The best wetsuits ONE YEAR LATER ... which ones didn't survive?

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Last year I tested the world's best wetsuits, ultimate deciding a winner who ticked off the boxes of comfort, warmth, eco-friendliness and water tightness. But, as you all know, wetsuits can be brittle and some are rumoured to only last a season before making it back to the recycling factory. After surfing in our winter wetsuits for one season, we're back to see which ones have stood the test of time.
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[@A-Brax]

its funny how you say quiksilver wetsuit was the best one overall but stabmag releases a overview of best wetsuits by consumers and everyone says Quiksilver was trash. Ive had my highline for 2 seasons now and is doing absolutly great. I believe stab mag is being paid for that review so thank you Brock for being honest with everyone!

[@PabloFernandez-ro9ix]

My and my 3 colleagues all got the same quiky wetsuit and literally the three of them broke within the month. Never again

[@A-Brax]

@@PabloFernandez-ro9ix and they were Highlines??? Probably not

[@PabloFernandez-ro9ix]

@A-Brax camr remember the model to be honest. But definitely don't feel like buying from them again, and I know of others who had the same issues with this brand and different models

[@truckandplane]

I’ve had my quicksilver since 2016. 7 years and only the seems that have finally given out. I will definitely be buying a quicksilver wetsuit to replace it.

[@calder_thomson]

Much needed in the California Winter! Thanks, Kale always making the perfect videos!

[@pjjeong4106]

Been waiting for this!!

[@jonc2037]

Ive had the same 3/2 Rip Curl wetsuit for the past 10 years! Mate its so heavy and brittle (ripping on the shoulder too). Does the job as im unfortunately not in the water a whole lot. This is very helpful Kale. Thanks mate

[@chaddimauro]

Thanks for the update Kale. I'm Currently wearing a 4/3 O'Neill psycho 1. Trashed after 18 months worn 2-5 times a week(including SA summer) Not as warm as my last need essentials, but more comfortable. It feels like im wearing a 3/2. For the price I just wished it lasted a little longer. So I've ordered a 4/3 from Coastlines NZ. For $160, I'll be happy if I get a year out of it.

[@mattobrien1085]

How's the coastlines holding up for you? I just ordered one for $90

[@eatsurfsleeprepeat5485]

Im so stoked you said what you said about the toe crushing booties. I have tried Rip curl, oneil and billabong and both crush my toes, to the point my big toe feels bruised under the nail. Im glad it wasnt just me!

[@paulricciardi9388]

I have a 3/2 Hurly Advantage Plus and love it. I am short and broad and the LS fits me very well and is very comfortable.

[@MrStealfos]

great vid. 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.

[@rachgrigg2447]

I use a variety of suits as a female surfer. O’Neil spring suit cheeky cut, 3,2 sisstervolution & 4,3 sissterevolution. I’ve had all of these suits for almost 6 years. The O’Neil spring suit has loosened though ie gotten baggy perhaps. The other 2 have been brilliant although my 4,3 zip has gotten a bit sticky, but I used to thrash them all & surf everyday for at least 6 hours each at one time easily. Having said that with been a female, hormone fluctuations & weight discrepancies ie 5kgs on & off I would choose sisstevolution. The 4,3 is super warm too & given the fact the 3,2 isn’t sealed on the stitch, it’s still pretty warm as well

[@phillipharriott8632]

Goes to show, not all are equal. I've had nothing but good results from my Billabong Furnace Comp Pros with performance and longevity, where as previously my ripcurl flashbomb suits did not last long with wear and inherent leaks and was always sending back for warranty repair. On the otherhand I love the Flashbomb booties, super comfy and warm. Definitely don't have the same issue with the big toe. And mine fit very snug as they should.

[@thomasryan5681]

I always thought that if I rinsed my suits out with fresh water after every sess, didn't hang it in the sun and limited hanger time, that the suit(s) would last a very long time. My Hyperfreak started falling apart at the seams... literally. The liquid seams all cracked and that was that. A 4/3 heater became a leaker that was barely good enough to keep the wind off of me. When I contacted O'Neil I was told that suits are designed for one season. That statement blew me away. When suits are $350-450+ that's quite the hit. I guess longevity is at the bottom of the quality control list.

[@KalesBroccoli]

Damn. I found rinsing them really did extend the longevity

[@thomasryan5681]

@@KalesBroccoli The rest of the suit is doing great but after 4 years but those liquid seams self destructed.

[@brendanwilson9932]

Great job reviewing the Project Blank suits which present as same quality and fit as quicksilver.

