WIP WETSUITS S/S 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Wetsuits S/S 2025 Retail Buyers Guide
Brand: wip
Interviewee: Vincent CADENE – COO (Chief Operating Officer)

There has never been so many participants out there in the water, however the retailers wetsuit hangers still display some 2023 SKUs: How was the 2024 market and order levels?
The world of neoprene and wetsuits is undergoing significant changes. Since the post-COVID years and the market boom, shops have been trying to sell their overstock, and brands often sell their old stock at (very) reduced prices. This is the main reason for the persistent stock in shops. The situation is returning to a “normal” level, hopefully by 2025. Fingers crossed… The WIP neoprene range is compact and efficient, differentiating itself from major players’ offerings in terms of technology and look. We were one of the few brands to order neoprene in 2023 for 2024. Sales are progressing, and we are delighted, even though quantities remain low.

The production life cycle of a wetsuit is 2 to 3 years generally. Beyond mere carry overs, how should we extend that life cycle of the product, avoiding aggressive discounts and bettering the environmental impact?
Our range is designed for WING/WING/KITE foil practice, and the design must incorporate friction and shock absorption reinforcements. This is key to avoiding destroying your wetsuit in one season. If you use a surf wetsuit for “Wind driven board sport,” the damage is immediate, and the wetsuit won’t last the season… Furthermore, our collections utilize sustainable technologies and innovations to reduce our environmental impact:

Solvent-Free Glue: We use water-based glue, eliminating harmful and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Dope-Dyed Yarn: This yarn coloring process saves significant amounts of water while reducing energy consumption and water pollution.
Recycled Polyester Fabric: Made from PET bottles.
Oyster Shell and Limestone Loaded Neoprene.

The 3/2 fullsuit is the piece de resistance of the spring-summer range, what are the latest developments within your collection (men, women, youth)?
We have developed with our riders a 3/2mm short-sleeve wetsuit for Spring/Summer sessions, the STEAMY. This front-zip wetsuit can be used for Wind, Wing, or Kite without being fully closed to allow more breathability and ventilation during high-temperature sessions. The finish was designed for this with a large opening and a fine finish. In this range, we use the most stretchable neoprene available from suppliers. There is a true focus on the quality of materials used. Additionally, in the SS25 wetsuits, we have the STEAM model, a 1.5 mm fullsuit with lycra inserts under the armpits and forearms. We are the only one offering this new type of full wetsuit for summer use when you want to protect yourself against the sun, apparent wind >30 knots for foilers, shocks, and foil impacts.

Among the various summer silhouettes (springsuit, short/leg fullsuit, long/short john, jacket) which are bestselling (men, women, youth)? And what do you offer in these segments?
For SS25, we are also developing a range of hooded rashguards UVP50+ to protect from the sun, and COOL CAP BUMP SHELL caps to protect from the sun, cuts, and minor impacts. These are very promising products, receiving positive feedback from shops and professionals. We have a complete range of Long John wetsuits, for men and women, in 3mm and 2mm. The women’s model features our Design Award-winning WIPEE standing pee system, allowing women to stay hydrated without holding back during rides. We also plan to leverage our impact product experience for specific wetsuits for big wave surfing. You’ll discover this quite soon…

Which neoprene options did you use for SS25?
As a specialist in rider protection, particularly in “Foil” activities, WIP has integrated knee and shin protection into all its wetsuits, as these are the first areas impacted by foil practice. These wetsuits can also be used for surfing, as the reinforced areas do not affect the flexibility and movement of the surfer. For the SS25 range, we continue to use hyperflex limestone neoprene. We do not compromise with neoprenes that do not meet our quality standards. For some products intended for wingfoil or sailing, we also use neoprene with an abrasion-resistant covering to enhance the durability of the wetsuit.

Unlike the trend in winter wetsuit, does the backzip entry system still account for big numbers in 2025?
WIP still offers a back-zip entry wetsuit in its range, the STEAM, a 1.5mm summer wetsuit. Some riders continue to prefer this type of closure, and the thinness and stretch of the neoprene encourage us to have a back-zip to avoid any pressure points on the chest. Otherwise, the rest of the range is in front-zip or zipless, depending on the models and practices.

Tell us about your colours and graphics, Do you favor gender-neutral colors/prints or sundry graphics?
WIP is a brand dedicated to riders seeking quality, durability, and protection. This category of riders, coming from windsurfing, kite, and wing foil, is generally 30 to 60 years old, and their kids! The trend for our target group is to have neutral colours, mainly black and grey wetsuits with very technical finishes and attention to detail. The colour in our range comes from other products like high-visibility colors on helmets, life vests, and impact vests, which are our bestsellers, and small accessories related to safety.

Key Products:

Steamy 3/2mm:

STEAMY

Steam 1.5mm:

STEAM

NEO LONG JOHN WOMEN MK2:

NEO LONG JOHN WOMEN MK2