REAL Wetsuit Talk with Ratings

The REAL Flagship Store in Cape Hatteras, NC is PACKED to the rafters with 2011 Wetsuits and we’re LAUGHING at the dropping thermometer! Here is a detailed look at the new 2011 wetsuits available to help keep you warm this Fall and Winter.

REAL ships wetsuits and wetsuit accessories worldwide daily. Please give us a call toll free at 866-REAL-548 or International 252-987-6000 for more info or to place your order.

What does 3/2mm or 4/3mm mean? This lets you know the thickness of the neoprene rubber used in the wetsuit. The thicker the rubber, the warmer the suit will be and the colder the water you can use it in. The first (and higher) number is generally used on the areas of your body that require more warming and are moved less, like your chest and back. The second number is usually a smaller number and this is the thickness of rubber used for the extremities like the arms where not as much insulation is needed, as well more flexibility is desired.

MEN’S ULTIMATE WETSUITS

O'Neill Psycho Freak 5.5/4.5mm w/Hood, 4.5/3.5mm and 3.5/2.5mm
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 4 Stars
Flexibility – 4 Stars
Warmth – 4 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 4 Stars
Value – 4 Stars

We remember when the O’Neill Psycho 2 was the best suit we could get, but 2 years ago they turned the industry upside down with air chambers built into a super stretch suit. You know you have seen the guy at the beach pushing his 3/2mm into 40-degree water. Well now you can do it with confidence with the O’Neill PSYCHO FREAK. The PSYCHO FREAK has the best water tight zipper system on the market, not to mention the best rubber on the market. Built to last, the Psycho Freak is one of our best selling suits for the customer looking to stay in the water all winter long.

***REAL Wetsuit Tip #1 : Keep your socks on when putting on your fullsuit. It will make the suit much easier to slip on, cutting your dressing time in half.

O'Neill Wind Freak 4.5/3.5mm
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 4 Stars
Flexibility – 4 Stars
Warmth – 5 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 4 Stars
Value – 4 Stars

In stock by popular demand for you the customer. These suits are exclusive to REAL, and we are excited to have this wind specific suit built by the best in the business: O'Neill. Built off the Psycho Freak platform but engineered for the pure wind junky. Smooth Skin in all the right places and XDS Panels make for unmatched flexibility in your arms and legs. This suit comes complete with optional leg cinch straps that velcro on the suit to prevent water from entering. If you are looking for the best wind specific wetsuit on the market, look no further than the WINDFREAK. Stock is limited, so experience the difference now before they are all gone.

Patagonia R2, R3 and R4
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 5 Stars
Flexibility – 3 Stars
Warmth – 5 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 5 Stars
Value – 5 Stars

Patagonia makes wetsuits? Yes they do, and they do it like no other brand. Wool lined suits are here to stay and these suits are the warmest suits per their thickness of anything we can find. Yes the R2 is as warm as traditional 4/3 but with only 2mm of rubber. Patagonia has you covered from 70 degree to 30 degree water temps with only 2 suits needed. Not only do they have the highest end materials going into the suit, they also come with Patagonia's Iron Clad Warranty. If you aren’t happy with this suit at any time, for any reason, Patagonia will replace it.

***REAL Wetsuit Tip #2 : If you have the $$ for the high end suits, they are definitely worth it. Justify it like this….If it costs $200 more to get a suit that is significantly warmer and more stretchy, AND you use the suit 100 hours, then you are only paying $2/hr for the extra performance. Likewise, if you “think” it’s too expensive, then you are paying yourself $2/hour to be cold and stiff. Which version makes more sense?

MEN’S ULTRA-STRETCH WETSUITS

Rip Curl E-Bomb Chest Zip 3/2mm or 4/3mm
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 3 Stars
Flexibility – 5 Stars
Warmth – 3 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 3 Stars
Value – 3 Stars

“Live the Search” is all about the adventure of exploring new spots, getting out in the water and enjoying your sessions. The E-bomb is the top of the line, ultra stretchy suit from Rip Curl. No tech’ed out 8 ply suits here; just clean, plush materials, keeping you warm this season for a great price.

