I’ve had a wide range of wetsuits during my 20 years of surfing, from basic Sola summer suits to the high tech Xcel winter suits. My wetsuit buying mantra has always been “get a good fit”, so I keep an open mind when it comes to brand or price.
Are Patagonia wetsuits good value for money?
That’s right £400 for a summer wetsuit, and it’s only 2mm!
As a brand I like Patagonia. I like their environmental thoughtfulness, understated cool and quality fibres. But Patagonia’s pricing inspires a quality not quantity shopping strategy. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I don’t enjoy shopping, so I don’t mind paying a bit more for products that last.
The problem is: the majority of summer wetsuits cost no more than £200. Xcel 3/2 drylock summer wetsuit is the only wetsuit that gets close at £310. So can there be any justification for such an extraordinary price tag?
Patagonia claim to go the extra mile when it comes to environmental consideration. So features such as “soft, chlorine-free merino wool lining with recycled polyester” help justify the cost and consideration claims.
However the other features are variations on a theme shared by most high end wetsuits, including blind stitched and glued seams, reinforced high-stress areas and better stretch in bendy areas.
So are Patagonia wetsuits, with their recycled and wonder-wool materials, worth the money? For twice the price of an average summer wetsuit – I doubt it. But I don’t have one, nor do any of my friends, so I couldn’t say for sure.
If you work for Patagonia I’d be happy to share your defence. If you wear a Patagonia wetsuit I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you have any other neoprene notes, please share them below in the comments.
I bought an r3 a year and half ago, i surf in Los Angeles area an average of once a week.
To make it simple this Patagonia wetsuit is by far the worst wetsuit i ever owned.
It’s an R3 that should be way hot for LA, i often feel a little chilly in the winter, also the wetsuit is rinsed everytime i get out of the water and hang in the shade folded in half.
Today it’s cracking and breaking everywhere.
I grew up in France north shore and i spent my entire life in the water.
I believe today that the Patagonia wetsuit are pretty bad, and that multiplied by the price, i would say it’s a pure commercial rip off!!
Hi, thanks for the feedback. Good to know.
Hi, thanks for the feedback. Good to know.
I bought an r3 a year and half ago, i surf in Los Angeles area an average of once a week.
To make it simple this Patagonia wetsuit is by far the worst wetsuit i ever owned.
It’s an R3 that should be way hot for LA, i often feel a little chilly in the winter, also the wetsuit is rinsed everytime i get out of the water and hang in the shade folded in half.
Today it’s cracking and breaking everywhere.
I grew up in France north shore and i spent my entire life in the water.
I believe today that the Patagonia wetsuit are pretty bad, and that multiplied by the price, i would say it’s a pure commercial rip off!!
Well I looking for Patagonia R2 with merino wool with front zip new or 2nd
I’ve always had Xcel suits but want a change for once.
Many thanks Nicholas
Well I looking for Patagonia R2 with merino wool with front zip new or 2nd
I’ve always had Xcel suits but want a change for once.
Many thanks Nicholas
I’ve had a summer and winter wetsuit of Patagonia, both falling apart (seams inside and outside, rips, cuts) after 1 season (and not even that intensely worn since I live in the Netherlands.) also the suits gave major rashes in my neck. And I’ve rinsed them with fresh water after every use.
They refunded the summer suit, they couldn’t fix it.
The most disappointing I found that Patagonia wasn’t willing to try to repair the winter suit. They didn’t even let me send it. They judged the photos and said it was wear and tear and regular damage after 1 season.
If they claim to be so good for the environment, they should make suits that last longer than 1 season or at least try to fix my (super expensive ) suit instead of telling me to buy a new one with their 20% discount.