In this interview, Liz Bui (Yulex CEO), Kyrrha Martin (Yulex Director of Sales), and Austin Benke (Manera America Sales & Marketing), discussed Manera’s unique business model. They shed light on Manera’s commitment to selling exclusively through surf shops, highlighting the community and environmental benefits of their in-person approach over online sales.
“There are a lot of things to like about Manera, including their wetsuit development created with 3D technology and designed not by a wetsuit designer but by a compression garment designer. But I think where they had me was that they don’t sell their products online (no D2C) but in selected surf shops.
In my opinion this is important for 2 reasons: Community and Environment. Local surf shops have been the cornerstone of the surfing and watersports industry for decades. Most are privately owned and always open- working tirelessly and making smaller margins than consumers appreciate. It’s the place where like-minded people meet up, share experiences, and have a receptive audience. Your local surf shop is also active in their community, contributing to and hosting school and beach events for example.
Manera’s business model of in-person, surf shop, experience only is also better for the environment when you consider packaging and transport. It’s the CO2 emissions from the millions of tons of plastic wrapping, to the billions of trees that are pulped to produce the millions of tons of shipping cartons- and a very small percentage of this actually gets recycled or reused. Then consider the transport of goods and the CO2 emissions generated by e-commerce alone- consumers demand fast delivery and free returns- neither is good for the planet. By one calculation, in 2020, the shipping and return of products accounted for 37% of the total GHG emissions. Yowsa! I know in this age of e-commerce it’s hard not to survive as a business without an online store. I obviously get that too – but how can we do better?
So kudos to MANERA for intentionally swimming upstream. Surf shops and the environment are better for it.”
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.
The performances of the ALT are close to a MAGMA’s. We believe the ALT represents a new generation of high-performance wetsuits that has a more reasonable impact on the planet.
Cleanline Surf and Manera recently teamed up, and we’re proud to partner with a premium surf company that offers quality gear ranging from 6mm wetsuits to changing ponchos. The Manera brand isn’t widely known by the average surfer here in the PNW, myself included. You may be wondering, what are they all about? Manera is a family-owned business based in France that exclusively sells high-end wetsuits in selective kite and surf shops.
When given the opportunity to test a Manera suit of my choice, naturally, I gravitated toward the 4/3 X10D Hooded Chest Zip wetsuit. After a month of surfing and putting it through the paces, I’ll share my takeaways in the review below. To sum it up, it’s fair to predict Manera will be on a few more surfer’s radar soon!
“The Manera X10D is the biggest sleeper on the market—a diamond in the rough of sorts. It has the best combination of warmth, performance, and comfort of any 4/3 suit out there. The added flexibility and lightness allow bigger surfers like me to paddle faster, surf better, and enjoy longer sessions”.
Manera X10D Wetsuit
Neoprene and Liners
The Manera X10D wetsuit uses Triplex X10D Layered Neoprene. There’s a lot of industry jargon with the terms below. Essentially, three distinct materials are used in the triplex, each serving a unique purpose to keep the suit warm, light, and durable.
The exterior layer is composed of Re-Flex Skin, a durable and UV-resistant neoprene layer that also incorporates extreme stretch to maximize your mobility.
The middle layer utilizes Air-Foam Neoprene. This layer of neoprene is filled with tiny pockets of air that keep the material light, trap heat, and help insulate your body for warmth even in the harshest conditions.
The interior layer is made of X10D + Fleece and the X10D Jersey. The innovative beige-looking fleece is made from thousands of tiny loops that trap your body’s heat and create a thermal barrier against the cold. The fleece is strategically placed in the core and upper legs, where warmth is needed the most. Lastly, the blue X10D Jersey is used throughout the rest of the suit – lower leg, shoulder, arms, and hood. X10D Jersey is 22% lighter than most competitors’ options, adding to the wetsuit’s overall performance and comfort.
