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Gone are the days of springsuits that make your arms and legs look like gnawed off tree-stumps. For the past few years, a new trend in wetsuits have been emerging with surf companies finally catering to the technical gear needs of chick surfers with both stylish and functional wetsuits.
This is a review of O’neill’s popular Bahia long-sleeved springsuit.
Overview of the 2mm O’Neill Bahia LS Springsuit
- 2mm four-way stretch neoprene throughout the entire suit
- Flacklock stitch seams that allow a small amount of water through for warm water conditions
- No seams in the shoulder area, tailored for flexible shoulder movement
- Finished cut at the wrist
- Long back zipper
- Small pocket on the back with a key or wax comb loop
This springsuit is anatomically cut for women and is a great choice for just about any watersport where you’d want sun protection, warmth, and style. The flexible shoulder area makes it especially suited for surfers, standup paddlers, or kayakers.
Field testing
The 2mm O’Neill Bahia springsuit was worn scuba diving, freediving, standup paddling, surfing, and kitesurfing. It was comfortable for every sport. The flexible shoulders were great for surfing and standup paddling. The layer of neoprene helped keep a kitesurfing harness in place without being too warm during summer sessions. It’s too thin for long dives in cold water, but does keep the core warm in tropical conditions for scuba diving or recreational freediving.
The springsuit is very well-built and has only shown normal wetsuit wear and tear after heavy use. This included color fading and loss of the neoprene’s elasticity. This is expected with all wetsuits. The only downside is that many women feel it runs small, but the suggested size guide is typically accurate.
Current colors and styles
What do you think of the O’Neill Bahia springsuit? Share your favorite springsuit model in the comments below.
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