Wetsuits - Japanese neoprene

HERBYJ · Post by **HERBYJ** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:48 pm

I'm looking to get a new wetsuit, I'm currently using a 3/2 Ripcurl steamer and I have usually used their product but I was thinking of getting something different partially because of the claims being made by some wetsuit manufactures of the superiority of the Yamamoto Japanese neoprene i.e. greater warmth and flexibility.

Most of these wetsuits are made in Japan, brands such as Axxe and Patagonia look interesting or the Matuse which is made in the USA. The Patagonia uses a woollen lining to wick away moisture (or so the marketing says) and allows thinner neoprene to be used so I'd look at a 2 mm suit to replace my 3/2.

These suits are more expensive than the average wetsuit and some are made to measure. The Patagonia has just gone on sale in Australia and is off the rack and as a result a little cheaper so that would be my first choice, if it fits. Patagonia seem to have had quality control problems previously which they have apparently solved with their new suits.

Has anyone used any of these wetsuits?
Any thoughts?
Is this all marketing hype or is this new neoprene superior?

Herby

Mike Fernandez · Post by **Mike Fernandez** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:03 am

Herb, sorry I can't help, but if you get a suit, let us know how it works. It would be nice to replace a 3/2 with a 2mm, but as far as wicking away moisture, sounds like a bit of hype to me considering we are always duck diving, or wiping out on waves, so we are going to be wet anyway.
I could be wrong though.

RMcKnee · Post by **RMcKnee** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:31 am

southpeakbrad · Post by **southpeakbrad** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:14 am

I have a Matuse 4/3/2 (this year's model). The legs and most of the torso are 3 mm, there's a panel across your chest that wraps around the back that's 4 mm, and everything above that including the arms are 2 mm so It's really like a 3/2.T hey made some changes, for the better I'm told, for the '08-'09 Winter.

It's the lightest, most flexible, most comfortable suit I've ever had. The rubber dries out faster as well. The suit feels warmer just being up against your skin. It's got fully sealed seams on the inside. Into my 3rd month with no leakage except for at the ankles a bit, and at the neck a bit. The ankles are no prob, but my Rip Curl F-bomb does a better job sealing out water at the neck. That said, it's not that big of a deal since the suit is so warm otherwise. Surfing in the sun that chest/back panel HEATS UP like they say so any water leakage from the neck warms up quickly. It was fine in Santa Cruz in Jan (water ~54 F?).

My main recc to Matuse would be to improve the neck area for those duck dives or big wipe outs. Other high end suits have superior neck systems I think.

analbirth · Post by **analbirth** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:25 pm

Just a tip, stear away from custom made to measure suits i've been down that road and they never fit properly usually too tight, then your stuck with the bill , try em on off the rack then you know they fit properly AB

Howard Lorney · Post by **Howard Lorney** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:19 pm

Just purchased a Seventhwave suit made here in NZ using Yamamoto neoprene. Its a 3/2 zipless with titanium and custom made as well although all they had to customise was the legs as every thing else fitted well.
Waters still too warm to use it here (still 19-20C) but it looks like it'll get used over the next two weeks down the coast from Melbourne. I see the water there is 17C and dropping.

Will let you know how it performs.

randiego · Post by **randiego** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:08 pm

southpeakbrad wrote:I have a Matuse 4/3/2 (this year's model). The legs and most of the torso are 3 mm, there's a panel across your chest that wraps around the back that's 4 mm, and everything above that including the arms are 2 mm so It's really like a 3/2.T hey made some changes, for the better I'm told, for the '08-'09 Winter.

It's the lightest, most flexible, most comfortable suit I've ever had. The rubber dries out faster as well.

I have the same wetsuit, but Matuse doesn't call it neoprene because it's not petroleum based material. It's limestone based, same as Patagonia's, which is why they call it Geoprene.

That might be some PR's dudes name for it, but it is what Brad said - the warmest, most flexible suit I have ever worn. It dries overnight, simply because the 'geoprene' has more closed cells than normal neoprene, and therefore doesn't soak up as much water. It's the softest wetsuit material you've ever seen.

I agree with Brad that the neck system could use some work, but in SD it don't matter anyway. I used mine in Santa Cruz and was comfortable. Gove and Billy wear a 5/4 I think - I imagine that sucker is very warm.