Testing the worlds best wetsuits for 2023
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- Deciding which wetsuit to buy for winter can be a big consideration. With a plethora of new brands having entered the market in the last few years, this has lead to wetsuit buying overwhelm. But what many people don't realise is that most wetsuit brands are manufactured in the same factory - Sheico - in fact the only brand to have their own factory are Rip Curl (and Oneill who have their own facility inside Sheico).
This doesn't mean that all wetsuits are the same though. There are variations, standardisations and huge differences in innovation and R&D. This first exploration into the wetsuit realm starts to discuss the wetsuit industry at large and how we as consumers can navigate it.
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Whether the core surf world likes it or not you’re now a household name in surfing, everyone including Slater knows who you are. Good on you for paving your own way.
🙏🏽
Now adays "Core Surf World" just means bitter Gen-Xers that used to (think they) rip, but are old now.
Surprised Xcel didn’t get represented. … thanks for the video!
What I’m still waiting for is seeing test being done in actual winter conditions, talking from 9 degrees Celsius and down to 5 or 6, and showing who actually makes good suits for cold temperatures. A brand of suit that I’d recommend testing is Premium wetsuits, and Prolimit wetsuits not well known brands that make really good suits in everything up to 6/5/4. Cheers from Norway✌🏻
Indeed. 12-13 C is not exactly that cold water temperature. I used to believe that the water in Cape Town was cold, but I now live in Europe and have discovered what cold really means. On a different note, I have 3 Prolimit wetsuits and I love them.
I second this. Id really love a test of winterwetsuits in the winter of cold hawai (aka denmark) :) These suits are so expensive, its really bad if your shot is a miss!
Another great video Kale! Killing it as usual, you've been a game changer in the surfing industry over the past couple years for sure
🙏🏽🙏🏽
Currently I have a couple season old Billabong 2/2 Furnace with the graphene in the liner and found the same as you, after a season it was not as soft, stretchy, or comfortable. However it is still a water tight functional suit for warmer temps. I also have a Hyperflex 3/2 Cryo that is also a couple seasons old that is extremely warm, still comfortable and stretchy. Although a little bulky for my taste but still an excellent wetsuit for a great price. This past winter, I bought an Excel Drylock X 3/2 and without a doubt it is the most comfortable, stretchy, warm suit I have ever owned. I cannot say enough good things about this wetsuit. I paid a premium for it but I will do it again when the time comes. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for the best. For springsuits, I have a Hurly that fts well and is excellent and I also have an Isurus that is again the best springsuit I have ever owned. I would gladly try one of their fullsuits.
Great review. It would be interesting to have comparisons on how heavy each wetsuit was after surfing compared to being dry.
As a (re)newbie here in the NE USA, I just got my first wetsuit this summer in anticipation for fall. After researching materials and price, I got my $100 Roxy 3/2 Prologue. So far, I really like it and will get the booties soon, too. Since I don't know yet about its durability, I do soak/rinse it in cold water in the bathtub after every session, then drape it there to dry, which it does quickly. My only other concern is for leaks when in the waves, not sure what's normal for a "wetsuit". Anyway, though I won't be surfing this winter, this video is certainly helpful as to the accessories I'll need for spring, like O'Neill hood, when water temps until May are still verrry cold.🏄♀️
Need to call out: Patagonia have done miles more for wetsuit innovation than either of Rip Curl or O’Neil. I mean- inventing Yulex and then letting the whole industry use it?!
Finisterre should be called out for making massive durability moves when others were making disposable crap. I’m still using the original 4/3 wetsuit they made for intensive user testing, almost ten years later
Kind of. Yulex was it's own company that patagonia partnered with in the beginning. But you're right that patagonia didn't insist on exclusivity to the material and wanted other companies in the industry to adopt it. That is pretty cool. Interestingly Sheico is their partner as well and handles the mass manufacturing of Yulex rubber.
super in depth video, seriosly what I was looking for, thanks for putting in the effort for the rest of us
Glad it was helpful!
I just purchased a NeedsEssentials suit and it is the best wetsuit I have ever owned. It rivals any top-brand wetsuit on the market. I used to wear a Patagonia and the quality was good, but the price was astronomical. Not worth the price. Going from a "top brand" wetsuit to NeedsEssentials I have noticed no difference in quality. In my opinion, the NeedsEssentials is better than most if not all wetsuits. For the quality and price, it is second to none. From here on out I will purchase this brand and highly recommend it. The weight correlates to its high quality. I see it staying strong for a while.