[@jordo8795]

I've had a few Project blank wetsuits in Yulex and cant fault them very warm and good stretch especially for the price point! loved my flashbomb but it just gets so strechy so fast and after 1 season its pretty much done... which is a shame for that price tag. I've had a couple Needs 4:3 and for the price imo the best suit out there, had a couple Patagonia suits honestly not the best suits but 100% the best customer service I've got a 3:2 from 3 years ago and still going due to the amazing warranty and free repairs.

[@cameronhall5134]

After wearing a very old Ripcurl Viper 4/3, I upgraded to a zipperless Billabong Revolution recycler 4/3. While harder to get in and out of than my old back zip suit, It’s super comfy and warm, and it’s cool that it’s made from recycled materials. So far so good, I just hope it lasts a good while 🤞🏼

[@markrichardson8382]

Well, after owning 3 of the big Aussie brands, my experience is very alike!!!!! I loved the Billabong but it has been the worst performer in outright longevity regarding shape and leakage.... Never bought Quicksilver, so thank you, Kale, for helping, and the Quickie Highline is my next skin!!!!! Sunny Coast subscriber here, yeeeeeew

[@KalesBroccoli]

👍🏽🤙🏽

[@surfgeek]

I have been using the billabong absolute. It is comfortable and It doesn’t last long but with all the barnacles and mussels on the rock beaches all my gear gets destroyed quickly, so I stay on the cheap end of what’s available here in the Canadian PNW .

[@sashasoljan8346]

Tried most brand names imo Yamamoto rubber is superior in all facets .. warmth / durability and once worn in just as flexible

[@visionboardridingcompany8807]

Would love to see you test some 5 or 6mm Sooruz wetsuits in cold water.

[@bows.and.barbells3688]

Thank you for the review. I have to stand up for the split toe in the Flashbomb Booties by Ripcurl though, I have very slim feet and they fit perfectly and dont hurt my toe at all. I am very happy how toasty they keep me :) so it seems like it is an individual matter!

[@NeuralEngin33r]

Yes, agreed. I love them, but they happen to fit me well.

[@asieretxearte]

+1 on the ingrown toenail stuff, changed to the o neill and they are so much confortable. (also had the billabong in between, but they desintegrated within a year)

[@salty_adventures]

I have the O‘neill psycho tech 5mm, used them for 2.5 winters now (maybe 50 sessions), definitely don‘t treat them like I should (I put them on my radiaters to dry) but they‘re still in a good shape!

[@adamdeveau6311]

As someone who surfs the northern hemisphere year round, vissla 6/5 and solite fire for boots. I’ve surfed -20 Celsius

[@kookvision9295]

Would be very interested in seeing how these hold up again next year

[@AndrewWorkshop]

Lol 3/2 for winter would be awesome. My winter suit is a 6/5 Patagonia lol.

[@w.coast_piano6404]

So I’ve had a few wetsuits where seems are just falling apart and seem tape just coming off but omg I’ve been wearing the need essentials 6/4/3 and dude 2 seasons strong and I haven’t seen annnnyyy wear yet and is still toasty and comfortable. Funny he said it was hard to get off because that wetsuits is also the easiest one I’ve wore getting on and off maybe I’m just used to it. Takes me abt 1-2 minutes to get on or off. My billabong one was rlly hard for me to get on or off

[@sushimamba4281]

That was great. Just a suggestion though, when you say you can wear a 3/2 for winter etc, it would be good to qualify that by saying wearable in winter in which location? Winter in Tasmania or Victoria is a lot colder than winter on east coast Australia. Cheers

[@DustyStringer]

Interesting that a few people had poor experiences with Billabong. I have a couple of Billabong Revo Custom wetties (4/3 and 3/2). Both have held up really well, surfed around 80 sessions each over 2 years. Best wetties I've ever owned, but maybe they finish the custom one better than stock 🤷‍♂️

[@jams1533]

My billabong furnaces back zips have lasted 4 seasons and I’ve worn them pretty much daily. I have a 3/2 and 4/3 also a shorty 2mm which I don’t wear too much. But my full suits get rinsed out after every use, every time. They’ve stood the test of time for me. I’ve had quicksilver and they’ve crapped out on me after one season. I haven’t had more experiences with other suits so I can speak for those. After the quicksilver fiasco I moved on to to billabong and didn’t have a reason to try anything else. Edit: your quiver is turning me green, sir. Haha cheers

[@KalesBroccoli]

🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@adambamf9365]

the fact they offer to replace is still amazing in my opinion

[@phillipharriott8632]

exactly my thoughts

[@KalesBroccoli]

Agreed. Though environmentally not so conscious

[@scratchplaysloud]

I have a 4/3 psycho tech. great suit but the chest pad is coming unglued from the suit. i use it about 6 times a year and its about 2 years old. suit is warm but i found that weird top entry to be a brutal way to get into this suit. im going to be moving on..

