limestone neoprene, a new type of neoprene that is more durable and environmentally sustainable than traditional petroleum-derived neoprene. The outer layer of the wetsuit is lined with Down Air Flex fabric which is water repellent and quick drying, soft and able to accommodate the maximum elasticity of the airflex neoprene. The inner layer, in contact with the skin, has the special Zodic Jacquard velvet lining. A quick-drying thermal fleece for increased warmth and comfort. Then a 3-layer sandwich where we have a fleece lining in contact with the skin, neoprene, water repellent outer lining.
The seams of the suit are of the GBS type, which for the uninitiated means Glued and Blindstitched Seams. In practice, the neoprene panels are first glued together and then sewn with a technique that only partially pierces the neoprene, so as to safeguard its impermeability. It is not the most advanced FTM technology which is only available on 6/5 or higher range wetsuits like the Oxygen, but this is not necessarily a disadvantage... it depends on the temperatures because the eternal layer of glue on the seams is yes a advantage in terms of sealing but there are also those who find it annoying claiming that it stiffens the joints.
Comfort, warmth, elasticity
From the first moment the wetsuit in the hands looks very good. The texture of the external fabric is very nice, even if I must say that compared to other women's wetsuits it is certainly not among the most showy. Personally I don't mind lighter wetsuits in winter, but of course it's a matter of taste here! In addition to the design in the hands, the wetsuit is immediately perceived as very soft. Try pulling a sleeve and you will immediately realize how elastic it is.
Wearing it does not seem to slip into a 5/3. Such a soft and comfortable winter wetsuit, I assure you, is not easy to find. Normally it's almost as hard to put on and take off the wetsuit as to get to the peak! Above all, to remove the winter wetsuit, it happened to me more than once that I had to ask for help because otherwise I was always there jumping around like a penguin! Here is this 5/3 wetsuit that can be put on and taken off in an instant, without the slightest effort, despite the fact that we are talking about the Free Zip model, i.e. with a front zip (chest zip) which is usually a little more boring to wear. It's almost too comfortable to be true!
Once worn it is really comfortable. The fleece inside makes it super soft and very warm... And above all you can keep moving without looking like Robocop, which for a 5/3 in this price range is not at all obvious!
The reinforced knee pads are comfortable and above all the holes for draining the water at the ankles are very comfortable, which will prevent you from wearing the elephant foot model wetsuit!
The fit is quite regular. My advice is to take it a little smaller than you would need according to the Prolimit size chart. For example, if you are halfway between two sizes, choose the smaller one. I assure you that it has enough elasticity to allow you to wear it comfortably. In any case, to have a reference Worth 174cm x 60kg Size M perfect.
Being so stretchy and flexible it is not only comfortable to put on and take off. I've already used it several times for surfing and I can assure you that it's not annoying at all. This wetsuit, despite being a 5/3, does not bind movements and does not hinder paddling. Of course it won't be like surfing in a bikini, but I assure you that its softness can easily be compared to that of many 3/2.
And finally we come to the most important thing: protection from the cold. Yes, because a wetsuit should be cool and comfortable... but if it doesn't keep you warm, it's useless! Well, this 5/3 also thanks to its super warm inner lining is perfect for winter outings for both surfing and kitesurfing with really cold outside temperatures. The suit keeps you warm perfectly. It is certainly important to use it with the right accessories: hood and boots. Furthermore, the sea here in Tuscany, even in winter, is never as cold as the lakes are. If you are considering buying this wetsuit for kitesurfing at the lake in winter, I definitely recommend the 6/5, otherwise the 5/3 is sufficient for surfing and kitesurfing in the Mediterranean even on the coldest winter days. Clearly if you are particularly sensitive to the cold or if you don't give up staying in the water for several hours even in winter, the 6/5 can give you a little extra warmth. It's all about always finding the right compromise between warmth and flexibility, based on the temperatures you have to face.
Pubblicato il 17 novembre 2021 | Blog > Reviews: KITESURF | SURF | WING | SUP