Stab's Best Wetsuits Of 2022

[@daisycool8715]

2:06 rip curl 3:00 rip curl bootie 4:01 buell 5:18 buell booties 5:54 mollusk 7:16 feral 8:23 vans booties 9:09 billabong 10:04 billabong booties 10:41 o’neill 12:03 quicksilver tests for top 3 wetsuits agility test mens 14:19 women’s 14:52 accessibility to take on and off mens 15:50 womens 16:53 wetsuit weight womens 18:01 buell 18:21 mollusk 18:37 feral mens 19:07 billabong 19:21 o’neill 19:42 feral cryo-chamber womens 21:07 buell 21:33 feral 21:48 mollusk mens 22:2: oneill 22:49 feral 23:19 billabong

[@hugoegon1]

Durability, long term testing, would be a nice criteria to add in the future

[@Joe.doherty]

Hyperflex

[@carlosaramosss8166]

Yeah... I got an oneill Omega 2:1 vest last march ("cold" water season overhere is march trough may). Always rinsed it, always set it flat on a towel to dry, never left it under the sun... The plastic-like panel on the back is f*d up... Leaks cold water in everytime I take a stroke... Looked good, worked good (for 3 months) didn't last 2 full 3 month seasons.🤦

[@boisebroncoadventures]

Such a big factor - unless you only surf a few times a season

[@carlosaramosss8166]

Sorry, rip curl Omega, i meant... Last one before it was o neill, which lasted 5-6 years...

[@oliguayasebesteves166]

@@carlosaramosss8166 I got one, it is the worst wettie i have ever had.

[@doublestrokeroll]

OK... so once again.....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.

[@alexanderturl]

This post is quite probably the most accurate piece of wetsuit advice on the internet, rather than a bunch of "reviews" that are in actual fact nothing more than a list of affiliate links.

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@alexanderturl Thank you very much! :)

[@AlexanderBoutilier]

Spot on comment, my needessentials 6/4/3 and my adelio 4/3 are identical rubber in addition to even the inside fleece liner being identical. Funny how it's all mostly marking in the below 5/4 mm suit segments.

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@AlexanderBoutilier Again, to a certain extent. There are companies like Yulex which came up with their own "natural" rubber from trees and are most famously used in Patagonia wetsuits, but I'm pretty sure the mass production of the material is done by Sheico. I think I read an article somewhere that Patagonia didn't want the exclusive rights to use it because they want other wetsuit companies to adopt it, being more environmentally friendly than traditional or limestone based neoprene. But yeah, for the most part they are all basically the same idea.

[@AlexanderBoutilier]

@@doublestrokeroll yeah only suits there is a significant difference is in the real deep winter suits which we use in Canada, depending on the stitching and taping methods a suit can have vastly different durability and warmth

[@colmanmcvaney4295]

You guys should Give each wetsuit to someone within Stab for a month and then come back with how they aged. I had an oneal wetsuit that was great for a few weeks but after 1 winter it had tons of holes.

[@JW41946]

Same.

[@RomyIlano]

Also show Someone shorter and more muscular too although they are both funny! I feel like both reviewers basically have he same body type and could fit into anything 🥰🥰🥰 her mollusk review was rad and is part of why I bought it 🎉

[@jackbarone2285]

I would be cautious about the results of the cryo tank tests. They need a thin layer of water between the body and the suit to properly function and insulate. It may not be testing the actual insulation of the suits because it ignores the layer of water

[@CurrentVistaProductions]

Good shit stab. Thank you for making this available to everyone

[@oseenerby3031]

I am not Surfer. I am a Wakeboarder and Kitesurfer (Twintip) in Europe . But I love your neoprene test videos !!! Great work here. Thank you.

[@breakrodo]

Last year I got a Billabong thanks to your 2021 video and this time my wife is getting a Feral thanks to this video. Great job and thanks for the advice 👍

[@Surfingsucksnow]

How is need essentials still not on this test?

[@jordanlowe950]

No money being thrown at STAB from need to give a review

[@beargaming3693]

They make the best wetsuits yeww

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@beargaming3693 You mean Sheico makes the best wetsuits.

[@Whitehorseandryder]

No heatseeker, not even an E7 flash for the rip curl model, so not a fair test.. almost would've preferred for you to wait for the ship to come in with the rest of them 🤙🏼 Hope you're going to do challengers tournament sequel once it finally does bring them!

[@naetronic]

Rotated the billabong 4/3 furnace with the needessentials liquid taped 4/3 this season, needessentials was much better in every area and 200 dollars less

[@boardlyfe]

was it the comp or the regular furnace? I know the need essentials is warmer but was it just as stretchy?

[@naetronic]

@Edgar lighter, and more flex than the billabong furnace and just as warm

[@rodbarrett1581]

@@naetronic on the need essentials did the liquid tape areas seem uncomfortable and or restrictive? Deciding on the liquid tape or the thermal suit they have.

