ONeill O’Neill Reactor II 3/2mm Back Zip Steamer

O’Neill’s Reactor II 3/2mm Back Zip Steamer is a high-quality wetsuit available at an affordable price that still packs in all the foundations of a good surfing wetsuit. One of the key things that underpins the quality of this wetsuit is the flexible Ultraflex/Fluidfoam neoprene. When you’re in the water you do more paddling than actual surfing half the time, so having neoprene that isn’t restrictive through your shoulders and arms makes a big difference when it comes to conserving energy. In saying this, if you’re looking for something with a bit more flex we’d recommend taking a look at chest zip or zipperless wetsuits.

One of the fastest ways you’ll lose heat in the water is through wind chill. Because water is such a good conductor, the second it soaks into your neoprene jersey lining it draws warmth away from your body, which the wind then wicks away. To combat this, O’Neill use meshskin front and back panels. if you’ve heard of smoothskin it works the same fashion; it’s a hydrophobic material that water won’t soak into but with a mesh-texture finish.

This is a great low-end wetsuit perfect for all levels of surfing ability. We’d generally recommend any 3/2 for winter from Queensland through NSW, although you might want something a little thicker (like a 4/3mm) or with better water sealing (like GBS and taped seams) once you get towards the south coast. Ultimately, it comes down to learning your own tolerance to the cold and figuring out what works best for you.

To maximise how many seasons you get out of your Reactor II Steamer we recommend washing your wetsuit with Wetsuit Wash after each use and reading our maintenance guide. 

O’Neill Reactor II 3/2mm Back Zip Steamer Features:

• Flexible Ultraflex/Fluidfoam Neoprene: As them names suggest, these are flexible neoprene materials designed to stretch to your will.
• Flatlock Seams: For durability, these seams are as good as any, although they’re not the most effective at water sealing. For more info read our Wetsuit Seams blog.
• Back Zip Entry: Easy to get in and out of, but tends to hinder flexibility through the back panels and isn’t as effective as other zip designs at preventing water flushing. Check out our wetsuit zips guide for more info.
• MeshSkin Chest & Back Panels: Works to prevent wind chill with a slightly grippy finish.
• Seamless Paddle Zones: Means you aren’t getting out of the surf with wicked chaffing after a long session.