North Coast Wetsuits Used wetsuit buyers guide.
Intro.
Wetsuits for surfing aren’t essential items. None of us ‘need’ to go surfing. It’s very much a recreational pastime that we do for fun. There are certainly health benefits, which are publicised widely. Any physical activity can be a positive thing, especially where well being is concerned. But with the cost of living such as it is these days affording to surf can be tricky. There’s also the impact of surfing on the planet.
Regular readers and followers of NCW’s blog will have seen our numerous posts about our ability to repair and fix wetsuits; upcycle and reuse wetsuits that really can’t be saved; our great line of used and preloved wetsuits; how we provided premium new wetsuits but at cheap prices; what we’re trying to do to help the planet and generally how we’re trying to help our customers get in the water alongside ease the strain on the environment.
Recently we shared an article about NCW’s used wetsuits waiting list which you can get yourself on by contacting us here. This is great for those looking to alleviate the cost of surfing wetsuits even further. And this post talks about how we’re able to salvage your wetsuit zippers more often than not. If you’re looking to find out more about our premium NCW branded wetsuits that are available for much cheaper prices than some brands here’s where you need to navigate to. And a list of our green objectives can be read here.
Wetsuit repairs & alterations.
Before you consider buying a wetsuit - new or usedwe’d urge you to consider speaking with NCW about our wetsuit repair service. This may be an even better route to keeping you in the water.
NCW offers a bespoke wetsuit repair and alteration service. We work with surf wetsuits, dive wetsuits, triathlon and open water wetsuits. In fact anything neoprene.
Wetsuit repairs, alterations and repurposing is a big thing for us at NCW. You may already know this. If not, and you’re thinking about chucking your old/used wetsuit away then we’d suggest getting in touch with us first. We may be able to save your suit, thereby saving you some money and stopping the wetsuit from ending up in a landfill necessarily.
The skills for repairing wetsuits.
Not everyone has the skills and/or tools to do this.
NCW’s head honcho Mark gives some more info about the wetsuit repair service.
The pictured trialthlon wetsuits needed lots of work. It was pretty much scrap value as far as the owner was concerned. This type of neoprene can be tricky to work with and hard to source the patches and panels. But NCW have a reliable supply and our inhouse seamstress, Becci, has honed her skills to the level she’s able to undertake repairs and alterations like this.
The suit in question, a Zone 3 Aspire, was heading for landfill (or being cut up for patches for other repairs).
Now having had the full treatment it’s good to go once again with plenty of life left in it. In terms of value, this suit has gone from being worth around £15 for scrap to being ready to use again and worth at least £100 as a used wetsuit. Repair costs would have been around £65 so again well worth doing from a financial point of view but also this helps protect the environment. Something which NCW is committed to.
The cost of surfing (and watersports).
Surfing isn't a cheap sport. There are ways to get things done cheaper - such as buying a used wetsuit from NCW already mentioned. You could also source a secondhand surfboard to further help. As a homegrown, UK and Cornwall based surf shop NCW does everything it can to help customers get wet.
It's the same with other watersports too. We'll always try our best to make things affordable and offset the cost of living that all of us are bearing the brunt of. North Coast Wetsuits aims to increase your watery fun for a fraction of the cost.
Helping the planet.
If you read our list of green objectives you'll see how committed we are to offsetting surfing's carbon footprint. Everyone these days is well aware that surfing isn't the green activity it was once perceived to be. So any way we can help we'll commit to.
Reusing wetsuits - either as a pre-loved garment or recycling/upcycling parts - is one method. Check out this recent post as well showing how we cut up old bodyboards and used worn tyres to make ecofriendly planters. We reiterated our aim for sustainability in this article as well.
Used wetsuits vs new.
NCW has a plethora of new wetsuits to choose from. From (quality) third party brand wetuits to own NCW brand wetuits we aim to provide you with as much choice as possible, based on your budget.
But sometimes new gear isn’t an option. In which case, we also have a selection of used and pre-loved wetsuits that may be more cost effective. With our inhouse seamstress, NCW takes in used wetsuits and repairs good as new. In most cases this results in a wetsuit that has plenty of life left. And for anyone looking for new kit, but with limited funds, this is good news.
Whether you’re a hardcore surfer or a fun beach frolicker looking for a wetsuit addition NCW can offer you plenty of choice, in the form of either used or new wetsuits. Get in touch with us to find out current used wetsuits stock. Or head to this page for current new wetsuit stock.
