Note: The O'Neill Original has now been discontinued. As an alternative, we recommend checking out the O'Neill Epic.
The O’Neil Original is a classic wetsuit, offering great high-end features at a competitive price. Here, we look closer at what makes the Original such a good suit and what other alternative O’Neill wetsuits to consider if you’re still looking for your perfect fit.
The O’Neill Original in a Nutshell
The O’Neill Original (or O’riginal) is up there among fantastic mid-range wetsuits and offers all the features you would expect from a high performance model at a competitive price.
Initially an update on the Super Freak, the Original is based on the first wetsuit ever made by the brand’s founder, Jack O’Neill, except that this line is filled with modern technology and features.
100% Ultraflex Neoprene
The suit is made of 100% Ultraflex Neoprene, meaning it’s incredibly stretchy and a flexible fit. Another advantage of the neoprene is that it adjusts to your movement, minimising loose spots for water to seep in so it can keep you as warm as possible.
Triple-Glued Blind Stitched Seams
The suit is made with triple-glued and blind stitched seams. Blind stitched seams are the go-to option for many mid to high-end wetsuits as it stops water from seeping in through the seams, while the triple-glued provides excellent durability.
Chest Zip
The Original comes with a chest zip, which provides more warmth and protection from the water than the back zips you see on most entry-level suits. O’Neill uses FUZE technology, including ultra-stretchy and soft neoprene around the neck to make getting into the wetsuit even easier.
Carbon Firewall
On the inside of the suit, there is a Carbon Firewall lining on the chest and back area. This lining is slightly fluffy and is made in vertical lines. This helps the water channel away from the chest and back, maintaining more warmth.
Who is the O’Neill Original For?
As mentioned, the O’Neill original is widely recognised as a high-quality but reasonably priced mid-range wetsuit.
This suit is worth considering if you are a passionate surfer who wants to stay out in the water in comfort for longer but doesn’t want to pay the big bucks for a high-end model.
The suit varies in thickness, so whether you prefer to ride the waves throughout the summer or winter you’ll have the perfect wetsuit at hand!
Alternatives to the O’Neill Original
O’Neill offers a huge variety of wetsuits, meaning there’s something for every need and budget. If you’re looking for a decent level of performance, you can’t go wrong with an O’Neill.
Cheaper Wetsuits
If you are looking for a similar wetsuit with a slightly lower price range, we recommend the O’Neill Epic. This high-quality entry-level wetsuit offers similar features to the Original, including Ultraflax neoprene and a chest zip, but for a slightly lower price.
High-End Wetsuits
If you’re looking for the ultimate combination of warmth and flexibility, then you’ll want to start looking at suits containing O’Neill’s TechnoButter neoprene. TechnoButter is the brand’s high-performance neoprene with improved water protection and lightness.
The O’Neill Hyperfreak is an excellent choice for high-end wetsuits and is designed with competition in mind. Likewise, the O’Neill Psychotech delivers everything you would expect but with added heat retention, making it another great suit.
O’Neill Original Sizes and Thicknesses
The O’Neill Original is available in men’s, women’s and kids sizes (subject to availability). If you’re ever unsure about which size is right for you, you can always contact a member of our team, or check out our sizing guide:
The Original is also available in many of the standard thicknesses you would expect. You can expect to find O’Neill Original wetsuits in 3mm, 5mm and 6mm. So whether you prefer to surf in the summer or winter, you can be sure to find the right suit for you!
For more guidance on choosing the right thickness for your needs, be sure to check out our blog:
We hope that this review will help you pick the perfect suit! If you need any more information on this or the rest of our range, feel free to get in touch! Our team of surfers are always on hand to help you make the right choice for your needs and budget.
With a fantastic range at great prices and a no-hassle 90-day return policy, why not pick up your new favourite suit today?
