dapopa9

I'm looking to get a SFI 3.2A Level 5 suit and wondering if there is any local spot in San Diego or SoCal where I could try them on and compare different brands?

Also does anyone have any pros/cons between the various brands? Alpinestars, Sparco, OMP, Simpson, etc?

Is there much difference between the $400 and $900 suits? Any experience info you have with them is greatly appreciated.

Charley Hoyt

There is a Sparco factory store in Irvine. They will tailor your suit for free if you buy from them. Subie sports in HB has a good selection of suits but mostly focuses on Puma. Winding road in Fountain valley also has a selection of suits.

Yes there is a a huge difference between a $400 and $900 suit. My suit was originally ~$1400 but I baught it as a previous year model and saved about 40%. My suit breaths so well it is as cool or cooler than jeans.

dapopa9

Great info Charlie. Which suit do you have?

Magister Ludi

It's worth a stop by the SPARCO store in Irvine, just to try theirs on. You will see the difference between $400 and $900 suits immediately. When I tried on a SPARCO Jade suit (about $400) it fit great, but when I stepped out into the sun I almost melted. It's thick like a quilt. Basically, the lighter the weight, the more the cost. It's worth the $$ to get a good one. It's been awhile, but as I recall they are generally ranked by grams per square meter.

Also, Winding Road Racing just opened a location in Huntington Beach. I don't know how any suits they have in-store, but they're great to deal with. It's good to try on many before you choose.

If you are ever up that way, the best selection I ever found was at the Sonoma Raceway in wine country. (In fact, I think it's called Wine Country motorsports or something like that.) Anyway, I was able to try on about six different brands, sizes and styles there. It really helped me to know exactly what I was looking for.

I bought a discontinued model of OMP's Evo One suit from an outlet in Europe for about 60% off (incl. shipping). I'll try to get the website for you.

PS: I just re-read Charlie's post. I'm sure that he's right about the locale of Winding Road.

dapopa9

That would be great if you could send over the website you got yours from.

I noticed there are some good deals on some from Europe that are listed on eBay but I was wondering if maybe some of them are knock-offs or Chinese fakes?

Charley Hoyt

I have a Sparco suit... I think it is an x-light Evo 4. I really like it. I liked the Puma suits also but the Sparco seems to be lighter weight.

skxf430

In addition to the Sparco store, check out Winding Road Racing in Fountain Valley and Subeports in Huntington Beach. Both have a variety of suits including Sparco, Alpinestars, Puma, Omp, etc. They all fit differently so try a number of them on.

Captain Buddha

Another option:

Simpson's fire suit store/factory is near LAX, that is where I went to get my custom suit, worth checking out:

SIMPSON FIRESUIT FACTORY
1407 W 240th
Harbor City, CA 90710

TO ORDER
EMAIL: californiasales@teamsimpson.com
TOLL FREE: 1.888.872.suit(7848)
TELEPHONE: 310.325.6035
FAX: 310.325.7967

dapopa9

Great thanks for the help on this!