The latest Hyperfreak innovation. Photo: The Inertia//Ryan Trautwein
O’Neill first debuted the legendary Hyperfreak wetsuit back in the early 2010s. And although the wetsuit industry has changed a lot since, and the Hyperfreak hasn’t (that much), the suit remains at the top of its class. It has, of course, seen some minor modifications in its almost 15-year history, but the recipe remains the same – top-tier stretch and comfort.
As the main scribe and reviewer for The Inertia’s Best Wetsuits guide since 2021, I’ve seen lots of different rubber come and go. Some of the suits are comfortable, some not, some fit me well, some don’t, some leaked right away, and some have lasted years of regular use without letting water in. Completely unverified, and likely untrue, but I like to think that I’ve tested more suits from different brands than anyone else on planet earth.
As such, my quiver of wetsuits is extensive, varied, and constantly changing. However, the O’Neill Hyperfreak ($420) is one of the suits that has endured in my lineup for years, first as an all-around surf suit, and now, as the seams have started to lose integrity (it’s inevitable!), as a windsports wetsuit, since I spend far less time actually in the water while wing foiling than I do while surfing. Despite all the hot new neoprene that’s cycled through my gear closet, the Hyperfreak has remained a go-to thanks to its incredible comfort and flexibility.
Bottom Line: If stretch and comfort are your priorities when it comes to a wetsuit, look no further than the O’Neill Hyperfreak. It’s no slouch in the warmth department either (though there are warmer suits on the market), and despite a number of complaints online about durability, in my testing, I’ve found it to be surprisingly durable, as long as you take proper care of it.
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The O’Neill Hyperfreak 4/3 hits the mark for comfort and flexibility. Photo: The Inertia/Ryan Trautwein
Notable Features of the O’Neill Hyperfreak Wetsuit
O’Neill Hyperfreak ($420)
Available In: 3/2+, 4/3+, 4/3+ hooded, 5/4+ hooded
Construction: Limestone neoprene with eco-carbon black and oyster shell powder, recycled seam tape
Features: Key pocket on right calf, TechnoButter neoprene, full seam taping
Pros: Insanely comfortable neoprene and lining, lightweight, and moves extremely well
Cons: Requires care to avoid faster deterioration, not the absolute warmest wetsuit
Material
Without a doubt, the standout feature of the Hyperfreak is the material that O’Neill uses. First, some background info on wetsuit construction for the uninitiated. While neoprene, natural rubber, or some kind of insulating foam is the key, and most-discussed ingredient, it’s not the only piece of the equation. That insulating foam is quite delicate, not very comfortable on the skin, and prone to degradation from UV exposure, abrasion, salt water, etc..
Therefore, wetsuit manufacturers sandwich that foam between an exterior and interior fabric layer for enhanced comfort, warmth, and protection from damage and the elements. With the Hyperfreak, O’Neill has engineered this sandwich to provide the maximum stretch and comfort.
The material of the Hyperfreak is where this suit really shines. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Neoprene Foam: O’Neill uses premium limestone neoprene infused with recycled oyster shells and Eco Carbon Black to improve sustainability. The foam is very lightweight, and the flex and stretch of the material are the best I’ve ever tried.
Interior Lining: O’Neill has something good going on here with its low-profile and super comfortable fabric. It doesn’t grab onto the skin and moves incredibly well. It is more performance-oriented than warmth-oriented, but still provides decent warmth, and the overall comfort of the Hyperfreak – which is about as good as it gets across the wetsuit market – is in large part due to this interior lining.
Exterior Jersey: The exterior jersey of any wetsuit is likely the least noticeable element of the material, but it plays a big role, providing protection for the insulating foam, hopefully without compromising flexibility. The exterior of the Hyperfreak does exactly that. It also has more of a soft feel to it than other exterior wetsuit linings, enhancing the overall comfort of the suit.
4/3+: An interesting fact that stands for most, if not all, O’Neill wetsuits, is that the suits tack on an extra .5 mm of rubber – look for the “4/3+” designation to confirm.
A pocket with a sewn-in loop on the right calf provides a secure storage location for a car key. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Other Fun Features
Key Pocket: No wetsuit is complete without a key loop/pocket, and the Hyperfreak sports one on the right calf just below the knee. The benefit of this – compared to the more common chest-zip key loop – is that it keeps that chest area more uncluttered for easier paddling. However, if you’re bringing an electronic key fob into the water with you in a waterproof case, you may find this lower-leg pocket to be a bit too small.
Just below the logo, you can see a small exit port for water on the back panel of the Hyperfreak. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Chest Zip with Drains: I’ve tested the chest-zip version of the Hyperfreak and was quite impressed with the engineering that’s been done there to prevent water entry. There are a few different overlapping panels across the back and shoulders to re-route water that sneaks in through the neck gasket away from the interior of the suit and towards the cleverly designed drains on the right shoulder and back of the wetsuit. I’m a big fan of this feature.
