Best Wetsuits 2020: Manera Seafarer - Stab Mag

Live Now — 1-Week Premium Peek — Episode 2 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

626 Views
The Manera Seafarer. All photos by Katie Rodriguez

Best Wetsuits 2020: Manera Seafarer

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?

hardware // Jan 1, 2021
Words by Michael Ciaramella
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Watch the complete 2020 Best Wetsuits test here.

Never heard of Manera? Neither had I—until last year, when the French kiteboarding brand wiggled its way into surf, sponsoring aeronauts Dion Agius, Brendon Gibbens, and Pete Devries. 

Likely the result of their European roots, Manera puts a premium on style and design. Straight out of the box, their Seafarer suit both looked and felt amazing. Super sleek, a few delightful easter eggs hidden throughout, and just the right shade of not-black. It immediately made me want to go surf. 

Sleek black color of the Manera Seafarer.
Not black is the new black.

I just so happened to surf the Seafarer on the nicest day of our 2020 Best Wetsuits test. It was sunny, 75 degrees (24 C), and playful, blue peaks bounced up and down the beach. For these conditions, I couldn’t imagine a better suit. It was super loose, maneuverable, and never felt stuffy. A true performance leotard.

However, it’s not the suit most geared toward warmth. The second I submerged myself, I felt a bit of water pour in through the seams. This was pleasantly refreshing given the circumstances, but in more frigid conditions, it could have been a session-killer. 

The takeaway: this is a suit you’ll truly enjoy wearing when conditions are peachy. But if those dark clouds come rolling in, you might require something with a bit more heft.  

Official Scorecard
Warmth: 29/50
Comfort: 41/50
Bonus: 5 for accoutrements 
Total: 75/100

Manera Seafarer 3.2 ($279)

Life at sea essentials.
Mikey C airing out his Manera Seafarer wetsuit above the lip.

Manera Seafarer 3.2 ($279)

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

“I Lost Everything I’ve Ever Owned, But This Board Came Back”

One month after the LA wildfires, a surfboard washed ashore.

Jun 24, 2025

Shock Therapy: World 1 & 2 Eliminated Early In Saquarema

Gabriela Bryan and Caity Simmers fall victim on Day 1 of the Vivo Rio Pro.

Jun 22, 2025

German University Surf Contest Derails After Local Pushes Competitor Off Wave

The story behind the shove, and why wave-rental politics turned physical in Seignosse.

Jun 22, 2025

An Accidental 90-Minute Chat With Caity Simmers

A Stab Interview on life, individuality, and chimpanzee research initiatives.

Jun 21, 2025

No Tears In Saquarema

Can anyone other than Italo, Filipe or Yago win the Vivo Rio Pro?

Jun 20, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 2

Our seven surviving surfers confront an oddly large California beach break.

Jun 19, 2025

Why Is One Of The World’s Longest Lefts Being Bulldozed?

Pavones residents displaced as excavators move in.

Jun 19, 2025

The Seven Surfing Conspiracies

Inside surfing’s shadow government: what they don’t want you to know.

Jun 18, 2025

Mongrels Flood The Mondrian, Doped Youth Resurfaces in Versace

An autopsy of the Solento Surf Film Festival — and a breakdown of the biggest…

Jun 18, 2025

The Billion Dollar Hole Behind Lakey Peak: Should Surfers Be Worried?

A massive gold mine is being excavated behind the Indonesian surf village, fueled by foreign…

Jun 17, 2025

Record-Smashing Surf Coach Eyes Off His Next Victim: Sydney Olympic Park

Blakey Johnson’s July plans: survive 108+ hours in the cool, recirculated waters of URBNSURF. 

Jun 17, 2025

Watch: Milk & Honey, Presented By YETI & Sun Bum

A surf film starring Stephanie Gilmore, Caity Simmers, Coco Ho, and Frankie Harrer.

Jun 17, 2025

Stab Interview: WSL Tour President Graham Stapelberg On The Changes And Challenge(r)s Of The Post-Cut Era

Maxing Pipe, Triple Crown realities, Jordy Smith, sponsors up the yin-yang, and more.

Jun 16, 2025

Was That The Best Day Of Performance Surfing In 2025?

Kerrupt flips, double airs, and a cornucopia of 9 point waves.

Jun 15, 2025

Watch: Albee Layer Drops His Second Stab Edit Of The Year In 4 Months

And we dare say "Less Than Easy" is even better than the former.

Jun 13, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 1

Our first loser goes home in this "king of the hill" showdown.

Jun 12, 2025

How To Convince A Bunch Of Small Town Floridians That They Need A Wavepool

Warren Smith is creatively diversifying the tourism portfolio of his hometown.

Jun 12, 2025

Italo And Filipe Lost, But Surfing Won Today

No shortage of excellence on Day Two at Lowers.

Jun 11, 2025
Advertisement