6/5/4 hooded winter wetsuits Any reviews????

mlwahler · Since 28 Dec 2007 174 Posts Stoked

I am looking for reviews on thick winter wetsuit looking at the hooded 6/5/4 npx zealot but open to other suggestions please post which suit u use and what temps water and air your comfortable in. Thank

Suds · Since 25 Mar 2008 143 Posts Hood River Stoked

check out the O'neill mutant 5/4/3 this suit is super warm, and you can zip the hood on or off.

its_kite:30 · Since 29 May 2009 108 Posts White Salmon/ Beaverton Stoked

I just bought a hyperflex flow hooded 5/4/3. It's in the mail so I cannot give a review yet but Windance has them for $169! Now I don't have to wait for spring, stoked! Plenty of positive reviews on wetsuit wearhouse.

beevee · Since 06 Jun 2009 47 Posts

Oneil Psycho2 6/5/4 with hood is the bomb. Super stretchy and warm'n toasty. I love this suit and happen to have a lrg for sale:
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-20823.html

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

I STRONGLY and ENTHUSIASTICALLY 2nd the recommendation for the O'Neil Psycho II 6/5/4!!!!

As a rep for Liquid Force on the west coast, I spend time in the water from Bellingham to Baja and everything else in between.

I have had and tried MANY MANY different types of wetsuits and have never been happier than my O'neil suits, and specifically the psycho II. a little overkill but super warm and comfy for summer OR coast... but with the hood on and booties/gloves this suit will take you to Alaska and beyond!!

I also have a fancy wool lined patagonia 4/3, which is also SUPER WARM.. but the Psycho II takes the cake for comfort and mobility/stretch, even though it's heavier than the Patagooch, which cost much much more...

I believe Gorge Performance in Portland is having a wetsuit special now, with discounts and credits, so maybe give them a shout and go try on some suits!!

New Kites and boards are all pretty good these days, but the right fit and warmth in a new wetsuit WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER RIDER!!... giving you the confidence to charge the hard sections, knowing that when you go down... you will be warm and toasty while you drag for your board...

bad monkey · Since 10 Mar 2010 13 Posts

I have a Hyperflex 5/4/3 hooded amp suit and I wear a full length poly pro suit under it. I kited Wednesday up here in Montana on Flathead Lake. The air temp was 38 degrees and I waded through chunks of ice to get into the water. Stayed out for almost 2 hours and was warm and comfortable. As long as the air temp is above freezing I have always been fine with this set up. If it is below freezing the ice on the bar and lines becomes problematic. All the Hyperflex items I have are great. Im sure the other brands are nice also but for the price I think Hyperflex is hard to beat.

marybear · Since 06 Aug 2007 75 Posts thehood

XCEL with its new bamboo tech interior has added softness warmth and flex to the suit plus they look LEGIT i can surf with penguins and still be warm

shawntkeating · Since 05 Jul 2010 33 Posts

Kiting this winter in NJ with water temps in the 30s and air in the 30s. I have a hyperflex amp 5/4/3 and im cooking comfortable. I think the 6/5/4 must be for space explorations or people who are just cold blooded. Highly recommended.

rorzeck · Since 26 Sep 2006 36 Posts

I do not yet have an NPX 6/5/4 hooded Zealot, but I do have one on order. I used to be an Oneil guy, my last one being a 5/4/3 Mutant. The suit was awesome for one season however it lost it's flexibility and warmth by season two and the UV really began to rot the rubber. That said, I now own 2 NPX suits, a 4/3 Assassin and a 5/4 Zealot in the Nylon outer version and these are by far the warmest, most comfortable, stretchy suits that I have ever owned. They seem to use super high quality, new and innovative materials and I have seen no effects from UV at all. There are 2 version of the Zealot, a wind version and surf version. Evidently, the wind (all smooth skin) version of the Zealot is even warmer than the slightly more durable surfer (nylon) version and the integrated hood is a must on the coast. The separate hood, just doesn't cut it. Another stand out quality of these suits is the super stretchy material and the ultra slippery charcoal/bamboo lining, getting in and out of these suits is so easy. Oh yea, and the built in aqua vents work! No more fat ankles.

Lots of great choices out there, but if you are thinking of going with an NPX, I am sure you will be SUPER STOKED!!!

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

Billabong Solution Gold 5/4 hooded, chest zip gets my vote. Basically with a coldwater wetsuit it's worth spending the extra cash for something with fully welded seams and quality materials.

mlwahler · Since 28 Dec 2007 174 Posts Stoked

Any more reviews onthe hooded zealot and what temps your comfortable in in it

saleeba · Since 05 Mar 2006 238 Posts Masshole Stoked

Infinity drylock 5/4 is a nice suit. keeps me warm back here in massachusetts all winter long...

uride2 · Since 18 Aug 2010 31 Posts

I love the Neil Pryde Wind suits and see the NPX has them too. I have an O'neill suit that is super comfy and warm in the water, but in the wind its cold where the water evaporates. I highly recommend a smooth skin, or wind suit over cloth if its cold.

What are you all wearing on your feet and hands when the air and water are in the upper 30's? So far the DaKine wetsuit mittens have been the best for my really cold hands, but wish they were just a bit thicker.

Booties, do you were them over or under the wetsuit if the suit has Aquavents?

uride2 · Since 18 Aug 2010 31 Posts

Hey, I ended up with the the Hooded NPX Zealot, 6-5-4 wind suit.
Love the fit, the material is very comfortable to move around in, the the aquavents in the legs work well, smooth skin is WAY warmer compared to cloth (the arms are cloth and cools with evaporation), over all great suit.

If I have one thing to complain about: seems like I am getting excessive water down the front of the suit, between the neck closure and the hood, the closure does not make the neck line tight enough.

So does a front zipper suit prevent this?

http://www.npxwetsuits.com/index.php?option=com_npxproducts&view=detail&id=107&Itemid=85

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I use an Excel 5/4/3 year round. This winter I bought a hood with a rash guard that worked really well. Granted I didn't get out much this winter but that worked for me. The hood made all the difference and I don't need a new suit for the rest of the year.

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed May 18, 11 7:43 pm

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

I have the mutant as well. Best wetsuit I ever owned. Super stretchy and even keeps me warm in the middle of winter.