For Sizing, I bought an XLS 4/3 and I am 5'9" (69 inches) and weigh 195 lbs. The sizing is perfect. I live in San Diego and this suit will be perfect for the upcoming winter.
Hey Kale, I live in Ontario, Canada and surf in the Great Lakes. Our surf season is winter here so almost all the surfing is with wetsuits on. When the water is 12-17 degrees I wear a 3/2 ripcurl E-bomb zipper less with e6 neoprene. When it gets a little colder, about 7- 12 I wear 4/3 ripcurl g-bomb zipperless with e6 neoprene. They are super light and stretchy and it hard to tell that you are even wearing them. When it gets colder than 7degrees I wear a 5/4 hooded chest zip billabong comp series chest zip. It’s the stretchiest wetsuit I have ever had on. I wear it until the water is about 3.5 degrees. In January and February when the water is only not frozen because it’s moving I wear a 6/5 billabong hooded chest zip. It’s thick and heavy but it keeps me warm in the super cold water. As for gloves, I have the same ripcurl gloves you tested. They are good but they seem to be wearing out very quickly. Mine have a lot of patches on the palm areas already. I also wear hyperflex 5mm lobster mitts and 7 mm oven mitts. They are inexpensive and durable and warm. The booties I swear by are from a brand called solite. I wear 3mm, 5mm, and 8mm booties. They come with heat boosting socks that make them warmer and easier to put on. They are also custom fitted to your feet with some hot water.
Wow that is wild and such incredible dedication. I can only imagine the wind chill factor. Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you for sharing your experience mate!!
So sick that you surf the Great Lakes dude
@@fenestrapain Yup, that's the norm here in Canada. A quiver of suits is even more needed than a quiver of boards. The most reliable good waves are in winter. Solite boots so far have been great for me also.
I'm in the UK and all can say is that whatever suit you're in today, it's 100x better than those 90s blind stitched sieves. I'm still thawing out from those sessions.
This is the wetsuit test we’ve all been waiting for! Well done Kale💪🏼🙌🏼
I LOVE my 6/4/3mm Liquid Taped NeedsEssentials suit. Super warm, flexible and durable. I could stay in the water for hours in frigid 1*C winter waters in Atlantic Canada. Couldn't recommend it more.
Best suit I've ever owned. Bought 2 last year and they are both still water tight after 8 months of heavy usage and not cleaning after surfing.
Mine is sooooo heavy and restrictive 😫 bought around 4 years ago.
Weird they use graphene, a heat conductor, you want an insulator, not a conductor. Wonder if it's just marketing BS.
Informative! Love the longevity aspect. I feel thats the biggest challenge. I had the flash bomb 3/2 but it didnt last through the 2nd year so well. Not terrible but not nearly as warm.
Great video. I found this video really helpful! 👍 I currently have a Quiksilver wetsuit.
I had a 450 dollar hurley that ripped it days and my 200 dollar needessentials has lasted a year. Will be sticking to them from now on
Thanks Kale! I needed this! 🙏
Nor Cal and and now So Cal San Diego surfer here for last 30 years. I’m someone who gets cold easily so good wetties are essential. Been mostly Xcel in nor cal and Rip Curl now that I’m not in cold cold water as much and like the flex. Rip Curl has always been my fave brand since a grom, probably because of Curren. But after watching your review, I’m open to picking up a Quik suit, which I hadn’t ever considered as a quality suit. Thanks for the review and reminder to eat ya broccoli !
Great vid Kale, always wish there would be more 5/4's included in wettie reviews though!
Thanks so much for this Kale, you legend 💪🏼
Looking forward to seeing which suits last - I'd also love to know which suits dry the quickest in the shade, I mean there's a reason we all hang them in the sun isn't there.
Thanks! The end results will be interesting. I'm in England, 5/4 in winter and 3/2 the rest of the time. After RipCurl now gone to Xcel, really great quality and fit. This combo should last 3/4 years as I get them reglued when a small leak appears.
Always quality work Kale, thanks for that review! Shows overall that the game in wetsuit has stepped up and it narrows down to which one fits you the best because they're all good products. Yewww!