***REAL Wetsuit Tip #3 : Dress for Success. When wetsuits used to be heavy and stiff, performance minded athletes would use as thin of a wetsuit as they could get away with to maximize flexibility and minimize stiffness and added weight. Now that wetsuits are significantly lighter and more flexible, the trend has shifted in the other direction. Winter session enthusiasts now wear the warmest suit they can get their hands on because warmth = flexibility and performance!

O'Neill Mutant 4/3mm or 5/4mm
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 4 Stars
Flexibility – 3 Stars
Warmth – 3 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 3 Stars
Value – 4 Stars

Hands down, one of the best suits for the money. Hood or no hood? It doesn't matter with the Mutant. These suits have an interchangeable hood and collar system that no other brand can match. Not only is the removable hood system amazing, the foam and single welded seams are top quality as well. The Mutant is the only suit that can get you through the winter with just one suit.

O'Neill Heat 3/2mm, 4/3mm or 6/5/4mm w/Hood
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 4 Stars
Flexibility – 2 Stars
Warmth – 3 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 5 Stars
Value – 4 Stars

The HEAT is the workhorse of the O'Neill line, with easy entry and built to last O'Neill technology. The HEAT comes with a Code Red waterproof zipper, back-zip entry system and welded seams for a great suit at a great price. This suit is ideal for the big boys getting out this winter with sizes into the XXXL range. This suit is one of the easiest suits to get in and out of without turning into a pretzel.

*** REAL Wetsuit Tip #4 : Wetsuit technology gets noticeably better every year. This means that they get warmer, lighter and more flexible. At the same time, your wetsuit is LOSING a little bit of this every year, moving in the other direction. Don’t think a new suit will make that much of a difference? Take a look at how your wetsuit breaks down over time:
After 1 Year : Loss of flexibility, some pinhole leaks begin.
After 2 years : More loss of flexibility, pinhole leaks become common, chafe and tears begin for those not careful with their suits.
After 3 years : Significant loss of flexibility. Wetsuit is no longer “dry” inside drastically reducing warmth, fading.
After 4 years : Wetsuits loses almost all flexibility resulting in tears that end sessions or place rider in dangerous situations. Zippers fail.
After 5 years : Large German print seems passé. Tiger stripes that once seemed cool, cause your children to call you a “dork”. The only place you seem to fit in is the Canadian Hole……

Billabong SG5 3/2mm, 4/3mm or 5/4/3mm w/Hood

REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 3 Stars
Flexibility – 4 Stars
Warmth – 3 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 4 Stars
Value – 4 Stars

If you didn't know, Billabong is taking over the surf industry one brand at a time. With that said, they have backed it up with an unmatched performance suit at unbelievable prices with the SG5 model. All the best features you want in a performance surf suit for the price you want to pay. Super Stretch 400x Foam, Drymax Entry System, Solar Mesh Panels, Thermal Lining, Welded Seams and 3D Molded Knee Pads makes the SG5 Line up as good as gold. I guess that is why they named them SOLID GOLD.

Hurley Fusion 3/2mm or 5/3mm w/hood
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 2 Stars
Flexibility – 3 Stars
Warmth – 3 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 2 Stars
Value – 3 Stars

Hurley wetsuits have stepped up their game with the new Hurley Fusion Wetsuit. These suits are made to make you look good this winter with printed graphic on the 3/2mm models and a “murdered out” all black 5/3mm with hood. With Seamless Paddle Seams these suits have some great features for a NICE PRICE!!

