Bare SGS / Henderson Hyper Million dollar questions.

[DavidHickey]

Ok I know this has been asked countless times but I really have'nt heard much from people that have tried both. And alot of the answers were go with Bare because Hendersons are too much and you can save money. Well I'm getting ready to place an order tomorrow. The bottom line between the money is the Bare SGS 7MM for 239.00 and the Henderson Hyperstretch 7MM 279.00 So the money really is not an issue. For those of you who may have tried both what do you think. And does the SGS have much stretch in the suit or are they relatively stiff compared to the Hyperstretch? And I apologize once again as its been asked before, but when your getting ready to order you just get that feeling that you want to talk to someone ONCE more before making the call. Any info would be appreciated. Also if any of you have a Hyperstretch I'm just wondering, I'm 6' tall 238 lbs and 45 in chest. Their sizing chart would put me kinda in between a 3xl and 2xl. The guy at the store assures me that he thinks I would fit best in a regular xl Says the material stretches quite a bit and you want a good seal. Does this sound correct???
David

[Rick_G]

Hello-

Current wet suits:

Henderson Hyperstretch
Henderson Aquasuede
Bare Velocity
Xcell Infinity


Henderson's are very comfortable but the build quality is not very good. There are a lot of seams unraveling on both suits and some de-laminating. The Aquasuede looks like a cotton ball from the Velcro and BC abrasion. I will not by another Henderson. Bare is the least comfortable but a lot better construction, no real complaints just not as flexible. I would by another Bare. Xcel is the best one out of the bunch flexible and tough, I will be buying Xcel for awhile until something changes. Xcel also has better stock size selection.

5'10- 200# Henderson L, Bare LS, Xcel XLS

Rick

[Desa]

Never tried the SGS, but I cannot speak highly enough of my Hyperstretch(s). I have the 7 mil, and 3 mil for me as well as the 5 mil for the wife and I cannot imagine anything being more comfortable. The hyperstretch hood is also incredibley comfortable.

One point I will make. They (Henderson Hyperstretch) are not as warm as other suits in equal thickness. What I mean is I used to dive in a regular 7 mil suit in cold water (42 degrees) and once I got warmed up I would be OK. With the 7 mil hyperstretch I will only dive it down to about 52-55 degrees, if the water is any colder I am miserable. (Neat thing there is I now have drysuit).


So if you talk to someone who has used both, if they are the same, go with the cheaper ones. Just FYI

[The Great Orca]

I've used both, but I'd recommend the Bare Alpine attacched hood, very verry very warm, their pretty stretchy, not that of a hyperstretch but are pretty stretchy for such a warm sucker. Hendersons hyperstretch are garbage, my opinion, people will dog me, but they're not warm, you have to keep wasting money and more and more protection. Bare is a lot cheaper in the long run do to Hyper Stretch being cheap material brakes fast.

[The Great Orca]

Just looked an Xcel's website, wow their wetsuits are combined in 3 diffenrent layes, 7/6/5. Doesn't sound warmer then Bares 7mm. Iono but they look cool and tough, something Henderson lacks.

[Rick_G]

Hello-

One thing I've noticed about the Xcel's is that the thinner weight material is used sparingly, just in articulation/ flex points. Never seen one but they make a 9/7/6mm, 9mm upper body, 7mm hood and body, 6mm neck, chin, lower sleeves and legs. If I didn't dive dry I'd try one.

Rick

[The Great Orca]

Hello-

One thing I've noticed about the Xcel's is that the thinner weight material is used sparingly, just in articulation/ flex points. Never seen one but they make a 9/7/6mm, 9mm upper body, 7mm hood and body, 6mm neck, chin, lower sleeves and legs. If I didn't dive dry I'd try one.

Rick

9mm??? Wow that's really thick, It would be tough moving in that.

[ScottyK]

I'm 6' tall 238 lbs and 45 in chest. Their sizing chart would put me kinda in between a 3xl and 2xl. The guy at the store assures me that he thinks I would fit best in a regular xl Says the material stretches quite a bit and you want a good seal. Does this sound correct???
David

Just a bit of sizing help from a Henderson owner of similar size. I would recommend the 2XL. I am 6' 225lbs with a 48" chest, so we are pretty close. I think the regular xl will be too small. The stretch material is very clingy, and seals easily. The whole reason for buying this suit is comfort. If you squeeze into one that's too small, you'll be less comfy and over stress the material.

I suspect this is why some folks find these suits wearing out too fast. Mine has been through two seasons and about 200 dives with no real wear, and minimal pilling.

Good luck,

Scott

[mgmonk]

hi

So I read all the pilling and unraveling comments about Hendersons, and thought..."what do they know."

Well, I guess they knew something about owning a wetsuit that, in an effort to make comfort a number one priority, has many other flaws.

They do unravel at the seams, they do pill after even the slightest contact with Velcro, and they are not as warm as comparable suits of comparable thickness.

Having said that…I still think they’re something *****in’ about sliding on a 7/5 that feels like a 3mm.

[The Great Orca]

hi

So I read all the pilling and unraveling comments about Hendersons, and thought..."what do they know."

Well, I guess they knew something about owning a wetsuit that, in an effort to make comfort a number one priority, has many other flaws.

They do unravel at the seams, they do pill after even the slightest contact with Velcro, and they are not as warm as comparable suits of comparable thickness.

Having said that…I still think they’re something *****in’ about sliding on a 7/5 that feels like a 3mm.

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!! The last sentence is hilarious!!!!!!!!