Best Wetsuits 2023: Six-Month Follow-Up

In this semi-annual update, we document the overall wear-and-tear-ability of the 2023 finalists, focusing on sustained WARMTH (seam integrity, material saturation, and flushing), FLEXIBILITY (material stiffness and range of motion), and other crucial factors that play into the comprehensive value of a 4/3 wetsuit investment (overall comfort, smell factor).

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[edouardremy]

6 months in and all those suits seem very much new. I'd be curious to know how many times you guys surfed in each of them over those 6 winter

[themagikian]

Sound to give out the suit at the end there, good man 🤙

[jeremezuanich]

Just a note on my personal wetsuit experiences. The Quik Highline is a suit I have purchased 3 times(out of bank for buck discounts, not a Quik fan...). The first time, it fell apart 1 week after the 1 year seam warranty expired. The last time the suit lasted through 2 solid winter seasons...and is still holding( it is warm like a 3/2 instead of a 3/4 now though...) I just bought a new BUELL suit, also comfy and warm, more restrictive, but my real issue with it is it flushes way too easy. I would recommend a Highline over the Buell.

[E-Rod]

I just got a Dane Reynolds 2021 model Buell Subdivision 3/3 a few months back and love it. So far has held up well to near daily surfing. It's super light and comfy. Have a Patagonia R2 and a Vissla 3/2 and it's noticeably lighter and comfier than both. Seems to be great quality...first Buell suit for me...highly recommend the Subdivision line. Reynolds is also a sick surfer who believes in high quality surf goods....cheers and happy surfing everyone!

[Wintergin]

Great follow-up, highly appreciated - thanks!

[jonahhex]

Updates are great, surprised not many comments and likes as this is useful

[J_Smith]

I find there are many talented longboarders- can paddle out catch lots of waves and cross step to and from the nose. Cori however like few do it smoothly with out jittery steps and what appear to be smooth non forced turns- enjoyable to watch. Regarding the vans booties...they are a royal PITA to initially get on. However I noticed after a couple uses they are more easy, but my pull loop did rip out. It appears theirs stayed on? Also regarding smell test...haha did they and how thoroughly were those suits rinsed?

[shaneyourgod]

Surf each one about 100 times. That should give a somewhat reliable follow up review for 1 winter season in one suit. Yyeioo

[DavidSer]

Great feature, if you call it a 6 month durability test it might help engagement

[nicscharing]

Where is the vissla? Oniell in my opinion is the best suit for longevity. Make sure to maintain your Wetsuit, use glue, no more neoprene!

[CC-ysqq]

O'Neill took away the women's 10 TALL size and that was my perfect suit size, I love O'Neill but they lost me as a customer. The regular size 10 in the suit you tried is so short and the necks are so tight, they need to bring back the Pyscho for easy on off and adjustable neck.

[eatsurfsleeprepeat]

You guys are tripping for sure. There is no way any wetsuit is better than the Rip Curl Fbomb with the Ebomb 2nd place

[tubedus]

Stab you are a serious channel, don’t put other at risk, like longboarding without a leash. That’s wrong.

[mrmr]

14 degrees water and 7 degrees out is cold. Not sure about Stab using the girl plank rider. Sure the advertisers are trying to sell suits to both men and women nowadays. Note this vlog doesn't cover Rip Curl which is ridiculous.

O'neill suits are great BUT fall apart in one season - it's a major ripoff flaw from O'neill even though the suits are very warm and comfortable when new. You buy O'neill suits now if you are happy buying a new wetsuit every year. Like all suits now they are expensive.

In Australia I've found O'neill is the most comfortable, fits best and is very warm - but you will be buying one every year which costs you a bomb. Rip Curl lasts longer, isn't cut quite as well nowadays (a bit too washy over time but a smaller size is too small) but Rip Curl suits are still warm, comfortable and better value than O'neill. Rip Curl seems to be more of a hardcore surfer's wetsuit cos you don't have to baby it and it will last a couple of seasons.