🤙🏽🙏🏽
just bought the quicksilver highline. tried it for the first time. I went out for 2:45 and was toasty warm. last week I only lasted 1 hour in my old 4/3 before I was frozen stiff. great suggestion. thanks Kale.
When it comes to durability you might want to factor in how much time these suits are used in pools where there will be chemicals not found in the ocean. I love my O'Neil Hyperfreaks - both chest zips. This brand always fits me right from the size chart. The only thing about them that is a bit of a challenge is getting them to dry in the corners of the various flaps. It's possible to turn them just right to get them thoroughly dry but takes that extra step. Where I live my suits will usually dry naturally in a few hours in summer or in winter with a fan blowing on them - never in the sun of course. That's probably the same with every chest zip. My previous suit was the Epic and it lasted 6 years!
Kale good little watch thanks. Wish the UK winter was that warm!!
Quicksilvers are my go to there so good had mine for 2 months now and my pee still gets stuck inside it’s so waterproof! So stretchy and easily warmest I love the wetsuits!
this video is very informative and because I already have a ripcurl 3/2, I'll go for the highline thx!!!!
what an awesome video! Had me so entertain. could you pls make a video on the best traction pad?
really thanks . this vid give me a chance to think about this industry.
Hey Kale great review, I love my Billabong 3/2 with graphen and for really cold conditions my srface hooded 5/4 ✌️
Will definitely be interested to see how they hold up, O'Neil and hurley in particular...my technobutter 4:3 hyperfreak stretched out pretty quick
got a pair of those flasbomb boots for winters in the north east uk, I love the thin sole as you can still feel the board well
Would appreciate hearing more about the sizing/cut of the suits. As getting good fit seems like one of most important factors in my experience
Yes very personalised obviously - difficult one to navigate / build a story around
I had a custom suit made for me and its amazing. It's also lasted 7 years without a single loose thread, nick or tear.
@@RobManser77 Where did you go to get a personalised suit?
Great review ! Very helpful info for us that surf in cold water !
I've got 2 questions,
what size did you wear for the Highline suit and what siz e for the need essentials liquid ?
I really appreciate all your hard work, thanks
I appreciate your viewing time and contribution in the comments 🙏🏽🤙🏽
I worked in Cleanline surf shop for 15yrs here in the p.n.w and surfed here for 30+yrs. I'd highly recommend trying BUELL wetsuits out of Santa Cruz, CA. And HOTLINE 5mm split toe boots, also out of Santa Cruz, CA. I've done some R&D for a few brands over the years for cold water suits and would love to go deeper but I'll keep it shot. Keep your eye on the amount of compression in the neoprene that happens over time. I find the ones that are super flexible and stretchy even in 5mm the neoprene will lose it's density and warmth as soon as even after a few months of repeated use (say surfing twice a week). Look at the elbows they'll usually pocket out first.
Excellent handle and song matey.
Hotline had a loyal following around Scarborough UK for a time, which tells you something as it gets down to like 4C in cold winters.
Would be great to see some Yamamoto based wetsuits (e.g. Feral, Isurus) in the next test. I haven an Isurus and it's such a game changer in warmth and lightness.
Yeah I totally agree CP, I've had my 3/2 Isurus steamer for 4 years now and still going strong, a few loose seams but totally repairable, the quality is exceptional. Finally talked my mate into getting one as he's always been an Xcel fan, he's since bought the LS Isurus springy as well.
would be cool to hear your impressions of a Matuse wetsuit
I've been in the market for a summer wetsuit in the UK, I got a 3/2 o' Neil epic, chest zip, I just like O'Neil. I was out a few weeks ago, 5/4 physio tec, rash vest under suit, spray top over suit, toastie inside, it was -4 wind chill.
Kale, great review, but you slipped up on asking your mum what she thought! Fantastic that you included her. Nice touch.
🤣 she was too stressed about being coerced to film
Great review, I've used a wetsuit for winter conditions in Portugal by Deeply 5/3, flexible and all round happy with the purchase, got it on sale for half price and have been using it at Urban Surf since I've been back home, I also have a Vissla Sea Seas 4/3 which is great but I've found it more difficult to get on and off, I'll check out your suggestions, thx
my personal wish for this video was a rating of all the suits with the criteria comfort, heat, flex, price, durability,.. thanks for taking this into consideration in a future video.
