Manera Magma Hooded 5.4.3mm Wetsuit - Post Session Review

This is Pat with MACkiteboarding.com here to talk about the Manera Magma 5.4.3 wetsuit. I'm going to review the warmth of the wetsuit, the fit, the conditions I was out in, and my first impressions of it.

FIT

I'd say the fit of this wetsuit does run a bit on the small side. I'm about 190lbs and 6'3"; I wore the XL and it was a perfect fit for me. Typically I'm an LT or even an MT depending of the brand of wetsuit, so it can vary quite a bit, but the XL definitely was the right fit for me on this one.

WARMTH

It was about 34 degrees F outside with water temps in the mid-upper 30s. There was some ice on the beach and some ice chunks floating in the water. I was out kiting for about an hour and a half and stayed perfectly warm, though it wasn't crazy windy by any means, about 20-22 knots. The suit kept me super warm for the whole hour and a half and I didn't need to come in to dump hot water in my wetsuit like I've been doing with my older suits that have seen better days, so it was nice to get into a brand new suit and have that nice warmth.

FEATURES

The Magma has a lot of fleece lining all the way down from the chest to the feet. The arms don't have it, but you don't really need it there, and the extra flexibility you gain without it is well worth it. All the internal seams are taped in this suit, while the outside is blind-stitched. It's not a full welded suit, but I find that the blind-stitched suits tend to last longer. The welded suits do have a bit less seepage initially, but the welds tend to break down over time and let more water through, while the stitching and tape seem to hold the seams together for a better lifespan.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: This suit fits really nicely and is super comfy on the skin. I didn't notice the seams the way I have on others where it can pull.

Cons: My only con is the hood itself. The opening, rather than running under your chin, runs just under the lower lip, and every so often during my session that would ride up and almost cover my mouth. But that was my only complaint with this suit.

WHO IS THIS SUIT FOR?

Anybody who's looking to get out there and push those cold water temperatures would appreciate this suit. Like I mentioned, there was ice on the beach and ice floating in the water, and this kept me nice and warm. They do make a 6.4 version of this suit as well, so if you're really looking to push those cold water temps or you just want some extra warmth, that is an option, though you will lose some flexibility with a thicker suit.

If you're looking to push those cold water temps, this would be a great suit to get you out there. This is a special order item, so if you'd like one or have any questions, give us a call and we'll help you out.

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