Isurus Wetsuits?

http://stokereport.com/rant/wetsuit-review-isurus-wetsuits

The link in that thread is apparently dead, perhaps temporarily. Use the stokereport.com search feature in the upper right corner to search for isurus for a few others. https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Astokereport.com+isurus

These suits are awesome, instead of needing a 4/3 and a 5/4 you'll just need one suit for every season. Super light in the water and they don't smell when you pee in them since they don't hold any water. I'm sporting the I-Elite one and it's just as toasty as my Xcel Drylock 5/4 but easier to get in and out of.

Totally worth the 500 bucks.

@bro, how's the durability?

I have owned an isurus 4/3 hooded suit for just over a year and a half now. I generally have used it twice a week over that time. Here is the gist of it:
Uppers:
1 - Warm - it is as warm as any 5/4 I have owned.
2 - Dries Quickly
3 - Soft
4 - Nice wind breaking "skin" material on front

Downers:
1 - durability - if you want it to last you need to do the following:
wash it every time you use it in fresh water and keep your nails neatly trimmed and filed, lest you put a gouge in the neoprene
2 - the chevrons on the forearm will start to tatter after about a year, depending on which arm you stretch out more when pulling off the suit.

I would recommend this suit only on the condition that the person buying it take good care of it. If you are the type to wad up your suit and throw it in the corner when you are done using it for the day, then you should get something less expensive.

Additionally, I will soon be looking to replace it. It is still warm, but I have a few toenail gouges in the legs from puling it off, and it is starting to lose its insulating capacity. That said, every time I paddle out with friends, they always end up getting cold as much as an hour to two hours sooner than I do, so even though my suit is starting to show wear it is still better insulating than similar wetsuits of the same age and thickness by different manufacturers by far.

I was considering for my next wetsuit getting the flashbomb, but I do really like the isurus, so I may spring for the $500+ again anyway, since it has treated me so well.

Hope that helps.

I've had mine for almost a year. I was thinking about doing a durability review with some pictures if anyone would find that useful.

I have the 4-3-4 I-Evade and love it.

Short story on durability, it's in GREAT shape after a year 2-4 times a week. The G-Bomb it replaced was more hole than wetsuit after the same amount of time.

@Tracey. I'd love to see the durability pics. I am shopping for my next suit. Was thinking Patagonia but these looks very compelling.
My current Excel X-Zip was fantastic for about six months. Then it started breaking down. Less than a year old and it's almost finished. Granted, that was 4 - 5 sessions a week. But still, not even one year?

I really like mine. Weighs about 2+ lbs soaking wet. My Patagonia r4 weighed 8. It's very athletic and it's really warm. Though you could just sit there in the Patagonia and you have to move more to keep warm in the Isarus. It retains heat really well but you have to generate the heat. This isn't much of a problem at OB. I was at steamer lane yesterday morning and it was cold on the shore in a down jacket. People in the lineup were cussing they were so cold. I never felt cold once. Mine is a 4/3 and I surf all winter and often have 3+ hour sessions. Definitely getting another when this wears out.

They're the shit. If you have the coin, drop it.

I'd definitely be interested in the durability review too. From what people are saying, if you take good care of it it should last for more than twice as long as a comparable Excel suit (and therefore pay for itself). I've heard Rip Curls last longer than Excels, anyone know empirically if that's true?

In my experience, my low end Xcel lasted twice as long as my RipCurl G-Bomb. It was in tatters after less than a year. Either their women's line is garbage or they had a bad day when they made mine, either way there are other companies (Xcel, Patagonia, Isurus) that will get my dollar first.

I realize that's only anecdotally, but I haven't seen any lab test results floating around the internets to point you to ;)

Don't buy Patagonias warmth claims. The R3 will not get you thru winter here. Despite the claimed sub 50 degree rating

its a $1000 wetsuit for $500. where the brand name suits are $100 suits sold for $500. most high end suits will last about 2 years. if you surf regularly. if you want a hyped up overpriced suit get a g-bomb or whatever. otherwise get an isurus. that same material is sold in japanese suits at 1200 to 1500 bucks. think about it. how much $$$ do rip curl and oneill need to make to pay all that marketing and overhead????

I wear the R3 all year long here, switching hooded and non hooded. I find it plenty warm, with their R4 actually too warm. Patagonia will eventually bring out their suit without the wool in the arms and lower legThe issue of that smoothie in the high end suits like Isurus and other suits with lots of smoothie material is the reason Patagonia no longer uses smoothie, as it breaks down, cracks and easily will be sliced with fingernails, etc. I have never used the Isurus suit, but it seems as if it is a great cold water suit, but the long range durability might not be that great. I think the best suits for up here are Patagonia, Xcel and it sounds like the Isurus suit possibly as well. Rip Curl, O'Neill, etc don't seem to be anywhere close to these suits, from what I hear from friends who have recently used these suits.

Go Niners!

Thanks-

The Beard

Wetsuit Durability Tip I Just Learned After Putting My Foot Through The Calf-Panel:
Newpaper bag.
Slip a newspaper bag on your foot, then your foot into the suit. Puts way less stress on the seams.

P.S. My NinePlus suits are 3/2 and I use them year-round. Durability is a problem, warmth, not at all.
Cost: A lot lower than Isurus or Patagonia. Just sayin'.

If anyone is still reading this thread, I've had 3 Xcel 5.4's and they have lasted about 2 years each, surfing about 4 times per week. The only drawback is the initial challenge of getting them off, but they tend to loosen up after about 2 months. I'm never cold and I'm a wimp with cold water. Department of Goods and other spots have 50% off deals on these suits regularly.

Me thinks one should not pay full price for a wetsuit when you can wait for Labor Day or Memorial Day sales and get a great deal. Last Memorial day I was able to get a $500+ psycho freak for just over $300...... My questions is do these Isurus suits ever go on sale?