Source: Cleanline Surf
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.
