These models are included in the test:
Winter surfers are no longer exotic. More and more water sports enthusiasts have realised that you can extend your surfing season into the winter months with modern winter neos. So can you simply surf all the way through with a winter neo? It would certainly be wrong to say that, as your personal pain threshold is influenced by many aspects. Physical fitness, the type of area and, last but not least, your personal riding level make a big difference. If you spend half the session in the water, you will quickly find water temperatures of five degrees uncomfortable. On the other hand, those who can routinely reel off their repertoire will return to the beach with a light film of sweat on their forehead. The "comfort ranges" of the respective winter neos specified in the test are therefore more of a rough guide, but can help to compare the neos with each other.
Winter neos - what really keeps you warm?
We tested all Neos several times in conditions with winds between 12 and 30 knots on the North and Baltic Seas. The water temperatures during the test were around four degrees, while the air temperatures fluctuated between zero and ten degrees. The good news: with modern winter neos, sessions around freezing point are absolutely possible. But there are differences. For a neo to be really warm, several factors have to come together:
Perfect fit
If the neo is too big and the cold broth runs in everywhere, even the best neo won't do you any good. Winter wetsuits should therefore fit snugly and have no/barely any creases. When buying, you should also bear in mind that wetsuits stretch a little over time. There are definitely differences in sizes between brands. For our test, we ordered all wetsuits based on the size recommendation of the respective brands - just as any customer of an online shop would do. One thing up front: there is no "one" size. Our editor, who is 1.91 metres tall and weighs 90 kilos, was sometimes an intermediate size LT and sometimes a size XL. It is therefore ideal to try on the Neos in the shop before buying. However, if you don't have this option, you can largely rely on the manufacturer's size charts.
340 to 650 euros is no mean feat, but much cheaper than a trip to a warm country
Neoprene thickness & feeding
Winter neos usually offer six millimetres of neoprene thickness on the torso and four to five millimetres on the arms and legs. The thickness of the neoprene used can usually also be determined by the model designation of the neo. Abbreviations such as6/4 indicate a neoprene thickness of six millimetres on the body and four millimetres on the extremities. However, this says nothing about how extensively thick and therefore warm neoprene is ultimately used.
The fact that even thicker neoprene is not necessary is due to the inner workings of modern winter neos. The premium models offer far more than just plain rubber. Special coatings and cosy plush not only make them more comfortable to wear, but also trap air, creating a warm air cushion over the skin. A positive side effect is that they often dry much faster between sessions. However, because such materials are expensive, not all brands use them extensively. In the individual descriptions you can read who spills and who spills.
Finishes & seams
The quality of the seams and finishes also has an influence on how warm a wetsuit is in the end. The good news is that none of the suits tested leaked water through the seams. How long these remain tight also depends on how the wetsuit is treated: if you take a little care when putting it on and taking it off and don't tug too hard, you will protect the seams and can usually use your winter wetsuit for several seasons.
Noticeable differences can be seen in the tested winter neos, especially in the design of the collar. The larger and more stretchy it is, the more comfortable it is to put on and take off. However, the overlap with the bonnet is then naturally smaller and in the event of falls or washing, a surge of water can penetrate more quickly - which conversely results in deductions in the thermal insulation rating. All winter neos have an integrated bonnet, so it is firmly attached to the suit. This is also the reason why the comfort range ends at 12 degrees - then it is definitely too warm.
In the following, we present the tested winter neos in detailed reports. Click through!
The winter neos in the test
(click to go to the individual tests)