Manera achieves this perfect balance of warmth and lightweight feel, all while using recycled neoprene and dope-dyed yarn. Both eco-friendly practices keep waste out of our landfills and reduce water consumption during the manufacturing process.
Seams & Stitching
Every neoprene panel in the X10D is first glued together and then blind-stitched. Next, a super stretchy SD2 tape is heat welded over the interior seams. This unique process ensures that the seams are 100% waterproof while simultaneously enhancing the suit’s durability and flexibility. In other words, the SD2 tape is the best balance between stretch, strength, and waterproofness.
Fit and Cut
Manera is one of the few wetsuit manufacturers to use computer design to model wetsuits in 3D based on analytics of the human body. They utilize cutting-edge software that converts the 3D model into a precise 2D pattern for the factory to cut and build the suits. The result? Premium wetsuits that fit exactly as advertised while being anatomically sound.
Furthermore, Manera has taken further precautions to ensure their suits fit well and are incredibly comfortable. The design team removed seams in high-tension areas to maximize flexibility and strength while eliminating seams in high-friction areas to reduce rashing. An interesting tidbit: all seams are stretched vertically and not sideways, with reinforcements in high-stress areas to ensure your suit lasts.
I am 6’1” and 205 lbs., and the XL fits me perfectly. In fact, it is one of the most comfortable suits I have ever worn. Our Manera rep mentioned that some people find the hoods to be a bit tight/small. Fortunately, with my average-sized melon, I had no such issues and found the hood to fit well and be very comfortable.
Entry & Zipper
An important fact to note is how easy the Manera X10D is to get on and off. The X10 fleece slides over dry skin without sticking, making the suit easy to get in and out of regardless if it’s damp or bone dry. The chest entry features a pre-fed zipper that you never have to worry about attaching and detaching with cold fingers.
Furthermore, the chest panel includes drain holes, preventing unwanted cold water from filling the suit. The legs have a perforated side cut near the ankle to drain any water that may seep through. With thoughtful features like this, it’s apparent that no expense was spared in the design of the X10D suit.
Performance
It may be hard to believe, but the Manera X10D 4/3 may have the best combination of flexibility and warmth of any other hooded 4/3 on the market. Here’s why: the X10D fleece is notably warm, and the X10D jersey is highly flexible. I have paddled out in the X10D countless times in cold water temps hovering in the upper 40s F. More times than not, I find myself sweating and removing my hood, even while fighting the ice cream headache from duck diving.
The seams are designed in such a way that just about makes the wetsuit waterproof. Think about it: when water can’t enter the suit, and the fleece has high thermal retention, there’s little to no room to get cold. Theoretically, there is a temperature threshold where the X10D 4/3 will no longer be warm enough, but I have yet to reach it.
Value and Durability
With a price range of $470-$510, the Manera X10D model line is definitely in the upper echelon of wetsuits. That said, it is worth the hefty price tag. Being more of a niche brand, Manera drives their business with high requirement standards and loyalty. They only offer high-quality products through a network of trusted, specialized shops. In addition, Manera offers a generous two-year warranty on their wetsuits. The X10D certainly fits the bill. They believe the best way to create an eco-friendly product is to make one that lasts.
A huge congratulations to Justine Dupont for taking home the top honors in not one but THREE categories at the inaugural New Big Wave Challenge awards held in Nazaré, Portugal.
The New Big Wave Challenge is a fresh take on the tradition of providing a “town square” for the best athletes and content creators to gather together and share what they do with the world. All year long the surfers surf and the shooters shoot and at the end of the season the crew gets together and celebrates the best waves and the best performances as captured on video and still photos.
The Manera Women’s Magma Wetsuit is an elite offering designed for women who demand the best in warmth and performance. With cutting-edge materials and construction, the Magma ensures durability and longevity without compromising flexibility. Manera, a family-owned business based in France, is long known for producing top-quality surf gear for men and women.
We got our hands on the Women’s 5/4/3 Magma and took it through the ropes for thorough testing, scrutinizing everything from the fit of the hood to the 3D design. Read on for our complete review of the Magma suit: we’ll break down why this high-end suit is worth every penny.
