Rip Curl | Testing the Flashbomb Fusion
Location: Denmark (North Sea)
Test type: Surfing & Surf Photography
Water Temp: 8°C
When we asked for wetsuit testers to come forward to put the Rip Curl Flashbomb Fusion through its paces, we didn't expect conditions quite this extreme... But surf photographer friend Malte Burke (@outografie) is quite at home bobbing about in the North Sea all year round. So we thought why not? This is a wetsuit test after all.
Here are Matle’s findings after a surf and separate photography session up in Denmark, wearing the Rip Curl Flashbomb Fusion Hooded 5/3 Wetsuit.
The fit & feel
I really like the look of the wetsuit. Simple but very beautiful with the red details: Definitely one of the better looking wetsuits I have seen! The workmanship looks very high quality and the wetsuit feels the same - both on the outside and inside.
At first I was a bit sceptical of how the suit would fit, as the cut is a bit unconventional - Especially at the hips and crotch. However, the wetsuit actually fits very well and as expected, the typical Flashbomb fleece is very nice and feels great against the skin.
Warmth & flexibility
In my opinion, the wetsuit has great flexibility for a winter wetsuit. It feels more like a 4:3 than a 5:4. When it comes to warmth, I would first like to point out the conditions in which I tested the wetsuit. The water must have been around 8°C, the air was at -3°C and sometimes with a strong wind.
I would like to differentiate between two things here, as I wore the wetsuit both when surfing and when taking photographs. When surfing, the wetsuit was pleasantly warm when moving. When taking photos and due to the reduced movement, it did get a bit chilly, not so much that I froze, but a noticeable difference to surfing.
Surf photography in winter
For surf photography, I'm looking for the maximum warmth. As you are permanently up to your neck in water and move much less, except in strong currents, flexibility is not quite as important as warmth and minimising flooding of the wetsuit.
WSO Note: We would always recommend the Rip Curl Flashbomb 6/4 mm Hooded Wetsuit for surf photography and serious winter swells. Theo, our Marketing Executive is based out in Norfolk and recently picked up a Flashbomb 6/4 mm for winter. It’s super toasty and successfully keeps out the cold!
Malte’s Conclusion
I would 100% recommend this wetsuit for any surfer that is looking for a warm but extremely flexible winter wetsuit. For coldwater surf photography in winter, the Flashbomb 6/4 mm Hooded Wetsuit would be a better option.
Test 2 | Mollie from MorMaids
Location: North Cornwall (Atlantic Ocean)
Test type: Surfing
Water Temp: 16°C
Now it’s time for the Cornish-based, all women surf crew the MorMaids (@mor.maids) to put the wetsuit to work. Slightly less frosty than Malte’s outing, Mollie was faced with the first proper cold snap to hit the South West this year.
Here are Mollie’s findings from a cold session down in North Cornwall with the MorMaids crew, wearing the Womens Rip Curl Flashbomb Fusion 5/3 mm Wetsuit.
The fit & feel
It was time to finally succumb to boots (I like to drag it out as long as I can), and my motivation levels to get in dropped significantly.
This made it even sweeter to try out a new suit. We had some small and chilly waves, and I'd agreed to organise two sessions in one day with our local girls group the MorMaids. The girls really liked the suit's design, saying it was nice and flattering for a winter suit, which can often be bulky and not design-conscious - especially for women trying to brave the winter months.
Warmth & flexibility
I hate nothing more than putting on a wet wetsuit, so the 'no leak seems' are my favourite thing about the Flashbomb Fusion. I took it off after the first session, and it was pretty much bone dry inside! We only had an hour between the two surfs, and the suit was perfectly dry by the second session. Game-changer!
I also didn't expect it to have such flexibility; I was keen on the warmth-factor but even more surprised that it didn't restrict my paddling like other winter suits can.
WSO Note: If you are in need of some toasty accessories to keep those extremities warm this winter, we recommend the Rip Curl Flashbomb 5mm Split Toe Boot, Flashbomb 5/3 mm Gloves (or Mittens) and the Flashbomb Heatseeker 4mm Hood. A perfect trio for those cold days out amongst the waves!
Mollie’s Conclusion
We've been hit with the harsh reality of Cornish winter all at once; temps dropped, the beaches got icy, and the wind had a real bite to it the last two weeks. Overall, I felt warm, flexible and dry in the Rip Curl Flashbomb Fusion for the first surf of winter; we will be off to Ireland soon, so that will be a real tester over Christmas!
The Full Fusion Flashbomb Range
Updated on 8th December 2023
Originally published on 7th December 2023 in Surfing
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