RIP CURL WETSUITS S/S 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Wetsuits S/S 2025 Retail Buyers Guide
Brand: Rip Curl
Interviewee: BASTIEN GRANDY - WETSUIT PRODUCT MANAGER ASSOCIATE EUROPE

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?
In 2024, the market remained steady. The steamers segment faced challenges as retailers worked to effectively manage overstock, while the springsuits segment performed well.

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?
As a leader in the wetsuit market, product lifecycle management is the cornerstone of our strategy. Therefore we offer the longest warranty on the market, supported by our ownership of R&D centers, manufacturing facilities, and repair workshops throughout Europe, all equipped to extend the lifespan of any suit. From a product perspective, we’ve introduced more wetsuit innovation than all the competitors combine over the last 50 years. Last winter once again, we released a new groundbreaking fusion technology featuring a unique stitch-free construction that eliminates mid to long-term leakage issues, significantly enhancing wetsuit durability. Concerning the environmental aspect, starting in 2023, Rip Curl is proud to be a certified B-Corp, joining a global community of businesses committed to accountability for their impact on people, the planet, and the community. This certification reflects several significant achievements in our wetsuit division:

Our factory is the world’s first B-Corp certified wetsuit factory.
We offer a global wetsuit repair service.
We have established a wetsuit recycling program.
We have increased the use of responsibly sourced materials, such as plant-based foam from natural rubber, recycled jersey, and water-based lamination.
We have reduced plastic use in our packaging and now use 100% recycled PE with breakdown plastic additives for necessary bags.

Rip Curl wetsuits are continuously looking to enhance our use of environmentally friendly materials, ensuring they meet our high standards for performance and durability, while also reducing our environmental impact.

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)?
The flashbomb Fusion is our hero product with the latest construction technology for Men & Women and Kids. Rip Curl’s Fusion Dry Seam Technology solves the age-old issue of wetsuits leaking at the seams, without resorting to using stiff liquid tape. Because this bonding technique doesn’t require stitching, it also holds the full integrity of the neoprene to avoid water getting in. That means you have a stretchier, warmer suit that shuts out the cold water and insulates your body heat, allowing you to surf for longer. 96% stitch-free, leak-free seams, delivering superior warmth.

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 segements?
Men: The Ebombs segment offers uncompromised comfort and stretch, making it a go-to choice for fullsuits, spring suits, and jackets.
Women: The Bombshell range combines performance and style, exemplified by the Victoria Vergara model, which includes longjanes and springsuits.
Kids: The Dawn Patrol segment drives our volume, offering both fullsuits and springsuits.

Which neoprene options did you use for SS25?
For Spring 25, our catalog features seven different foams, including both neoprene and neoprene-free options. While our steamers are carried over from Fall 24 range, 70% of our springsuits have been revamped with a new natural rubber-based foam. This update now covers our high-volume segments, including Dawn Patrols and Women’s Bombshells

Unlike the trend in winter wetsuit, does the backzip entry system still account for big numbers in 2025?
The backzip entry system do not have a big appeal according the feedback received from the retailers neither from our flagships, especially on steamers. While there is still a need for the entry segment level, so far the demand remains steady.

Tell us about your colours and graphics, Do you favor gender-neutral colors/prints or sundry graphics?
Black wetsuits remains a must have, however the rest of the wetsuits color palette aligns with our apparel capsules, creating a cohesive thread across the entire range. This approach allows us to offer a balanced mix of neutral tones and vibrant graphics, appealing to a wide variety of tastes, particularly within our women’s collection.

Key Products:

Flashbomb Fusion 3/2 Zip free – 15QMFS-90:
Stay warmer for longer with our revolutionary seamless wetsuit. Made entirely with E7 Flashlining and now equipped with Fusion Dry Seam technology, it offers a perfect balance of flexibility, warmth, and durability. Its 96% stitchless construction preserves neoprene integrity and prevents water infiltration, representing the pinnacle of performance and comfort.

RIP CURL X VICTORIA VERGARA – G-BOMB LONG SLEEVE SPRING SUIT:
Victoria Vergara and the design team collaborated once again to create this new collection inspired by the surfing spirit of the early 2000s. The denim texture prints, highlighted with bold color accents, pay homage to this key trend. Elevate your surfing experience with this wetsuit, crafted from natural rubber-based foam and featuring E5 neoprene for unparalleled performance and style.

Dawn Patrol Cz 2/2 – 11RMSP-2213:
Introducing our brand new Dawn Patrol shorty, combining comfort, performance, and style in a modern, ergonomic design. Crafted from natural rubber foam, it offers excellent flexibility.