News Videos Buyers Guide

O'Neill Wetsuits Review and Size Chart

Shop Full Range

It’s that time of year again… the air temperature is dropping rapidly and everyone’s flip flops, boardshorts or bikinis are shelved until next year.

As idyllic as it would be to be surfing in boardshorts or bikinis all year around, British winter weather unfortunately with its cooler water temps and strong winds mean we are all starting to reach for our winter wetties here at Boardshop.

On a more positive note, winter brings cleaner, bigger, more powerful, and consistent swells. We have started to get some nice swells already and we can’t wait for the surf to pick up this winter!

Read on to find out how O’Neill wetsuits will help you stay warm and surf longer this winter enabling you to make the most of those much-needed winter swells.

O’Neill wetsuits really were the ‘First name in the water’ as their tagline declares so welcome to Boardshop’s original and unbiased wetsuit review of one of the best ranges out there for performance, technology, comfort, function and value.

With detailed reviews on each series in the O'Neill wetsuit range and further O’Neill wetsuit size charts to help give you in depth knowledge of each wetsuit available.

O’Neill Wetsuits the story so far

Jack O'Neill

Buy O'Neill Wetsuits Here

O’Neill  is one of the most established wetsuit brands out there with a history anchored in innovation, functionality and value. Most people know the story of the bearded, one eyed founder Jack O’Neill and the birth of the brand in the chilly waters of Santa Cruz, Northern California.

The success of the brand stems from their pure and true surfing heritage and also their team of top rank riders who continually push the product development and R & D side of things. O’Neill wetsuits have a range of wetsuits that go from UV resistant suits for toddlers all the way through to wetsuits designed for surfing the coldest waters on the planet.

Team riders such as Jordy Smith demand maximum performance and flexibility but also warmth and durability, it’s through these athlete’s relationships that the brand stays at the forefront of design, development and innovation.

O'Neill Ben Skinner

Leading the line is the Hyperfreak range available in all thicknesses for men and ladies with or without a hood, this is the best seller season after season. The O’Neill range runs from rash vest to full on Psycho Tech 6/4mm  hooded wetsuit.

The range of O’Neill Steamers is growing all the time lead by new versions of the Hyperfreak in 3/2mm, 4/3mm and now 5/4mm also. 

A key factor in deciding to stock this range of wetsuits is because of the brand support, warranty issues are solved immediately and the steady flow of cool imagery, videos and blogs keeps our surfing stoke up there. We know its a cliché but it really is a company founded by surfers and run by surfers for surfers. 

Sizing is always the hardest part of buying a wetsuit so our super detailed size chart in conjunction with O’Neill will help for sure.

How to pick the perfect wetsuit:

1) Decide what style of wetsuit to purchase.

With a wide range of wetsuits, it can be difficult to know which one to go for. Scroll down to see the top O’Neill winter wetsuits for 2020.

O’Neill Wetsuits For This Year

O'Neill Wetsuits

Buy O'Neill Wetsuits Here

Year after year, O’Neill remain at the epicentre of wetsuit development and innovation.

The range of O’Neill wetsuits available ensures you are covered for any conditions possible, whether this is surfing in warm waters where a shorty is all that is needed, to surfing in the deepest, coldest winter conditions where a 6mm wetsuit with integrated hood is the order of the day.

This season sees the introduction of new designs, features and colours all of which complement the already successful wetsuit line up.

We’ve broken down the individual features of each wetsuit to help you when you decide which wetsuit best suits your needs.

Psycho Tech

O'Neill Psycho Tech

The premium wetsuit in the O’Neill range, the Psycho Tech range boasts market leading performance, technology, comfort and function.

Fusing together O’Neill’s exclusive TechnoButter 3 technology the Psycho Tech comes with TechnoButter 3 Air Firewall to give you the warmest wetsuit in the range.

The TechnoButter 3 neoprene in these suits is unrivalled in the wetsuit world, it is the best neoprene money can buy, if you have the budget it’s the natural choice.

TechnoButter 3 ensures a supremely flexible wetsuit that gives the least possible resistance when paddling and in general when wearing the Psycho Tech wetsuit.

O’Neill wetsuits have come up with a superb wetsuit that is lighter and warmer than ever before, has more insulation and is faster drying, what’s not to like?