*** REAL Wetsuit Tip #5 : Think Warm, Stay Warm. Winter sessions are 50% mental and 50% equipment. The mental part comes from inside your head and how/where you dress/undress from your wetsuit. If you think you’ll be cold, you will be. If you’re pumped for the session and know you have the right gear, chances are you’ll be a lot warmer. Getting dressed into your wetsuit, boots and gloves INSIDE your house or a heated restaurant bathroom, keeps all the cold air out and all the heated air inside your wetsuit. Doing the same after the session will make things a lot warmer as well. Nothing drives cold straight to the bone faster than standing naked and barefoot on sub zero asphalt! Those that live their lives large do one better than this and drive home in their suit and take it off in a HOT running shower.

MEN’S PREMIUM VALUE WETSUITS

Billabong FOIL 3/2mm or 4/3mm
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 2 Stars
Flexibility – 2 Stars
Warmth – 2 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 4 Stars
Value – 5 Stars

Why rent a suit when you can buy one for the same price. The Foils from Billabong have you set with full suits starting at $135!! These suits aren't cheap wetsuits; they are great suits for a low price. Glued and blind stitched with full Superflex Foam, these features for this price will not be found in any brand other than Billabong.

***REAL Wetsuit Tip #6 : If you’re one to take double sessions seriously, then you should consider having two cold water wetsuits so that you always have a dry/warm suit to get into for session #2. Quoting Surfer, Surfing, and Transworld Surf Magazines, this is the single most effective thing you can do to increase your performance, flexibility and warmth in session #2. Not a tip from a shop selling wetsuits, but from 3 different surf magazines calling it like it is. We’d have to agree. When we’re pulled out on Ramp 23 and it’s firing, nothing gets you more amped for session #2 than a warm/dry suit. Think about the same experience with a 40 degree, wet, sandy wetsuit and you’re already planning on skipping it.

WOMEN’S WETSUITS

O'Neill D’Lux 3/2mm or 4/3mm Women’s
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 4 Stars
Flexibility – 2 Stars
Warmth – 3 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 5 Stars
Value – 4 Stars

Women love deluxe hotel rooms, so why not D’LUX wetsuits? The O'Neill D’LUX is for women looking for a quality suit for many years to come. Welded seams, Code Red waterproof zipper and super stretch foam put the LUX in D’LUX. If you are trying to keep up with the guys or want just a couple more sessions before you hang it up for the winter, the D’lux is going to keep you warm and toasty.

Patagonia R2 and R3 Women’s
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 5 Stars
Flexibility – 3 Stars
Warmth – 5 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 4 Stars
Value – 5 Stars

What about the ladies?? Well the long awaited launch of the Women's Patagonia suit has landed this year. Hands down the warmest and best quality suit in our women’s department this winter. These suits are Merino wool lined for extra warmth with less rubber per thickness. Chest zip entry keeps water out and warmth in with double sealing closer system. These suits are all the rage for the women who are seriously taking winter sessions.

Billabong Synergy 3/2mm or 4/3mm Women’s

REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 2 Stars
Flexibility – 2 Stars
Warmth – 2 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 4 Stars
Value – 5 Stars

“I need a new wetsuit, but don't want to spend the money for a high end suit.” If you have said this, then Billabong has answered with the Synergy suit. Based on a super stretchy glued and blind stitched suit, the Synergy will get you out this winter for a great price.

Billabong SG5 3/2mm or 4/3mm Women’s
REAL Rating (5 Star Max)
Durability – 3 Stars
Flexibility – 4 Stars
Warmth – 3 Stars
Ease of Entry/Exit – 4 Stars
Value – 4 Stars

How “core” are you? Who cares how core you are when you have to come in from an epic session because you are cold. Don't be that woman this winter. Get the most performance features for the dollar with the Billabong SG5 for Women. These suits have Super Stretch 400x Foam, Drymax entry, Solar Mesh, Furnace lining, Welded Seams and 3D Molded Knee Pads. Everyone loves Gold so what more can you ask for than a SOLID GOLD suit from Billabong.