Sooruz, O'neill & Colby+ Wetsuit Comparison
It is a wetsuit. I usually do not review wetsuits. The fit is highly subjective, and my body type is not everyone else’s. That said, I will approach it the way I do foils—comparing three different wetsuits I own and have used.
First, about me. I am 5’4″ and around 140lbs. I would say I am short, have broad shoulders, and a fuller chest. I have longer thicker arms. My legs are average, not thick. I wear a size small in all the suits.
The three suits are:
The Sooruz Guru Pro Chest zip- 4/3,
The Colby+ Chest Zip-4/3
The O’neill Hyperfreak Zipperless Comp 4/3.
I have all of them and have used them many times. Here is my take on each and what conditions each is best in.
BUILD QUALITY
Each suit is well-designed and built. The seams on the Colby+ are the best. They are sealed on the outside, which I found translates into a suit that does not leak. The materials on all the suits are excellent in their own way. The O’neill is the most flexible, but this suit is the least durable. The Colby+ is the longest-lasting and absorbs the least amount of water. The Sooruz is the best combination of flex and warmth with it’s outer material that is stretchy and the inner fleece to keep you warm.
FIT
I must be honest. The suit that fits me the best is the O’neill . I am short and stocky, not fat. I find that suits tend to be too long in the torso for me. The O’neill , with its supple material, fits well. I dislike a tight suit and will sacrifice warmth for comfort. When I first tried this suit, I thought it was a 3/2. That is how comfortable the suit feels.
Second place for fit goes to the Colby+. The Yamamoto material is the least flexible of all the suits, but the cut of this suit fits my body type. I have broad shoulders and a bigger chest for my height, and the Colby+ is cut that way.
Last place goes to the Sooruz. It is tight in the hips and chest area. The guys in France must be skinnier, is my guess. Is it restrictive? Absolutely not. I often wear the suit, and I would not if it were uncomfortable. I also think the suit does not feel as comfortable, as it feels like the thickest of the three. It is the only suit with a fuzzy inner lining out of the three.
COST
The Colby+ is the cheapest of the three. For three hundred dollars, it is a lot of suit for the money. I would repurchase the suit without hesitation. The O’neill is slightly more expensive than the Colby+ at $369 but is on sale right now for $295. If you want comfort, then this is the suit to get, but keep in mind that it will probably not last more than one season before it gets porous. When I was using the O’neill suit exclusively, I would buy a new one every year. The Colby+ will definitely last more than one season, so if you can skip a year between buying a suit, that makes it half the price of the O’neill . I have not had the Sooruz for a year yet, so I cannot attest to the suit’s durability. The Sooruz is the most expensive, around four hundred dollars.
Conditions For Each Suit
If it is cold out and I am worried more about staying warm, I will reach for the Sooruz. It feels like the warmest suit out of them all. That layer of fuzz keeps the heat in. If it is windy, then the Sooruz suit is not as warm as the Colby+. The Yamamoto protects against the wind better, so I’ll use it if it’s windy outside and I’m more concerned about staying warm. If the water is cold but the sun is out, I will use the Colby+ or the O’neill . It still keeps me warm but gives me the flexibility that I want. If the conditions are borderline and I think I could use a 3mm suit, I will put on the O’neill . It gives me the most comfort, and I do not get too warm with it on. It does leak a fair amount, so I’ll cool down with a fall, which I do often.
O’neill Hyperfreak Comp 4/3
The HyperFreak Zipless entry wetsuit is constructed with our exclusive super light Recycled TechnoButter 3 and TB3X neoprene containing 90% or more recycled fibers in the liner fabrics. This advanced technology allows you to perform at the highest level with construction so comfortable and light you’d swear you were surfing naked. The HyperFreak Comp is the most unique, lightweight, fully sealed suit on the market.
Colby+ Chest Zip 4/3
The Colby + Yamamoto 4/3mm Chest Zip Fullsuit is designed for cold conditions, typically used in water temps in the mid to high 50s.
Like all Colby + wetsuits, it features Yamamoto #39 in the torso for durability, shape retention and warmth, and Yamamoto #40 in the shoulders and arms for added flexibility and freedom to reduce paddling fatigue. We use a custom-made jersey from the world’s premiere jersey provider which has a silky hand feel with amazing stretch and resilience.
The Colby + Yamamoto 4/3mm Chest Zip Fullsuit features triple-glued and blindstitched (GBS) seams with internal taping in critical areas (those that take the most abuse). GBS stitching combined with internal tape will improve the longevity of the suit and also helps reduce leakage from sew-through. It doesn’t completely alleviate it, but certainly helps.
To help alleviate leakage, and importantly, we’ve applied a rubberized liquid seal treatment to the exterior seams, which ends just below the armpits. This will dramatically reduce leakage in the lower body, crotch and torso. And because we’ve left it off of the arms and shoulders, you’ll have unmatched freedom and flexibility in the upper body.
Sooruz Guru Pro 4/3
Experience the ultimate in wetsuit performance with the 4mm/3mm Guru pro made from our Oysterprene Y8. This revolutionary suit offers maximum mobility while remaining environmentally responsible. With a unique combination of flexibility and sustainability, it’s sure to enhance your performance in the water. The water-laminated polyester and recycled nylon fabric add to its high-performance capabilities.
Get ready to experience the ultimate in durability, warmth, and comfort with Sooruz – Mens Guru Pro wetsuit. Made with Oysterprene foam and reinforced seams, this suit offers unbeatable quality. Plus, the recycled polyester Storm-Dry lining will keep you warm and dry, so you can focus on conquering the waves. Try it now!
Designed with a sleek Black Diamond on the back, our exclusive windproof and water-repellent material allows for ultimate flexibility. Thermofused sleeve ends and debossed back knees provide durability and comfort for all your movements. Elevate your game now!
