View Full Version : New barefoot suit
My old suit is about 15 years old and in need of replacing. I would appreciate any help of suggestions on a new suit. I have looked at the Barefoot International and the Eagle suits on the INTERNET, but would like the opinion of a recent owner. thanks
03 35th Anniversary
04-24-2011, 04:57 PM
I have owned both of those suits plus iron and vortex.
Personally I like the Vortex out of all of them the best.
What made you prefer the vortex? They have some good prices.
LakeWorth
04-24-2011, 05:04 PM
I bought a new Barefoot International suit last September. I have only used it 6 times so far but I am very happy with it. It has lots of padding where it needs to be and it is appears to be constructed very strong. I would recommend it.
03 35th Anniversary
04-24-2011, 05:24 PM
What made you prefer the vortex? They have some good prices.
It is fitted really well and I feel like I have a lot better flexibility than with the other bands.
As far as price I couldn't tell you the differences in any of them.
smoketu
04-24-2011, 06:42 PM
I pulled the trigger and bought the whole get-up. It was the eagle suit with heater shirt and padded shorts and I love it. I 've been using it since early this year, not familiar with the b.i. stuff.
All the suits are about $300. My Oneil lasted a little over 15 years, but as I get older, it seams to have shrunk. Or maybe I am getting a little larger. They all seem to be nice, well made suits, although some of the graphics are a bit beyond my taste. I wish I had a local dealer I could look at them up close. I appreciate ya'lls help on this.
Jerseydave
04-24-2011, 09:19 PM
Any of the new suits USCG approved? I have an old CASAD that is USCG, just in case I get stopped by the water cops.
Good question Dave. the Marine police around here are tough. I think some of them wake up in the morning looking to hassle, and that would give one of them a reason to write a ticket. I will look in to that. Thanks Dave
Barefooter92
04-24-2011, 10:26 PM
Any of the new suits USCG approved? I have an old CASAD that is USCG, just in case I get stopped by the water cops.
This CASAD suit wouldn't happend to be Yellow, Cyan, Purple, and Orange would it? I owned one of those back in the day for the reason of USCG too. Love to see pictures of that old thing talk about flash backs!:D
No Skeez
04-24-2011, 11:36 PM
If the water cops are hassling you for wearing a non-approved barefoot suit, are they also ticketing every wakeboarder with a non-approved 'competition' style vest? I've never had an issue when wearing my barefoot suit, but in Wisconsin, skiers aren't by law required to have any flotation on. There just has to be an approved vest in the boat for them.
As to the suits, it really depends on what you are looking to do. I love my Barefoot International Iron suit for deepwater starts and tumble turns, but I prefer my Vortex Helix when it comes to flexibility. I won't touch Eagle because I disagree with the ownership of the company, but that's a whole different story. Keith St. Onge just came out with his own line of suits now too, which may be worth looking into. As Vortex is now out of business, I would guess you could find some pretty good deals on their stuff, provided you can find the right size. From a quick search, looks like the guys at Action Watersports in Michigan took over the remaining inventory. Good guys to work with.
Regardless of which brand you pick, if you're going to be doing deepwater starts or tumble turns, make sure to invest in a pair of padded shorts. They're worth it. As to sizing questions, if you are leaning towards a Barefoot International Iron suit, call the 800 number and ask for Mike (Seipel). He'll ask for your height and weight, and if you don't fit in the size he recommends, I'm sure he'll make it right.
Best of luck in your search!
03 35th Anniversary
04-25-2011, 05:03 AM
If the water cops are hassling you for wearing a non-approved barefoot suit, are they also ticketing every wakeboarder with a non-approved 'competition' style vest? I've never had an issue when wearing my barefoot suit, but in Wisconsin, skiers aren't by law required to have any flotation on. There just has to be an approved vest in the boat for them.
As to the suits, it really depends on what you are looking to do. I love my Barefoot International Iron suit for deepwater starts and tumble turns, but I prefer my Vortex Helix when it comes to flexibility. I won't touch Eagle because I disagree with the ownership of the company, but that's a whole different story. Keith St. Onge just came out with his own line of suits now too, which may be worth looking into. As Vortex is now out of business, I would guess you could find some pretty good deals on their stuff, provided you can find the right size. From a quick search, looks like the guys at Action Watersports in Michigan took over the remaining inventory. Good guys to work with.