[@robayre482]

My Hyperfreak 4/3 started coming apart within one season. Inner separating from the outer and letting water straight in

[@pleasantnoun]

Dat’s naughty - hilarious!🤣

[@jonahhex9620]

I have the Highline but I've been curious about the Hurley

[@EugenioLikedit]

O'neill hyperfreak fire is the best suit I have had. 50 + sessions. Still like new. Warm and stretchy

[@jmanpecka]

Need essentials all day for mine.

[@jonathanepstein948]

You might want to take a look at the Solite Boot which is heat-moldable and fits my very wide feet very well, after molding.

[@surfreadjumpsleep]

Did O'Neill suits get smaller at some point in the last 6 years or so? MT O'Neill always fit me perfect. Just bought a new Epic 4/3 MT and it's *tight*. Just wondering if it's going to loosen. Maybe the hyperfreak, but I think technobutter won't last like the regular neoprene. tho the seams on the epic would probably fail first i guess.

[@kevinklockzin5280]

How about Patagonia wetsuits?

[@josepanaligan8264]

Was about to purchase that one.

[@jamesgill713]

I have the 3/2.5 Yulex and have surfed in it probably 30 times over the past year. I love it! It's held up super well. It's really warm. super comfy. The only drawback is that in a wet climate it can take a while to dry. Luckily for me in Southern California that isn't much of an issue

[@kevinklockzin5280]

I was introduced to these wetsuits back in 2011 by a friend and he was super evangelistic about them. "They don't strech as much after a season, are far morr durable, super warm, etc etc" So, I've always had the brand on my radar but never got to try one.

[@KalesBroccoli]

I’ve heard a lot of rash which has always kept me away but honestly I haven’t tried

[@DGT73]

Lifetime warranty? Yes please

[@tufty54]

How has the Japanese custom held out so far Kale? Great video btw, thankyou.

[@renatomarinecheverria7733]

Hi Kale, thanks for the review! Would you consider doing a review for Matuse wetsuits? What is your opinion on them?

[@KalesBroccoli]

We’re finished with wetsuit reviews for now!

[@renatomarinecheverria7733]

@@KalesBroccoli maybe for next year’s 😉

[@davel8628]

Ripcurl was once a great company with raving surfers like myself about the customer service and their wetsuits. It appears it is no longer privately owned and their customer service has evaporated. I contact them as there is an obvious defect with there Flashbomb wetsuits. I contacted them because the last two suits I bought, the aquaband tape began to crack and peel off on all the seams and began leaking. I have worn the suits maybe 3 to 4 times in the winter because I live in Florida and rarely do I need more than a spring suit. The suits remain in my air conditioned closet the rest of the year. I was aware they would not honor the warranty because I was advised of that when it happened to my older suit. Should have never bought the 2nd suit. The new suit is less then two years old. I asked if they would repair it and charge me. They said no, they don’t repair them. I then asked if they could sell me the tape. Same response, we don’t sell the tape. I spent over $450.00 for this suit. I’m sure this is a defect in the manufacturing which they obviously do not choose to correct or stand behind. Definetly not the company they use to be. The old Ripcurl would have worked to satisfy their customers. Don’t think I asked for anything unreasonable.

[@MrDaanram]

Favourite part is the doggo!

[@KalesBroccoli]

Me too 🥲

[@hasbeenracing]

My flashbomb is pretty much dead after 2 1/2 seasons. I’m a weekend warrior so it doesn’t get used a great deal but the seams are leaking and I’ve had to repair the smooth skin on the lower back. It was a very warm and stretchy suit but it just hasn’t lasted.

[@nickozu169]

That's good these days 😅. 1 season wonders.

[@soulfulwapechi]

Vissla has been my go to and I love it. Any thoughts on them?

[@KalesBroccoli]

Haven’t tried !

[@nickozu169]

Heatseeker leaks after 1 month. Ripped the seam last week after 5 months. 😢 At least they will fix it under warranty.

[@alvarocamin2242]

And what about volcom modulator wetsuits, would be amazing to have a review as they are not as mainstream as other wetsuits. Thanks 🤙🏽

[@KalesBroccoli]

Don’t have access to one

[@Rodrigo.S.S]

ISURUS is the best wetsuit I've ever owned. Do you know the ARTFLEX wetsuit? They say that, like ISURUS, they also use YAMAMOTO Japanese neoprene, but it is much cheaper.

