Category: News

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THE INERTIA Manera X10D Review: Lightest, Best-Fitting Wetsuit

Warmth: 7
Stretch: 9
Durability: 10
Overall: 8.4
Sustainability: Dope-dyed yarn.
Features: No key loop/pocket.
Weight: 3.0lbs.

“For the past few years, I’ve been a massive fan of French-made Manera wetsuits. For those who aren’t familiar, their claim to fame is the “3D design” of their suits, which they say fits the shape of the human body better than suits designed in 2D, and I find it hard to disagree. These wetsuits fit me better than any other I’ve worn.

Where this suit truly shines is the lightness of the neoprene. Performance-wise, the suit feels like a 3/2, while retaining the warmth of a high-performance 4/3. And the weight reflects that as this was the lightest wetsuit I tried. It’s a full half-pound less than some of the steamers.

Another area where Manera’s wetsuits shine is durability. These wetsuits stand the test of time, especially in the seams. My one complaint is the lack of a key loop or pocket, but I’ve heard this feature will be rolled out soon across their line of suits (already in the new ALT x Yulex series).

If you’re interested in the fit of Manera’s suits, but are looking for something warmer, check out the Meteor Magma, the warmest suit I’ve ever worn.” – The Intertia

Discover the 2022 X10D wetsuits: Lighter and more flexible than ever. We use computer design to model good-fitted wetsuits in 3D, then we employ an innovative software that converts it into a precise 2D pattern for the factory. This means that freedom of movement and comfort are significantly increased compared to classic wetsuits.

Watch Video
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Manera Presents New Wetsuit Series ALT x Yulex

#NotEvenCold

Designed to brave the cold even at 79 degrees north.
Discover now some of our new Fall/Winter collection in your local shop and online. Our collection will be released as the wind blows, unveiled piece by piece, over the coming weeks.

ALT stands for « Alternative ».
We have built a greener alternative to conventional wetsuits, with performance in mind. It features a 100% natural YULEX rubber, tapped from FSC-certified Hevea trees forests. All jerseys are recycled, and the wetsuit features all our other standard sustainable processes.

Shop the ALT

HIGH PERFORMANCE NATURAL RUBBER

Yulex Pure®

Yulex Pure® is a natural plant-based rubber that provides a cleaner alternative to traditional petroleum or limestone-based neoprene. The Yulex® company partnered with FSC-certified Hevea tree plantations to harvest crude rubber, then uses its unique process to transform it into a 99% pure solid natural rubber.

Follow the release of our
collection piece by piece…

Browse the Lookbook

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MANERA: Neoprene Recycling

MANERA X CIRCULAR FLOW

To slide across the surface of a wave and leaving only a wake behind are unmatched feelings.

However, the traditional methods of producing or discarding the gear we need can be more impactful on the planet than the way we use it. As a wetsuit manufacturer, we are constantly looking for new ways to offer an increasingly sustainable product with each collection, without sacrificing quality or performance, and to find solutions once it has run its course. 

At MANERA, we believe the best way to be eco-friendly is to create durable products. We want our gear to last for years, and to guarantee quality and performance overtime.

However, as much as we’d like, wetsuits can’t last forever. They gradually wear out overtime and have essentially nowhere to go once they reach the end of their lives. 

Consequently, millions of old or unusable wetsuits lie in landfills each year. On top of that, wetsuits and other neoprene products have been extremely hard to recycle, until now. 

HOW?

GEORGI MARINOV, the founder of Circular Flow, wanted to find a way to provide a solution to recycle neoprene residuals, and then to recycle them again and again. 

Over the past six years, the Circular Flow initiative has developed new technology and manufacturing processes that bonds the particles from shredded wetsuits without removing the textile laminate. In turn, it produces a neoprene sheet, a stable and durable recycled material capable of being used to manufacture a wide range of new products. 

 Circular Flow’s technology and manufacturing processes mean that they can:
. Process 100% of the returned neoprene items, which includes zips and plastic elements.
. Create recycled neoprene sheets 100% fit for manufacturing new neoprene items
. Manufacture items.
. Add unique batch numbers to each item and a QR code that will be able to track the new product.
. Accept the recycled product back for recycling up to seven times, which can extend the life of an item from on average 2 to over 20 years. 

 This is a full-scale recycling process with zero waste and zero use of water – another first for the industry.

OUR GOALS

This new partnership hopes to address the neoprene waste problem by collecting wetsuits and neoprene items at local shops to then turn them into new and useful neoprene products. 

As a first step, we are launching this recycling program in select shops around France.
Our goal is to collect and recycle between 2 000 and 2 500 wetsuits in 2023. 