[@naetronic]

@@rodbarrett1581 not uncomfortable at all, i have it in a 3/2 as well

[@rodbarrett1581]

@@naetronic cool. Thanks.

[@zachgrayling3386]

You need to try Solite boots! They are insane, they last forever super tough rubber, they mould to your feet and are super warm

[@Sacken49]

Mine fell apart after 2 months. I took good care of them too. Liked them up until that point though

[@naetronic]

they're super comfortable, but mine only lasted one season

[@EgoDeathMetal]

Can't decide between a Hyperfreak chest and a blueprint 4/3. I'm replacing a zipless Hyperfreak comp and I'm hearing the blueprints aren't as flexy but maybe better for colder water (I'm in NorCal)

[@TravisVarga]

Get the Hyperfreak. I have both and the Blueprint is stiffer than I’d like. The technobutter 4 is stiffer since it has graphene. I’d say get 2 hype freaks and rotate. The chest zip has .5mm more than the comp and it flushes less and has better ankle and wrist seams. The blueprint in this tho is last years, which has TB3 and is on sale. I had that suit also, and it’s more flex then the new blueprint. But the smoothie skin gets cuts and goes really quickly. Quicker than any other smooth skin for sure. Hope that helps..

[@christopherbelmonte5145]

WHEW thank god they didn't feature my suit. I'll be able to get another when I need to.

[@RomyIlano]

I was scared I wouldn’t fit into anything the cool lady was reviewing but my mollusk back zip is so awesome !!! Thanks for including her. She is right it does make me look like a ninja cat woman 😍😍😍😍😍🙏🏽🙏🏽😍

[@Cuisinenomade1]

Also this is helpfil by all means, it doesnt say anything about the qualy of the suits over time. The first time in the water all suits are new but after 10 sessions the story is different. It would be nice a video of them over time. It may take some time to do the video but it would provide with valuable info in respect to the sustainability of the suits. In my opinion, a good suit that only keeps it properties for a shot time is not that much of a "good" suit. Thanks for the video, very entertaining.

[@pierrearmand2793]

I got an O Neil zipless hyperfreak and love the wetsuit. It is warm enough that I've been a little lax in putting on my booties. No water flushing and super soft. I do wonder how long the material is going to last. I am 59. I can get into it fairly easy, just difficult getting out of it.

[@therealbeans]

What Xcel didn’t pay?

[@Whitehorseandryder]

Maybe was one of the ones they mentioned were still on the boat, same reason they had to use last season's Rip Curl one

[@natashamoore8710]

So good to see the women's wetsuits this year!

[@freddiewm1502]

So i have a oniell psyco tech 4:3, its a year and a month old. Very very comfy and easy to get on but the chest panel has fallen apart and a seam has gone. Ngl i wear it all year round in the Uk, winter water temps down to 8c and air temps in the 1-8c range and its amazingly warm, too warm in the summer tho when surface water temps hit 16-18c, Santa cruz is 14-16c water temp at its coldest. Imo 4:3 is a winter suit for 7-14c. 8/10 due to longevity. Would love a srface or vissla review.

[@NathsHim]

Not having 7till8 with it being the last winner seemed very odd.... and after surfing in ripcurl suits before finding 7till8 i would firmly say they got overrated in this test like they always do.

[@thesilverhawaiian5024]

Yall gotta test these out in Nova scotia, where its actually cold

[@Dannyt7873]

No they don't.

[@mrskibum885]

for the weight test 60s is nowhere near enough time to soak the neoprene through. not really sure what it’s supposed to measure. you’re sitting in the lineup for hours, the suits going to be completely soaked

[@rctrix9063]

Great review, very useful.

[@christopherbelmonte5145]

which year?

[@qbsDC4L]

Yea that got me too

[@jlentz2348]

Please do a joyride on the Wyve 3d printed boards

[@jonahhex9620]

Manera? 7till8? Vissla? Volcom?

[@sooyeon_surf7312]

i super enjoyed this video. thank you Stab!

[@nicholasheredia3852]

I've had oneill and ferals. Oneill shoulders ripped getting in (2017 mutant). Feral neoprene material is 10/10. However, after two years of surfing almost daily the seams around the butt / crotch started leaking while the neoprene material itself stayed perfect. Tried to reach out to have them fix it but you really can't fix seams. So I had to just buy a new suit...

[@RBNK157]

Man that’s amazing! Two years of everyday surf with no issues ? Wow

[@JJ-fq6zi]

Oneil are the best wetsuits out there without a doubt

[@gustavomarques704]

what size does michael use? and whats his features? cause im short too and sometimes i got in doubt betweetn ms or s

[@joshuarobinson5393]

PLEASE DROP 2024 IM BEGGING YOU

[@SubieStu03]

Why no body glove? the red cell seems to be a good suit as well.