[@alohamonpiche1773]

In EU vissla is in top 3 suit !!! The Cheapest and warmest one....Made in Portugal 😊

[@alohamonpiche1773]

Solite boots are the lonly and from far the best!!!.....for me

[@Rodrigo.Almeida93]

My best wetsuit was Rip Curl's but definitely not worth the price. Quiksilver did not last long with me. Hurleys are the ones in terms of warmth and durability.

[@rollo6103]

did you have a Hurley suit recently? since nike bought them I'm sceptical to buy

[@Rodrigo.Almeida93]

I bought my first one around 2017 and another one last year. Seems the quality has remained. @@rollo6103

[@simoncaddick9085]

Tailored Yamamoto all the way and longevity is off the scale.

[@pedroafonso8297]

Should try a Deeply wetsuit! Really good quality at a nice price point

[@DustinKeiser]

Axxe are great or any high quality Japanese

[@mafens88]

MATUSE are the BEST ones. If you haven’t tried them yet you should!

[@pete_street]

One variable you should factor is they shouldn't go in the pool because of the chlorine, because if they did you'd want every suit to have the same amount of time in the water and that would be difficult to manage. If the Billabong did time in the pool you should probably mention that because anecdotally pool wear can destroy necklines of suits, particularly in the hot tubs.

[@KalesBroccoli]

No only the oneill did and had a good wash afterwards

[@pete_street]

@@KalesBroccoliGood work! You should try a C-Skins wetsuit. Just got one and it's the best fitted suit I've ever had. It's got all these good design features that you don't see in Rip Curl and Billabong ones.

[@ubrain3560]

Your negative Billabong result is definitely NOT a one-off. I got an Intruder (2/3 GBS) in May and first used it in mid-June and it's pretty well finished already. I only did about 40 hrs in freshwater (wavepool) and about 10 in salt water. The neck is wrecked, way worse than the one you showed, it tore a hole in a seam just above one knee, the ankles and wrists are fraying and loads of the 'reinforcing' patches have fallen off - that started happening within the first 2 or 3 sessions. Customer service didn't want to know but they keep on sending me emails trying to get me to buy cheap shorts n t-shirts. Naturally I'm watching this vid looking for alternatives as Billabong is clearly just a fast-fashion brand now.

[@ChristineDana]

I have the same with the flashbomb toe (even as a woman) in both 3 and 5 mm

[@llewellynvanessen]

Need essentials .. lasts +3 seasons, I dry it in the tumble dryer.

[@storkpatrol]

don't think these exist in Oz, but Feral wetsuits out of norcal last for an eternity, can't recommend em enough

[@KalesBroccoli]

Have heard they’re good

[@steveno6844]

advantage plus for 225?? i must have missed the sale

[@dariogirolamo6722]

why did you switch over from fcs to futures?

[@KalesBroccoli]

Preference / research :)

[@KX5Kat]

Very disappointed in the O'Neill Hyperfreak 4/3. It already started coming apart after 8 months and it's nowhere near as flexible as it was when I bought it.

[@mrmr314]

4/3 is like a straight jacket with weights on it and you're not even looking at that unless you are in Victoria or Tasmania. If your rubber is "rolling up" your arms and legs as you say then simply the suit is too big. It's not Fraarnce as you say, what are you from Perth or Adelaide or something?

[@joaosousamail]

Deeply wetsuits!

[@mosyd8973]

My flashbomb has been trash

[@jblo76]

Agreed. Mine fell apart and leaked after less than one season.

[@BodhiiB]

We don't skinny dip, we chunky dip

[@nickozu169]

Xcel booties are the best for me. They don't blow up like water balloons like Ripcurl. Ripcurl are the best feel and comfort. But they are unwearable. With water ingress. I don't have fat feet. Narrow fit sized down still does it. 👎

[@chrishenry9827]

Might as well try to get used to the water with an O'Neil this brand new suit pours water through the zipper just sitting and duck dives fill up in no time you'll have Gumby legs crappiest suit I've ever owned

[@mosyd8973]

My flash bomb is trash

[@TakeItToTheGround]

In my experience wetsuit warranties are worth diddly. They are never honoured. Maybe if you are KB and they want a good review but not a normal customer.

[@-3590-]

Where the bloody hell ya living to be wearing boots and a steamer over summer?

[@KalesBroccoli]

Wherever I can get tubed without caring about water temp 🤓🤓

[@nickdillner9038]

None of theses reviews have had enough time in the water ! 40 to 50 surfs is nothing over a yr for a surfer. More like a weekend warrior

[@KalesBroccoli]

Yeah it’s a limitation

[@oshea03]

Billabong suits and booties are the worse quality imo.

[@boboharradine2673]

Eye wouldn't rate any brand name wetsuit after 50 hrs , y because that's as long as they ( All ) last period, wot would eye no , I'm 49 and only go through 4 to 6 in a year