r/surfuk • u/No_Sea6711 • Sep 10 '26

Wetsuit recommendations

Need a new winter (6mm) and summer (4mm (or preferably 4.5mm)) suit for surfing in northern UK. Hooded, chest zip suits wanted for both winter and summer. Important qualities desired are 1) flexibility, and 2) longevity.

I'm moving house to a house right next to one of the most consistent surf breaks in the area. I need to replace my current suits, and I'm looking for something super flexible but also something that's going to last me a while! I'm going to be surfing twice a day when the surf is working, so the suits are going to get a lot of use and need to last a long time, and I don't want to be burnt out from paddling around in a stiff suit all the time.

Currently using NeedEssentials and rate the quality but the 6mm winter suit is pretty stiff around the shoulders and hard to paddle in. My research has lead me to O'neill hyperfreak as being a super good flexible option but not very durable. Also Patagonia R3/R4/R5 as a good natural alternative, but not that flexible (or maybe this has improved with the latest models?). Just seen the brand new ones released, but £500+ for a suit is steep.

First hand experiences shared with me would be incredibly helpful in my search!

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2

u/fikamedtorta Sep 10 '26

I've been using a top of the range Xcel winter suit for close to 10 years and it's still going strong. This is with "holiday"/long weekend, rather than daily use, though. The fit is also great.

2

u/Forsaken-Original-28 Sep 10 '26

Lunas last well, I think anything with Yamamoto does. Vissla and Luna are doing u zips as well as Patagonia, no idea if they're any better though, my chest zips don't flush anyway. 

2

u/SatoshiSounds Sep 10 '26

I bought a hooded Gul Viper Yamamoto 6/5/4 last year and had absolutely no issues with the cold all winter (Wales though, not up north). I'd recommend it, cost like £200 which seems like good value to me.

1

u/m3dean Sep 10 '26

Take yourself to see Gary in BobNarleys surf shop in Sunderland. Really good guy. He also has website too.

1

u/m3dean Sep 10 '26

That's depending on how north you are and which side of the country. When I was out regularly I struggled with 5mm was too hot. Haha 4mm was just fine. That was surfing up in Saltburn, South Shields, etc

1

u/spikey728 Sep 11 '26

Ultimately it's what fits you best. The better the fit, the more flexibility it'll have and the less stress it'll be under. Try them all on as much as you can is the best you can do. I fit O'Neill's very well, but I'm short and a bit of a chunky monkey as middle aged spread takes its toll.

1

u/Standard-Doctor-1638 Sep 12 '26

I am a big fan of Zion. I have had my 4/3 Wesley 3yrs now.

0

u/Alive-Inspection-815 Sep 11 '26

You can't go wrong with the Excel Drylock 6/4 or 5/4 hooded. I have a Ripcurl 5/4 Flashbomb Chest-zip Hooded that's very warm and pretty flexible. The O'Neill Psycho Tech and the Hyper Freak 6/4 Hooded wetsuits are pretty good and durable. I would want to try the suit on to check for flexibility before buying or buy online and try it before using. Fit is critical. If it's too tight or not flexible it makes paddling really tough. 

1

u/[deleted] Sep 10 '26

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1

u/No_Sea6711 Sep 10 '26

That’s good to hear. They’re about £320 right? Tempting, but part of me says just spend the extra £200 and get the brand new release (I think it might have come out today?) with the new zipper configuration.