Stab Recommends: The Long Arm Spring Is Officially Back

Ahh the long sleeve springsuit.

The favored garb of alt-left boardriders and liberal-minded shortboarders alike, the design fell out of fashion in recent years and boy are we excited to see its resurgence of late. The benefits aren’t “endless” per-se, but avoiding the pesky farmer tans that come with short arm springs as well as enjoying the liberating feeling of boardies without the rashes in all the wrong places need be considered when making your next warm-water wetsuit purchase. The right one will take you through summer and into fall on both coasts of the U.S. If anything, give yourself a reason not to skip leg day and take a look at our picks below. 

Volte Premium Mens 2×2 Chest Zip

Volte’s confidence in their product speaks for itself—I mean they showed up to our review of the stretchiest 4/3’s with a hooded 4/5. They channel that here with a suit that’s great for the price point and guaranteed to not fall apart after 2 seasons.

Fahrenheit Luxury Sport

If you ever question our support of products with the appropriate inquisition, “Do they actually use this?”—fear not. During California’s pulse of Fourth of July south swell our own Ashton Goggans was seen zipping around Malibu first point in this very suit, the Fahrenheit Celsius logo proudly emblazoned across his chest. A Stab Rec with a verified digital footprint, what’s not to love?

Manera Meteor X10D

Unlike many long-arm springs, the Manera hybrid 3/2 chest comes with a very specific goal. In their words, “It’s very frustrating to be cold when riding in a warm place. That is why we designed our Hybrid shorty to be warm. It is packed with the same technologies as the 3.2 X10D: we basically just cut the legs.” If you’re a few lbs underweight or have a penchant for surfing wind-slop, the lads from France have you covered.

Nine Plus Ladies Baby Minx 3/2

The splendors of the long arm spring aren’t exclusively reserved for any one sex. Richard Balding’s nearly 25 year old brand Nine Plus came to be through his literal bootstrapping of the product up and down the English coast throughout the late 90’s. With a front zip for easy entry, you can grab this bad boy (also made of heavenly Yamamoto) on sale for a mere $100.

Feral Backzip 2mm L/S Spring

A new Feral suit is so soft to the touch that you can’t believe its not butter. Yamamoto rubber is no joke, and if you aren’t sold on the premium, 99.7% water impenetrable material (or your suit doesn’t fit) you can take them up on their 30 day free exchange program, although we know you won’t want to…

Adelio Taylor Long Arm Zipperless Spring Suit

Adelio’s new Taylor Long Arm Zipperless suit meets all the quality metrics your chilly little heart desires. Quadflex Japanese limestone neoprene, internally taped seams, Glued and Blind stitching and most of all, its black!!!

Mens Comp X Back Zip 1/.5 mm Springsuit

If flexibility is what you’re after then look no further. Xcel’s Comp 1/.5 mm long sleeve spring is thin in all the right places and just as good at keeping the pesky sun at bay. A great suit for windy, tropical surfs. 

Jonesea Sprinter 2m

The custom wetsuit maestro that is Shane Jones hand crafts each and every Jonesea wetsuit from start to finish. While we highly recommend his custom wetsuit program so as you can play out any and all of your naughtiest wetsuit fantasies the stock suits are of just as high a quality and a slightly more accessible price point. With a focus on sustainable construction, you can feel confident knowing that those extra bucks are going to someone who is thoughtful and dedicated to their craft and its global impact.

RB1 2MM Springsuit- J.O.B Camo

The class clown of the wetsuit world, Buell has no problem drawing attention to themselves, which makes them the perfect brand for a man who’s made a career out of doing just that, the one and only J.O.B. Good enough for Kelly Slats, which means it’s good enough for you.

Saturday’s NYC Colour-Blocked Wetsuit Jacket

If somehow the picks above aren’t doing it for you or you just cant get over the short legs thing, then do yourself a solid and pick up one of the hottest jackets to hit the market this season. Saturday’s x Mr. Porter’s wetsuit jacket uses Japanese rubber and the yellow side panels are subtly provocative. Rest assured if you rock up with this you’ll be in one of an exclusive club of guys who pull off yellow wetsuits.