I can tell you right now the hyperfreak will definitely tear here and there after a year but it’s so comfortable it’s definitely more performance based then durable but I’m guilty of leaving it in the sun for too long several times 😂
For me I changed from Ripcurl to Billabong and haven't looked back. I was paying top dollar for the top of the range wetsuit only to get one season out of it and multiple warranty returns. Just tired of leaks in the lower back region, especially coming from deep south SA. I have found the Billbong Furnace Comp Pro to be sufficient and most importantly no leaks and easily 2 seasons worth with out fail. I like these suits because there are no joins or seams in the lower back area and just minimal seams all round which makes the suit a winner for me, and also being the comp suit it's pretty flexible and stretchy in the shoulder department.
Aweh bru. Does it handle Dunes after a week of solid South Easter cold? I am looking for a suit that will handle that easily.
@@jameslangridge1674 sorry mate, I’m from South Australia 🇦🇺 SA, probably sounds colder down your way. Generally a 4/3 is the thickest we’d use here.
I'm here because I'm getting the Quik, so glad you liked it! I have a bill furnace comp 3:2 and it feels like wearing a pijama, also it's sooo easy to put on and off that I get it even if is wet and I have other 2 threetwo's. My experience after wearing it a year is totally opposite thought, I feel like is getting too strechy and it's loosing its properties.
It's crazy how expensive the wetsuits have get in last 8-10 years... I remember everybody freaking out with those flashbombs passing the 300€ barrier. Nowadays you get an entry level on that price if isn't on sale.
Thanks Kale for the great review.
Slight pity you didn’t review an Excel wetsuit. These are a really popular choice in UK and Europe and in my opinion the best surf suits available. I’d have loved to hear how you rated Excel vs. the other brands. Next year 🤙
Xcel are well ahead of the rest (IMO)
I trust my 6/5 Xcel suits for surfing in water under 4* Celsius, but unless it’s deathly cold the drylocks are just too restrictive to be worth it in my opinion.
@@spenceroliphant2665 yup, 6/5 drylock is a good warm suit. Very restrictive and hard to get on but when the water is around the freezing point, no 4/3 is going to cut it. I did appreciate this as a review for fall suits though. Really interested to hear how the hyperfreak fire holds up...
How are the excel in terms of flexibility and restrictiveness ?
Winter surfer and kitesurfer here in the cold northeastern US. I love my Xcel quiver, from 3/2 to 5/4. You should add them to the lineup.
I'm surprised how little time you spent on booties. I recently bought a pair of solite booties that focus on the board feel so through 5mm of squishy neoprene.
Also, I've seen new materials that resist evaporation like Camaro blactec.
thanks for sharing this video, very useful. here where i live is very cold,brutal winters. Great Lakes. Lake Erie, Ohio, United States. unsalted surf. Usually we wear a 6/5/4 mm wetsuits, 7mm boots, and 6-7mm gloves, not much flexibility.
I had a Need steamer, good price and good wettie. However, I then bought a E-Bomb zipless, and it’s like wearing a 1mm witty. So flexible. Probably wouldn’t work in Vic, but fine for the Gong. Will buy another one next time for sure
Hi Kale I have just received my Sharkstop wetsuit and am yet to use it mostly because I surf the GC and the water temp is now around 22c. I bought it for sole surfing sessions or Northern NSW sessions so it is a very specific suit but would be great to get your take on it. I’ll let you know how it feels once I get it in the water. Enjoy your travels
Even thou I‘m not interested in a new wetsuit, I watched the whole vid just because you‘re awesome and I love it to support you 🥰
🙏🏽
You’re the best
I had almost all Rip Curl including Flashbombs Mollusk Patagonia ONeil Sister and numerous types of spring suits and few others I but the best was by X-cel women's comp x 4.5 was the best... I lived in SoCal (USA) moved up north again (Santa Cruz) froze to death in 3 mm until I got into this one
Needessentials 👍 Good to see a smaller lower cost brand get a mention
Glad for the Aussie perspective and prices. Warm going in to Cool is the big problem i guess, as i dont think i'll be doing much surfing in winter :) But who knows.