“…the Manera Magma is at the cutting edge of wetsuit technology, using innovative features to provide the warmest, most durable suit on the market. Between the fuzzy, quick-drying fleece, the flexible air neoprene, and the minimized environmental impact, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t get a Magma sooner.”
Manera Magma Meteor Wetsuit
Neoprene and Liners
Manera created the Triplex Magma neoprene to maximize warmth and flexibility because everyone knows three is a party. First, the outermost material is called re-flex skin, which is designed for protection from the elements. The high-tech, flexible, and warm air-foam neoprene is squeezed perfectly in the middle of this rubber sandwich.
And last but not least, one of my favorite parts of the suit is the Magma+ liner. The cream-striped fleece liner is made from thermal materials and has a reduced low density. This equates to a lightweight feel and faster drying time overall. It’s incredibly cozy and warm; it feels like a blanket hugging your body, and who doesn’t need more of that?
The Magma suit’s neoprene is derived from limestone rather than petrochemicals. Meaning less impact on the local environment and reduced dependence on oil and byproduct chemicals. Also, Manera maximizes their resources by recycling and reusing neoprene waste materials into their finished product.
Seams and Stitching
As one would expect with a high-end suit, the seams and stitching are created using some pretty high-tech product designs. The neoprene panels are glued together and blind-stitched (GBS), meaning the needle doesn’t fully puncture the neoprene.
Next, the SD2 tape is welded to the seams using an air heater machine. This unique process provides more water-tight seams, durability, and flexibility compared to other competitors. Part of what makes Manera’s suits so durable is the quality seam work since that is typically the first area to fail on a well-used suit.
Fit and Cut
Manera’s sizing for women is slightly different from other brands. Instead of using the standard numerical sizing, they use XS-XL sizing. At 5’10 and 135 lbs, I’m a size medium. According to the unique size chart, I’m at the bottom of the weight range but on the higher end of the height range for the medium. Because Manera’s size chart isn’t like standard US size charts, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Cleanline team with any sizing questions.
When putting on the suit for the first time, it was incredibly tight. However, with time and use, it gets easier and fits my body better. With that said, keep in mind the Magma tends to run a smidge on the smaller side.
What’s unique about Manera is the design process that goes into each wetsuit model. Manera has against the grain in wetsuit design: using computer design create fitted suits in 3D. Once dialed in to perfection, the design is transformed into a 2D pattern for the factory crew to work with.
Entry and Zipper
As mentioned earlier, the process of putting on and taking off the Magma wetsuit requires some extra effort, maybe partially due to my height? Although, compared to other hooded suits I’ve worn, the entry on the Magma feels smaller and tighter. However, once I’m fully zipped into the snug embrace of the Magma, I feel invincible. The wetsuit fits so well that I know my body will tire long before I even consider the possibility of getting cold.
The attached zipper is a major perk, as you don’t have to feed it through each time. It also feels very durable, like the rest of the suit.
Performance
According to Manera, the 5/4 Magma is rated at 85% flexibility, 100% warmth, and 100% comfort. I completely agree with their rating. While comparing it to other brands, the Manera flexibility falls more in the middle of the road while the warmth factor is unmatched. I recommend the Magma to ladies who don’t care too much about the price tag but are seeking the warmest, most durable suit on the market.
Every area of potential water entry is sealed tight, even during duck dives and wipeouts. After a severe thrashing, if any water has seeped in, the strategically placed drainage holes prevent any sort of ballooning effect. The Manera water strainer panel uses leaky and perforated neoprene, creating a drainage system on your legs to keep your whole body happy.
The wrist and ankle cuffs are well-designed to keep flushing minimized, and it even comes with an additional ankle strap for the ladies with no cankles (I can’t relate). While the hood takes quite some effort to put on and take off, it does a darn good job of allowing little to no water in, which leads to a warmer, more enjoyable time in the water.
