Billabong Absolute Wetsuits
Billabong Absolute Wetsuit Series present awesome value in that you can get a sealed seam & chest-zip wetsuit at a price few other brands offer. The Absolute range... Read More
Billabong Absolute Wetsuits
Billabong Absolute Wetsuit Series present awesome value in that you can get a sealed seam & chest-zip wetsuit at a price few other brands offer. The Absolute range features both chest and back zips and comes in 4/3mm and 3/2mm steamers and in both GBS and GBS & Taped, called Absolute Comp and Absolute X, respectively. We've gone to immense detail in our video and blog about chest zip vs back zip so if you want to make an informed decision on zippers, hit our zip blog.
Seams: Tape or no Tape?
Most competitive surfers and many professionals choose the GBS seam, over the more expensive but more durable 'taped' seam because an un-taped GBS seam has higher stretch potential due to it's minimalism and ability of each stitch to expand. For a sponsored rider, durability is not an issue because their sponsors send them suits for free/cheap. Such is the way of wetsuits: aspects that improve on stretch have a negative impact on durability, so finding the right balance of is key. If you're the average water-warrior looking to buy a wet suit that will stand the test of time, look towards the 'taped seam' Absolute X suits, the taping drastically improves durability and can be glued back down with ease- learn more about seams here.
If you want to learn more in order to make an informed decision hit our video/blog links just below!
- Guide to Zips.
- Guide to Seams.
- Guide to Maintenance.
Billabong Absolute Wetsuits Features:-
- 3/2mm AX2 Super Flex jersey: high durable and lightweight. 3mm is employed around the areas of your body that don't stretch and 2mm around the zones effected by paddling. Stretch and warmth where you need it!
- Glued and Blind Stitched: the most cost-effective method for sealing a wetsuit seam but also happens to generally be the most flexible! Not the most durable but if you want to get the full rundown on seams check out our vlog/blog.
- Smooth Skin Chest Panel: negates wind-chill around your chest and back by use of a hydrophobic material that wicks the water away. You'll notice this most when you're sitting on your board awaiting the next set. This feature is present only on the back-zip suits.
- Chest Zip Entry: A no-brainer for any performance wetsuit as it's not only warmer and dryer but drastically increases the entire suits stretch factor. Read more about zips.
- Back Zip Gusset: A layer of neoprene [lined with Hollow Fibre] that stops the water that enters through your zip from flowing into the warm, internal compartment of the suit. Any water that is pushed in through the zip will be pushed back out when you arch your back, or sit up on your board.
- Hollow Fibre Internal Chest and Back Panels: on the inside of the suit they've laid in a poly-fleece material which aims to keep the internal parts of the suit dryer, just like the smooth skin panel it's designed to keep your vital organs warm.
- Strategic Seam Placement: Billabong has stitched the absolute to keep seams away from high-friction areas such as under your arm and around your neck.
- Woven Kneepads: a complex weave of HDPE results in one of the most tear resistant materials known to man: supratex.
