[maddogmusher]

I am going to purchase a new bee suit for summer. The cotton/poly economy suit I have from Mann Lake is just too hot. Does anyone have any recommedations between the Ultra-Breeze bee suit at $259 and the Mann Lake vented suit for $159.95. If they are close to the same I rather save the $100. Thanks.

 

[CastletonHoney]

Ultra Breeze is great and worth the money.

Mann Lake vented suit is cheaper in price and in quality (e.g. quality of zippers).

But I am not sure I would say that the Ultra Breeze is $100 better. If $100 is a big deal to you I think you would be happy with the Mann Lake version.

 

[MrHappy]

I have the Mann Lake one, and I'm really happy with it. The only thing I hate is the hood! It is REALLY narrow. My head is pushed against the back of it and my nose is almost touching the front. I try to V the front a little all the time to get the front away from my face all the time. It is thick enough that I have never been stung in the back of the head, but have been stung on the nose once.

 

[Joseph Clemens]

My favorite bee suit = shorts and T-shirt (log sleeve - protection from sun). Most economical, too - no additional cost.

 

[urbanoutlaw]

My husband has a Mann Lake jacket and I just bought the Ultrabreeze suit. I bought my suit mainly based on BeeSource reviews. Can't say I was blown away when comparing them side-by-side. While I think the closure system and pockets on the UB suit are superior, I agree with Castletonhoney - IMO it's not worth the extra $$ if economy is important to you.

 

[TWall]

I just ordered a BeeKool jacket from Blue Sky. I don't have it yet so that isn't much help. But, they do have free shipping on them.

Tom

 

[GOHoney]

I got mine from Hives and More out of Florida. Jacket and hood $80.00. Fits good and looks well made. This will be my first year with it and looking forward to not sweating so much.

 

[LeonardS]

I am going to purchase a new bee suit for summer. The cotton/poly economy suit I have from Mann Lake is just too hot. Does anyone have any recommedations between the Ultra-Breeze bee suit at $259 and the Mann Lake vented suit for $159.95. If they are close to the same I rather save the $100. Thanks.

Check Mann Lakes discounted items. I bought an extra vented suit for $75. I have used my first one for two years and it should last two more years.

 

[imthegrumpyone]

Well I all ready bought a suit, but the more I think about it, a painters coveralls and a hat and veil would more than likely work fine.

 

[EastSideBuzz]

While I think the closure system and pockets on the UB suit are superior, I agree with Castletonhoney - IMO it's not worth the extra $$ if economy is important to you.

Ultra Breeze is the best ventilated suit. Don't cheap out on your suit. If you are trying to be frugal buy a vail and use a hat.
A suit is when they are pissed and you need to work on them and they are stinging the crap out of you. Ultra breeze is the only way t go for you and them. I use both they both have their place.

 

[shinbone]

Our high altitude sun gets brutal hot here in Denver in the summer.

I have an Ultrabreeze suit. I have never been stung through it, and I have never had a bee get into it. I wear it in complete confidence, and I am wuss about bee stings.

Can't say how it compares with other suits because this is the only suit I have owned. But I will buy the same again when this one wears out.

 

[bevy's honeybees]

I have an ultra breeze jacket, and I have an extra vented jacket knock off for when I need a helper or for teaching. When it comes time to buy again for me, it will be ultra breeze. One notable difference as I live in Florida, is that the sleeves have Velcro tighteners instead of elastic. Here, rubber wears out much faster so I am sure these will last longer. I like the zippers better and how it goes together at the neck with the ultra breeze.

The differences are not huge, but they are enough for me that I will pay the extra to have a jacket I really love.

 

[maddogmusher]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I am going to order the Ultrabreeze suit. I rather spend more money and get the better suit up front. I need to be confident in my suit while working with the bees. My last few times I've gotten stung,my hands and or arms swelled up for 2 days. Luckily it doesn't affect my throat at all. I might want to start carrying an Epi pen just in case.

 

[squarepeg]

ordered my ultrabreeze this morning and it's already been shipped. couldn't bear another summer with the unvented suit i've been using.

 

[Acebird]

http://www.brazilianbikinishop.com/en/brazilian-bikini-morumbi-29209.html
This is the best ventilated bee suit but the bees have to cooperate.

 

[TWall]

I just recieved my BeeKool jacket from Blue Sky. It is very well made and looks like it should be cool and provide more protection from stings than a regular jacket.

Tom

 

[ericweller]

I saw the "fencing" type veil and got one to give it a try.
http://www.pestmall.com/beekeeping-fencing-veil-vest-combo.html
The veil offers no protection to your upper body but the veil is impenetrable. I wear a long sleeve shirt and gauntlet gloves and haven't been stung, yet. I haven't used it for a full inspection, yet, but I like it so far. It is definitely cooler than my regular jacket.

 

[dynemd]

I've got the Pestmall ventilated jacket for $99 with free shipping, and I like it a lot. Good quality and tons cooler than my regular cotton/poly suit. Lots of head room and I've got a big head!
http://www.pestmall.com/eco-keeper-vented-bee-jacket-hooded-jacket.html

 

[tsparkman69]

this may be too late, but I had the Golden bee suit, Ultra breeze, and Dadant. As I live in Florida it is hot 80% of year and I started many years ago with the regular cotton/poly suit. I almost died in hot days. So I move to ventilated suits, the Golden Bee first, and it was ok. For some reason switched to Ultra Breeze, and I loved the suit but it was pricey. So I got a Dadant Economy Ventilated suit, have to say the Dadant customer service was great, but I didn't like the suit, it "felt" cheap. I just ordered another Ultra Breeze suit, should be enough said that I went back to the Ultra Breeze, just had to convince myself you get what you pay for.

I have to give Dadant customer service kudos though. They shipped a jacket instead of a full suit. Once I called they replaced it. I am close to a warehouse (about 2hrs. drive) I received my new suit the next day I had just shipped the returning jacket. I am sure I got my suit before they got their returning jacket and literally the next day.

 

[iivydriff]

the hood on the Mann Lake vented suits are too narrow for me and the mesh comes back too far. I get stung in the face all the time throught he mesh on my face because the mesh gets against my skin. The ultrabreeze has a wider deeper hood i dont have that problem with it. I like the ultrabreeze better mainly foir that reason. But its a better made suit too.