Venturing into the chilly waters between 43-52 °F demands serious gear, making the 5/4 Magma wetsuit your reliable ally. For slightly milder temperatures ranging from 52-58 °F, the 4/3 is your go-to choice. If you’re one of those rare souls radiating warmth, you can even dare to go down to the 4/3 Magma because the suit runs incredibly warm.
Manera says it best on their website, “the best way to be eco-friendly is to create durable products.” Although the price tag of $539.95 for the Women’s Magma 5/4/3 Hooded suit may seem a little high, prepare to enter into a long-term relationship. The overall quality and thoughtfulness put into this suit are apparent from the get-go, and you won’t have to be searching for a new suit by next season like you do with some of the competitor brands. Lastly, Manera offers a generous two-year warranty on their wetsuits.
Honestly, the blog isn’t long enough to write about all of the fantastic eco-friendly features that Manera incorporates. From biodegradable packaging to solar-powered facilities, Manera is committed to sustainable practices.
Manera x Surfline Shop have teamed up to deliver an epic beanie with every Manera order purchased on the Surfline Shop. If that doesn’t persuade you, read below.
When you’re surfing in bone-chilling waters such as Canada or Alaska, your gear is fundamental to your success. A wetsuit that floods, booties that shift, or hoods that are too tight or loose, can skew a surfer’s day entirely.
Pete Devries is a professional Canadian cold-water shredder who perceives hoods as essential as his surfboards and considers his 4/3 a summer wetsuit. Before heading out for another adventure in the middle of the Bering Sea (with a fresh 6 mil ready to go), Pete told us what’s in his wetsuits quiver. Spoiler: it’s all Manera.
To understand Pete’s commitment to Manera, you need some context. In 2020, Pete’s 20-year partnership with Hurley had come to an end. While some brands sat in shock, others seized the opportunity to show this Canadian how good a wetsuit can truly be.
“Manera was the first company that reached out,” he says. “I started looking at their stuff, they sent me a few samples, and I was blown away by the quality. Surfing with Team Manera is really great. It’s been fun working on different video projects with them, which is something I didn’t really get to do in the past with fairly with such a big international team.”
Before Manera, Pete would go through more than six wetsuits per year and a pair of booties every three weeks. Some wetsuits would start as flexible and be blown out from the seams after a few sessions, and others the quality just wasn’t up to par. A helpful reminder that finding a wetsuit brand that fits your needs is a challenge for everyone, even the pros.
So according to Pete, what is so great about Manera wetsuits? “The quality, the durability, and the flexibility.”
With Manera, Pete gets three wetsuits at the start of fall to gear up for his cold-water winter surfing. For Pete, it’s the kneepads that always go first, so he makes sure his quiver is stocked. Though these suits will last him around two or three seasons, he only uses the latest and greatest for his coldest surfs. The previous seasons suits are rotated in during summer or shoulder season.
Before the dead of winter happens and the 6 mil is broken out, Pete took us through his favorite Manera wetsuits and accessories for shoulder season.
“My go-to summer and shoulder season wetsuit when the water temp is around 51º or above. The 10XD is an essential wetsuit for the daily hardcore surfer who wants a high-performance suit that’s flexible and has good maneuverability. “I’m a guy who always wears a hood, so having one that is lighter when it’s not too cold is perfect. The 10XD provides top notch flexibility without the compromise of durability and longevity.”
“This one is currently in my quiver. The Alt has a bit more weight and thicknesses being a 5 mil. On the flexibility scale, this one is a bit stiffer, but it’s an all-around suit that I’ll use in the winter. The Alt is an environmentally friendly wetsuit made with alternative materials, so the neoprene has a different feel to the exterior, but the interior feels the same. For anyone who is more conscious of the environment or gets up for dawn patrol before work on the coldest days of winter, the Alt is for you.”
