Wetsuit Review - O’Neill Blueprint 4/3+ w/Technobutter 4! Better than Hyperfreak or Hyperfreak Fire?

[@TravisVarga]

**Update as of March 2023** Thanks everyone for watching. Warning! It’s been months and the Technobutter 4 material is still nearly as stiff as it was brand new. This is great for durability, but these new suits with Technobutter 4 are choosing durability over flexibility. It feels more like a Rip Curl Heatseeker or similar. Still stretchy, but nowhere near the Technobutter 3 Hyperfreaks (all mm’s of them). The 5/4+mm hooded Hyperfreak actually feels more flexible than this Blueprint 4/3+ with Technobutter 4. So for now, I’d recommend the normal Hyperfreaks for ultimate flex and this new Blueprint/Hyperfreak Fires for warmth. I will continue to run the tests and make more conclusions if they arise.

[@kymwright727]

I have a TB4 Firewall Technobutter chest zip they are tight to start with but warmest suit i have had and stretch to body shape they are very good well worth the $ . So far 5 months use and no problem .

[@TravisVarga]

Awesome glad to hear it’s working out. Mine never loosened up and I’m sticking with the Technobutter 3 versions. Less warm bud maximum flex - if warmth is most important than yeah it’s the best option.

[@flowolf5005]

Can we get an update m? How is the duribiliy? Are you wearing it more again? I saw there was a point in time where you decided not to wear it. Update would be amazing!!! Best review I have seen yet! Thanks man

[@TravisVarga]

Thank you. Sadly the I had to sell. For cheap too. Just kept being a bit too stiff and never loosened up. Warm but my back needed the Hyperfreak back. So unless you have 55 and under, be if it’s that cold get the 5/4 hooded Hyperfreak - which is pretty awesome.

[@EgoDeathMetal]

I'm about to replace a zipless Hyperfreak. I'm probably spoiled by the flexibility. Only things I don't love about it are the durability. I also get flushed when turtling a longboard but I would imagine that would happen with most suits. What would you pick between Hyperfreak Fire and new Blueprint? Is TB4 worth it? Should I just stick with a zipless Hyperfreak comp?

[@TravisVarga]

Hey Mike, thanks for checking out the video. I have some thoughts for ya - overall I would suggest you try out a Hyperfreak+ version (the 3/2+ or 4/3+) depending on which zip-less version your referring to. I've owned the zipless a couple times, as well as the + version (which has the chest zip). The chest zip is heaps better and more durable. My zip-less would always get messy at the cinch cord area, the cord would break, and also it would flush like you said. The chest zip doesnt flush (as much, maybe a little for turtle duck dives). But def not like the zipless. My theory is the zipper helps keep the suit together - without it the suit falls apart easier. Hyperfreaks in general arent the most durable, but the zipless is really not durable at all... In regards to the Blueprint and Hyperfreak Fire, the fluid seam welds on the fire scare me and I've heard from others it makes the suit not feel like the normal Hyperfreak. My 4/3+ Blueprint def feels a bit more stiff compared to my 4/3+ Hyperfreak. It's also noticeably heavier. So I'd say unless your in water thats colder then 57/58, the 4/3+ Hyperfreak would be perfect and you won't lose that stretch. If its 63ish and up the 3/2+. The + also means its .5mm thicker than the zip-less comp suits. It also has TB3 in the back, whereas the zip-less has TB3X. So the + version of the suit is a bit warmer cause of that. Doesn't feel noticeably stiffer though. Hope that helps!

[@NeoVdV]

I bought a Epic 5-4 back zip. But not really pleased with it. Would a Hyper fire 4-3 (back zip) be warmer than the Epic 5-4 ?? Looking warmth and comfort in cold Belgium weather.

[@TravisVarga]

Hey Neo - yea the Epic line isnt the best. If you havent worn it yet, I'd say defintely replace it with the Hyperfreak Fire 4/3. I would acutally do the Chest Zip (it's warmer too since the zipper on back zips lets in some water). How cold is the water though? Bottom line - the Hyperfreak Fire 4/3 prob would be just as warm - another option is the Hyperfreak 5/4+ with a built in hood (if you want a built in hood). There is also a newer 'Pyscho Tech' with a build in hood that is also a 5/4+. I checked and seems Belgiums water is pretty damn cold haha - so a 5/4 might be necessary over a 4/3 - just depends on your season and temps.

[@solo111111111]

Can you review the 2024 suits

[@TravisVarga]

I would keep buying the normal Hyperfreaks. The new Technobutter 4 and Blueprint (has tb4) are warmer but more rigid. My body still craves the technobutter 3. So I just still rebuy them.

[@HoStevie]

Fancy!

[@TravisVarga]

Only the finest threads for myself lol. Great suit but regular Hyperfreak still remains King! Or your suits 🫡

[@sauliusg3733]

Great review! Could you tell whats your weight/height? Does it still feel tight in size L after a while?

[@TravisVarga]

Howdy thanks. Yes I'm 5'10 and 175-185lbs. I got a large and no, it still hasn't loosend up much after going on 10 uses. I wore a Hyperfreak 5/4+ (with the technobutter 3) one time brand new and it already felt looser/better then this new version). I'm still not giving up hope, and altho makes me a little stiff cause its super tight, i can tell its going to last longer than the normal hyperfreaks. I'd still advise, no offense to O'Neill, to just get a regular Hyperfreak 4/3+ with or without the hood for water 55-63f and if its below 55f get the Hyperfreak 5/4+ with a hood.

