I want to replace my 8 years old Rip Curl 5/3 wetsuit. I tried different wetsuits and the O'Neill Epic fits me the best, now I have got to decide what thickness to buy. I cannot make up my mind if a 4/3 or 5/4 will be the best to use all year around in the Vancouver/Area and Squamish (mostly Squamish season). All I hear and read about those wetsuits is the current material is warmer and more flexible than it used to be.
I don't spend much time in the water and I am comfortable wearing the old 5/3 + 3mm booties all the time. I don't get cold easily, but I don't want to underestimate Squamish's water in case of emergency.
Could any of you advice me on this? 4/3 or 5/4? too cold? too warm?
I wear the Oneill pychofreak 4/3 all year round. In the coldest months I find an impact vest adds a little warmth (or a polar fleece type t shirt underneath would work too). Oneill uses some improved neoprene material where their 4 mm is as warm as a 4.5 mm older wetsuit.
Incidentally, Oneill himself died a couple of days ago at 94.. a grizzled, bearded, lifelong California surfer who wore an eyepatch and was quite a legend. He didn't invent the wetsuit but I believe that he was the first to use neoprene.
CG
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Yep. a current 4/3 would be about the same as an 8 yr old 5/4 probably better since it will be more elastic and fit better. You definitely get what you pay for. The higher end of everyone's product line offer wetsuits that you barely know are on you.