Brilliant stuff, Kale. Well done and thanks for the video. I really dig how you present things and that you are doing long-term testing. On a side note. Rant Warning: Long post, with some ranting at several surf brands ahead: I work as a surf instructor (as one of my side gigs) and have surfed for over 25 years. I am in the water almost every day, whether it is free-diving, surfing, swimming, or snorkeling. I have tried many of the brands available and always in colder water temps (11-16 degrees Celcius). I also am exceptionally careful with my suits. (Rinse them with fresh water after every use, never hang them in the sun and never hang them by the shoulders etc, yet the durability hasn't noticeably increased, as claimed by your experts). Thus, it's unlikely to ever see a 3/2 available here (South Africa). As I got older, I noticed my needs changed, and warmth and ease of entry and exit into the suit became way more important than flexibility, once in it (i.e when actually surfing). As several local brand wetsuits (Reef, Coral, etc) are relatively cheap here in South Africa, the price point of some of these more expensive brands (Patagonia, Rip Curl, Quiksilver and Vissla, etc) makes a huge difference to surfers, especially new ones, so that is where durability plays a large role, as many people cannot afford more than 1 wetsuit, and that has to last several seasons/years (We easily get about 300 days of surfable swell in a year). That being said, I have noticed that the more "features" and premium the suit is marketed as, the quicker they either tear, delaminate or just plain deteriorate (fray). I am able to get heavily discounted Quiksilver suits from the surf school I work at, so naturally I buy those, but their quality has steadily declined, while the list of "features" increases. For anecdotal evidence: My Rip Curl delaminated after 6 months of use, my Patatgonia (4/3mm) literally came apart at the seams (multiple spots) after only a month, and all my Quiksilver (5/4/3mm) suits have torn at the shoulder seam within 3 months of use (same spot). My Quiksilver booties also ripped after a month of putting them on. Quiksilver products are marketed as premium products here. My thoughts: Best suits at a premium price point in South Africa (in my opinion), are O'Neill. Non-premium: Local brand Reef kicks all premium brands asses in terms of durability and price. My O'Neill suits (6/5/4mm and 5/4mm) each lasted more than 5 and 10 years of abuse, respectively, before eventually giving up the ghost. My Xcel suit (4/3mm) was amazing and lasted a long time too. My Reef suits (4/3mm) have travelled the world with me and been heavily used and been donated to nephews and are still going strong after 15 years!!! I am wondering why the durability has decreased as the general focus shifted towards flexibility. All I want is the warmest suit with the easiest entry/exit, that is indestructible and lets me move enough to paddle and pop up and is cheap. (Please insert sarcastic tone for that last bit). From the many surfers I see in the water, the vast majority of them are never going to surf at a level where they will notice the difference in performance/features vs how warm a suit is. They will however, noticed the difference in price and how long it lasts (durability). Rant over. Thanks for reading my TED talk lecture. Keep shredding!!
👏🏽 great input!
Though I think they will feel the difference in fatigue from paddling a stiff suit Vs a flexi suit
Great channel and nice review on these suits. It might be good to point out though, that these are "wetsuits", and a wetsuit is designed to let an initial layer of water into the suit, which is then heated by the body. If the suit fits correctly and is functioning properly, this thin layer of water will then assist in keeping the suit from further "leakage", which I believe is what Kale is referring to when he talks about leaks. A "drysuit" is designed to let no water at all enter. Some folks do have a tendency to be confused by the differences at times.
thanks for the work, good information about these global brands
Thank you for another great review Kale! That black sharp eye is looking sparky !is it the Inferno 72? Cheers from Greece!
FT Quad!
O’Neill Hyper Freak for sure but I don’t mind Rip curl. I’m surprised to see that you like the Quicksilver high line the best. Might have to try it out some day
hey Kale, I’ve been wearing the O’neil 3/2 with chest zip and it’s so comfy. I’ve had two of them now and I don’t have any desire to find a replacement.
Getting up there with Casey Neistat quality editing bruva !!! great review and ripping as always ! thanks Broccoli !
Great reviews ! have you tried the WETTY wetsuits while in France ?
I’ve got a 3/2 body glove suit that has treated me so well for so long, and I’m only just now starting to look for a 4/3. I tried a Buell that I really liked, but haven’t pulled the trigger. Thanks for this vid :)
cop the buell, amazing suits for the price
Man any body glove suit I’ve had has fallen apart so quick. My gut feeling is they are super cheaply made. Buell does just enough extra to keep the longevity of the suit while maintaining a cheap price. Personally Vissla suits have hit that perfect mark between cheap yet good.
Thanks for the tip. The body glove suit is probably 15 years old at this point but I was only going out sporadically, like a few times a year at most. I’ve been picking up a lot more recently, going out at least once per week, so let’s see how quickly it fails me hahah. I’ll be trying on some buells at their shop tomorrow.