Down the road, our main objective is to achieve neutrality and recycle as many wetsuits as we produce. 

If our initiative in France is successful and our initial goals are met, we will expand it to shops around the world. We are ecstatic to introduce and test this groundbreaking recycling program into our community. 

Please note that this initiative is only available in France (for now!).

If you are located in France and interested in participating, please head over to MANERA for more information.

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BACÀN

BACÁN
/baˈkan/
Adjective. One of the most popular words of Chilean slang. A very common expression for saying something or someone is cool, brilliant or awesome.

Amidst the pristine landscape of Chile, trekking through majestic forests and expanses of black sand, Pete Devries and Ian Fontaine found what they were looking for.

Watch the Video
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Manera’s 2023 Magma Collection – #NOT EVEN COLD

Designed to brave the cold even at 79 degrees north.
Discover some of our new Fall/Winter collection in your local shop and online.
Our collection will be released as the wind blows, unveiled piece by piece, over the coming weeks.

Watch the Video

MAGMA

The Magma is made for cold and windy winter days.
Its Magma Plus fleece acts both as an insulator and heat generator. It also dries 30% faster than a classic fleece.
It is your weapon of choice against winter.

Wetsuits.

MADE TO HAVE YOUR BACK IN THE STORM.

Neoprene accessories.

We gear up to ride around the drifting ice blocks.

Follow the release of our collection piece by piece…

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#NOTEVENCOLD – Manera’s 2023 X10D and Seafarer Collection

NOT EVEN COLD

2023 COLLECTION

Designed to brave the cold even at 79 degrees north.
Discover now some of our new Fall/Winter collection in your local shop and online. Our collection will be released as the wind blows, unveiled piece by piece, over the coming weeks.

DISCOVER

X10D
New 2023 Collection

The Meteor X10D is the ultimate performance wetsuit.
In addition to excellent thermal protection, the X10D fleece interior gives flexibility and lightness while providing great comfort.

Range:

Discover Now
Discover Now

MADE TO BE FORGOTTEN

Seafarer
New 2023 Collection

The SEAFARER brings us back to the essentials of what makes a good wetsuit, nothing more, nothing less: warmth, comfort, durability. It’s a no-bullshit wetsuit with Manera’s renowned fit and construction.

Range

Discover Now
Discover Now

LIFE AT SEA ESSENTIALS

We make sure you can remain
on water until you’ve had enough fun.

Follow the release of our
collection piece by piece…

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Spotlight: Thalia Surf Shop

Thalia Surf Shop is a family-run business. Can you give us some insight on how it started and what your vision for the shop is?

Jim Cocores, Nick’s father, started Thalia Street Surf Shop so Nick grew up working at the shop and learning the trade. When the time came in 2001, Nick took the reins and began Thalia Surf Shop a few doors down, but on the same street corner. An art gallery opened next door soon after, making opportunities to host for Laguna’s art walk and to bring the community together around the shop. In 2010, Thalia Surf teamed up with Vans and began one of the only few partnership stores that is still going today. The vision of the shop has always been to create a classic but modern surf experience.

Thalia focuses on smaller, niche brands rather than the bigger ones. When did this get started and how has it made you stand out from other surf shops?  

The smaller niche brands are what we care about. These are the brands that focus on the quality of the product they are making, rather than the quantity and mass production. They are also usually working with unique artists that bring charisma to the shop when the product hits our shelves.

We have always had this mindset when creating new products for the Thalia Surf label as well: Bringing in local artists, a local screen printer and manufacturers to pass along a true California-made product with a story.

” The vision of the shop has always been to create a classic but modern surf experience. “

You have some unique surfboards in your shop, including tons of locally shaped boards. What are the driving factors in choosing what shapes you carry? 

There are so many great local shapers that have passed through our shop. Thankfully, they are aware of the history of surfboard building, where it began, and where it can go. We have many vintage boards hanging from the ceiling of the shop from Jim Cocores’ collection to keep us inspired. All the new boards that come in each month reflect the shaper who made them, and the history lessons they have learned along the way.

The surfboards we carry are models shaped and tested by the shapers who make them before we order versions of their crafts. We dig the shapes of the 60s, 70s, 80s and lean towards single fin or twin fin boards whenever we can. The driving factors in how we choose what shapes to carry has to do with whatever trip each shaper is on at the time, and the shapes they are making for the specific waves in each season. 

You originally began screen printing your own shirts but then eventually partnered with Forward Screen Printing (FSP) for all your printing needs. Why is it so important to you to keep your screen printing local and close to home?