[@sauliusg3733]

​@@TravisVarga thanks for the response! I actually have 5/4 zipless hyperfreak comp which is now more than 2 years old. It was warm enough maybe only during the first sessions, but for my taste, over time it just got too cold. I mostly efoil, surffoil, windfoil, so there is windchill and other factors that make the need for extra warmth. My bet was to try blueprint as it has this extra internal material all over the body that should give the extra warmth. Don't you feel that it's significantly warmer that the hyperfreak 5/4?

[@TravisVarga]

Sorry for the late reply - yeah seems your in wetsuit purgatory. Not a fun plan to be lol. It is warmer but still hasn’t loosened up. Maybe trying a Pycho that has tb3x with a chest panel could be a good move. Also I’ve had zipless hyperfreaks and now I only get the zippered ones. The zipless flush more - so that could be your issue. But it’s also the hypefreak not having a smoothie skin- and for your purposes, seems wind blockage is move. You can get last years Bkueprint that has smooth skin and is on sale everywhere - it doesn’t last the longest but could be best bet. Second best is the Mutant since has smoothie panel and hood out on take off. If you need a 5/4 maybe hypefreak fire is stretchier but I’m not sure. Good luck and let me know any other questions of what you go for.

[@TravisVarga]

*I’ve also heard good things about isurus’ wetsuits if you wanna check them out - if I didn’t ride oneill I would try them.

[@patrickwalshnj]

I just got a hyper freak fire 3/2+ delivered today and coming from a psycho one 3/2 it feels much lower quality. It feels stiff and heavy. I've had my psycho one going on my third year (socal) and may just try to patch it up to get one more winter out of it and hope there are some better options next year.

[@TravisVarga]

Yea I hear that, I think the TB4 material is a bit thicker and weighs more with the graphene they added. It's a tough call cause you won't really know until you try it, then too late to return haha. If you really start needing one and don't wanna risk it, check out the Hyperfreak 4/3+ for winter. Its stretchy enough where it feels like a 3/2. And since the Hyperfreaks with TB3 arnt 'the warmest' it ends up being perfect and kinda breathable. Or just go with your plan of patching up the Pyscho and getting another winter out of it. I'm getting older and value a leak-free sealed suit so they usually only last me a season or two (surf 5-6 times a week). Warranty when needed. Good luck!

[@patrickwalshnj]

@@TravisVarga Agreed! I ended up taking it back and was lucky to find an older TB3 hyperfreak. It feels a lot more flexible than the TB4. The cut on the new heat also didnt feel like it fit as well as the old one. Really wish they still made the pscyho with the same materials. Best suit I ever owned.

[@bonsummers2657]

Feral Wetsuits, or, the Ninja O'neill

[@TravisVarga]

@@bonsummers2657 I've never had Feral, but the Ninja O'Neill I'd highly recommend against and get a Hyperfreak instead. The Ninja has super outdated wetsuit tech. The Feral I hear really good things, but I also hear its a bit stiff out the box and takes some time to 'loosen up.' I've also heard it never loosens up much, due to the rubber being a particular one that holds up better, feels great, but overall doesn't have as much flex as the O'Neill Hyperfreak, or possibly even the Ninaj. Hyperfreaks are the best wetsuits hands down I've ever used, and a bunch of people agree. I always recommend them so check it out - thanks for stopping by.

[@bonsummers2657]

@@TravisVarga When I tried the Hyperfreak 3/2, it didn't feel like a wetsuit, I want the wetsuit to feel like a wetsuit,… not 'too much' stretch like the Hyperfreak. I bought a Hyperfreak, took it out once, then tried to return it, then sold it on consignment.

[@pilot7749]

What is the + for?

[@TravisVarga]

It stands for +.5mm added to the 4/3mm aspect of the wetsuit. Most 4/3’s like this are 4mm/3mm - this one they added .5mm more thickness, so they call it a 4/3+. A bunch of wetsuit companies are doing this now since the new wetsuit materials are so stretch, they can add a little more thickness for warmth.

[@pilot7749]

@@TravisVarga There is a 4/3+ hyper Freak Fire that I want to get for long surf sechs and there is a 3/2 + Version do you think 3/2+ is as warm as 4/3 ? And is 4/3+ a lot warmer than 4/3 or just a lil I live in morocco and in my area the water can be cold but more than 4/3 could get too warm

[@TravisVarga]

@@pilot7749ey apologies for the hold up on my reply. Ok copy that - although I’m a bit confused which models you are talking about, since most of the newer O’Neill stuff does have the + with it. Bottom line - I would get the Hyperfreak 4/3+ with the Technobutter 3 (so the old model). It’s stretchier than the newer model, and with the +, will still keep you warm enough. If you want a built in hood, get the Hooded Hyperfreak 4/3+ (with Technobutter 3). Perhaps the 3/2 + in the new Technobutter 4 Hyperfreak Fire is warm enough, but to be honest, I don’t like the new Technobutter 4 at all and I’m not going to buy anymore. Technobutter 3 feels wayyyy better. Only reason you should get is if being warm is your number 1 option - but warning it will NOT be as flexible. Let me know what you end up doing and how it works out for you, good luck.