I have been looking at getting a new Beekeeping Suit and wanted to get feedback on if people thought the Ventilated Suit was worth the extra expense.
I have looked at Ultra Breeze Suits but they are pretty expensive http://www.ultrabreezesuits.com/shop/product.php?s=ultra-breeze-jumpsuit (http://www.ultrabreezesuits.com/shop/product.php?s=ultra-breeze-jumpsuit)
and I have looked at Cotton/Polyester Suits which are much cheaper https://www.dadant.com/catalog/clothing/v01230m-cricket-style-hat-veil-suit-medium (https://www.dadant.com/catalog/clothing/v01230m-cricket-style-hat-veil-suit-medium)
However, doing an internet search I have found some Ventilated suits for almost the same price as the cotton and now am debating going with vented.
This shop price is much better compared to Ultra Breeze for a similar product
https://www.clearly-sustainable.com/products/beekeeping-3-layer-ventilated-ultra-breeze-mesh-overalls-cool-bee-hive-full-suit (https://www.clearly-sustainable.com/products/beekeeping-3-layer-ventilated-ultra-breeze-mesh-overalls-cool-bee-hive-full-suit)
I would love some advice from others who have tried any of those options.
Thanks!
Anthony
I just use a hat and veil so I have no experience but, as hot as I get in t-shirt and shorts, I would spend the money on a ventilated jacket.
If you don't like stings, get a ventilated suit.
I have had an full ultra-breeze suit for 4 years and I love it.
Do yourself a favor and get a ventilated suit. I am in south Alabama and I could not stand a suit if it was not ventilated. I got an ultra breeze. Great suit. No stings yet through it.
I have 2 Ventilated jackets from Mann Lake, one for me that I bought about 5 years ago and one that I bought for my wife last year. If they got damaged, I would buy a new one right away. I say that even though I seldom wear any protection. When I need protection, they are the best at the job and help me work here in the Florida high heat and high humidity.
Jim
I bought a cheap cotton jacket and veil last year ($30?) - I replaced it this year with a ventilated jacket and veil. Cost me $65 at Virginia Bee Supply (local shop) - I think this is the one:
https://glorybee.com/beekeeping/suits-jackets/heavy-duty-ventilated-deluxe-bee-jacket-with-fencing-veil
It's still a little warm, but way better than the original one, despite being significantly heavier. I typically beekeep shirtless wearing this thing - nice and cool, I don't worry about getting stung, and I don't fatigue from sweat/heat. Do get a little bit of a sunburn though. I'm very happy with the purchase. I've never worn a ultra breeze, though - so I can't compare. Judging from the pictures of ultrabreeze jackets though, it looks comparable (it looks exactly like the 'Large' size picture on Amazon's utlra breeze jacket listing).
It depends on where you are, I guess. If you're in Minnesota, maybe not, but most places get too hot to let a few bucks deter you from being more comfortable. I only have a jacket with veil/hat and it gets awfully hot when I wear it.
Most answers to beekeeper questions depend on location. You should put your location in your profile to help peple give you better answers.
They are most definitely worth it. If you are going to wear a full suit, it is the way to go. Down here in Louisiana it makes a HUGE difference. Even if you live up north it is worth it in the summer time. You can always dress warmer underneath if you need to.
Thank you for the advice. It seems pretty much the vented suits are the best options available and worth the extra money.
I will give this one a shot since it looks just as good of quality as the ultrabreeze but half the price and will report back how it was dealing with these guys.
https://www.clearly-sustainable.com/products/beekeeping-3-layer-ventilated-ultra-breeze-mesh-overalls-cool-bee-hive-full-suit
IMHO There is only one other bee suit that will compare to an Ultra Breeze. That is Golden Bee suit Louisiana USA. Golden Bee suits the last I knew had extra tall sizes available. Kind of important when you're six foot six. With arms to the 38 inches long. Inseam not so bad only 37 inches.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :smile:
Quote from: Jim 134 on May 30, 2017, 08:24:23 PM
IMHO There is only one other bee suit that will compare to an Ultra Breeze. That is Golden Bee suit Louisiana USA. Golden Bee suits the last I knew had extra tall. Kind of important when you're six foot six. With arms to the 38 inches long. Inseam not so bad only 37 inches.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :smile:
In what respect?
The local shops around here don't carry them - so I've never honestly seen one. What makes them nicer than the other ventilated products? The $70 jacket/$100 suits seem to be pretty good quality at this point, and have all the things that ultrabreeze brags about on their website (like brass YKK zippers, not needing to take your boots off, 3 layers, etc). The only thing I'm seeing that's different is that the Ultra Breeze has velcro wrist closures and most of the cheaper ones have elastic.
"The only thing I'm seeing that's different is that the Ultra Breeze has velcro wrist closures and most of the cheaper ones have elastic."
Crazytalk,
That is one problem with my older suit, the wrist band feels loose, like the bees could crawl up your wrist. I don't use it much but the last time I had to I noticed how loose it is getting. I may just add a velcro strap to mine. I could just add a rubber band around each wrist.
Jim
I can only tell you that my ultra breeze has given me no stings and it is made in the US.
Quote from: bwallace23350 on May 31, 2017, 01:28:16 PM
I can only tell you that my ultra breeze has given me no stings and it is made in the US.
Same with my Mann Lake suit.
