Bee suit for beginner

[Smallbeehive]

Can anybody recommend me a good value decent bee suit for a novice just starting out, I got my bee's this Summer and have only used a cheap top with veil so far and I feel I should get something better so I am more confident going into the hive.

I don't want to spend absolutely loads on one at the moment as I have already spent a fair bit getting up and running with bee equipment/hive/bees etc and they might not make it through the winter - so my idea is to get a better one if I can now for around a budget of £75-£150 and maybe next year upgrade if needed and i'll have a decent spare.

 

[For want of a better word]

Can anybody recommend me a good value decent bee suit for a novice just starting out, I got my bee's this Summer and have only used a cheap top with veil so far and I feel I should get something better so I am more confident going into the hive.

I don't want to spend absolutely loads on one at the moment as I have already spent a fair bit getting up and running with bee equipment/hive/bees etc and they might not make it through the winter - so my idea is to get a better one if I can now for around a budget of £75-£150 and maybe next year upgrade if needed and i'll have a decent spare.

Beekeeping is not a cheap hobby... no disrespect intended, but if you want to get the best experience from your new passtime buy a decent well made suit.

Sherriffs new vented suit is not cheap at just over £400... but works for me!
AND is better than the other suits I have seen recommended on this forum ..by a country mile!!

Chons da

 

[enrico]

Trust me. The most important bit of equipment in a new beekeepers arsenal is a bee suit. When you start getting stung you will lose confidence overnight and your hobby will become a nightmare. Spend the money. It will last you years and give so much peace of mind!
38 years ago I nearly gave up because of a bad suit. Leave the veil on its own business to those that think they know best!

E

 

[Swarm]

Trust me. The most important bit of equipment in a new beekeepers arsenal is a bee suit. When you start getting stung you will lose confidence overnight and your hobby will become a nightmare. Spend the money. It will last you years and give so much peace of mind!
38 years ago I nearly gave up because of a bad suit. Leave the veil on its own business to those that think they know best!

E

Absolutely, confidence is everything. Take a look at the Sentinel Pro vented bee suit from Castle Farm, it's within your budget and will keep you cool as well as protected.

 

[Repwoc]

Absolutely, confidence is everything. Take a look at the Sentinel Pro vented bee suit from Castle Farm, it's within your budget and will keep you cool as well as protected.

Do you own one of these Steve? If so, did you go for the hat or veil option? From the pictures on the Old Castle Farm Hives website the veil (fencing style) seems to obscure the field of view somewhat.

 

[Ian123]

Check out the sheriff full suit just google you won’t go far wrong with those.

 

[For want of a better word]

Check out the sheriff full suit just google you won’t go far wrong with those.

With FREE zip replacement and a mesh veil that the beekeeper can actually see through and is very tear resistant Sherriff suits have always been the benchmark in quality suits... and made in Cornwall... what is there not to like!!

Chons da

 

[gmonag]

+1 for the Sentinel Pro II

 

[theeggman]

We went for 2 of these. Sting proof, cooler in hot weather and dry in no time.

https://www.bbwear.co.uk/clothing/bee-suits/lightweight-deluxe-bee-suit

I've connection to them. And they are in Cornwall as well.

P.S. If you go for a decent one suggested on here you shouldn't need to upgrade.

P.P.S. Welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy your beekeeping. Forgot to mention, I think they still do a discount for BBKA members.

 

[Swarm]

Do you own one of these Steve? If so, did you go for the hat or veil option? From the pictures on the Old Castle Farm Hives website the veil (fencing style) seems to obscure the field of view somewhat.

No, I have an Oz Armour but my friend has one of these. He has the fencing type veil and it seems to sit well, I'm thinking you mean the veil drops so when you look forwards and not down, the second hoop blocks your vision? My BB Wear suits are poor in that respect, my Oz Armour doesn't obscure vision but it is nowhere near as clear to see through as the Sentinel.
The other bonus is its weight, it's really light so easy to get in and out of and more easily chucked in the truck. The Oz Armour is heavy and cumbersome to get into/out of. Once on, it's great but it's a devil to snag on brambles and such.
If I was buying now, I would go for the Sentinel.

 

[malgreen]

bee suit

I got a discounted sheriff suit for just over £100 last year and have found it really good plus the vision out of the veil is very good

 

[Angry_Mob]

Do you own one of these Steve? If so, did you go for the hat or veil option? From the pictures on the Old Castle Farm Hives website the veil (fencing style) seems to obscure the field of view somewhat.

When I ordered mine I received a call the following morning from them; I had actually mistakingly put the round type but they recommend the veil for being clearer to see. No problems in that regard and superior to my old suit.

 

[Bee Boys]

Look at hummble bee suits and jackets they are around £70 and £150 and are very good quality. My two brothers have ther jackets and have not got stung though them yet, they have had them 6 mounths, also there gloves are very good not had a sting yet.

 

[Repwoc]

No, I have an Oz Armour but my friend has one of these. He has the fencing type veil and it seems to sit well, I'm thinking you mean the veil drops so when you look forwards and not down, the second hoop blocks your vision?

Exactly yes - on some it looks like the second hoop is at eye level or just below.

 

[Smallbeehive]

Thanks for all the input guys, I have plenty of good recommendations here to search for.

Are any suits full sting proof or nearly sting proof?

 

[For want of a better word]

Thanks for all the input guys, I have plenty of good recommendations here to search for.

Are any suits full sting proof or nearly sting proof?

NO... man up... honeybees sting... even the claimed calmest imported varieties!




Better behavior on here lately... it has in the past been like boo boo boorish Boris's benches of spoilt children!

Yeghes da

 

[Swarm]

Thanks for all the input guys, I have plenty of good recommendations here to search for.

Are any suits full sting proof or nearly sting proof?

Oz Armour used to offer full refund if you were stung through theirs. I think Sentinel claim theirs is (not 100% sure) but I can vouch that my friend has not been stung through his and he carries an epipen.
Multiple layers underneath is what stops you being stung, the beauty of these suits is you don't need those layers and the ventilated material keeps you MUCH cooler.
However, you can/will be stung on your hands but that's a good thing, it makes you work carefully.

 

[For want of a better word]

Oz Armour used to offer full refund if you were stung through theirs. I think Sentinel claim theirs is (not 100% sure) but I can vouch that my friend has not been stung through his and he carries an epipen.
Multiple layers underneath is what stops you being stung, the beauty of these suits is you don't need those layers and the ventilated material keeps you MUCH cooler.
However, you can/will be stung on your hands but that's a good thing, it makes you work carefully.

Monday....
One feisty little lass waited until I pulled the veiled hood back... then made her move.
BANG between the eyes!

Really freaked the kids, me with a face like Godzilla and a limp ( Beekeepers back) they thought that Quazimoodooo was coming to get them!!

 

[Swarm]

I seem to pick up most of my stings when extracting, from the odd stargglers brought home!!
You inspect half a million bees and nothing, have half a dozen in a super and one of them gets you.

 

[pargyle]

I seem to pick up most of my stings when extracting, from the odd stargglers brought home!!
You inspect half a million bees and nothing, have half a dozen in a super and one of them gets you.

Yehh ... if you keep bees you will get stung .. show me a beekeeper who has never been stung ? I avoid it as much as possible but there's always going to be the odd occasion when you find a grumpy one or you are a bit careless or clumsy .. it happens.