Surfline Review: The MANERA Seafarer

This past week, Surfline reviewers, John and Lauren took the Seafarer out for a spin in Santa Cruz, CA. They paid special attention to the 3-D fitting of the suit, the warmth and durability over a long surf session, and overall aspects of the 4/3. Check it out below!

All Photo and Video by Lawrence Rickford

Wetsuits are an essential and expensive element of surfing. The wrong choice can hurt your wallet and your experience. This week, two Northern California reviewers geared up at Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz to try Manera’s latest Seafarer+ Steamer 4/3 wetsuit.”

“Manera designs their wetsuits in 3D to better contour the body. To simplify, the difference between 2D and 3D is depth. Outside of Manera, wetsuits are made with 2D patterns, which are flat, non-dimensional patterns that only account for height and length. 3D patterns add depth to create space for the body’s curves, allowing it to move with you as a second skin.”

How Does the Seafarer Fit?

“John: I found the sizing pretty consistent. This is a really buttery, supple suit. I think other suits can feel kind of stiff. In comparison to other 4/3’s I’ve had, this one actually felt thinner. Sometimes it feels like there’s a lot of rubber and you feel like the Michelin Man. With this suit I noticed it less, it almost felt like I was wearing a 3/2.

Lauren: It’s a tight snug fit, yet flexible, which comes with its pros and cons. It’s not an easy suit to get in and out of, but once you’re in, it’s airtight and waterproof. The closure on the chest zip got stuck in my hair a few times, so tie your hair up before pulling it over.”

Post Surf Session Review

“John: This was my first time putting on the Seafarer+. I had surfed the two days prior in my previous 4/3 and the Seafarer+ felt easier to paddle and move in. On top of that, I was super warm in it and I didn’t have any problems with flushing. It felt really fitted to my body and I was able to move very naturally. This suit is sealed really nicely, which to me, matters more than anything else.

Lauren: I’ve been surfing in it for a couple of months now. I didn’t get cold the entire session, and I’m always the first one on all my friends to get out of the water. I totally agree with John, this suit feels more like a 3/2 in terms of mobility but kept me warm like a 4/3.”

Who Needs the Seafarer?

John: This is a good daily suit to have. I’ll wear it with a detachable hood on colder days. Over the weekend, I put this wetsuit in my suitcase and noticed how lightweight and compact it was. It’s actually making me question if that thick fleece lining in other 4/3’s is necessary or if it’s just extra bulk.

Lauren: If you’re a cold water shortboarder, I’d recommend a hood with this suit. If it had a hood, this would have been the perfect suit for me because it would give me that head to toe warmth, and I think flushing would happen less. This is a great wetsuit anyone who doesn’t need to worry about the cold water as much, surfs smaller waves, or uses a board with more volume.”

New 2024 Protection & Neoprene Accessories 

These essentials are weapons against the elements. They are designed to make you ride longer & in more comfort whether it’s to fight the cold, the wind or the UV rays.

You can ride without but you’ll always feel better with them!

Magma Plus Technology

Our MAGMA material is one of the warmest on the market.  Besides, it is highly stretchable, which brings an unmatched  freedom of movement to the suits.

Its plush loops work as effective insulators and heat generators  while providing a smooth and soft feeling that makes the suit  incredibly comfortable. It also dries extremely fast.

The MAGMA GLOVES

MAGMA gloves are preformed for a better grip in the hand and to avoid forearms fatigue. Outside glide-skin is waterproof and windproof to fight wind-chill effect, while the inside is lined with our MAGMA fleece for an unbeatable warmth and fast drying.

The glove has a “donut” cuff to avoid water flushing. We have implemented a V reinforcement in the cuff so you can pull to put it on without damaging it.

The MAGMA BOOTS

Most of us delay the “boots time” as much as possible: We feel like we lose the board feeling, we’re less precise, our feet slide inside… Many reasons that pushed us to design our own range.

We offer boots for those who don’t like boots: They keep you warm and comfy, but they are made to be forgotten once in the water while still offering great foot support.