Regardless of which brand you pick, if you're going to be doing deepwater starts or tumble turns, make sure to invest in a pair of padded shorts. They're worth it. As to sizing questions, if you are leaning towards a Barefoot International Iron suit, call the 800 number and ask for Mike (Seipel). He'll ask for your height and weight, and if you don't fit in the size he recommends, I'm sure he'll make it right.
Best of luck in your search!
That dude is an A$$Hole isn't he?
I didn't know Vortex went under!! When did they sink?
I also use the Helix V2, best suit I have ever had.
I love my Eagle suits! Good fit and made of iron!
JLeuck64
04-25-2011, 11:20 AM
Owned a Casad as well, for the same reasons as stated. Thin butt padding though and really liked the suit once I added a pair of padded shorts. Really recommend those padded shorts for anyone just starting out.
Owned a Vortex also, better flexibility for sure, but was disappointed how it has held up over the years. The padding has separated from the neoprene causing it to bunch up.
Just recently bought an Eagle, when shopping for another I noticed a lot of older Eagle suits still seem to be holding together just fine after many many seasons of use. So I bought one. Probably won't ever buy another one for the same reason as stated above, just a bad experience with customer service is all. But on the positive side if this suit holds up, I probably won't be needing another one!
Charles at Lake Elmo is currently clearing out inventory and is offering free shipping until the end of the month. Bought my Vortex from him for like 90 bucks as a close out item and still have it but don't use it much. Here's the link...
http://www.lakeelmosports.com/home.php?cat=304
He has other suits on close out as well. Tough to find a size that fits sometimes with these close out deals. Don't be tempted to buy one that is a little bigger. I have found that loose fitting suits are crappy for trying to do tumble turns. The suit has to fit snug in order to glide well.
HTH
barefoot
04-25-2011, 11:21 AM
I have a BF Iron suit for about 4 years now and it's holding up pretty well. My suggestion is to buy smaller then you think you need because you want the suit to be tight for deep waters and tumble turns. The last thing you want is your suit filling up with water causing extra drag because it's too big. I'm 5'8'' 155 and wear an XS. It takes a while to break in, but the smaller the better IMO.
I've heard that Eagle uses a pretty revolutionary computer system to size their suits. I'd like to take a look at Eagle for my next suit.
03 35th Anniversary
04-25-2011, 12:01 PM
Owned a Vortex also, better flexibility for sure, but was disappointed how it has held up over the years. The padding has separated from the neoprene causing it to bunch up.
Mine is almost 4 years old and still holding up!
How old was the one you had?
Just wondering if I should be looking for it to fail anytime soon.
jkski
04-25-2011, 01:33 PM
I've got a BI that is about 10 years old now and it has been great but the padding is finally starting to seperate. I also have an Eagle which is about 7 years old and while the pading isn't as thick it has been a very good suit. I recently purchased a new Eagle suit after seeing one that a friend bought and while I have not yet water tested it, I am impressed and anxious to use it.
The biggest thing I think that helps these suits last, is keeping them out of the sun as much as possible. Yeah, it sounds kinda odd (stupid) to say this, afterall, our sport is done in the sun. What I mean is when you are done for the day, try hang it to dry out of the sun and it will last longer.
No Skeez
04-25-2011, 03:20 PM
That dude is an A$$Hole isn't he?
I didn't know Vortex went under!! When did they sink?
I also use the Helix V2, best suit I have ever had.
There is no arguing he has done a lot for the sport, which I am very appreciative of. However, in my own personal opinions and experience, it seems as though it was more about how it could benefit him and not the sport. He has sunk a ton of money into Eagle, and has pretty much completely reinvented the brand. To each their own, but I know where I don't want my money to end up... As to Vortex, I hadn't heard anything either, but looking at their website, when you click on the Products link it shows '08/'09 products. Further, if you click on the About Us link, it's Action Water Sports' information listed. Not sure if it has anything to do with KSO starting his own line? I know he had a falling out with Eagle a few years back, went to Vortex for a few years, and now has his own. Maybe they collaborated?
