First suit

[Guisachan]

Looking at buying my first suit and seeing there are 2 distinct types of head gear. Is there any more benefit from eith the wide brim style or the fencing type?

Simon

 

[ratcatcher]

I started with a brim style smock jacket, and if honest, felt my face was safer from attack, but within a few months, had bought a full suit fencing style, which I prefer

 

[Cb50]

I am no expert but i went for a full suit fencing veil style - like the fact of when leaning over the hive the sun is not beating on the back of my neck - assuming the sun will return this year!!

I wear a peak cap underneath - no hair on top so just want an extra layer having been stung on my head before (not bee related) it was not pleasant and hurt a damn site more than a bee sting on my hand!

 

[domino]

I bought a jacket with fencing style veil. I like that viel however i think I'm going to go to a full suit because I like the idea of wearing shorts under the bee suit and once and while I've found bees have crawled into the jacket.

 

[alanf]

Personal choice. The round hat tends to have the mesh blow around more. might be a consideration if your site is exposed. The fencing style presents a flatter veil which some find easier to see through depending on eyesight and/or glasses worn. Some feel more protected by the round hat, it keeps the veil a distance from the back of head. And the round hat doesn't obscure some of the peripheral vision with hoops. You could try them at a show or borrow examples to try on. From what I see around, newly bought fencing type probably outnumber round hat versions by a margin. There will always be some who swear by either type, but most would probably put overall suit quality ahead of choice of veil type.

 

[gardening-girl]

We both have overalls with fencing hoods,purely and simply because if you have to drive in your suit for any reason,the hoods lie flat.
We bought our suits from a company called Buzz.
They are good quality cotton,and not expensive.

 

[johnnie1uk]

Ive started with the round brim hat and am really surprised that I don't even notice I am wearing it.

 

[Blue Spinnaker]

As a beginner, an all-in-one suit with detachable fencing hood increased my confidence and was the best of both worlds.

 

[REDWOOD]

As a beginner I found the fencing type too hot and quite like my retro round hat

 

[madasafish]

I have a jacket with fencing hood and a quickie hat/veil with round. Fencing is far better.

Baseball hat under each ensures no veil parts touch face...

 

[aberreef]

I started out with a jacket with a round hat and, this year after a few years beekeeping, bought a budget suit with a fencing style hood. Since changing I've copped 4 stings to the face

I don't know whether it's because the suit was a cheap one or the style of hood but I much prefer the round one, despite a few stings to the back of the neck (don't look quite as freakish as when my face was all swollen lol)

 

[Guisachan]

Thank you all very much. I will have to try and experience both before I buy.

Simon

 

[manek]

Reviving this thread because as a new bee I need to buy a suit. I've briefly tried a round hat style and didn't like the way it restricted my vision, and kept flopping around so I'm going for a fencing style veil.

Main question is though, I've seen you can buy suits for ridiculously small amounts of money or pay up to £100 or so. I should add that I'm happy to pay what it takes to get one that will do a good job and last for years, but what do you get when you pay more?

Thanks.

 

[Cussword]

Reviving this thread because as a new bee I need to buy a suit. I've briefly tried a round hat style and didn't like the way it restricted my vision, and kept flopping around so I'm going for a fencing style veil.

Main question is though, I've seen you can buy suits for ridiculously small amounts of money or pay up to £100 or so. I should add that I'm happy to pay what it takes to get one that will do a good job and last for years, but what do you get when you pay more?

Thanks.

You may find that you can adjust the fitting inside the hat for a better fit.
How did it restrict your vision, is it not netting all around your hat?

No green willow remarks please.

 

[pargyle]

. I should add that I'm happy to pay what it takes to get one that will do a good job and last for years, but what do you get when you pay more?

Thanks.

Better zips that don't break after a couple of days use.
Zip covers that actually prevent bees getting in.
Thicker material with double stitched seams.
Elasticated wrist cuffs.
Zips to close up your ankles.
More pockets.
They wash better.
Mesh on the veils that does not break up when you wash them.

The question you probably need to add is 'which of the more expensive suits should I be looking at buying?'

Cheap suits are IMO (and I've got a few in various states of decay) only for occasional or visitor use. They really don't last and it's really annoying when the cheap nylon zips break as it's not economic to repair them usually.

 

[manek]

You may find that you can adjust the fitting inside the hat for a better fit.
How did it restrict your vision, is it not netting all around your hat?

No green willow remarks please.

Thanks - I found the hat flopped forwards, and I could imagine that peering upwards might be a problem.

 

[manek]

Better zips that don't break after a couple of days use.
Zip covers that actually prevent bees getting in.
Thicker material with double stitched seams.
Elasticated wrist cuffs.
Zips to close up your ankles.
More pockets.
They wash better.
Mesh on the veils that does not break up when you wash them.

The question you probably need to add is 'which of the more expensive suits should I be looking at buying?'

Cheap suits are IMO (and I've got a few in various states of decay) only for occasional or visitor use. They really don't last and it's really annoying when the cheap nylon zips break as it's not economic to repair them usually.

And the answer is...? ☺

 

[Arfermo]

Started with just a smock from FragilePlanet - very cheap and very serviceable and they repair the veil if necessary and I still use it for quick trips to the hives. In fact I have two as my daughter gave hers to me. Then I bought a spacemen type and use that too. They all have their moments but on balance the spacemen type is probably best, though even that has problems, for instance when one has protruding ears, wing-nut springs to mind. Pal of mine has just such a problem. Your choice.

 

[madasafish]

Reviving this thread because as a new bee I need to buy a suit. I've briefly tried a round hat style and didn't like the way it restricted my vision, and kept flopping around so I'm going for a fencing style veil.

Main question is though, I've seen you can buy suits for ridiculously small amounts of money or pay up to £100 or so. I should add that I'm happy to pay what it takes to get one that will do a good job and last for years, but what do you get when you pay more?

Thanks.

I bought my jacket on ebay for under £40 in 2010 and it is still going strong. (Cornwall - Heather Bell Honey Bees)

The seams are all ok. Zips are perfect.

The elastic round the waist has been replaced.
I have replaced the elastic round the sleeves - and resown (badly!) the stitching.
Added velcro closers to the pockets.
The veil which is a plastic mesh is becoming brittle and starting to require repairs - but not in direct line of sight so OK.

To conclude. If you can sew , a cheap jacket by a reputable supplier will last at least 6-7 years with some maintenance.
As a hobby beekeeper , spending over £100 on a suit is not justifiable - I have not spent £100 on a hive let alone a suit. ( I was brought up In Scotland).


As far as bees invading my clothes, thick or loose trousers/wellies/boots and working elastic round cuffs and waist mean I have so far avoided mass invasion of my personal body space by bees... even very angry hives..

But each to their own.

 

[AndrewD]

Hi

As a beginner I have a Buzz one with a fencing veil and a baseball hat to stop it folding back, seems to work for me.