Anyone ride a steamer suit instead of a dry or wet suit?

(jeff_mn) · (jeff_mn) **Join Date: Jul 2009** 03-09-2010, 11:58 AM

Got any reviews on them?

The reviews I've read online are all from divers or surfers who probably spend a lot more time in the water than we do.

Anyone have one? There is an O' Neil suit locally that is cheap and would fit. Anyone ride one or have experience?

Thanks

(stephan) · (stephan) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 03-09-2010, 12:33 PM

The definition of a steamer suit is basically a full length wetsuit (long arms & legs). So I'm not really sure what you are referring to. Tons of people use them, they work great.

(wakemitch) · (wakemitch) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 03-09-2010, 12:57 PM

steamer is basically slang for a full wet suit. the aussies that post on wakeskating.com call them steamers, but ive never heard someone over here call them that

(behindtheboat) · (behindtheboat) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 03-09-2010, 1:27 PM

In my mind there are full wet suits, and then there are top end, high quality full wet suits where you barely get wet other than at the seals, and it is so tight and warm. I could call that a steamer.

Full Wet suit = older ones, cheaper brands, etc

"Steamer" = 3/2 or 4/3 high end newer wet suits

(jeff_mn) · (jeff_mn) **Join Date: Jul 2009** 03-09-2010, 3:05 PM

The suit I'm referring to zips up horizontally like a dry suit and exchanges a lot less water than a normal wet suit. They have seals but breathe water.

(lfrider92) · (lfrider92) **Join Date: Sep 2008** 03-09-2010, 3:28 PM

i almsot bought a wetsuit like 2 years ago for abalone diving. and it was called a semi dry suit. it was neopreme and breathed water, but had seals. im not sure about the zipper though. is that what your talking about?

(shredsickgnar) · (shredsickgnar) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 03-09-2010, 5:49 PM

No idea what you are actually talking about but I use an O'neill Pycho II 4/3 hooded suit. It works well and has good flex and is definitely warmer than my 3/2 O'neill Epic and lets in less water. But once you're in the water for more than a minute it doesn't really matter. I use my Pycho for surfing when I'm in the water for a couple hours. If you're just taking 30 min sets and are only in the water for a couple minutes when you fall. I'd say save your extra $200 and just get one of the cheaper 3/2s or 4/3s if you're really cold.