All this packed into one wetsuit ensures that when you choose to purchase an O’Neill Psycho Tech wetsuit you will not be disappointed in your choice and you will only question why you didn’t get one sooner!

Available in 6/4mm and 5/4mm the O’Neill Psycho Tech is the wetsuit of choice for performance and function when surfing in the colder waters around the world.

Hyperfreak

O'Neill HyperFreak

O’Neill wetsuits Hyperfreak series has been designed and manufactured to give you a wetsuit that matches performance with warmth and comfort.

Utilising the TechnoButter 3 and TB3X technology and materials, the Hyperfreak range is now less prone to taking on and absorbing water which leads to the claim that this wetsuit is 20% lighter than ever before, and we can vouch for this, its super light!

With its new lightweight feel the Hyperfreak wetsuit has increased flexibility in all the right areas and ensures you are surfing with unparalleled comfort and function.

We can assure you, you would have to search for a long time to find a more well-rounded wetsuit at such a great price, it’s a steal!

The Hyperfreak Comp Zip free is the best zip free wetsuit on the market for getting in and out of the suit. A definite match for the Ripcurl E Bomb and the Vissla High Seas zip free wetsuits, the Hyperfreak comp zip free gives you ultimate freedom in a wetsuit.

As the O’Neill Hyperfreak comes as a 5/4 winter suit, 5/4 Comp Zip Free or a 3/2 summer wetsuit, the Hyperfreak is a wetsuit that works year-round.

For the winter days the 5/4 will keep you warm, comfortable and have very little resistance on your paddle, and then when the temperatures warm back up, the 3/2 Hyperfreak gives you all you want for your summer wetsuit.

 

Epic

O'Neill Epic

Developed and designed to replace the incredibly successful Superfreak and O’riginal ranges the Epic is an up-to-date take on a classic wetsuit that covers all you need from your wetsuit with an uncompromising old school look.

The O’Neill Epic series of wetsuits has been treated to modern features, such as strategically places seamless zones and a Fluid Flex Firewall lining to lock heat and this results in one of the best fitting wetsuits money can buy at this price range.

The Epic is not as performance based as the Hyperfreak but it will ensure you are warmer for a longer time when you are in the ocean.

The 6/4mm hooded version is ideal for the winter days in the North of England and the colder parts of the globe.

O’Neill have produced the Epic in almost every wetsuit thickness you can image, we have this ranging from a Hooded 6/5/4mm to a 5/4mm, 4/3mm and a 3/2mm.

You could purchase one of each and have the Epic set to cover you for any conditions and temperatures you come across. This really is a suit for all year round.

Pound for pound, this could be the best wetsuit on the marker at this budget.

Reactor II

O'Neill Reactor II

The market leading entry level wetsuit that covers all board sports. The O’Neill Reactor II has been updated and is one of our best-selling wetsuits.

O’Neill have treated the Reactor II to new colourways which look classy and fresh, along with this, the Reactor II now comes with the pairing of Ultraflex Neoprene, Fluidfoam and a double seal neck which is adjustable to create an even better fit and feel when wearing this wetsuit.

These added features give you a wetsuit that is incredible value for money. The Reactor II is the perfect entry level wetsuit that will ensure you are warm and comfortable while you are enjoying the ocean.

The Reactor II series is also a very durable and it is crazy rare that we have an O’Neill wetsuit come back to us with an issue.

Available in 3/2mm thickness and a shortly 2/2mm, the O’Neill Reactor II is the wetsuit you should be wearing from the end of April to the mid October the UK, or for heading overseas to warmer waters and comes in all sizes to suit men, women and children alike.

Awesome wetsuit, even better price tag!

2) Decide what thickness wetsuit you need.

“What thickness wetsuit should I buy?” is a question we often get asked here at Boardshop.

Each of the different wetsuit ranges offered by O’Neill come in a range of different thicknesses depending on the conditions you are going to be surfing in.

With so many options, it can be hard to decide what thickness of wetsuit to go for. Ultimately, it depends on the temperature of the water you are going to be surfing in and your tolerance to the cold. Check out O’Neill’s handy wetsuit temperature chart below to help you decide which thickness would be most suitable:

O'Neill Temperature Guide

3) Decide what size wetsuit will fit you.

