...mmm I have been wearing a Quantana Roo 3mm wet suit for the last 15 years to swim long distance in Lake Michigan all winter long . It keeps me warm in the 32 degree water even when its -10 degrees below zero ! For booties I recommend Acona 5mm they keep my feet toasty warm - My 7/5 Henderson hood can't be beat ... some times I have to pull back the face seal to let cold water in because its so warm ! As for gloves ... I have yet to find a brand that will help keep my hands warm after the first 1/2 mile into the swim - my fingers always get cold . * Be sure to drink a lot of water before you go surfing - it actually helps to keep you feeling warmer !
Thanks for the review. I’m gonna try one of these out. I’ve been super disappointed in the durability of my latest big brand wetsuit and I’m stoked to support a local entrepreneur.
😂 any chance you might make a thicker one? Just wanted to know because family lives in Argentina and the water is frigid for kite surfing/windsurfing. If you are sick if not I’ll just go with the booties and a 4/3
@@matiasespina1490 like 5/3 or what? That’s the first request i’ve gotten for a thicker one… most people are asking for different sizes. If there’s enough demand, then yes! It’s going to be a few months until our next batch is ready though
Would be cool to get an update or post mortem a year from now to see how it holds up. To me how long the seams last is key (especially this time of year in the NE). The chest vs back zip ease of entry really varies by brand and model. I have a rip curl 4/3 back zip that is a huge ordeal to put on, though most of my others have been easy. If you are shopping for boots, I got the heat fitted ones from solite and the fit and feel is a significant upgrade. Really enjoying your channel! Thanks!
@@HoStevie No I'm saying it's weird for the official Ho Stevie account to be saying "my wetsuit has held up great!" Ya of course you would say that, you're the one selling them...
Nice review. However, it's obvious many folks don't understand the principle behind a "wetsuit". A wetsuit is named so because it is designed to "trap" a layer of water to help keep you insulated. If it fits properly it allows an intial layer of water to enter, and then stay trapped between your skin and the suit. If the suit is too large that initial layer of water won't stay trapped, allowing cooler water to flow in and reduce the suits effectiveness. If too tight it will not let that initial layer of water enter, also reducing its' effectiveness. A "drysuit" is designed to not allow any water to enter. And that's why it is properly called a "drysuit". Having said that, I've been a subscriber to your channel for some time and love you videos. Keep up the good work.
Yes I've worn both wetsuits and drysuits. I've never had a wetsuit that stays completely dry, but if the waves aren't big and its a mellow session, there is a good chance water will only get in around the legs and arms and your chest will stay dry. The water that comes in is warmed by your body heat. This wetsuit does a great job. Glad your enjoying the content and thanks for commenting!
This has all the same features my Vissla 4/3 7 Seas wetsuit has. I have a set of Ho Stevie fins and this makes me want to check out their wetsuits. Thanks for the review.
Great review! I was interested because the price is nice. But I was sad to find out there isn’t a women’s version. Hopefully he’ll come out with one soon.
I was totally for the back zip system. Then I decided to try with chest zip. The suit lasted less than shi7. Repeated entries through the chest resulted in the left shoulder almost dissappearing due to the stretching, as well as a hole developing in the left armpit zone. Then I decided to give a try to a back zip suit with a velcro protector that avoids the tearing. I'm still into back zips and highly doubt I'll ever go back to a chest zip. It's not about the water, it's about durability.
the entry point has nothing to do with either of those spots on the wetsuit that wore out. I have had many chest zips that lasted multiple years as long as I took care of it and it was of decent quality. I have had back zips that were OK warmth wise (water flushes through them easily IME) but once that zipper goes- it's done, and trust me all zippers fail over time and on the back zip they are a much bigger liability if you are talking about overall durability.
Hey, great shaping videos. I’m wondering where you get your blanks from or where you’d recommend ordering from. My friend and I are starting a school project to make a board that we can ride.
I’m in oside and have been using my 3/2 haven’t felt it’s been cold enough for the 4/3. I start getting cold after about 2 hours. If I use thr 4/3 I tend to overheat so I’m kinda stuck in the middle haha
I don’t own one so I can’t speak from experience. I’ve mostly used Rip curl in the past and love them but this Ho Stevie suit is a great cheaper alternative
4/3 is gonna be HOT in SoCal summer! Some guys just wear boardshorts for the warmer days of summer... I can usually only do 30 minutes in boardshorts before getting too cold. 4/3 for winter and 3/2 for summer is pretty standard in SoCal.
@@32srt32 I don't even remember... maybe November? 3/2 is still good here in San Diego, though the water temp dropped a lot the last few days. Basically all you need for this area is a 3/2 and a 4/3. When you get too cold in your 3/2, it's time to switch to the 4/3. (And I like booties for the coldest winter days)
@@HoStevie very likely but I try to avoid Chinese products as much as possible. Some things it’s near impossible. Out of all the imported products Chinese are often the worst. It would be awesome if we could promote US made products even if it cost more.
I don't know of any wetsuit brands manufacturing in the US. I've got 18 Rip Curl suits and they are also made over seas in Thailand. But I'm not here to debate overseas manufacturing, but rather to compare quality of wetsuits. And the Ho Stevie suit has the same level of quality as Rip Curl or any other brand.
@@garretdouglas4056 Wetsuits don’t last as long as they could period. Even the high end ones aren’t made to hold up forever. They never were unfortunately. Would them being made in the US help the case? There’s a good chance that with a very well designed suit that yes it would. However it would be costly, and unless the suit is very well designed I believe the difference in longevity and quality in feel will be negligible.
Dammit.....I'm all about supporting, small Mom and Pop, Organic Style Business, but damn?!? Ho Stevie?!? I quit watching that individual when he murdered, trying to glass his own board. Fast forward a couple of years later and he's trying to be a full on hardgoods company?!? I mean, props to him, but damn again.....where do you draw the line in the terms of "Donkey!"?!? I love watching your videos Mr. Bendheim sp, but I can't support Mr. Ho Stevie! PS. All comments whether positive or negative are good publicity, yet again....damn.
