Float suits

[PaulinVictoria]

So... I'm considering getting a float suit, probably a single-piece type.
Obviously there is the Mustang series, but what about some of the other suits out there, Helly Hansen, Buoy-o-buoy etc, worth looking at? Pretty much all of them are cheaper than the equivalent Mustang suit, but are they cheaper because they are comparatively poorer, or just because they don't carry the premium name?

[sailingdog]

What is the purpose of you buying a float suit? Are you wanting a survival suit for cold water/weather sailing emergencies? If that's the case, there are other manufacturers of "gumby" suits.

If you're looking for a drysuit to use during cold weather, then that's a different story.

[PaulinVictoria]

Float suit for floatyness, and cold water survival should the worst happen. Plus they are usually pretty warm when on the boat during winter too.

[mitiempo]

It is not a Gumby suit - but a full suit for sailing in cold weather with full flotation. I have owned one (Mustang) but outgrew it around the middle.

While I have no experience with the other brands I like the Mustang products. I have one of their floater coats - model "floater coat" as when I bought it (1970) it was their only product. Still in good shape amazingly.

[Bilgewater]

Paul, I don't have experience with any of the other ones but I'm sure they are likely alright because I see others wearing them in tough environments. We use mustangs similar to the one Brian has posted and they gets abused quite a bit but still look and function just fine. In the winter, I wouldn't leave the dock without it, very warm but sometimes a bit too warm.

[erps]

The suit that Brian linked to is something you can wear while you're sailing. The exposure suits are something you won't want to put on until you know you're going to get wet.

[mitiempo]

Now THAT is a Gumby suit.

[Bilgewater]

Paul, I just realized you mentioned "cold water survival". As erps says, not really for cold water survival. We use them for keeping warm/cruising and going overboard but not for long term survival.
Steve

[PaulinVictoria]

I don't want a Gumby suit!
I have other Mustang gear and it seems good, but I just wonder if their suits have some must-have features, or better cold water protection etc than non-Mustang ones to justify the extra cost. It seems to be very hard to find real comparative data with regards to insulation amounts etc.
And not "survival" as such, but they offer greatly improved immersion times than just foulies with a PFD.

[mitiempo]

The whale watching companies locally all use Mustang - and they get used daily.