The XTEND HOOD

XTEND hood is built in the same material as our XTEND wetsuits: It is made to be forgotten while keeping you warm. Its flexibility and lightness allow a very good mobility, this is the perfect accessory if you don’t like bulky hoods.

The XTEND inside layer is the most flexible material you can find on a suit, it makes you feel stretch and light, with a good feeling on the skin.

The SEAFARER CAP

Protecting your head is key to a good session, but also in the long term to prevent “surfer’s ear”. Hoods are often not the most adapted tools for wind sports, as they can be kind of restrictive when you are always looking right or left.

The Seafarer Cap is a light and comfortable thermal protection that will save you from brain freeze on these chilly days.

The S-FOAM HELMET

We always refused to make bulky, hard helmets because they are very uncomfortable to wear in the wind and horrible to surf with. They could even be dangerous as they make the impact in the water even harder for your neck.

 The S-FOAM helmet uses an innovative material that allowed us to create a soft, fitted helmet that is very comfortable to ride with.

Maxime Chabloz Takes Podium in Qatar

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After an amazing season with five freestyle events worldwide, we are stoked for Swiss Manera & F-One team rider, Maxime. He finished off the ’23 competition season with two second places, and a final third on podium at the 2023 Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle Kite World Champions.

Maxime says,

Feels good to stand on the box after missing it very slightly in the last couple of years! See you next year beloved kiteboarding!”

romantsovaphoto

Major Congratulations to Maxime! We can’t wait to see what next season brings.

Check Out Maximes’ Gear Favorites

HALO HARNESS – KITE

It all started from an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of current harness technologies, regarding in particular the softshell (the classic flexible harness) and the hardshell (the rigid shell harness).

By separating the functions of “effort management” and “comfort”, we have created a harness that adapts perfectly to your body type and your movements, while offering unparalleled support. 

The X10D Steamer

Best of both worlds, the 4.3mm X10D allows unrestricted movements while keeping you warm during mid-season.

The X10D is the ultimate performance wetsuit. In addition to excellent thermal protection, the X10D fleece interior gives flexibility and lightness while providing great comfort. It is perfectly adapted to any discipline where you need maximum flex because of its ability to follow the body’s movements.

romantsovaphoto

SEAFARER GROMS – A little story – Part 1

Our love story with salt water often begins in childhood.

MANERA’s main goal has always been to create products for everyone to enjoy the ocean. So, we are proud to now launch our GROMS wetsuit line, dedicated to the younger generation.

Available in 3.2, 4.3 and 5.3, our Seafarer GROMS wetsuits use the exact same materials and technologies as our adult range, all paired with MANERA’s renowned 3D fit. Warmth, comfort and durability; it’s all there.

We made no compromise so our youngsters can tackle the elements and grow their passion for our favorite sports.

Seafarer GROMS Range

L I F E  A T  S E A  E S S E N T I A L S

Our love story with salt water often begins in childhood.

MANERA’s main goal has always been to create products for everyone to enjoy the ocean. So, we are proud to now launch our GROMS wetsuit line, dedicated to the younger generation.

Available in 3.2, 4.3 and 5.3, our Seafarer GROMS wetsuits use the exact same materials and technologies as our adult range, all paired with MANERA’s renowned 3D fit. Warmth, comfort and durability; it’s all there.

We made no compromise so our youngsters can tackle the elements and grow their passion for our favorite sports.

Seafarer: The go to wetsuit

 Reliable from mid-season to early winter, the SEAFARER 4.3mm is probably the wetsuit you’ll use most often all year round.

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

If you are looking for a high-performance wetsuit at an affordable price, this is the right choice.

Shop Now

Some areas are very sensitive to friction, tensions and tearing. All MANERA wetsuits have been designed with a demanding brief including:

. Avoiding seams in tensions area, to maximize flexibility and strength.
. Making sure the seams are stretched vertically and not sideways.
. Removing seams from friction areas, which avoids rash and increases stretch capacity.
. Reinforcing strategic parts and panels right where it needs to be.

The neoprene layers are glued together and then “blind-stitched” (the needle does not go through the neoprene layer completely). In addition to being 100% waterproof, this type of stitching offers a high level of flexibility.

#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.

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:

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

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…