“I personally don’t use this one, I find it too warm. Say if you’re wearing the Alt 5/4/3 Hoodless, or any hoodless suit, you can throw this on for the extra warmth. This hood is full on meant for the coldest conditions, which means it doesn’t have much maneuverability in it.”
“I wear this one because it’s a lot lighter and brings me a lot more flexibility for my neck. The 10XD Hood is made with the same materials as the 10XD Wetsuit. The detached hood alleviates the compression I feel on my neck with hooded wetsuits. I’ve found that these hoods can help me sustain a longer surf session without being as stiff and sore after. Especially when I want to rip an air where your body is rotating or power through a turn where your head is torquing, this hood brings that extra rotation without the pullback from a hooded suit.”
“Boots are an interesting one for me. In recent years, I’ve found that the boots have been too flexible, and the neoprene gets too soft and gummy. I was blowing out a boot within one to three weeks. The Manera Round Toe Booties have a good mixture of feeling good while having solid soles that make them actually last. I’m very impressed with how these booties perform.
“I probably go through two pairs of Manera 7mil Booties in the winter as opposed to a pair of boots every month. I prefer very tight-fitting boots. I was worried about the fit because these boots don’t have a specific strap to tighten. So, if you’re looking for that tight fit, size down. I’m a size 10 shoe, but I wear a size 8 in boots.
“When trying them on, they will definitely feel tight. It takes some technique to finesse your foot in there. On your first surf with them, you’ll feel pressure on the top of your foot. But just know, after a couple of days, they will loosen up just enough. If you’re struggling to get the boots on, I put some warm water in them to soften the neoprene.”
Manera and Surf Session invite you to take a part of Epic Wave contest. Around the world over the given period, you have free scope to score your best barrel, which could win you $1,500 and a Manera wetsuit.
1/ Score and film your best barrel between September 21 and November 21, anywhere around the world.
2/ Send your video (free of rights and not filmed by another media) in high resolution tomanera.com; please note that it must not have already been published by other accounts on social networks or other platforms! The video must be sent in .mp4 and .raw format (which will be used to verify the authenticity of the shot).
3/ Subscribe to @surfsessionmag and @manerawatermen on Instagram. You can post your video on your personal account (only), mentioning #EpicWaveManera and tagging @surfsessionmag and @manerawatermen.
The jury
Justine Dupont, Ian Fontaine and Pete Devries will select the overall winner of the Epic Wave contest from the 12 barrels pre-selected by the Surf Session and Manera teams.
On social networks, the surfing community will also have its say, by liking its favorite performance on Instagram every week from November 24!
Sun Diego has been doing business since 1981 and this series has become a staple of their efforts to support the local surf communities of San Diego county. Surfing, skateboarding and all things coastal are what drives SunDiego to deliver the best assortment of products from brands that range from staple to niche, and even those that are new to the scene.
The annual AM SLAM Series is a line up of surf contests that the local community and surfers of San Diego look forward to every year. With top surfer and skater athletes, a wide range of brands, a large cash purse and industry known event announcers like Chris Cote and Jamey Stone, the energy of this event is continuously elevated throughout the day.
The series is a four stop series with a larger formated Final event that surfaces the names that have been put in the work to be at the top. Manera had plenty of names in the mix this year that included team riders Tim Fandey, Titus Santucci, Nico Panichella and the overall AM Series season champ Kyan Yang! Big congrats guys and big thank you to Sun Diego for putting on such an amazing event for the community!
See full AM SLAM series final recap via the link below and we will see you there next year! #SupportLocalShops
The Manera groms team is out there charging! Team rider Cruz Vollocido took the Grom Comp win at last week’s Solento Surf Festival comp at Seaside. It was a day full of good surfing and great community! Manera value’s these opportunities to work with the upcoming youth like Cruz and good families like the Vellocidos!
The Solento Surf Festival (SSF) represents the vibrant convergence of surfing, film, art, and music. They invited the community to immerse themselves in the festivities that took place from September 16-23, 2023 in Encinitas, California.
