Oneill Wetsuits/Drysuits

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Anyone wear Oneal wetsuits or drysuits?

I am looking to get a new cold weather suit and would love to hear what people think of them.

Thanks,
Jim

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Jeff has their Boost drysuit, and it appears to work just fine... Don't know about their wetsuits though.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

i had an oneil 5-4-3 FLX and i didn't care for it one bit. Bought it for a cold water suite, but it was waaayyyyy to restrictive. Very difficult to get in and out of, and it was a back zip suit. my ripcurl 6,5,4 zipperless is easier to get in and out of than the oneil wetsuit.

just my $0.02

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

I have the O'Neil HEAT. Very Happy

It's a 4-3 and super warm...I wore it at the coast all summer.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

alien · Since 01 Aug 2006 114 Posts Portland Stoked

I've got a 4/3 Oneal Heat that I've been very happy with, especially considering the pricepoint. Warm, comfortable, flexible.

colby · Since 23 Apr 2005 613 Posts Celebrity Photographer

you could also solve this by adding a sleeveless neoprene hoody over the top on super cold days...it keeps your core warm and then your 4/3 can still be used throughout the year in warmer conditions without it...2 cents.

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

I have an O'Neil 3/2 wetsuit. It's definitely made to last, the stitching is very thick especially along the seams running up the hips to your armpits. But there is a downside. When wearing a harness, the harness is usually on so tight that it pushes the inside stitching against my waist and it will actually leave a bruise about 1/4" thick and 4-5" long on both sides of my body for over a week. It doesn't hurt but you will notice it. On the upside, my O'Neil suit was about $50 cheaper than the equivalent Billabong suit.

You will also note that O'Neil wetsuit sizes tend to run about 1/2 size larger than Billabong wetsuits.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Got a Oneill Psycho2 4/3 sealed seam, very nice and warm though it gets a bit cold standing in the wind after a sesh since it doesn't have the wind skin. The neck can be tough to keep tightly sealed with big wipeouts, when its real cold I wear it with the hood and that keeps the water out.

I ordered an Ocean Rodeo drysuit last week, I could have gotten a deal on the Oneill but looking at their website it looked like maybe they weren't going to continue the line. The OR Pyro Pro has some nice features like breathable fabric patches and a front zipper so I went with that.

Yardsale · Since 29 Mar 2005 387 Posts Portlanastan Obsessed

For me the best Oneil would be the Mutant 5/3. I destroy wetsuits due to alot of use and my oafish disregard (and bricklayer flexibility) for care when taking them off. Mutant has proven to be durable, great flexibility(no restriction), easy to get on with no zipper, and warm. It has a zip on hood as well which is a great feature. I think there are warmer suits for extreme cold but for all around cold water Mutant is great. All the people I know that wear them love them, haven't heard any negatives yet. Retail price is in the $320 range. I've also used Excel suits that I like and they are well made as well. Jim you'd probably be a Lg Tall in Oneil. Hope that helps, Steve Very Happy

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Mutant 5/4/3 - nice and toasty - interchangeable hood/ cuff. Super stretchy. Not enough 'wind skin'. Zipper broke w/ 4th use. Otherwise v. nice. - C

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

A similar question. I was looking at the sizing, and I am not sure if Oneill makes the boost in a tall. Anyone out there know? If they don't it makes my wetsuit/drysuit decision a bit easier Smile

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

i wear the oneill psycho two for surfing and kiting the ocean. surfing is purely fall and winter for me and i've stayed warm w/ the 4/3. it takes a beating from my ass-dragging the beach w/ i make it in from the waves to rest a minute - the thing is tough. no cold water dumps either. totally recommend.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

i've been rockin a rip curl 5/4 myself, it gets a little warm on warmer sunny days and its a little bit of a pain to get in and out of but it has great mobility, i got mine from a cleanline surfshop in seaside for a price that can't be beat.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Go with the Mutant! I have had a lot of suits over the years. This one is the most useful. Most of the times, I don't use the hood. I do add a 1mm wind shirt over the suit to add a little strength and warmth. I know it sounds strange to wear something over a wetsuit, but PacWave Ben turned me onto the concept. It works great. So for the price of the Mutant and the wind shirt there are a lot more options than a more expensive, less versatile suit only.

shredjim · Since 07 Jun 2006 188 Posts Stoked

I would try several different mfg suits on at different stores. I find that wet suits fit people differently based on their body type. Rip Curl has always worked best for me. My latest 4/3 is easy to take on and off and is really warm. Oneill wetsuits I always found were not comfortable - too straight in the arms and legs. Rip Curl suits conform to body muscles better, just my .02 I have several friends who really like their ION suits, but I've never tried one.