The interior lining of the Hyperfreak is low-profile but supremely comfortable. And it has full seam-taping throughout for better watertightness. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Drawbacks
There are two main drawbacks to the O’Neill Hyperfreak that I’ve noticed in my testing. The first is warmth, and the second is durability.
Warmth-wise, this is not so much of a drawback as it is something to be aware of. This is not a “steamer” wetsuit with extras like a thick fuzzy lining to trap body heat. Being more performance-oriented, the low-profile lining prioritizes stretch over warmth. That said, the Hyperfreak is plenty warm, aided by the extra .5mm of neoprene throughout the suit. But in comparison to a steamer wetsuit like the Hyperfreak Fire, a small decrease in warmth will be noticeable. Warmth and top-tier flexibility will always have a bit of a trade-off. In comparison to other “high-performance” wetsuits, I would describe it as a bit warmer than the Xcel Comp+, and a bit colder than the Rip Curl E-Bomb.
Look for the “4/3+” designation on O’Neill wetsuits to know if you’re getting one with a bit of extra material or not. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
In terms of durability, there’s a lot out there on the internet talking about how O’Neill wetsuits, particularly the Hyperfreak with its super stretchy Technobutter 3 material, just don’t last as long as other wetsuits on the market. Given all these comments online, I was actually pretty impressed by how long my Hyperfreak has lasted, and I’ve come to the following conclusion: the Hyperfreak will last as long as any wetsuit on the market, as long as you take proper care of it.
One thing I’ve noticed during use is that the Hyperfreak requires more frequent cleaning with fresh water than other wetsuits to maintain its flexibility and overall integrity of the material. Repeated use in salt water without cleaning (especially if you dry it in the sun) lets the suit get brittle, leading to a faster breakdown of seams and degradation of the material. Take care of your Hyperfreak, and it will last you many years to come.
Wetsuit testing at Ocean Beach, SF. The O’Neill Hyperfreak (blue) front and center. Photo: Skyler Fitzmaurice//The Inertia
The Competition
While not technically advertised or described as a “high-performance wetsuit”, I’m certainly inclined to categorize the Hyperfreak as such. Technically, the “Hyperfreak Comp” is O’Neill’s competition-style wetsuit, but the differences between the two are minimal at best, with the Hyperfreak Comp forgoing that “+” .5mm extra neoprene and utilizing a no-zip entry. The OG Hyperfreak trends a bit more comfort-oriented than pure performance. Here’s how it stacks up to other suits in the category.
I’ve also tested and enjoyed the O’Neill Hyperfreak Fire. A “warmth-forward” version of the Hyperfreak, the Fire uses a heftier interior lining and has full exterior seam-sealing so the suit stays watertight for longer.
Xcel made some big changes to their line of wetsuits in the past couple of years, and for a supremely easy-moving wetsuit, I’d definitely suggest taking a look at the new Comp+. The interior lining is even more low-profile than that of the Hyperfreak. However, I found it to be almost too low-profile, not providing the cozy warmth that a fuzzier lining does.
The E-Bomb is Ripcurl’s performance-oriented wetsuit, designed with their stretchiest rubber and lowest-profile lining. It’s supremely comfortable, and the interior lining is the coziest I’ve ever tested among performance wetsuits. It’s a bit warmer than the Hyperfreak, and I found it to have a bit heftier of a feel when worn.
Rip Curl suits, in general, don’t have that “pre-stretched” feel that the O’Neill wetsuits have (that’s the Technobutter 3X in the arms and shoulders, the “X” standing for “stretched”), something I believe is a key ingredient to the legendary comfort and flexibility of the Hyperfreak. However, if you’re on the fence about the Hyperfreak, and perhaps worried it won’t be warm enough for you, the Rip Curl E-Bomb is worth looking into.
The Hyperfreak has endured for years. Maybe how awesome it is has something to do with that. Photo: Ryan Trautwein//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
If what you prioritize in a wetsuit is easy motion, a super comfortable interior lining that makes you forget you’re even wearing a wetsuit, the O’Neill Hyperfreak is the suit for you. It’s not quite as warm as a true steamer wetsuit with a thicker interior lining, but in my experience, it’s certainly warm enough to get me through most of the year here in SF. If you want the suit to last, you’ll have to commit to taking proper care of it, but as long as you treat your Hyperfreak right, it will treat you right and last for many seasons to come.
Overall, the long-lasting appeal and legendary stretch and comfort of the O’Neill Hyperfreak speak for themselves. The wetsuit industry is a competitive one. And for a decades-old design to still be top of the pack? Well, that says more than any marketing copy ever could.
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Related: Best Wetsuits (Men’s) | The Best Women’s Wetsuits | Best Wetsuit Booties | More Surf Gear Reviews
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