KatieJ

I ended up getting a good deal on an O’Neil Heat 4/3 full wetsuit with back zip from wetsuitwarehouse.com. It arrived and seems pretty nice, so I hope he likes it! Thank you all for the feedback it was helpful!

@jmoski or anyone else- does anyone have a suit with the horizontal front chest zip? They look hard to get into and I am wondering if it feels restricting at all in that location? I think the benefit is they can make the zipper more waterproof. Just curious what the benefits are of a front zip. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for all your comments! I will definitely check out the Camaro, but leaning towards a warmer suit so will look at O’Neil and I didn’t know about Xcel, RipCurl or Stokes either, so thanks! @TallSkinnyGuy I do want to get the right fit and my husband is tall and thin so want to go with one of the models that offer tall suits. Also, I am definitely going to try to find Neoprene gloves!

I am looking for recommendations for a full wetsuit for my husband. I am not that familiar with what’s available so looking for advice on what people use and like. I have a Blue Seventy Triathlon wetsuit that I have been using to ski since I already had it, and it’s surprisingly working great for waterski and is super warm. I am not sure if I should get him a Tri suit like I have or go with a more waterski specific like an O’Neil. I also saw a post on a Camero brand wetsuit that people seemed to like. This is for spring and fall skiing in CT, so looking for something warm. Any advice is appreciated!

Hi Everyone, thanks again for the advice. I found a shop that allowed me to demo a ski before buying and I am the proud new owner of a 2017 Radar Lyric with double boots. And it's awesome! Only a few runs so far on it but already feeling more confident and comfortable at a bit higher speed. I ended up with a 63" vs 65" and it seems to be fine so far. Thanks for the help, I am having a blast and finally have a ski that fits me and one I can progress with!

Thanks for the comments everyone! Looks like the Lyric has the most votes! I am going to see if I can find a good deal on a 2016 Lyric and if not, there is a good deal on an HO CX on ski it again. I will let you know how I make out! Oh, anyone know what the HO Couture is comparable to? There is a good deal on an older one of those as well. Thanks!

Hi Everyone, I just joined ballofspray! I have been skiing for a while, but my husband and I just bought a Mastercraft ProStar and I decided I needed to actually buy a real ski to go with it. I have been skiing whatever mostly fits that's in the ski shed, which happens to be a really old O'Brien competition slalom ski, like 25+ years old I am sure. I am sure it was great back in the day, but skis have changed a lot since then. I have pretty much plateaued and need something to help me improve and get some more confidence to ski harder. I ski open water, about 26mph. I don't turn that hard (but I want to!) and don't really link my turns very well. Sometimes it takes a couple of times before I get up and crashing isn't uncommon! I am told I need to ski faster, like 28mph and I need to learn how to cut through the wake better. I want to improve and maybe try the course someday thought I am pretty far from that! I would still like a ski I can improve with. I have tired an inexpensive beginner slalom ski but wasn't a fan. I am not all that familiar with the latest and greatest, but whatever I can get I am sure will be an improvement. I don't want to spend more than $500 and am hoping to bet a deal on ski it again or somewhere online. So far, I am looking at HO TX, HO CX and looks like the Radar Lyric is popular, but I can't find a good deal on that ski. My husband is a proficient slalom skier and working on improving in the course and loves his HO CX. I am 5'1" about 120lbs, so I am thinking a 65" would be good. Any recommendations would be appreciated!! Thanks!

How does your wife like the HO TX? This is one of my top contenders. Looking at HO CX, TX and Lyric as well as what I can get a good deal on! Sounds like I may be at a similar level as her.