Top 7 Best 4/3 Wetsuits | Reviews (XCEL, Rip Curl)
Wetsuits have been a key piece of equipment for divers ever since Hugh Bradner invented the neoprene suit back in the 1950s. However, Jack O’Neill, founder of O’Neill, popularized using it for surfing. It’s rumoured that Jack discovered wetsuits first, but researchers have concluded that Hugh Bradner is the true “father of wetsuits”. It’s already been almost 70 years, yet surfers still consider wetsuits as one of the most essential parts of the surf experience. Even a cold winter morning surf can still become enjoyable with the right wetsuit. This guide offers insights into what are 4/3 wetsuits best for, and which ones to look out for. What are 4/3 Wetsuits Best for? One of the most important aspects when considering wetsuit warmth is the thickness of the neoprene, which is measured in millimeters. 4/3 wetsuits doesn’t mean its neoprene thickness is 1.33 mm. The first number represents the thickness of the neoprene in the torso area. The second number represents the thickness of the neoprene in the arms and legs. Thus, a 4/3 wetsuit has a 4mm thick neoprene in the torso and 3mm thick neoprene in both arms and legs. 4/3 wetsuits are best for water temperatures at 52-58 °F / 11.1-14.4 °C. You can happily wear a shorty wetsuit at those temperatures, but it’s not recommended. The thicker neoprene (torso area) in 4/3 wetsuits helps maintain your core body heat, which prevents hypothermia. The thinner neoprene is better for areas that are constantly in motion (arms and legs). We highly recommend checking the guide we made to better understand the correlation between water temperature and wetsuit thickness. Top 5 Best 4/3 Wetsuits As watersports continue to thrive, the demand for high-quality wetsuits rises. Wetsuits offer proper protection against the cold, increased buoyancy, and added speed. Its comfort and utility make it an easy decision for people who are getting into watersports. With the many brands out there, we’ve reviewed some of the popular ones we highly recommend checking out. XCEL Men’s Drylock 4/3 mm Fullsuit F20 (Top Pick) VISSLA 7 Seas 4/3 mm Boys Full Suit (Best Budget) O’Neill Psycho Tech 4/3 mm Full Wetsuit (Best High End) RIP CURL Flashbomb 4/3 mm Wetsuit (Most Comfortable) SISSTREVOLUTION 7 Seas 4/3 mm Full Wetsuit (Best Women’s Wetsuit) PATAGONIA R3 Yulex Front-Zip Full Suit QUIKSILVER Marathon Sessions 4/3 mm Wetsuit #1. XCEL Men’s Drylock 4/3 mm Fullsuit F20 – Top Pick Specifications: Neoprene type: Light Japanese limestone Seam construction: Triple glued and blind stitched seams Tape design: FusionX tape Entry system: Semi-dry zipper with magnetic closure Available Color: Black XCEL is known for their high-performance neoprene designed for people who take their sport seriously. Their wetsuits might be pricey, but they get the job done regarding tech and fit. The Drylock 4/3 fullsuit is perfect for surfers who are rocking the Drylock 3/2 wetsuit but are looking for a warmer alternative for the winter. What makes XCEL’s Drylock collection sought after by many surfers? It’s their interior trademark, the Celiant Black thermo. The interior is engineered to stretch up the limbs to harness the natural warmth produced by your own blood circulation to keep you warm. The Drylock 4/3 fullsuit comes with their exclusive FusionX tape to provide a contoured fit. It’s the only wetsuit in this list that has a magnetic closure that’s good for keeping flushes out. This is the same protection you’ll expect from the Nexskin ankle seals and Drylock wrist seals that come with the suit. With its triple glued and blind stitched seams that promote more stretch and flexibility, this Drylock variant is a sure-fire investment for surfers intermediate and up. #2. VISSLA 7 Seas 4/3 mm Boys Full Suit Specifications: Neoprene type: 100% Super stretch Japanese limestone Seam construction: Tripled glued and blind stitched seams Tape design: Vissla super stretch Neo 3.0 tape Entry system: Chest-zip entry Available Color: Black, Wine Red, Charcoal Black, and Stealth Black Vissla succeeded in designing a collection of wetsuits with a minimalist approach. Their 7 Seas wetsuits don’t have unnecessary features that most “over-designed” wetsuits have, while leaving the best qualities a wetsuit could have. This revolutionary approach made them notorious for their bang-for-your-buck wetsuits. The 7 Seas 4/3 fullsuit comprises anatomically correct engineered body lines that allow for unrestricted performance. Accompanied with its light Japanese limestone neoprene and thermal fever fiber lining, it boasts high thermal retention and flexibility. It also comes with four colors with minimal branding that’s perfect for surfers who prefer a cleaner look. Vissla has been striving for an eco-friendly market in recent years. All of their wetsuits got non-solvent glues and environmental dyes, along with AquaA lamination that’s risk free for the sea. With a wetsuit that checks all the boxes, the 7 Seas 4/3 fullsuit is considered as an epitome of the upper-end of the entry level suit. #3. O’Neill Psycho Tech 4/3 mm Full Wetsuit – Best High End Specifications: Neoprene type: Aqua Alpha solvent-free Neoprene lamination Seam construction: Stitchless seam technology and fluid seam weld Tape design: Not specified Entry system: Z.E.N. back zip or F.U.Z.E front zip closure Available Color: Black In 2017, O’Neill’s launched Psycho Tech wetsuits with TechnoButter 2 neoprene technology. It quickly gained a reputation for unparalleled levels of flexibility and warmth but lacked the resiliency that their other wetsuits had. Fast forward to 2021, and the Psycho Tech collection has developed into a much more resilient wetsuit while being more flexible than earlier versions. The Psycho Tech 4/3 fullsuit comes with O’Neill’s improved TechnoButter 3 neoprene technology that has an amazing amount of four-way stretch that enables better free body movement, lightness, and comfort. To top it off, O’Neill’s stitchless seam technology, together with its wind-proof smoothskin feature, prevents water from coming in. Alongside its plasma wrist and ankles seals, you can expect to be kept warm during every surf session. O’Neill never fails to impress us and keeps pushing boundaries in wetsuit manufacturing. Their latest Psycho Tech variant is the culmination of almost 70 … Read more