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Scott Batch

Fifty Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Started Surfing! #24- Spring Jackets

Check out a wetsuit jacket if you love summer surfing but don't want to be sunburned or chilled by the wind. A wetsuit jacket is a type of wetsuit that covers your torso and arms but leaves your legs free. It is usually made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber that traps a thin layer of water between your skin and the material, keeping you warm and comfortable. A wetsuit jacket protects you from abrasion, jellyfish stings, and coral cuts.


Wetsuit jackets come in different thicknesses, measured in millimeters (mm). The thicker the wetsuit jacket, the warmer it will keep you and the less flexible it will be. The most common thickness for wetsuit jackets is 1.5 mm or 2 mm, suitable for water temperatures of about 68 degrees or higher. To provide more mobility, Some wetsuit jackets have different thicknesses in different areas, such as 2 mm in the chest and back and 1 mm in the arms and underarms.


Wetsuit jackets also have different zipper systems, which affect how easy they are to put on and take off. Some wetsuit jackets have no zipper, which means they are very snug and seamless but also harder to wear. Some have a front zipper, which is convenient and adjustable, but also creates more drag in the water. Some have a back zipper, which is less noticeable and more aerodynamic, but also requires assistance from someone else.


When choosing a wetsuit jacket for summer surf, consider your preference, your surfing style, and the conditions of your surf spot. It would help if you also looked for a wetsuit jacket that fits you well without being too tight or loose. A good fit will ensure that the wetsuit jacket performs well and lasts long.


To help you find the best wetsuit jacket for summer surf, here are some of the top brands and models that I recommend:

- Rip Curl E-Bomb Long Sleeve Wetsuit Jacket: This high-performance jacket features Rip Curl's most flexible and lightweight neoprene material. It has no zipper, which means it has no seams or weak points. It also has a pull cord waist and a short board loop to keep it in place.

- O'Neill Hyperfreak TB3X Long Sleeve Wetsuit Jacket: This premium wetsuit jacket combines two types of neoprene: TB3-X and TB3. TB3-X is ultra-stretchy and hydrophobic, while TB3 is soft and durable. Together, they create a wetsuit jacket that feels like a second skin.

- Patagonia R1 Lite Yulex Long Sleeve Top: This eco-friendly wetsuit jacket uses Yulex, a plant-based alternative to neoprene. Yulex is renewable and bi, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 80%. It also provides warmth and comfort comparable to conventional neoprene.



















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