10 Best Long John Wetsuits 2025 in the United States

The O'Neill Epic 4/3mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit is a solid choice for various water activities like surfing, diving, and paddle sports. Its 4/3mm thickness strikes a good balance between warmth and flexibility, making it suitable for moderately cold water. The wetsuit is made from UltraFlex neoprene, which is known for its superior stretch and comfort, enhancing performance and ease of movement. Additionally, the FluidFlex Firewall panels offer wind resistance and extra insulation, beneficial in colder conditions.

The seams are blind stitched and triple glued, effectively keeping water out and adding durability to the wetsuit. The back zip entry system simplifies putting on and taking off the wetsuit, while ensuring a watertight seal. The fit is tailored to individuals with a medium-short build, providing appropriate measurements for chest, waist, and height. However, the back zip may not be as convenient as a front zip for some users, and the specific sizing might not suit all body types.

The wetsuit's construction and materials are robust, but it is imported from China, which might influence purchasing decisions for some. It offers good value for its price, especially for recreational water activities.

The O'Neill Women's Reactor-2 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit is designed as an entry-level wetsuit suitable for various water activities like surfing and diving. With a thickness of 3/2mm, it offers decent insulation for mildly cold waters. The wetsuit is made from ultra-stretch neoprene, which is known for its flexibility and comfort. This material helps improve performance by allowing greater freedom of movement.

The seamless paddle zones enhance this mobility by reducing seam placement, thereby minimizing discomfort during paddling or swimming. Additionally, the wind-resistant smoothskin provides extra insulation against cold winds, which is beneficial in keeping the wearer warmer in cooler conditions. The backzip entry system is user-friendly, simplifying the process of putting the wetsuit on and taking it off, while maintaining a water-resistant closure to minimize water entry.

The fit is tailored for women, with specific size dimensions ensuring better comfort and performance during activities. Some users might find the sizing a bit tricky as it is specified in Short format (10S), which is suitable for individuals within a specific height and weight range. This wetsuit ranks well in its category, and its strengths lie in its material quality, comfort, and ease of use. However, it might not be the best choice for those needing extremely thick wetsuits for very cold water or those preferring chest zip systems.

The O'Neill Men's O'Riginal 2mm Back Zip Sleeveless Spring Wetsuit is designed for warmer water conditions where a thinner wetsuit works best. With a 2mm thickness on the body and slightly thinner 1.5mm legs, it offers good flexibility and comfort, making it a solid choice for spring or summer water activities. The neoprene material used is common for wetsuits, providing decent insulation and stretch. The glued and blindstitched seams help keep water out while maintaining durability, which is important for longer use.

This sleeveless style allows for better arm movement, especially useful for paddling or surfing, and the back zipper makes it easier to put on and take off compared to chest-zip wetsuits. The fit is designed to be snug but not overly tight, which helps keep water from entering while allowing freedom of movement.

Being sleeveless, it won’t offer full coverage or warmth for colder water. Also, the back zip can sometimes let in a bit more water compared to chest-zip designs but is often preferred for convenience. For those seeking a wetsuit that balances comfort, flexibility, and reasonable warmth in mild conditions, this O'Neill model is a good pick. It is best suited for active users who want freedom to move their arms easily and don’t need thick insulation.