[@TravisVarga]

Stoked O’Neill came out the men’s champ - the technobutter is hard to beat. I have the blueprint and the 2023 version. Great suit just kinda heavy and the smooth skin is really delicate and forewarned if you surf everyday it will only last a season (get it warrantied if need). New version they seemed to fix this. Went on a deep dive for the version in this video if anyones keen, and the suit is on sale everywhere cause they are pushing the new model - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2fYo6NqmKqniZo

[@tomellis7144]

If you include booties again the solite custom pros 2.0 are worth putting in

[@finnwyethbell9409]

Why the O’Neill blueprint over the Hyperfreak?

[@TravisVarga]

Warmer - the girl was wearing the hyperfreaks. The wrists seals alone stop a lot of water coming in. If the Hyperfreaks had proper wrist seals they’d work better in colder waters.

[@ETYSURF]

Ripcurl has always been the best for me

[@erikleypoldt8275]

No Excel? Cmon they are great wetties

[@killicks4896]

Rigged!!! Billabong on top! Love Yall

[@karstenvandersande3710]

Would love to see retro style brands aswell. Nineplus, Amsterdam, moonsuits to name a few. Just curious how they compare to a “normal” wetsuit. I would predict they’re warm, but waaay stiff

[@danielsutherland2425]

still great test and sick vid

[@coachnate1]

Hotline?

[@romearnold7276]

Should have tested Solite booties, they're incredible

[@Jonathan-pe7pb]

Which were best to pee in? NEED TO KNOW

[@samculver8279]

Stab reviews really are terrible. They obviously don’t feel like can make any harsh criticism about any of the suits so to make up for there not being any actual opinion in the video they make it a whole fun production. Honestly an entertaining watch, but if you want a wetsuit review this seems to offer little to no information.

[@JimSlim7031]

ill bet any money the mollusk suit is the same exact suit as the needessentials

[@doublestrokeroll]

And needessentials are Sheico. The company that makes wetsuits for pretty much every company you can name aside from the ones that use Japanese neoprene.

[@bubblesnbeans8632]

I don’t know when you guys filmed this but you missed out on the timing cause the last two weeks got the coldest it’s been in a few years.

[@Sacken49]

Should’ve done a swim test instead of running. Since you’re gonna be in water and paddling

[@screaming_sloth9405]

Needessentials

[@jacksonl60]

Always

[@A_Canadian_In_Poland]

You're getting ripped off in the USA. Here, the 6/5 wetsuits of the major brands are cheaper than most of the prices you list for the 4/3. I just bought a Billabong Furnace 7/6 (with a built-in hood) for about $100 less than the price you listed for the 4/3 version.

[@Lazaras]

this seems very corporate now. how are you going to be in santa cruz and not test hotline suits

[@surf-pixels]

Great info, yew!

[@jonahhex9620]

My town!

[@jrw4649]

Why does stab release this as we're going into the trunk season?

[@DavidS1er]

It’s never trunk season in NorCal where they filmed and there’s no wetsuit market during the summer in the South

[@Rtsadventures]

XCEL ?

[@jaspervanloo9864]

The best wetsuit is the wetsuit that fits you best

[@IronAlien]

LEFT A LIKE FOR THE FALL IN THE BEGINNING.

[@benchapman5639]

Best wetsuits of 2021 ?

[@alexmoskowitz4025]

The editing team in shambles

[@alexmoskowitz4025]

Wait this is just the 2021 video reposted with a new title?

[@FadeLeftGoRight]

Check the description, I was trippin too

[@AlexanderBoutilier]

Needessentials better than most of these brands, dont waste your money

[@doublestrokeroll]

need essentials are Sheico rubber just like all the rest. Yes, they do use the limestone neoprene as a point of difference but they aren't Japanese neoprene. A buddy of mine has one and the quality is very nice but it's a cut below Feral in terms of durability. More stretchy though. Just depends on your priority.

[@AlexanderBoutilier]

@@doublestrokeroll their winter suits are just as stretchy as the Japanese neoprene I've had before and by winter I mean 6/4/3. Also their seams are the point of different. 1 season in and it's still usable unlike any Ripcurl, Xcel or any other I've owned

[@AlexanderBoutilier]

@@doublestrokeroll fair enough, for us in real cold water where its more about survival and durability, they are a game changer being less than half the cost of the other 5/4s

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@AlexanderBoutilier I was saying the need essentials are more stretchy than Yamamoto rubber. They for sure seem like good value. I like them. I simply like Feral more though and I'm willing to pay the extra cost for the Japanese rubber. You must be pretty hard on your suits if you're only getting one season out of those brands.

[@benjireville]

2021

[@sdbassbros37]

Leaves out matuse

[@ugo2403]

🔥🔥🔥

[@Skip11AM]

Thumb down for swearing.

[@kyleengstrom2958]

boohoo

[@nothingmuch.7245]

2022? You know its not

[@danielsutherland2425]

that lady is kinda annoying

[@paulyd1110]

How?