Neil Pryde Combat Front Zip 2018 review - Windsurf Paddle Board

Описание: After purchasing a 2016 Edge Wind which was let’s face disappointing and at best a autumn/spring suit I decided to go back to a Combat. I’ve always found the Combat really warm and reasonably wearing, eventually after 3 or 4 years they start to show signs of wear and tear mainly due to finger nails starting to tear the neoprene. This was addressed by using the Armour Skin which really is good just shame the Edge Wind was not a full neoprene suit.

Ordered a new Combat assuming it wouldn’t be too different from my previous combats. Surfladle called me to say it had arrived in October, visited the shop and was very surprised by the suit. The arms were only 3mm thick and in a camouflage pattern. Bearing in mind the experience of the Edge Wind I was apprehensive. The aim was to test the suit in multiple conditions over a period of a few weeks.

First session Standup Paddle Board on a cold still day, ensuring I dived under the water on several occasions. Second was Windsurfing in Storm Caroline to test the wind chill, unfortunately it was not cold enough in my opinion. Third was Windsurfing again in much colder weather, including a 500m drift/bashing after losing my kit out back.

Conclusion:

The camouflage is very subtle, and to be honest has grown on me, quite like it now
Easy to get in and out after practice and instructions from Surfladle, left arm first.
Being a Front Zip the neck seal is a complete seal, not leaking
Front Zip easy to use and water tight
Body and legs very warm due to the biocermic lining
arms shoulder only 3mm which was my concern, you can feel the wind chill, but they are water tight.
armour skin neoprene tear proof as experienced with it on my Edge Wind

Yes you can feel the wind chill on the shoulders and arms to a lesser extent, but it doesn’t make me cold. Softer, flexible and more hard wearing that’s the previous Combats, and even with the 3mm sleeves/shoulders still happy with the new suit.