O’Neill Wetsuits came up with new and improved neoprene called Technobutter. The main advantages of the new material are weight and water absorption. Technobutter is 17% lighter and absorbs 30% less water which is – when it comes to water absorption – a step towards the limestone neoprene (geoprene) which we just covered. Which means that your wetsuit will be lighter to begin with and the even lighter when wet when compared to normal neoprene wetsuits. New neoprene was designed and tested in O’Neill’s exclusive R&D facility called O’Neill’s Area 52 and will be first introduced in two styles:
The 5212F is a front zip F.U.Z.E. entry wetsuit, which will come in a 4.5/3mm thickness.
The 5212Z will have O’Neill’s patented Z.E.N. Zip entry and will be available in 3.5/3mm.
These two wetsuits will be released as limited 60th anniversary suits (O’Neill is celebrating 60 years) and you will be able to buy them in December 2011. Technobutter will be then included into the regular O’Neill wetsuit line in the fall of 2012.
O’Neill rider John John Florence commented, “This new neoprene is amazing! I have no restrictions and it is so warm and light, I feel like I’m surfing in board shorts at home.”
For more info visit O’Neill@ www.oneill.com