Nice work bro🙌🏼
@Kale Brock can you give any impressions on drying time? it's relevant when surfing multiple sessions in a given period
Get on the yamamoto neoprene wagon. Since trying a Feral last year, all my wetties have to be in that material. It's so much lighter as it doesn't absorb as much water as these big brand wetsuits do, so it's nice not being bogged down and chilly because the suit is taking on too much cold water.
Yeah I love my Feral too and probably won't go back to Sheico stuff even though I have nothing against their stuff. They make great rubber for those brands.
I just really like the feel of the Yamamoto and I love the way Feral conducts itself. No BS. No ambiguity on their website. They tell you exactly what they use and why and where it comes from and their reasons for it.
Great video !! I always wonder who films you in the sections where you are surfing ?
As for wetsuits , where I live (Israel) , 3/2 is usually enough warmth for our winter (the colder the sea might get in the winter is 16 degs C). currently I use Rip Curl's Flash-bomb E5 and in the colder days I add another layer under the suit of O'Neill Thermo-X.. it does the job ;)
Various people hahaha
Even though I live in Nicaragua where the water and air are warm year round, I still watched this entire video lol. I don’t miss having to wear a wetsuit, but the tech has come a long way since I last did.
🙏🏽🙏🏽
Great video! If you had to pick between the rip curl heatseeker (on sale 370€) vs high line (on sale 319€) which would you go for?
Surfing in France around Hossegor and looking for a transition/ winter suit. Thanks!!
I love the srface wetsuits would love to see you review!
Haha wearing a hood, boots and gloves in 10+C 🤣
You guys are lucky to never have to surf really cold waters.
Anyway, great vid. In my experience fit is also a huge factor that determents how warm a wetsuit will feel.
I've had two Rip Curl Flash Bombs and never felt so cold during a winter session. I've got a thin waist and with the Flash Bomb I had a lot of extra space around my middle.
Quiksilver, C-Skins and Mystic are a much better fit and a lot cheaper models than the Flash Bomb keep me super warm. Flexibility is less, but you can't benefit from flexibility if you're freezing cold.
Would be cool to see you review a Feral wetsuit
I’m in my 2nd season of a Furnace 4/3 over here in Santa Cruz, CA and find it warm and flexy. I do have a small tear in the collar which I’m not stoked about.
It's impossible to overstate how important fit is as well. Obviously flexibility is key for surfing, but also warmth. To stay warm you want the minimum amount of water in the suit (note that the whole "layer of water keeping you warm" thing is a complete myth; actually the opposite is true), so no baggy bits or loose bits that hold water, or in fact over-tight bits where 5mm gets stretched out to 3mm, because the warmth of a suit is in the thickness of the material (neoprene contains nitrogen bubbles that conduct heat badly, so insulate you). Surfing's particularly demanding for this because wipeouts at speed on a decent sized wave in a suit that doesn't fit well can feel like you're not wearing a suit at all.
The problem facing wetsuit manufacturers is that they're all-in-one suits, so one size has to fit the whole of a person and that's a really tough thing to do, because people vary so much in chest, waist, leg length, leg size, arm size, arm length, neck size etc. I've noticed my wife has even worse problems than me, and I suspect women vary even more than men. With many winter suits you can add head size to that too, cause they have an integral hood. You might well find that a fairly poor suit that scores badly in a test like this is warmer for an individual than a great suit that wins a test like this, purely because the poor suit fits them much better. Thankfully all brands size differently, so many people find a great fit, but personally despite being a regular sized guy I've never found the perfect fit for me. My current summer suit is almost perfect in the body, but the neck is too big and lets in water. My winter suit is custom and it's amazing - perfect everywhere.
Good video! I'm just going to copy and paste a comment I made a few months ago on another wetsuit review video. Some of the things you addressed here. But there is even more to it than that.
Pretty much every single wetsuit company have their suits designed and made by Sheico out of Taiwan. Rip Curl, Billabong, quicksilver, patagonia, xcel, vissla, body glove, o'niel, need essentials, mollusk, Buell.....basically anything that doesn't say JAPANESE NEOPRENE is going to be a Sheico wetsuit. I think there might be one or two Chinese neoprene manufacturers as well but I don't think any of the major brand (rightly) use those. They are more for ultra cheap no name wetsuits.
