What's your favorite 5mm wetsuit under $300.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by MOTO 619

I bought the new Riffe Cryptic Camo 5mm when they first came out at James & Joseph a little over a year ago, and for the first 2 months it was nice. Now, I get cold in 64f water in about an hour. The suit leaks, the hood had so much extra material around the face that it is now torn in multiply places (this actually happened in the first month) . The 'special' coating Riffe puts on the inside of the suit has now worn off.

I care for my gear meticulously. I dive on avg of 1-2 times per week.

I was hoping the suit would last 2 seasons AT LEAST. I got a solid 3-4 months before the suit started leaking in water and chilling me. The cold water winter sucked for me big time. Multiply times coming onto the boat in bone shivering condition. It made me hate WSB a lot looking back at it.

In Riffe's defense I did hear they had some issues with some of the first runs on their suits. Maybe I got one of those, I don't know. I do know I will be looking to buy another suit from another maker unfortunately. I liked supporting a local dive company but being painfully cold is hard to forgive.

Have you spoken to Riffe? They're pretty good down there.

Apnea from Gat-ku. I beat mine to hell, I think its been over 2 years by now. Countless sketchy entries/exits, and 99% shoredives. Rarely wash it, sometimes leave it in the hot car. Still running strong, I'll probably get a few more years out of it.

[BOLTSFAN]

I love my GatKu wetsuit seems to be very durable and I never get cold in it.

[hutloc]

Originally Posted by MOTO 619

I bought the new Riffe Cryptic Camo 5mm when they first came out at James & Joseph a little over a year ago, and for the first 2 months it was nice. Now, I get cold in 64f water in about an hour. The suit leaks, the hood had so much extra material around the face that it is now torn in multiply places (this actually happened in the first month) . The 'special' coating Riffe puts on the inside of the suit has now worn off.

I care for my gear meticulously. I dive on avg of 1-2 times per week.

I was hoping the suit would last 2 seasons AT LEAST. I got a solid 3-4 months before the suit started leaking in water and chilling me. The cold water winter sucked for me big time. Multiply times coming onto the boat in bone shivering condition. It made me hate WSB a lot looking back at it.

In Riffe's defense I did hear they had some issues with some of the first runs on their suits. Maybe I got one of those, I don't know. I do know I will be looking to buy another suit from another maker unfortunately. I liked supporting a local dive company but being painfully cold is hard to forgive.

x2.. face material i really cant tell. coating is gone. i can feel small cold water leaks each time now. suit change next yr!

[Bear Down]

+1 for Cressi. Love my suit. Got it for 300 shipped.

[matt mattison]

I love my Esclapez Diving LABRAX SMOOTH CAMO comes in 3.5 and 7 mill
link to web site http://www.esclapezdiving.com/en/arc...009-01-30.html
but I would recomend going threw the Sac free dive shop here is there link
http://www.freediveshop.com/product_...roducts_id=370

[Trimbandit]

Originally Posted by matt mattison

I love my Esclapez Diving LABRAX SMOOTH CAMO comes in 3.5 and 7 mill
link to web site http://www.esclapezdiving.com/en/arc...009-01-30.html
but I would recomend going threw the Sac free dive shop here is there link
http://www.freediveshop.com/product_...roducts_id=370

That looks like it is way over $300

[thereefgeek]

Originally Posted by Trimbandit

That looks like it is way over $300

Good wetsuits usually are....

[Trimbandit]

Originally Posted by thereefgeek

Good wetsuits usually are....

Sure they are and probably worth it, but the poster was asking for favorites under $300

[matt mattison]

Originally Posted by Trimbandit

That looks like it is way over $300

Originally Posted by thereefgeek

Good wetsuits usually are....

Originally Posted by Trimbandit

Sure they are and probably worth it, but the poster was asking for favorites under $300

it is a bit over 300 but worth every extra penny !!!!

[ralphthehalibut]

If you like the riffe, buy a JBL. Same exact rubber, same fit, better price. You can find em for under 300 if you do your homework. Only reasn to bu the riffe over the JBL is if you like the look of the camo better than the JBL camo. We all know camo is to catch divers, not fish though.

Apnea: Super warm, but don't fit tall and/or slender guys (you). Also they fall apart after about 3 months of diving.

Cressi: My friends that have them love them

Mako: Great value, great customer service. I hate the velcro beaver tail personally. They will be there for you if you need them. Dano takes care of his customers

Gat-ku: People say good things about them, and you will not be able to find better customer service than dustin provided, period. I have not tried them on though, but Dustin would not put out a bad product. It's just not his style.

your best bet is to try on a bunch and buy what fits best, and then look at price. A bargain suit that fits like shit is not a good bargain.

On that note, if rack suits don't fit you, spend the extra dough and get an M and B. Well worth it and you willl not regret it. I'm lucky because reack suits from some brands (JBL, Riffe) fit me perfect so I don't need to spend the extra scrill.

[MAKO Spearguns]

Hope we make the short list.... Our 5 mm suit comes in under $250.




The MAKO (Yamamoto) two piece open cell includes:

• Yamamoto Neoprene: The finest neoprene material in the world.
• Integrated knife pocket: Located on the thigh.
• Jacket: With integrated hood and adjustable Velcro beaver tail
• Farmer John Pants: For added warmth in torso
• Super stretch: Camouflage nylon outside for the ultimate custom like fit
• All seams: Glued and blind stitched for durability
• Chest loading pad: Real padded material sewn on
• Knee pads: Real padded material sewn on (not a glued on piece of rubber)
• Beaver tail: Adjustable for long and short torsos for a custom like fit
• Integrated ergonomic hood: To ensure a tight seal around the face

http://www.makospearguns.com/Product...roductCode=M2A

[NihilisticMisanthropist]

just save your money and buy the m&b. its gonna cost you about 600 but it will outlast 3 suits from any other competitor. i had several long talks with don about his suits, the construction, the materials, and i watched him build a few suits. after 9 months or so the suit looks brand new when turned inside out. even the beavertail shows no signs of wear. the metal lining is so perfect you can almost see your reflection in it. it hasnt compressed at all. im still diving witht he same 17 lbs i started with. it fits perfectly. the 5mm suit is so warm that i have to flush it constnatly when the water is over 63 degrees. i picked the 5mm because its normally my all around suit, but its now become my winter suit, because its so much warmer than a rack suit. i need a 3 mm. the only signs of wear are from me crawling back into tight holes and gettign hung up on mussels and urchins, and its all external. ive been dragged across rocks, smashed to smithereens, and i only had one laceration make it through the rubber, and one other that only scored the exterior lining.

[NihilisticMisanthropist]

that beign said, if you dont wanna spend the cash, get a jbl for 275. the list is much higher, but theres a few new ones around at that price if you look hard.

[NihilisticMisanthropist]