Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a new winter wetsuit and i don’t know which brand to go for? Its my first wetsuit and i dont have a shop near me. I have been looking at this website http://www.freakfish.co.uk/wetsuits.html ; they seem to have all the surfy brands which brand would you recommend

Winter Wetsuit Guide 2011

It's pretty hard for anyone to say 'you should buy this brand' etc, because no surfer gets to surf in loads of different suits.  best this to do is go to a surf shop and try and load on, jump around, do squats etc.  Personally I've gone for Rip Curl in my last 2 Winter suits - at around the £300 mark they're not the most expensive but i know they're really flexible and warm.  I have a couple of friends who swear by snugg wetsuits. 

lets us know what you get and why :)

It's horses for courses really. Kinda get what you pay for, don't go too cheap though and definately try a few on as sizes differ from brand to brand. I've had most brands but have had O'Neill for the last 5 years and they are pretty good. Technology has moved on a lot with wetsuits these days.

have a flick through the guide online http://www.wavelengthmag.co.uk/guides/winterwetsuitguide2011.html

Cheers guys, been looking at these RG8's http://www.freakfish.co.uk/wetsuits/oneill-wetsuits-surf-gear/oneill-psycho-rg8-wetsuit.html any thoughts?

That bad boy should keep you toastie, 5/3 mm I pressume. Just get some decent boots/gloves and maybe a hood. It's not that cold yet, but give it a couple on months and I'l be freezin' my daddy batteries off...

I may go for a 4mm in this wetsuit. That way i can wear all year round

a 5/3 would be pretty sweat but a 4mm wouldn't be good enough come mid January in my opinion.  

Plus it'd feel too stiff in the middle of summer.  I know its a ball breaker to have to buy more equipment but using 1 suit all year round is a false economy.  Your wintersuit will cost more than a summer suit, so should be used less and looked after - Once it gets cold you don't want a trashed suit that leaks, fine for a summer suit but winter suits need to be on top of their game.  In my humble opinion 

Jamals right it'll be 'king freezing soon but also they'll be some good waves worth staying in the water for :) )