I bought an Orca Predator 2 wetsuit two summers ago and i have had nothing but trouble with it. Starting last summer, almost everytime I wear it the rubber in the thigh rips (not fingernail holes and I have lost weight since I bought it). Rubber cement does not permanently fix the problem. Anyone else have unusual ripping problems with their Orca Predator 2?
I’ve had an Orca for almost 4 years - live in Florida so it hasn’t gotten too much use, but when I did use it I always made sure to clean it and take care of it properly. I would estimate that after 5 uses, mine started to rip every time I put it on. It was like the rubber just wasn’t very durable - just pulling it up my legs would cause a tear. I never did anything about it b/c I figured that I had it too long to complain, even though it didn’t get much use. Long story short, I’m getting a different brand soon. Perhaps, Orca has improved on their newer models?
My Orca Predator has a number of rips in the thighs as well. Those rips started in year 2 of ownership. The material in the back of the neck is now also starting to tear as well. I’ve had mine for five years, so I think my wear and tear is normal.
-Marc
Wich brand are you thinking on buying? beacuse i am going to buy.
I won a gift certificate for a Zoot wetsuit, so I’ll be getting that. I’ve borrowed a friend’s Xterra and liked that one, too.
I like Xterra , Thanks.
I also have a Orca. I had a tear in the hip area. I wrote to Orca and asked them what to do. They told me to take it back to the dealer for repair. I did and after it was repaired it ripped again in the same spot during the swim in my next race. I wrote to Orca again and they told me to take it back to the dealer and have the dealer send it to them. I did and instead of repairing the suit Orca sent me a brand new suit. This was after having used the suit for 2 seasons in about 10 tris and numerous open water swims. I’ve only used the new suit once and no problems yet. Good thing though, because the dealer has since been bought out by another company and I don’t think they sell Orca.
My advice would be to write to Orca and ask them what they would like you to do.
Don
Thanks for all of your responses. Based on the response from Tri2Have Fun, I e-mailed Orca today and referred them to this thread and asked whether I should just junk their wetsuit or would they provide me with a remedy. I picked the Orca Predator 2 because it came highly recommended by the owner of Mission Bay (I’m not blaming him, I like his store). I’ll let you know what Orca says.
Look forward to hearing what comes of this. I have an Orca and an Ironman on the way to me to try against each other. Hearing this now makes me a bit nervous about if I made the right choices.
Michael