I do n’t have sex if I ’m just weirdly shaped or what , but I ’ve never found a wetsuit that fits perfectly . Sometimes it ’s just a nitpick — as in it ’s just a bit too tight one office , or a little baggy somewhere else — and sometimes I ’m right in between size for a brand and ca n’t wear any of their lawsuit ( I ’m calculate at you , O’Neill ) .
So , when the raw Los Angeles - establish party Carapace announced premium , custom - baseball swing surf wetsuits for the same price as other high - end wetsuits , I had to try one .
This suit of clothes is — by miles — the most comfortable wetsuit I ’ve ever worn .
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What Is It?
It ’s a U.S. based society that makes custom - cut breaker wetsuits and that ’s it . The EXO1 ( the one I try on ) is the company ’s bounty manikin , whereas the EXO2 is its less - expensive “ performance ” crease . Itstarted as a Kickstarter , but now it ’s a full - blow ship’s company .
https://gizmodo.com/this-custom-fitted-wetsuit-is-the-future-of-sports-gear-510266460
Why Does It Matter?
Other companies have done the custom - cut surf wetsuit affair before ( Aleedacomes to mind ) , but they do n’t typically use the just materials . The hooey Carapace habituate is top of the line , and you may really experience the difference in the EXO1 . Plus , they ’ve managed to keep the price tag end in cable with ( or flash than ) a lot of brand name ’ flagship models .
Design
The EXO1 uses Japanese Yamamoto neoprene which is , basically , the rubber equivalent of butter . It ’s an fabulously weak , conciliatory , closed - cadre neoprene that the society claims is 99.7 - percent impenetrable to H2O . It ’s laminated with a blend of nylon and polyurethane to make it silky smooth to the touch . It ’s also alimestone - ground neoprene , which is more environmentally - well-disposed and should last a foresighted clip .
It ’s a chest - zip suit ( as in there ’s a flaps that flip over your head from the back and connects to the thorax venire , which helps flexibility where you postulate it ) and the zippers are made by YKK . All of the furrow are manus - tap for an excellent seal while maintaining flexibility . It has phrase , blast - proof knee for all your duck’s egg - dive penury . It also has a crafty magnetised zipper stop , and there ’s a key sack on the side of the left human knee . Oh yeah , and it meet your body friggin ’ absolutely .
When you create an story onCarapace ’s internet site , you are guided through twelve different measurements . You ’ll demand a flexible tape measure and a friend to help you with this , but there ’s a video for each measurement , so it ’s really hard to screw up . You enter each mensuration as you go , and then they ’re redeem to your profile . Once they ’re all in , you select which style and thickness you want : EXO1 or EXO2 , and in 2/2 , 3/2 , 3/3 , 4/3 , 5/4 , or 5/4 with cowl .
Then you compensate up . Your measurements are passed through a series of algorithms , which are translated into cutting - patterns for the neoprene . Then everything beat stuck together , and you should receive your fancy new courtship within two to three week .
Using It
I get dusty easily , so when I pulled out the 3/2 EXO1 and felt how light-headed it was , I thought there was no way I ’d be able to use it until spring . I underestimated just how warm it is . With the water temperature at 58 degrees on a sunny mean solar day ( here in Los Angeles ) , I was really really warm . On a windy , overcast daytime in Ventura , with the water temporary at 57 degree , I was still very comfortable . It does n’t have a wind - proof thorax or back panel , so when I was sitting around during farsighted lulls and there was a gust I ’d sense it , but as long as I was reasonably dynamic I was plenty lovesome .
I also tried out the 4/3 version of the EXO1 up in the colder water of Santa Cruz , where it was a windy day at 53 degree in the water . I was in reality sweat a small . I ’ve never been that ardent in a 4/3 in Central California . It was really telling .
The gravid wow - factor , though , is the scene . It ’s just about as sodding as it gets . It does n’t feel too tight or too easy anywhere . I had zero problems with chafing in my pits and , best of all , it did n’t block my paddling at all . This is vital , because if your wooing is providing resistance in your weaponry , it ’s like using one of those fitness rubber bands every clock time you take a cam stroke , which will endure you out much faster . This suit really gave me unique exemption of movement .
Like
The tantrum , the conniption , the scene , the tantrum , the paroxysm . I ’ve spend the last eight years wearing high - death suit from Rip Curl , Xcel , and Quiksilver ( and I ’ve tried on a ton of other ace ) , but I ’ve never experience anything that fit anywhere nearly as perfectly as this , and it ’s a real game - changer . Totally unlimited reach of movement and less flushing ( getting water down the back of your neck , or in through your sleeves ) than I ’ve ever experience . I ’m officially sold on the Yamamoto neoprene , as it ’s just so wonderfully promiscuous , pliable , and soft .
The measurement summons is quick , well - explained , and easy to do . The courtship is well seal ( I can pinch off an arm or leg , inflate it , and it wo n’t leak ) , the knees are strong but flexible , and the magnetised cypher - check is a dainty little incentive .
But really : it ’s all about the tantrum .
No Like
The only major trouble is that the point of entry at the neck is right smart too narrow-minded . I have to draw it so tightly to get my articulatio humeri through it that I ’m afraid it ’s move to tear every sentence . I intend , it ’s really stretch to its scoop , which is n’t sound . I have particularly unsubtle shoulders , but that was included in the measurements , so that ’s something that should have been factored - in . Coming in after a foresighted surf , when your arms feel like spaghetti , it ’s a very frustrating struggle to get the wooing down off my shoulder , with several neglect effort before I finally got it . Like I said , it does a bang-up job of preventing flushing , but they ’ve really got to sterilise this .
As I mentioned , I overlook having current of air - proof chest and back panels when it was gusty , but that ’s a minor gripe . Also , it must be said , while the EXO1 is priced similarly or better than other suit that use the same ultra - in high spirits - remnant neoprene ( like theMatuse Scipio , which starts at $ 590 ) , starting at $ 490 for the 3/2 , it definitely ai n’t gaudy , either . Lastly , presently , their algorithm are n’t set up up for women , which is very unfortunate indeed . bring forth ta take care of the lady - surfers ! Carapace say that ’s coming “ shortly . ”
Should You Buy It?
If you ’re o.k. with spending $ 500 for a wetsuit , then the Carapace EXO1 is probably the best blast for your buck . Again , the fit is just unbeatable , and the neoprene is incredibly prosperous . It ’s worth noting that you may elevate it to a 4/3 for just twenty bucks ( or a 5/4 for $ 50 ) which is a really well slew . If you do n’t utterly call for that silky Yamamoto neoprene , though , then check out the EXO2 . It ’s still a gamy - end , limestone - based neoprene ( the same that ’s used in suits likeXcel ’s Drylock , which starts at $ 470 ) , and it has a flexible inner tee shirt for warmth , but it starts at $ 390 for the 3/2 , which is more manageable , and again , you still get that custom - switch off perfect - primed .
essentially , for custom - tailored surf wetsuits of this quality , these are a really solid deal , and once you go custom - cut , it ’ll be very hard to go back . [ Carapace Custom Wetsuits ]
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