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Just when you think wetsuits can’t get any better, each year they come up with a more efficient, warmer and more flexible designs. Billabong SGX suit has gone for the lightest suit ever, which will really appeal to the crew surfing  in the mild water temps on the mid north coast, especailly the ones that aren’t that keen on rubber.

HOW IT WORKED FOR US

Incredibly watertight suit!! Didn’t feel any cold water leaks, the suit moulded very well into my lower back, quite often there is a gap that sometimes pools water in that area, but this crucial spot was all sweet!

The big claim from of this suit is that it is “the lightest wetsuit ever” and I’ve gotta say I did feel the difference, every other suit on the market do soak up more water than the SGX, making them heavier in the surf, this suit not only felt lighter but was sooo flexi. Guys that hate wearing wetties would be well impressed with how this feels in the water. Another advantage of the “non soaking up” suit was the drying time. Hanging my wetsuits in the shade in winter, they generally don’t ever dry out, but the SGX was bone dry overnight after a late arvo session. I love getting into a dry suit so this was a big tick!

The chest zip systems are pretty much standard in all of the high-end suits these days and the SGX is no different. Taking away the old back zipper gives back way more flexibility across the shoulders and does eliminate cold-water leaks down the back. They are however harder to get into, but once you are suited up it feels like a second skin.

I read a review that rated this suit as been “not very warm” but I have to disagree with that claim. Wearing this suit felt warmer than wearing last year’s Rip Curl’s E-Bomb model with a Quiksilver heat vest underneath!

I feel the cold and can definitely claim that this wetsuit would more than cover you needs on the mid north coast of New South Wales. On the sunny days I wore the suit I was actually a little too warm.

WILL IT LAST?

It’s all very well to have a wetsuit that works amazing for first season, but most surfers would like to get two good winters out of a steamer (especially on the mid north coast, where steamers are only worn for 4 months per year) This suit looks like it should stand up. The kneepads are super rough and tough, they don’t ever look like wearing out, the chest zip is heavy duty and the stitching looks sound. The taped inside seams really look and feel strong. The shoulder areas of these chest zip suits seem to wear thin, so it will be interesting to see how the SGX holds up. So the signs look good, but only time will tell. Maybe we will do a backup review in a year’s time?

THE STATS

- SUPATEX KNEES : 3D moulded supatex knee pads.

- H2R : Water repellent coated neoprene. Miltary grade repellent means the suit never soaks water.

- C2-CHEST ZIP : Refined for seamless, functional, water-tight design

- IWS : Critically welded seams on wear areas

- ZG400R : Japanese materials, with a yarn coated water repellent treatment, never gets heavy meaning no additional weight when you are surfing.

SGX wetsuits are protected by a limited 12 month warranty on workmanship and materials

CONCLUSION

This suit is made for performance. If you hate wearing wetsuits because of the restriction in the past well this is the suit for you, it’s easily the most comfortable wetsuit I’ve worn. It is more than warm enough for the Coffs area and probably warm enough crew living below Sydney(there is a 4/3 version for the colder climates). The “non soaking up” feature of this suit along with “fit like a glove” cut are the highlights for me

You can pick up the  Billabong SGX wetsuit from the Coopers surf centers.

See more on Billabong’s website HERE