Nyord Mens Furno Warmth 4/3mm Chest Zip Wetsuit - Black - Thermal Warm Heat Layer Layers Easy Stretch

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That’s the suit that I tried, and the difference is palpable – mostly in the shoulder area when paddling, and only really as I’m hopping in and out from one suit to the next.

The use of recycled polyester or nylon in the lining of the suit, water-based glue (such as Aqua Alpha) for seam sealing, and dope-dyed fabric all make contributions toward minimizing the footprint of a wetsuit.

It felt like the suit was made for someone a lot shorter, and with a smaller chest than me, which I wouldn’t have expected based on how most other mediums fit me. Both taping and seam seals increase the waterproofing and longevity of a suit, but can reduce the overall flex. I wasn’t expecting to be this impressed with a wetsuit from Quiksilver, but they have hit the nail on the head when it comes to the Highline. When they launched in 2014, O'Neill's Hyperfreak wetsuits quickly gained a reputation for unparalleled levels of flexibility and warmth but a life span that was much shorter than conventional wetsuits. That said, if you want the ultimate surfer's suit just like the pros, then this is definitely the one for you, surfing the bleeding edge of technology – there's literally nothing else out there like it.

It doesn’t matter if it’s the stretchiest and warmest suit in the world, if the fit isn’t right, you will not enjoy wearing it. For those who aren’t familiar, their claim to fame is the “3D design” of their suits, which they say fits the shape of the human body better than suits designed in 2D, and I find it hard to disagree. It’s a petrochemical-derived fabric, is non-biodegradable, and tons of it gets thrown away every year – Finisterre estimates around 419 tons of neoprene is dumped annually in the UK alone. For their part, Patagonia has proactively shared their technology and suppliers with other manufacturers for the planet’s sake. If you notice that happening, you can always use one of these awesome wetsuit washes, which will also help kick the wetsuit stink before (or even after) it starts.Yulex is definitely the lowest-performing material here, but not by that much, and new tech and different blends are closing the gap. Their wetsuits are made from a combination of recycled tires, oyster shells, and limestone, with a recycled lining.

If warmth is less of a priority for you than high performance, I’d suggest looking at the suits from Manera and Quiksilver, below. My one complaint is the lack of a key loop or pocket, but I’ve heard this feature will be rolled out soon across their entire line of suits. Hand-sculpted in Japan from only nine panels of Japanese Limestone neoprene, the Highline Pro has no stitched seams and no zipper, saving weight and removing chafing points.

Sustainability: As good as it gets: Yulex rubber, recycled lining, fair trade and sustainable manufacturing. The suit felt incredibly tight around the chest, and the kneepads were mostly on my lower thighs rather than my knees. This was Dakine’s first foray into the fullsuit business (as far as I’m aware) and it seems they’ve hit the nail on the head, first try. Anti-slip Ankle Cuffs - Anti-slip cuffs stay put for a more comfortable fit and create a watertight seal to prevent flushing.