Another wetsuit related question we often get asked at Boardshop is “What size wetsuit should I buy?” Getting the right fit in a wetsuit is so important as too tight, and it will limit and restrict movement but too loose and you will let water in making you cold and defeating the purpose of the suit. Plus, let’s be honest, no one wants to be the kook walking up the beach with their wetsuit flooded around the ankles.

Check out the size charts below to work out your perfect size:

Mens Wetsuit Sizing

How to measure for the perfect fit:

O'Neill Fitting Guide

Men’s O’Neill Wetsuit Size Chart:

O'Neill Mens Size Guide

O'Neill Mens Rash Top Size Guide

If your measurements border on the top end of your chosen size, go for the next size up.

Women’s Wetsuit Sizing

How to measure for the perfect fit:

O'Neill Fitting Guide

Women’s O’Neill Wetsuit Size Chart:

O'Neill Womens Wetsuit Size Guide

O'Neill Womens Rash Top Size Guide

If your measurements border on the top end of your chosen size, go for the next size up.

Kid’s Wetsuit Sizing

O'Neill Fitting Guide

Kid’s O’Neill Wetsuit Size Chart:

O'Neill Kids Wetsuit Size Guide

O'Neill Kids Rash Top Size Guide

4) Choose your O’Neill wetsuit essentials & get the perfect fit

Wetsuit boots and gloves are a necessary evil for all cold water surfers, we’d all rather being surfing in tropical water in boardies but the reality is that we spend 99% of our time in colder water.

The O’Neill wetsuit boot range is extensive running for  lightweight reef slippers to full on 7mm wetsuit boots equipped to deal with the coldest water. The Superfreak reef slippers are the best we’ve ever used, the Heat boot range has durability at heart and the Pyscho Tech 5mm boot is probably our best seller.

The boot range runs from 2mm to 7mm and covers everything in between so wherever you surf you’re covered.

O’Neill also offer split toe boots which tend to be more popular with advanced surfers. These enable better flexibility and grip and are designed to enable maximum energy transfer from your body to through your feet and to the surfboard. 

 O'Neill Accessories

The wetsuit glove range is just as good, covered by the Epic and Psycho Tech range the thickness run from 1.5mm to 5mm, pay no attention to those videos of people surfing frigid waters without gloves – that’s not us or you, we prefer to be able to feel our hands.

Hoods, love them or hate them the prevent the horror that is the ice cream headache! Whether it’s a cap or full on hood these things are lightweight and flexible nowadays and hardly restrict your surfing at all

O’Neill rash vest are the best around as are their Thermo X shirts and wetsuit jackets, check them out. 

If you want to stay warm in the water, you will want a decent pair of boots, gloves and a hood to go with your wetsuit and it is just as important to get a good fit for these as it is for your wetsuit.

Check out the size guides below to find out how to measure yourself or your groms to ensure the perfect fit:

Wetsuit Accessories Size Guide

Wetsuit Accessories Size Guide

O’Neill Wetsuit Care

Look after your O’Neill wetsuit, the better you look after it the longer it will last you!

  • Always rinse with fresh water after use
  • Hang to dry out of direct sunlight
  • Use a broad armed hanger to hang your suit, a narrow armed hanger will damage your wetsuit over time
  • If storing or transporting your wetsuit roll it don’t fold it, folding will leave creases across the suit
  • Don’t dry in the tumble drier, you’ll kill the suit

Wetsuit Voucher

O’Neill wetsuits Warranty

  • Your O’Neill wetsuit is covered by a 1 year warranty against manufacturing defects and boots and gloves etc by a 3 month warranty
  • Boardshop will give you an extended warranty of a year when you buy a wetsuit from us so you’ll end up with a 2 year warranty against manufacturing defects, and we’ll give you a £10 voucher to use on your next purchase, crazy!
  •  Look after your wetsuit and you’ll probably never need to call on the warranty department!

 We hope the above guide helps you to pick the perfect wetsuit.

Still stuck and after some advice? We are always happy to help and offer suggestions.

Drop us an email at info@boardshop.co.uk  or call us on the following number, we are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm.

UK 01243 674250

Outside UK 0044 (0)1243 674250

 Shop All O'Neill Wetsuits