I'm not saying this to devalue those wetsuits but just to inform that none of these companies are designing the material. At best they work in coordination with Sheico on design and maybe test some materials but all the "tech" in them is coming from Sheico. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Sheico are apparently a long time family run business that can build excellent products. Also, they supposedly are known to be loyal to each brand. So Rip Curl E neoprene IS Rip Curl's neoprene and the other companies can't have that particular formula. So wetsuits will be built to what those companies want.
Yamamoto Rubber is the Japanese limestone stuff found on 7till8, Feral and other brands that will clearly use that in their promotions as a selling point. Sheico also makes a limestone neoprene and that's what need essentials and mollusk are using. Not the Japanese stuff and that's why they're cheaper.
Bottom line is, if you want stretchy and flexible then the wetsuit is going to be less durable. If you want durable then the wet suit is going to be less stretchy.
As for what I like...I've had a few Sheico suits. Rip Curl, Hurley, Quicksilver....they've been very good. My Rip Curl lasted many years of twice a week minimum, 6 month winter sessions. The Quicksilver Highline was a little less durable. I think I got 3 years out of it. Comfy suit though.
My current wetty is a Feral. I do have to admit, that while I have no problems with Sheico stuff, I probably will be sticking with the Japanese Yamamoto neoprene. It really does feel amazing and is warm warm warm. It most certainly is a little more "stiff" than the Sheico stuff though. If ultimate flexibility is your priority it's not the best. But it really does mold to your body and it still paddles well. As for durability it's a little too soon to tell. 2nd year and it's still almost like new. I suspect in the end it will be more durable overall than anything I've had from Sheico. You just get that ultra high quality vibe from it.
Would be cool if you could do a best board you can buy for the summer like the one you did 1 year ago
thanks
Great vid. What's the lime coloured board you're riding in the hyperfreak?
Mid strength
Would love to hear your thoughts on Project Blank/ needessentials wetsuits? Half the price tag of branded wetsuits
Air temperature, wind and sunshine will change results if done on different days even how rough the sea is, someone tried a test last year but he did it in a ice bath but then it comes down to fit and he would of been fatigued after a few sessions on same Day so would need to spread out over a few days
Hey kale I noticed you had a Js big baron under your arm in the wave pool ….What’re your thoughts on the board ?
Xcel all the way
Dude I’m with ya on that
Thank you for this review, my ten year old wetsuit is shot. These have come a long way since then. 🏄🏽♀️
🥦
All thanks to Jack, way back when👏🏼✌🏼🤙🏼
I usually get 3 seasons out of steamer. Central coast cold water season is about 20 weeks long give or take. I always use Ripcurl, Ebomb or Fbomb and I never wash my suits so could probably get longer out of them if I cared for them more. They usually wear on the rubber seals, neck, wrist, ankles. Id assume its sun/salt damage. But Approx $650 every 3 years aint bad.
Washing the wetsuit after use and during the summer when drying the suit keeping it out of direct Sunlight will double its longevity
My heatseeker has developed 3 holes in the lower back after only 1 1/2 winters. Great suit but the durability sucks. Not happy @ripcurl.
@@hasbeenracing contact rip curl, it might be under warranty?
15 years ago I would have said Quik suits were close to the worst. Now, I 100% believe they are the best. They are the only suits I wear.
Agree on your comments on Need Essentials. Purchased a chest zip spring suit online earlier this year and find it a PITA getting over my shoulders both putting on and taking it off, think a back zip would have been better, maybe. Seriously considering selling it and getting something else.
How long have you had it? I'm a season and a half into my 4/3 and its so easy to get on and off and the warmth is great. Stick with it!
@@yeahnah8268 Bought it in summer earlier this year, 2mm spring suit with chest zip, worn it a dozen or more times. First time out of a steamer was 3 days ago and remembered how much of a pain it is to get on and off. Joys of buying online and not physically trying it on first.
@@davewarland1680 definitely sounds like the wrong size! 2mm shouldn't be hard to put on at all!
Had the Rip curl and lasted, the Billabong was great too! But the O’Neil was awful, front panel started to peel off after 10 surfs, was lovely and warm and flexible, but doesn’t last with care either! O’Neil gave me a credit it note, and have gone for the Highline on your recommendation :) ……first and last O’Neil I’m buying!
