Best bee suit/jacket veil for a newbie in North FL?

[nietssemaj]

I'm looking at gear to purchase for the hive I am building for next spring. It is so confusing.

From what I've seen/read I think I want a jacket with a zip on veil but maybe I should go for a full suit.

Should I go with Cotton/Poly? Rip stop Nylon? It gets hot and humid here in the summer. In fact it is still getting above 90 on a daily basis now.

I just don't want to drop $100+ on something and find that I don't like it and need to replace it due to heat or the veil.

Any suggestions? I'd like to get it soon so I can start attending hive openings and learning from local beeks and the local club before spring.

[FRAMEshift]

Ultrabreeze jacket.  You don't need a full suit.  It will cost you $150 and you will be so happy every time you have to work in hot weather.

[LoriMNnice]

I am also a newbie and after much research and others opinions I am just going to get the $50 jacket with hood from Mann-Lake when I order all my other items from them because shipping is free if you spend $100.

[VolunteerK9]

I am also a newbie and after much research and others opinions I am just going to get the $50 jacket with hood from Mann-Lake when I order all my other items from them because shipping is free if you spend $100.

And it will serve you well. The Ultra Breeze is probably well worth the expense if you spend alot of time in a suit working bees, but for just a few hives I think its overkill. Just my .02 though

[David McLeod]

I am also a newbie and after much research and others opinions I am just going to get the $50 jacket with hood from Mann-Lake when I order all my other items from them because shipping is free if you spend $100.

And it will serve you well. The Ultra Breeze is probably well worth the expense if you spend alot of time in a suit working bees, but for just a few hives I think its overkill. Just my .02 though

Exactly right. I had the Mann Lake economy jacket and it served me well for years and it is still serving it's new owner. One word of advice, wear a ball cap as the veil will rest against the tip of your nose if you don't. Trust me on this, a sting there will cross your eyes if you don't. It held up to years of removal and wasp work. The downside is that like all solid material suits and jackets is you will suffer in the heat. This year I pulled the trigger on an ultrabreeze jacket an I am an idiot for not doing it sooner. By far the best I have ever owned and worth twice what I paid for it.
For a new beek just getting started, especially on a budget, the Mann Lake is the best bang for the buck out there. Even for the experienced beek with only a couple hives it is more than fine as you will not be in the thing for long periods of time and can pace yourself in the heat. If your budget allows or if you expect to wear the suit for long periods in the heat then the ultrabreeze can't be beat.

[Michael Bush]

My first choice is the Ultra Breeze jacket.  My second choice is a jacket from www.beeworks.com

[AllenF]

Golden bee suit and the ultra breeze are both vented and worth it.   Go with just the jacket, easier and cheaper.

[indypartridge]

Keep in mind that you don't have decide right away. For the first six years I kept bees, I just wore a veil, jeans and some old white shirts I got at the re-sale shop. When I finally bought a jacket-hood combo, I bought an UltraBreeze.

[VolunteerK9]

I thought I had seen another ventilated jacket that was a little cheaper. I dont have any experience with this company or the product so I cant tell you about its performance but it is ventilated.

http://www.pigeonmountaintrading.com/Category/1-22636-ventilated-bee-wear.aspx