Where can you buy BB Wear or BJ Sherriff 2nd hand beekeeping outfit

[Stiffy]

What's the uptake of Jackets versus full suits?

Do people start with suits relax and then buy jackets or is there an advantage to a suit?

May seem obvious but a suit covers every part of you. I started with just a jacket as I was trying to keep costs down only to find that any gap including my builders bum was a target!
S

 

[citrus]

May seem obvious but a suit covers every part of you. I started with just a jacket as I was trying to keep costs down only to find that any gap including my builders bum was a target!
S

ha ha !

 

[Ian123]

Suits offer an effective barrier against any propolis and clothing, I don’t want brown stains on my calvins

 

[Newbeeneil]

Personal experience of suits.
I have cheapo jackets from Simon the beek, which are great for quick inspections.
On my 2nd BBWear suit which is very good, except when dealing with ‘dreadful’ bees or hot weather.
An Oz Armour suit which after wearing a few days is very well made/designed, and although feels bulky when first put on is very comfortable.
S

I'm with Stiffy on this and have similar experience with suits.
I had a cheapy jacket (£20) from STB for the first year which did the job with a few hives.
When I realised this hobby was the one for me I invested in a nice light weight jacket from Bee Basics which I use most of the time as it's easy to put on and drive between apiaries in. (I actually drive between apiaries in a van or is that me being a grammar pedant?)
This year I decided to invest in an Ozarmour suit as I got fed up or wringing my T shirt out in hot weather but the new suit feels wonderful in hot sun with a slight breeze drifting through the fabric. I will probably only use it on hot days or when dealing with the odd "hive from hell" as it's a pain to have to put a full suit on and driving is not easy as the hood stiffener means I have to sit upright to drive with it on.
In conclusion I would say make sure you want to pursue this expensive and addictive hobby and purchase equipment when you need it.
At the West Sussex bee auction last week there were plenty of bits of expensive kit that seemed to have been bought but hardly used!

 

[highgate]

Suits offer an effective barrier against any propolis and clothing, I don’t want brown stains on my calvins

I understand, but the jeans I use i view as work wear anyway.

Fair point though.

 

[highgate]

I'm with Stiffy on this and have similar experience with suits.

I had a cheapy jacket (£20) from STB for the first year which did the job with a few hives.

When I realised this hobby was the one for me I invested in a nice light weight jacket from Bee Basics which I use most of the time as it's easy to put on and drive between apiaries in. (I actually drive between apiaries in a van or is that me being a grammar pedant?)

This year I decided to invest in an Ozarmour suit as I got fed up or wringing my T shirt out in hot weather but the new suit feels wonderful in hot sun with a slight breeze drifting through the fabric. I will probably only use it on hot days or when dealing with the odd "hive from hell" as it's a pain to have to put a full suit on and driving is not easy as the hood stiffener means I have to sit upright to drive with it on.

In conclusion I would say make sure you want to pursue this expensive and addictive hobby and purchase equipment when you need it.

At the West Sussex bee auction last week there were plenty of bits of expensive kit that seemed to have been bought but hardly used!

Hi Neil,

That really is my point as it is very easy to get carried away and before you know it you're a few thousand pounds out of pocket and none the wiser as to whether or not it is for you.

Hoping to tread softly if I can and try not to get too carried away until I get more experienced.