Surfing & watersports’ future must be green.
NCW does a good line in used wetsuits. As much as being wallet friendly this is a way to keep rubber out of landfill and reduce our carbon footprint. We also make it a priority to try and salvage any wetsuit or wetsuit accessories. Being able to repair – often as good as new – reduces the amount of petrochemical rubber waste even further. And if a wetsuit is really on its last legs then we’ll still often find a use for it. In many cases creating completely new products from old.
Moving forwards we all need to do our bit. In the Surfing’s Dirty Secrets documentary the journalist, Claire Marshall, talks to Dr. Greg Borne – an expert who’s been studying surfing’s environmental impact. He suggests a few ways surfers can be greener and reduce their negative effects. It’s good advice that the everyday rider can follow fairly easily.
Industry wide, however, there’s a lot more that needs to be done. From NCW’s point of view we want to continue down the path we’re already on. Of course, we have plenty of new wetsuit products to sell. But we’re equally keen to promote how repaired used wetsuits can be just as good. So our advice: if you’re thinking about chucking your old wetsuit, don’t! Come to us first and see what we can do. Even if it’s a case of part exchanging there’s a way for it to live on…
What wetsuit do I need?
Watersports come in all ‘flavours’. Surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding and so on all have their own nuanced wetsuit requirements. When in the market for a new wetsuit you need to know what type of wetsuit will suit your pastime the best. Then you can make a choice accordingly and get the ‘right tool for the job.’
This article goes into much more depth about choosing the right wetsuit.
How
does NCW’s wetsuit part
exchange service work?
Looking to get hold of a new NCW wetsuit and wondering whether you can part exchange your old suit against the price of a new model? If so, this is for you. NCW do offer part exchange and this article describes is how it works.
Wetsuit zip repairs
– we can often sort!
Wetsuit zip issues can occur frequently. When they do, it’s highly annoying we appreciate it. Here at NCW we’re are highly skilled and motivated to help keep your existing wetsuits alive. You’ve already heard about how we can repair the actual wetsuit itself if there’re issues. In most cases, a wetsuit is salvageable. And if not, then we can usually upcycle and recycle it.
.
If you have any wetsuit zip issues, or broken zips on board bags get in touch with us as chances are we may be able to sort you out and fix them.
Ultimately, if you’re in the market for a new wetsuit and can’t afford new then get in touch as we may be able to repair your old suit. If this still isn’t an option then a pre-loved, used wetsuit that we’ve made fit for sale and purpose could be your next port of call.
As always, give us a shout at NCW HQ to discuss your wants and needs.
Cheap wetsuit prices but not cheap quality.
Cheap wetsuit prices don’t always mean cheap quality. NCW wetsuits use premium manufacturing materials and techniques – including Yamamoto neoprene in our top end suits – to produce some great wetsuits and accessories. And in this day and age, with finances being hit hard, this is good news for the consumer.
Furthermore, when searching for cheap wetsuit prices you do have to be careful as cheap can often mean cheap quality. This type of product simply won’t be up to the task. In many cases there’ll be no longevity and at worse cheap wetsuits can be a hazard as they won’t protect the wearer.
From an environmental perspective, cheap wetsuits (keeping in mind their lack of longevity) will end up in the bin quickly. From there it’s off to landfill sites where the rubber will sit for years.
We do appreciate that even when priced keenly brand new wetsuits still aren’t what some can afford. Over the last few years we’ve pushed the fact we deal with used and pre-loved wetsuits. After we’ve finished sprucing a suit up second hand can be a more wallet friendly way of getting a new wetty.
As such when looking for cheap wetsuits we can service your needs without seeking you a dud. NCW will always do its best to make sure you end up with as much bang for buck as possible.
Summing up.
Wetsuits new and used are both available from NCW. If you’re in the water often wetsuits often take a hammering when being used often. We appreciate that some ocean fans will try and make their wetuit last and last. Especially if budget constraints are in the mix. But NCW is here to help.
NCW has a plethora of new wetsuits to choose from. From (quality) third party brand wetuits to own NCW brand wetuits we aim to provide you with as much choice as possible, based on your budget.
Whether you’re a hardcore surfer or a fun beach frolicker looking for a wetsuit addition NCW can offer you plenty of choice, in the form of either used or new wetsuits. Get in touch with us to find out current used wetsuits stock. Or head to this page for current new wetsuit stock.
