O'Neill Wetsuits

Which O'Neill wetsuit is right for you?

O'Neill's story

Jack O'Neill started the brand in 1952 in a garage on San Francisco's Great Highway, near his favorite bodysurfing break, and soon began making wetsuits from closed-cell neoprene foam. He moved to Santa Cruz in 1959, where O'Neill's motto became "It's Always Summer on the Inside." Today the brand is owned by Sisco Textiles, but its roots are in Northern California surfing.

O'Neill wetsuit sizing

O'Neill suits should fit snug from day one, with no gaps at the lower back or armpits. Many come in short and tall sizes like MS, MT, LS and LT. Use our men's and women's O'Neill size guides, and for kids, see our kids wetsuits page. Our wetsuit guide has the full water temperature chart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the O'Neill Hyperfreak a good wetsuit?

Yes. It's O'Neill's light, stretchy performance suit, built with TechnoButter 3 neoprene and a minimal seam design, and it's one of the most searched wetsuits we sell. It's a great pick if you want a suit that feels like it isn't there.

What is the difference between O'Neill Hyperfreak and Hyperfreak Fire?

Warmth. The Hyperfreak is built for stretch and light weight. The Hyperfreak Fire adds O'Neill's TB4 Firewall neoprene with graphene-infused, heat-retaining fibers, plus welded seams and sealed cuffs, so it's the one to get for colder water and longer sessions.

Which O'Neill wetsuit is better, the Epic or the Hyperfreak?

The Hyperfreak is lighter and stretchier, with higher-end neoprene and a chest zip. The Epic is the better value, with UltraFlex neoprene and an easy back zip, at a much lower price. If you surf a lot, the Hyperfreak is worth it. For occasional surfing, the Epic is plenty.

Is the O'Neill Hyperfreak warm?

Warm enough for most Southern California surfing in the right thickness, since the "+" models add 0.5mm over O'Neill's Hyperfreak Comp. If you get cold easily or surf colder water, the Hyperfreak Fire is the warmer choice.

Who invented the first wetsuit?

Physicist Hugh Bradner is credited with inventing the modern wetsuit in 1952. Jack O'Neill is often given credit too, but his real legacy is building one of the first surf wetsuit companies and helping make wetsuits a part of everyday surfing.

What is Jack O'Neill famous for?

Founding O'Neill in 1952 with one of California's first surf shops, making some of the earliest surf wetsuits, and later starting the O'Neill Sea Odyssey, a nonprofit that teaches students about the ocean.

Who currently owns the O'Neill surf brand?

O'Neill is owned by Sisco Textiles, a private company headquartered in Luxembourg. The brand started in San Francisco in 1952 and later moved to Santa Cruz, California.

Is O'Neill a luxury brand?

No. O'Neill makes suits at every level, from the Epic and Ninja at entry prices to the Hyperfreak Fire at the top. At Jack's, O'Neill fullsuits run from about $133 for youth to $480 for adults.

Are O'Neill wetsuits ever on sale?

Yes. Past-season O'Neill suits, like Epic, Ninja and Psycho Tech models, show up in our wetsuit sale, so check there before you buy.