Jim
Quote from: CrazyTalk on May 31, 2017, 12:35:21 PM
Quote from: Jim 134 on May 30, 2017, 08:24:23 PM
IMHO There is only one other bee suit that will compare to an Ultra Breeze. That is Golden Bee suit Louisiana USA. Golden Bee suits the last I knew had extra tall. Kind of important when you're six foot six. With arms to the 38 inches long. Inseam not so bad only 37 inches.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :smile:
In what respect?
The local shops around here don't carry them - so I've never honestly seen one. What makes them nicer than the other ventilated products? The $70 jacket/$100 suits seem to be pretty good quality at this point, and have all the things that ultrabreeze brags about on their website (like brass YKK zippers, not needing to take your boots off, 3 layers, etc). The only thing I'm seeing that's different is that the Ultra Breeze has velcro wrist closures and most of the cheaper ones have elastic.
It's like some people like Cadillacs and some people like Lincolns..
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :smile:
Quote from: sawdstmakr on May 31, 2017, 01:34:27 PM
Quote from: bwallace23350 on May 31, 2017, 01:28:16 PM
I can only tell you that my ultra breeze has given me no stings and it is made in the US.
Same with my Mann Lake suit.
Jim
Man Lake also made in the USA?
I have several suits.
My ventalated one is my favorite hands down.
Guardian Bee Suits the new kid looking to enter the block with a zip open front face veil: Looks convenient for taking a sip where ventilated suits are needed...
https://honeybeesuite.com/perfect-bee-suit/
Here is what I am using, Tyvek disposable suits, 2.00 dollars each.
I bought full on bee suits for my wife and I, hers was 45.00 and mine was 75 dollars but you can pay twice that if you want to.
They are unbelievable hot, I don't know how you can do extended work in a cotton bee suit, I would be passing out.
Pretty sure the blue store and the orange store have these Tyvek suits, they don't really breathe, so they can be hot also but no comparison to heavy cotton bee suit.
Arms and leg holes have elastic closures
https://youtu.be/YRdOOMyZMl8
I need to get a new IPad, this one makes me LQQk fat.
One friend sent me a clip of the Pillsbury Doughboy dancing and the other smart xxx sent my the Michelin man dancing........but I enjoy humor.
Admit it, it is not the IPad. :cheesy:
Jim
Just reading this makes me grin.
I love it.
Tyvek is an inexpensive vapor barrier (sp? 🤔).
For me my type of bee protection really depends on how my girls are doing.
I'm not one of them macho never a suit guys but if it's warm and they are busy bringing in supplies they really don't care about me.
Sometimes I can wear sandals,shorts and a tee shirt.
There are also days when they can be semi devils or even pure evil.
I dress up by the way I read them but I am often a "half a bubble off".
BTW you don't look fat...I look fat😜.
I'm currently in the market to replace our cotton ones. Not only do I wear the cotton suit but I have to wear a tee shirt and long sleeve shirt under it to keep from getting so many stings. It's a killer in this Alabama heat. It won't be much longer and someone going to find me laying on top of a knocked over bee hive. Here's the one I'm looking at if you have any experience or have heard anything about these suits please chime in. I'm looking at the ventilated suit with the open veil;
https://glorybee.com/beekeeping/suits-jackets/beekeeping-suits
Is there a reason for a full suit? Do you have to deal with African bees? Why not use just a jacket?
I have had to deal with some pretty mean bees and the jacket and jeans fully protected me.
I could see using one to allow you to use shorts.
Jim
I got an UltraBreeze full suit about 3 years ago. I like it as it offers good protection and is cooler than a cotton suit. Last year I got a Bug Baffler Hooded jacket. It is even cooler than the Ultra Breeze. Occasionally a determined bee will get me through the Bug Baffler on the arm, but not very often. I use a hat inside the hood to hold the hood away from my face.
I haven't used my UltraBreeze full suit since I got the Bug Baffler Hooded Jacket. I got one one size larger than their weight/size chart recommended. It is quick and easy to pullover your head like a large button-less shirt. With a tee shirt under it you stay pretty cool.
No, I don't work for BugBaffler. But, if I did I would recommend they advertise in Beekeeping magazines.
https://www.bugbaffler.com
one other thing to consider,
With the ultr-breeze, you can get a replacement hood if your veil gets damaged. Some of the other cheaper suits, one is not offered.
Some of my bees will get absolutely crazy at times. They will crawl under where your glove meets your sleeve and sting you on the hand.
Quote from: GSF on June 04, 2017, 07:30:23 AMventilated suit with the open veil;
I don't think I would want an open veil.... :)
I have been thinking about a different design than my ultra breeze fencing hood. It is ok most of the time, but gets in the way on some removals. Of course, most designs would when digging up in a soffit.
Quote from: GSF on June 05, 2017, 08:18:39 AM
Some of my bees will get absolutely crazy at times. They will crawl under where your glove meets your sleeve and sting you on the hand.
That's rough. My bees never act that aggressive. Although I am getting tired of this rainy weather as I need to check my hives and check for honey. So if it does not clear up soon I might have to put suit to the test.
Quote from: sawdstmakr on June 04, 2017, 07:40:28 AM
Is there a reason for a full suit? Do you have to deal with African bees? Why not use just a jacket?
That is what I do but it is still hotter then heck. The heat is one of the reasons I don't harvest in the summer.
My jacket is cotton. I don't know how much cooler a ventilated suit would be. I guess I will have to try one if I stay with bees.