Winter surfing in New Zealand can be a very cold, but super rewarding experience. You need the right equipment to keep you frothing to get out there when the mercury dips. There are lots of models of wetsuits around and surfers find different features more important than others.
Whether you are after a great price, utlimate performance, or insane warmth, there is something for everyone.
Over the years we have gone from keeping crazy amounts of models in stock, to now thinning out the models to get what we believe is currently the best range.
Its important to note that if you are holding off till the water gets icy, some brands are looking to sell out of various models early this year with less stock on hand than usual so make sure you choose quickly to get what you want.
In this guide we have broken down our most popular models into various categories (low cost, mid-range, high performance, greenest, top-end) to help you to decide what suits you best.
Low Cost, High quality:
It would be hard to go past the O'Neill Focus series for price and features (men's, women's and children's backa and chest zip). Most wetsuits around this price point have been stripped right back or use bad neoprene. O'Neill have got it right presenting the right amount of features while holding a great price.
Standard neoprene legs and body, high stretch neoprene arms and shoulders, GBS (glued and blindstitched seams) with critical taping, core thermal lining.
Adult 4/3mm suits at Blitz just $350
Mid Range - Good performance and plenty of features
At this level we go with the competing Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Series (adult and youth) and O'Neill Defender (mens and boys) and Bahia (womens and girls). All of these suits come in both chest and back zip options.
Lots of similarities between both the Rip Curl and O'Neill suits here with thermal lining internally throughout the body to the ankles. Glued and stitched sealed seams with taping throughout body and legs. The Rip Curl suits have a back barrier on the back zip wetsuit, O'Neill have a back flap, so that comes down to personal preference.
These are both highly spec'ed wetsuits at this price range and provide and great amount of performance and warmth for this price range.
Adult 4/3mms from $440-530
Highest Performance 4/3mm Wetsuits
These suits are targeting the most dynamic surfers. Crew that paddle the whole session getting wave after wave and want the highest performance, lowest resistance, lightest attributes in a wetsuit.
The two models that go head to head here for highest performance are the O'Neill Hyperfreak (which has been our best selling wetsuit series for a few years now) and the new Rip Curl E7 E Bomb with lighter, higher stretch neoprene than ever before. Both these suits are still made of warm neoprene but don't have the heavier weight thermal lining some of the warmth targeting suits have. Adults $540-580
Hyperfreak (mens, womens and childrens, chest zip only)
Rip Curl 2024 E7 E Bomb
The Greenest Wetsuit Option
The amazing Billabong Revolution Natural 4/3mm wetsuit takes this mantle in our shop. Made from plant-based Yulex Pure Stretch Natural rubber, Graphene comp high stretch/high warmth thermal lining, zip-free entry, 100% glued/stitched/taped sealed seams, Airlite 4D external jersey for insane stretch, recycled materials.
Other brands' Yulex suits go for $800+ so at RRP $650 this is a great option to go greener but have super sick performance and warmth. This is a really good suit, greener, high performance and high warmth. Ticks lots of boxes.
Warmest High-Spec, Higher end Wetsuits
We've got three great models to compare here, all new to the market in the last 12 months. The O'Neill Hyperfreak Fire or Hyperfire, Rip Curl E7 Flashbomb, the O'Neill HyperfireX and the Rip Curl FBomb Fusion Prices $640-$880
O'Neill Hyperfreak Fire
Building on the back of the huge popularity of the Hyperfreak series. Customers were asking for a super high performance wetsuit with some extra warmth. So The Hyperfreak Fire was born which has the same high-performance characteristics as the Hyperfreak but with additional TB Firewall thermal lining throughout the core to the knees. Available in back zip in mens, chest zip in mens, womens and childrens.
Rip Curl E7 Flashbomb
"The World's Fastest Drying Wetsuit"
O'Neill Hyper Fire X
Rip Curl FBomb Fusion
The pinacle of many decades of Rip Curl innovation on wetsuits. This is a suit that is unique to Rip Curl and has the best of all worlds.
"Seams That Don't Leak"
Rip Curl Fusion dry seam technology. This is a unique bonding technique that eliminates the need for stitching and the suit is 96% stitch free! This creates a warmer, more durable wetsuit. With super warm, quick-dry E7 Flashdry lining and high performance E7 neoprene. This is thehighest cost wetsuit in our store but it really is amazing. You will be super warm, have plenty of stretch, and the integrity of the seams should last as long as the expected life of the neoprene. Zip-free entry system only and available in mens and womens.
As you can see at Blitz Surf Shop we've got all the bases covered with our careful selection of current season 4/3mm winter wetsuits. Whether you are on a budget but still want to stay warm in your winter surfs, you're very eco-conscious, you're after Ultimate performance in a wetsuit, or you want all the bells and whistles, we have got something for you.
To check out these features for yourself with the help of our highly informed staff come on down to Blitz Surf Shop, 34 Wainui Road, Gisborne or give us a call on 06 8684428 or email blitzsurf@gmail.com