It always made sense to do it ourselves, the DIY spirit. Sean at FSP and Nick have been close friends since the beginning, and that was the next step in the growing process as a company. Expanding production to FSP helped Nick and the crew at the shop focus on other aspects of the company, in order to further tell the story of a local surf shop in Laguna Beach.

” The smaller niche brands are what we care about. These are the brands that focus on the quality of the product they are making, rather than the quantity and mass production. “

What’s the best thing about owning and running a surf shop? 

The friendly and inspiring community, the everchanging interesting and totally cool staff, just being a block from the beach, and getting to chat about surfing all day.

When is the best time of the year to visit and surf Laguna Beach and the surrounding beaches? 

Just before spring and just after summer. That’s when the crowds thin out, things calm down, and the weather is still heaven. If there is any swell, a medium tide is best for behind the shop out on Thalia Street Beach.

What drew you to offering MANERA products in your shop?

We were looking for a quality wetsuit to sell year-round. We read about the 3-D pattern making of the suits and just had to check it out!

Can you tell us what your favorite MANERA product has been?

The Seafarer 3.2mm is ideal for California water and can essentially be worn year-round here, whether it’s a cold morning in the summer, or a nice warm day in the winter. It’s a very useful wetsuit. I also heard the hoods and gloves are rad too!

THALIA SURF SHOP 
915 S. Coast Hwy,
92651 Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 497-3292
orders@thaliasurf.com
https://thaliasurf.com/
DIRECTIONS

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Style on Land, Performance on Water

With 3 boardshorts models each with unique cuts and materials, we’ve got something for every surfer, whether you wear them in or out of the water.

SQAUREFLEX COLLECTION

Our most technical boardshort of the range is now built in coconut fibers!

Coconut is widely used in the food and cosmetic industries, and once the inner portion has been used, the shell is just thrown away.

We turned these coconut fibers into activated carbon, which happens to be a fantastic boardshort material. 

We use a PFOA/PFOS-free durable water repellent, as these chemicals are very persistent and harmful to the environment once released into the ocean.

– MID LEG 20″ –

Watch the Squareflex video

Squareflex Technologies

Flexible

Its 4-way stretch is worth just as much as any modern technical material out there. The Squareflex will meet your every move.

Eco-Friendlier

Recycling waste prevents the use for new raw material. Furthermore, coconut fibers are blended with recycled polyester to create a performing and eco-friendlier boardshort.

Waterproof & Dries Fast

Activated carbon doesn’t hold water; thus, the Squareflex dries fast and stays light and comfortable. The wet fabric doesn’t stick to your legs, which avoids rashes in unpleasant locations.

Prevents Bad Smell

One of activated carbon’s main properties is to prevent bad smells. Yes, even when stuffed for days in the back of your car. It puts an end to smelly boardshorts that you’ve been forgetting to dry for a “little while.”

Strong & Durable

Our boardshorts are not made to spend the day by the swimming pool, and this one is no exception. The coconut fibers blended with recycled polyester create a very strong material that will follow you for many trips under the sun.

Learn more about our SQUAREFLEX collection

HAAPITI COLLECTION

The HAAPITI’s got style but doesn’t sacrifice on technique. It uses a performing 4-way stretch fabric and the material repels water like a charm. They work great when worn both in and out of the water. For our new collection, the HAAPITI is back with a slightly shorter cut and a bit narrower fit.

– MID LEG 18″ –

Watch the Behind the Product Video

Haapiti Technologies

Water Repellent

All of our boardshorts receive the same ultra-performing hydrophobic treatment. They stay light while riding and dry fast while on land for ultimate comfort.

4-Way Stretch

Think of a stylish boardshort with the characteristics of a technical one. The 4-way stretch brings style without scarifying stretch, so you will enjoy your boardshort both in and out of the water.

Strong and Durable

Our boardshorts are not made to spend the day by the swimming pool. The thick polyester yarn of the Haapiti will follow you everywhere all year-round.

Learn more about our HAAPITI lineup

GAMBAS COLLECTION

The Gambas is built in a fine ripstop material that is stretchy, light and stays dry. Its design is timeless. It is cut a bit shorter to fit just above the knee and has been tried and proven on the water and for post-session beers.

– MID LEG 18″ –

Watch The Gambas – A Boardshort’s Life

Gambas Technologies

Fast Drying

The Gambas is made in a fast-drying fabric; thus, it doesn’t stay wet and heavy once on land.

Strong and Durable

Our boardshorts are not made to spend the day by the swimming pool. The thick polyester yarn of the Gambas will follow you everywhere all year-round.

4-Way Stretch

Think of a stylish boardshort with the characteristics of a technical one. The 4-way stretch brings style without scarifying stretch, so you will enjoy your boardshort both in and out of the water.

Learn more about the GAMBAS collection