When it comes to cold water surfing, there’s nothing more important than a good wetsuit. Nowadays, there’s no shortage of options as tons of brands have popped up in the last decade, so the question comes down to quality.
Last year, I reviewed a 3.5/2.5 Nieuwland suit from Finisterre, coldwater specialists out of Cornwall, U.K., and I was legit blown away by the overall quality. Today, their new line of winter suits drops. The Shearwater collection is shaped by 25 years of cold-water surfing experience and extensive testing and feedback from ambassadors.
The Shearwater suits start a new chapter for Finisterre by introducing the petroleum-free OCENA® material by SHEICO. They also feature the innovative U-Zip entry system for easier getting in and out, paired with durable YKK zippers for long-lasting reliability.
Neoprene alternatives have been around for years now and have come a very long way. While early suits were criticized for being less comfortable than standard options, the gap has fully closed with the latest designs. The comfort, warmth, and price are on par with, or even exceed, the petroleum-based competitors.
In addition to the new materials and entry system, Finisterre reworked the construction to make the suits more comfortable all around. The seams have been altered to improve flexibility and increase ease of movement, especially around the shoulders, which goes a long way when you’re rocking 4mm to 5mm thickness. They also dug into the panel-by-panel foam thickness, to cut weight where wasn’t needed without sacrificing warmth.
The fit and hood have been updated too, with a double-lined hood and a cinch-cord adjuster on the hooded styles. As someone who has grown to love having a hooded suit, this comes as a very welcome feature.
Finally, the drainage and internal barrier construction have been revised to help manage water entry around the zip. No matter how a suit is designed, heavy wipeouts will certainly let water in so good drainage design is crucial to let it back out.
Finisterre
The new line is available for both men and women in 4/3 and 5/4 thickness, with hooded options and booties for each. Given the incredibly warm water temps of Southern California as of late, I have yet to personally test a suit but they have been extensively tested by Finisterre ambassadors and friends of the brand in the notoriously cold winter waters of England and Northern Europe. Their in-depth feedback informed and refined the final design.
I’ll be testing one soon and posting a review in due time. In the meantime, the new Shearwater suits are available now online and through select retailers.
James Bowden
PS – if you’re looking for a suit of similar quality, at a lower price point, their Nieuwland suits are now discounted on their site.
Related: Finisterre: The Brand That Deserves To Be On Your Radar