New vs used, local vs online, rent vs buy - Wetsuits for Southerners with limited funds

I bought my Xterra Vortex sleeveless for something like $149 shipped (on sale) for Firethorne last October. Used it again at Kemah. My 2 summer races were non-wetsuit. Next month I'll use it at Oil Man, and it will have paid for itself vs a rental. Plus it's mine and I can practice in it whenever. I can't afford to race more often, but if I could the wetsuit would certainly get more use.

There are better wetsuits out there, and you might find a better deal, but Xterra had the best deals when I was shopping, and I have no complaints about the wetsuit.

I have a Xterra Vortex 3 sleeveless that I have only used maybe 5 times. It's looks pretty much new. Size XL. I was about to put it up on the classifieds. Great wetsuit, I have just shrunk out of it. 

I know you said you wanted a full sleeve, but if you are interested PM me. 

You don't have to spend a lot to get a decent wetsuit. OTOH, the difference between a top-of-the-line one and a entry-level one is a few hundred dollars. That's not a lot of money. Therefore, I've decided to give the top-of-the-line a try this upcoming season and see if I can tell a difference.

This is a good time of year to buy a wetsuit too. The place I get mine tends to put last years on sale starting in Oct. so they can clear out inventory in anticipation of the 2012's coming in come January. So as soon as someone has a shopping party (another 20% off), I'm so there!