I hope Quicksilver now last, as when I brought a suit from them many years a go it fallen apart, So far my Rip Curl has lasted the longest! So fingers crossed 🤞
Thanks for the review.
Was it the Qsilver Highline Plus, Limited, or Lite that you tested?
I think Highline plus - in Oz I believe there’s only one option?
Very interesting what opinion about Neilpryde and Xcel
What board are you riding kale?
Thank you for the video. Regarding the sustainability topic: Are there any infos/numbers coming from independent and scientifically vetted institutions or are the info more self-reported? That could be just green-washing, otherwise....
While watching this something came to mind. All those who speak for the suits are the "founders" or "ceos", yet all these will always just say good things about their product, so it would be naive to believe they would tell the truth. No one asks the REAL makers of the suits THE WORKERS WHO MADE THEM! How far from reality we are that now to know about a product we don't ask the ACTUAL maker of the product but somebody that only puts the money (and only cares about money) but has NEVER actually MADE a wetsuit. It's like going to restaurant and asking the administrator about the food instead of the chef! This is a recipe for deceit. Last winter season I bought a Billabong wet suit and it lasted me 4 months!! I mean 300 euros investment to last 4 months before the material began to literally fall apart? It is all about lower costs posible with biggest revenue possible and that IS THE GOAL, not quality, so how can we expect sustainable and responsable products when the main objective is always profit? And all those who say different they are lying. Before we can beging to have conscious, sustainable, good quality objects which honor the Earth from whish the materials CAME FROM we need a radical change of MENTALITY. As long as profit is the bottom line, we will have a waste economy which prefers to make millions of bad quality than a few that last.
Hey Kale, nice review next time try the O’Neill Hyper Freak chest zip, i don´t think testing the one with back zip was a fair match.
It’s all they had in stock
Would've be great to get your thoughts in comparison to the Adelio suit you reviewed and recommended on your old HTR channel from a few years ago, any thoughts?
Same manufacturing facility - I’d put it in there with the Hurley
@@KalesBroccoli love the transparency, thanks for keeping it real
first time thinking of surfing in the winter in socal. looking for a decent budget option thatll keep me warm and not break my wallet!
Kale, I really enjoyed this video, watched th whole thing. I like your channel and believe your reviews are helpful. However, there's a few things I'd like to point out as flaws in this "testing", while acknowledging the fact that you have done a lot more than other wetsuit shoot outs I've seen. I'm speaking from almost 40 yrs of cold water surfing in Northern California.
#1 Fit is EVERYTHING. No amount of technical bells and whistles can overcome a poorly fitting suit. The reason I can't wear Rip Curls, even though I love their suits, is that they don't have a single size that fits me. My advice to anyone is to shop top of the line if your budget allows and try on all the suits. All things considered somewhat equal, a suit that fits you better but has a lower review rating will be the better suit for YOU.
#2 A hood, gloves and booties in 13C or 55F water will make up for wearing a 3/2. I would never wear a hood and gloves in that temperature, unless the air temps were in the 40s. 54F-58F is pretty much the avg temp year round here. As an old timer, I wear 3 mm or maybe 5 mm booties in that temp but a lot of the 20 somethings here don't wear boots. I would rather surf in a 4/3 without a hood and gloves than in a 3/2 with all that gear. A good test would have been to test wetsuit only, then boots, then hood, then gloves. I know that's a lot more effort and time, but just saying. I doubt you'd disagree with my comments, Keep up the great content mate!
For sure! Very difficult to control these variables without committing more financially / logistically to the test. Hopefully we get there ! Thanks brother
Yeah, 13c for me is 4/3 no boots or gloves for sure. Especially with the warm linings in modern 4/3 suits. Better board feel is worth it. It would have been nice to see a 4/3 rip curl compared vs the others, though I find their sizing is on the small side so they don't fit me as well as some other brands. Your first comment is spot on.
Hi Kale, great and useful video as always. The QS 4/3mm Highline looks pretty sick but I just wonder if it won't be too much for Portuguese winter (I surf in Peniche). Just asking because this wetty only shows on QS website when clicking the water temp. filter 11-14°C .. and central Portugal seems to oscillates between 14-18°C during the year. What do you think? Would appreciate your thoughts on this :) Many thanks!!
Would be perfect I reckon
@@KalesBroccoli Thanks.I didn't get where I was supposed to type brocolli to help you with the tracking.. but I just bought it based on your review.