How Billabong Wetsuits Work
Lauren Collison February 16th, 2017 Posted In: Articles Tags: Surfing
In order to understand how Billabong Wetsuits work, we went straight to the man behind the designs. Scott Boot is Billabong’s wetsuit designer, so he totally gets all of the ins and outs of how Billabong wetsuits works. You can learn more about Scott and how his awesome career started from this interview he did with Billabong. So without further ado, here’s what Scott has to say about Billabong wetsuits:
Alright, so how do Billabong wetsuits work?
SB: A wetsuit is an insulating barrier between you and the elements outside. Billabong goes to extreme lengths to source new neoprene’s and laminates to a variety of different sponge’s to ensure the best thermal retention stretch and comfort is accomplished. Billabong has a range of wetsuits starting at our Absolute series which is a price conscious functional yet durable wetsuit for the everyday surfer. It then clicks up in price to the Revolution series which is all about style and flexibility, with a host of technical materials and features. We then take another step up to our Furnace Carbon series which uses premium exclusive materials such as a Furnace Carbon fiber lining that is the warmest material available.
Can you briefly tell us about the latest wetsuit technology with Billabong wetsuits?
SB: Carbon Fiber lining, Drymax entry system and a host of exclusive details.
Who or what is the inspiration behind designing Billabong wetsuits each season?
The constant pursuit to perfect the warmest most flexible and comfortable wetsuit available, the Furnace Carbon Ultra is our best example of this to date.
Do Billabong wetsuits differ from other brands in how they provide insulation?
SB: Unique materials sourced from exclusive vendors all combine to make our suits out-perform the competitors. We have two Billabong factories, one in China and one in Thailand. There is a lot of noise around one supplier that makes the majority of all major brands wetsuits, this may be true, but all wetsuits are light years apart based on the materials selected and sourced that go into each brand, Billabong’s are exclusive.
Are the wetsuit designs driven by warmth? Performance? Long-lasting?
SB: Depends what climatic region the suit is designed for. However, they’re all designed for performance first and foremost. We have three unique styles in our Furnace Carbon Series, the Comp, the X and the Ultra. the Comp is a lighter weight flexible suit designed for cool to mild cold water, the X is specifically designed for super cold water and the Ultra is designed for flexibility and warmth in cold water. All have unique features to keep you warm in cold water but at different levels to meet different price points. The comp starts at $300, the X at $400, and the Ultra our most premium at $500. I’ve attached a break down for reference:
What are the key features or ideas that go into creating a Billabong wetsuit?
SB: Lately it’s been our Carbon Fiber lining found in the Furnace series, it’s a unique carbon fiber yarn knitted into the jersey. Carbon Fiber is incredibly efficient at trapping and holding thermal heat. The Furnace Carbon Ultra has a Japanese carbon fiber material that has 60% carbon fiber yarns included into the material so it’s really light, really warm but a bit expensive, so only found in the Ultra. The X and Comp suits have 30% Carbon Fiber yarns included in the jersey to make it very effective at holding and trapping the body heat and super flexible, it’s also a double knit jersey meaning it drains water super fast making it dry in no time at all.
Any additional words on how Billabong wetsuits work and about the brand as a whole?
SB: Billabong has had many tag lines throughout its illustrious history but one tag line we all use internally is “Progression is our Obsession”. Billabong has always been a progressive brand in surfing from its roster of progressive elite athletes, stretch boardshorts back in the 70’s to the first patented zipper-less wetsuit. There’s also the first chest zip wetsuit, the Absolute, and the first inflatable big wave wetsuit with the Shane Dorian V1 and now the first wetsuit with carbon fiber lining.
And there you have it – an insider’s view on how Billabong wetsuits work. Thanks again Scott for doing this interview. Got a favorite Billabong suit? Let us know in the comments!
Hi LoLo / Team,
I am 59 and overweight. I always snorkel on top of the water and never had a wetsuit. I will be going to the Big Island this Feb and according to what I can find water temp is between 73-78 F and thinking I may need one for this trip – not sure of thickness and suit size. What do you recommend? Is a two piece better for my size?
Height 66″
Weight 245 #
Chest 51″
Waist 51″
Hips 47″
Neck 16″
Inseam 28.5″
Thanks,
Al
Hi Al. Thanks for reaching out. For snorkeling in those water temps, I’d suggest a shorty. If you’re looking for something simple but to also get a good fit, this short john in a grizzly large would be great https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/PROD/17259-02.html#.Y7R4otXMLcs
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option and only plan to use it for one trip, this could work https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/PROD/MS200.html#.Y7R4YdXMLcs Most likely in a 4XL.
Hope this helps. If you have more questions, reach out to our cusotmer service department via email or phone.
Email: service@wetsuitwearhouse.com
Toll-free number: 866-906-7848
Can you advise me? I am 78 years old and find my pool a bit too cold. I would like to purchase a wet suit jacket that is very flexible and easy to swim and do aerobics in. Since swimming helps arthritis, movement is very important. I do not do straight laps, but various exercises worked into a lap. Also – I am overweight so I do not want anything “sexy”.
What do you think?
I’m going to send you a private email, Laura. (:
Hi make sure it has a full zipper they can be hard to get off at your age,you dont want a full suit or a pull over that you may need helping getting on and off,i just checked ebay theres a xxxl camo jacket full zipper,25$bid 15 shipping.looks new.
And you can use as out of water jacket if its super cold.they really hold heat in shockingly so.
Because of how hard they are to remove you might want to start with hood gloves and feet.try searchs like neoprine gloves socks hood.jacket check ebay cheap.also thift stores often have wetsuits for like 20$
Hello,
I read your blog in a quick and non efficient way. I didn’t find the answer I was looking for. I found your views very interesting, points are great too, thank you for your post. It helped me understand a little into what I was looking for. I hope you carry on with your views and different ways of wording your initial subject/subjects. Enjoy reading your book in hot summer days, it’s when you’re most alive in the most ways you can be.
Regards,
Marco
Thanks for the feedback, Marco. What answer were you looking for? I might be able to help…