oz armour suit

[pargyle]

I was very impressed with my Ozarmour until it developed a hole, which despite exhaustive efforts to find I was unable. I know I am hard on my equipment and Ozarmour may be great if you are not near bramble etc but I now have an Old Castle suit https://www.oldcastlefarmhives.com/ which seems to be a lot more rugged.
S

I bought one of these jackets - only had it on a couple of time so far but it's really comfortable, well thought out and so far has not demonstrated any flaws.

The only thing I didn't like was the traditional beekeepers hat (which I've always had on other suits) so I bought the fencing style separately and that's much better. The tradiitonal hat seemed to flop in all the wrong places .. I might try it again as the season progresses but if I was buying an Old Castle Farm suit I'd recommend the fencing style veil. Nice people to do busines with as well.

 

[Dadnlad]

Been reading through this thread, thinking of buying one for my better half who inevitably ends up with a hot flush mid inspection on the hottest day of summer

Would the consensus (from any beeks that have one) be that they are cooler to work in but still safe from stings ?

 

[Swarm]

Been reading through this thread, thinking of buying one for my better half who inevitably ends up with a hot flush mid inspection on the hottest day of summer

Would the consensus (from any beeks that have one) be that they are cooler to work in but still safe from stings ?

Much cooler. Old Castle Farm offers a ladies fit.

 

[Beefriendly]

Been reading through this thread, thinking of buying one for my better half who inevitably ends up with a hot flush mid inspection on the hottest day of summer

Would the consensus (from any beeks that have one) be that they are cooler to work in but still safe from stings ?

The Oz armour used to guaranteed sting free. Yet to experience one in mine...and very cool....

 

[tom8400]

Sounds like it's a choice between the two must admit suits do need to take a bit of punishment and not rip with brambles.

 

[Newbeeneil]

The Oz armour used to guaranteed sting free. Yet to experience one in mine...and very cool....

I got a sting on the arse in mine. I was bent over and I think the material was stretched...... but since I was only wearing my underware underneath it was cool

 

[pargyle]

I got a sting on the arse in mine. I was bent over and I think the material was stretched...... but since I was only wearing my underware underneath it was cool

There's nothing cool about a sting in the arse ...

 

[citrus]

I was very impressed with my Ozarmour until it developed a hole, which despite exhaustive efforts to find I was unable. I know I am hard on my equipment and Ozarmour may be great if you are not near bramble etc but I now have an Old Castle suit https://www.oldcastlefarmhives.com/ which seems to be a lot more rugged.
S

so is the oldcastle ... cool and breathable like the ozarmour one ?

 

[Swarm]

Yes it is and with the same principle regarding stings, the other advantage it has is it's very light.

 

[Amari]

I admired BBWear's ventilated suit at BeeTradex. "As low as £359.99"......

https://www.bbwear.co.uk/clothing/bee-suits/ultra-ventilated-bee-suit

 

[pargyle]

I admired BBWear's ventilated suit at BeeTradex. "As low as £359.99"......

https://www.bbwear.co.uk/clothing/bee-suits/ultra-ventilated-bee-suit

Wow .. about three times the price of Old Castle suits - they must be something special !

 

[Anduril]

Wow .. about three times the price of Old Castle suits - they must be something special !

Have a look at Black Mountain Honey on YouTube review part 1

 

[Stiffy]

so is the oldcastle ... cool and breathable like the ozarmour one ?

I haven’t had the old castle suit long enough to compare but it is comfortable and keeps me cool plus it is very well made.
S

 

[Walrus]

I picked up a ventilated jacket/veil at Bee Tradex from the German chap, Der Original Honigman as it looked pretty good and wasn't too expensive (I think I paid 80 euros). His card machine wasn't working but I had some euros left over from my holiday, so it was good to get rid of them.

Today was the first time of wearing at the bees. Seems comfortable, no problems so far. Nice and draughty when the wind blows.

 

[tom8400]

But would the bb wear be any better if you didn't mind spending the extra money? Seems the old castle hives one and oz armour are basically the same price

 

[Swarm]

But would the bb wear be any better if you didn't mind spending the extra money? Seems the old castle hives one and oz armour are basically the same price

Quite possibly, given the standard of their suits. As for quality, the Oz and Sentinel need a few years of use to do a comparison, I've two BBwear suits over ten years old and they've had no repairs at all.
My Oz is going into its third year and all is good so far. I wore a rugby shirt under it today and I was quite cold in the wind. Height of summer and you can feel the slightest breeze instantly.

 

[Dadnlad]

Cheers for the replies folks, on balance I've gone for the Oz(ordered tonight) - if today was anything to go by it should earn me some brownie points with my missus this summer

 

[Codford]

Has anyone worked out the best way to wash/clean the Oz?

 

[Swarm]

Cool wash in the machine, same as the others. Add some washing soda and it comes up quite clean.
It doesn't stay like that for long.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Cool wash in the machine, same as the others. Add some washing soda and it comes up quite clean.
It doesn't stay like that for long.

I leave the hood attached inside the suit and seal the neck with a couple of safety pins.