I have a BF Iron suit for about 4 years now and it's holding up pretty well. My suggestion is to buy smaller then you think you need because you want the suit to be tight for deep waters and tumble turns. The last thing you want is your suit filling up with water causing extra drag because it's too big. I'm 5'8'' 155 and wear an XS. It takes a while to break in, but the smaller the better IMO.
I've heard that Eagle uses a pretty revolutionary computer system to size their suits. I'd like to take a look at Eagle for my next suit.
As Ryan said, fit is everything. Ideally, you shouldn't be able to zip a brand new suit yourself. Reason being is that when it breaks in and stretches out (about 10 to 15%) if it is too big, you'll drag miserably on tumbles and deeps. Again padded shorts help a ton with this.
03 35th Anniversary
04-25-2011, 05:58 PM
There is no arguing he has done a lot for the sport, which I am very appreciative of. However, in my own personal opinions and experience, it seems as though it was more about how it could benefit him and not the sport. He has sunk a ton of money into Eagle, and has pretty much completely reinvented the brand. To each their own, but I know where I don't want my money to end up... As to Vortex, I hadn't heard anything either, but looking at their website, when you click on the Products link it shows '08/'09 products. Further, if you click on the About Us link, it's Action Water Sports' information listed. Not sure if it has anything to do with KSO starting his own line? I know he had a falling out with Eagle a few years back, went to Vortex for a few years, and now has his own. Maybe they collaborated?
You and I are in the same boat on that one! I met him in Texas back in 2000 or 2001. His arrogant attitude,personality and view of everyone there owing something to him cause of the name he had started making for himself was enough to turn me off that day!
Rockman told me that his attitude got so bad one day a few years ago that Rockman told him just to get the f^$K out of his boat!
I'm just kinda bummed O'Neil dosen't make one anymore. Mine has lived 15 hard years, with just some minor fixes. I appreciate everyone input, I'm leaning to a Barefoot International, I'm just not into the wild graphics of some of the others. Thanks Guys
atlfootr
04-27-2011, 08:47 PM
Any of the new suits USCG approved?.
I've NEVER been stopped and asked if my suit was USCG ...
AS far as a BF Suit , I recently bought another one and like it ALOT!
I use it every day, YES everyday!
http://www.bare-foot-international.com/images/Sleevless%20Wetsuit.jpghttp://www.bare-foot-international.com/images/Sleevless-back-.jpg
You need to come to south Alabama with the ticket nazis. They are on the warpath, looking for money. We put a new engine in the boat, I was waiting at the dock for my friend to get his fuel pressure gauge. Up comes a city policeman, asks if I have beer in the cooler, no sir just water, I showed him. Whats in the tool box? Tools, he asked if I had reciepts for the hand tools in the box. Thats what we deal with.
areamike
05-06-2011, 04:22 PM
AFAIK: No Barefoot suits are USCG approved.
atlfootr
05-06-2011, 04:24 PM
Interesting news ... where they ever approved in the past?
That's what I thought, thanks sk
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqV,%21iUE2LSDwZe3BNkeB6gGyQ%7E%7E_12.JPGht tp://i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqZ,%21gwE17RNlW5PBNkeB8tUi%21%7E%7E_12.JPG
ski_king
05-06-2011, 04:38 PM
AFAIK: No Barefoot suits are USCG approved.
Casad made on back in the 80's. I think it was considered to be Type V, special use.
remiller
05-07-2011, 11:41 AM
Hung mine up recently ,permantly, As I'm looking for a new one too. Let me know how you make out. Mine was an Oceantec by the way, don't even know if thier still in business. Bought it back in 1988 and put many water miles on it and it served me well ! !
TinaSkiGirl
05-22-2011, 08:53 AM
Interesting news ... where they ever approved in the past?
That's what I thought, thanks sk
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqV,%21iUE2LSDwZe3BNkeB6gGyQ%7E%7E_12.JPGht tp://i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqZ,%21gwE17RNlW5PBNkeB8tUi%21%7E%7E_12.JPG
1985 called and they want their barefoot suit back!!!
cds02
05-22-2011, 05:25 PM
I had an older Casad and got a Vortex Vapor and am really happy with it. Was going to go with a Barefoot International but decided not to, not for any reason special though. Very happy with the vortex and would buy again.
atlfootr
05-30-2011, 09:53 PM
1985 called and they want their barefoot suit back!!!Hey it's RETROFIT, what else can I say?