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Xcel 5/4 Hooded wetsuit…help…. (5 posts)

  • Profile picture of wbwahine wbwahine said 1 year, 3 months ago:

    Just ordered an Xcel 5/4 hooded wetsuit online…now before I wear it in the water, I need some advice….I can get it on relatively easy, but getting it off is a challenge. Once I get the hood on, it takes all my energy to get it off. I almost suffocated the first time I tried. I’m afraid that once wet and cold and tired from surfing, I will perish trying to remove the hood…not too mention, look like a complete moron jumping about tugging at the hood. Should I return it? Does anyone else have one and can they say it gets easier once it’s broken in? Thanks for any advice!
    wbwahine

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  • Profile picture of Nezumiiro Nezumiiro said 1 year, 2 months ago:

    It WILL indeed break in, znd get more comfortable, less tuggy- but don’t expect a whole lot. Some newer neoprenes are surprisingly resistant to wear and age. ! My current suit is similar, and did indeed take a while to get to that ‘easier to wear’ point. There are body-glide products out there, but AVOID petroleum based like Vaseline, they tend to weaken ( read, ROT) neoprene. They actually come off EASIER when wet, when leaving the water, pull the neckline/face opening just a bit to let a little water ‘break’ the seal.

    I was directed to this guy’s vids (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsHw_TkFEdE) he is somewhat knowledgeable about getting in and out of wetsuits.

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  • Profile picture of wbwahine wbwahine said 1 year, 2 months ago:

    Thanks! It really does come off much easier when wet! Thankfully, I only needed to wear it twice, the water is warming quickly this year, and I’m back in my 3/2….phew!

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  • Profile picture of Jared Michael Jared Michael said 1 year, 1 month ago:

    i use a 654 in the winter….talk about a pain in the as to get on!

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  • Profile picture of wbwahine wbwahine said 1 year ago:

    A 6/5/4….gahhhhh….I’d just as well sit in the car sipping coffee at that temp.! Even when I lived on Cape Cod, the thickest I went was the 5/4/3. But then again, I didn’t surf everyday, I was selective so make sure I didn’t need to duck dive too often!

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