C-Skins NuWave Wetsuit Range Explained – Video Buying Guide
Considering a C-Skins NuWave wetsuit but unsure which model to choose? In this video buying guide, Jeff from Wetsuit Centre explains the differences between the C-Skins wetsuit ranges, from the affordable Element and Legend through to the Session, ReWired and premium Wired models. Discover how seam construction, flexibility, thermal lining and natural rubber materials change as you move through the range, helping you choose the right wetsuit for your budget and water conditions.
Video Transcript
Introduction – Understanding the C-Skins NuWave Wetsuit Range
Hi there, Jeff here from Wetsuit Centre.
Today we're going to take a look at the C-Skins NuWave range of wetsuits.
We'll explain how the different models fit together, what you get for your money as you move up through the range, and the main technical differences between them.
Hopefully, this will help you understand which wetsuit is most suitable for your needs and budget.
We'll start with the more affordable models and work our way through to the premium wetsuits, concentrating on the features that make the biggest difference in the water.
C-Skins Element – Affordable Summer Wetsuits
First up is the C-Skins Element range.
This is the entry-level wetsuit in the collection, primarily designed for summer use.
It's available in men's, women's and children's versions, including full-length wetsuits and different styles of shorty.
The Element is a fairly straightforward wetsuit, with a construction that keeps it affordable.
One of the main features is its flatlock stitching.
With flatlock seams, the neoprene panels are joined together using stitching that passes through the material.
This creates a robust seam that's relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
However, because the stitches pass through the material, some water can enter through the seams.
That means flatlock wetsuits are generally more suitable for warmer conditions, where you don't need the same level of insulation provided by a fully sealed winter wetsuit.
The Element is a good option for customers looking for an affordable wetsuit for summer surfing and general watersports.
C-Skins Session Lite and Solace Lite – More Flexibility for Summer
Moving up the range, we have the Session Lite for men and Solace Lite for women.
These are more flexible summer wetsuits featuring C-Skins NuWave rubber.
Like the Element, these lighter wetsuits use flatlock seams, so they're mainly intended for warmer-water conditions.
You'll find full-length summer wetsuits and several different shorty styles.
The main difference compared with the Element is the construction of the panels.
The Session Lite and Solace Lite use larger sections of rubber with fewer seams.
This reduces the amount of stitching that can restrict movement, giving the wetsuit greater flexibility.
It's particularly noticeable when you're paddling or moving your shoulders.
In the men's Session Lite range, there's also a chest-entry option.
A chest-entry system removes the long zip from the back of the wetsuit, which can improve flexibility across that area.
It can also provide a closer seal around the upper body, although the flatlock seams still make these suits more appropriate for warmer water.
Overall, the Session Lite and Solace Lite are good choices for customers who want a flexible summer wetsuit without moving into the more expensive ranges.
C-Skins Legend and Surflite – Entry-Level Sealed-Seam Wetsuits
Next, we come to the first fully sealed-seam wetsuits in the range.
For men and children, this is the C-Skins Legend, while the equivalent women's range is called Surflite.
The important difference is the move from flatlock stitching to glued and blindstitched seams, often abbreviated to GBS.
With GBS construction, the neoprene panels are glued together and stitched without the needle passing all the way through the material.
This significantly reduces the amount of water that can enter through the seams.
As a result, these wetsuits are suitable for cooler conditions and are available in thicker winter weights, including 4mm and 5mm options.
The Legend and Surflite are relatively simple wetsuits in terms of their internal construction.
You don't get the extensive thermal lining or additional reinforcement found in the premium models.
However, you do get flexible NuWave rubber and sealed seams.
The models demonstrated use back-zip entry systems, making them relatively straightforward to put on and take off.
These are a good starting point for someone who wants a sealed-seam wetsuit without spending a large amount of money.
C-Skins Session and Solace – Improved Flexibility and Thermal Performance
Moving up the range, we have the C-Skins Session and Solace.
These are quite different from the lighter Session Lite and Solace Lite wetsuits.
The first important upgrade is the seam construction.
You get glued and blindstitched seams, along with internal taping in critical areas.
The taping reinforces the seams, helping improve durability and reduce water entry.
However, the main improvement is the addition of Halo X2 material through the upper body.
This uses a lightweight, highly flexible construction designed to provide excellent stretch.
The lining and rubber work together to improve flexibility around the shoulders and upper body, where freedom of movement is particularly important.
You also get some additional thermal lining, including around the back.
This is a relatively low-profile lining designed to retain warmth without adding too much weight or bulk.
The Session and Solace are available in thicker winter versions, as well as lighter options for warmer conditions.
There are also hooded winter models within the range.
Overall, these wetsuits offer a useful balance of flexibility, warmth and price.
They're a good step up for someone who wants more technical features than the Legend or Surflite but doesn't necessarily need the very top of the range.
C-Skins ReWired – Premium Flexibility and Insulation
Next, we move into the C-Skins ReWired.
This is where the wetsuits become considerably more technical.
The ReWired is available in men's and women's models and builds on the features found in the Session and Solace.
You still get Halo X2 technology in the upper body, providing excellent flexibility.
However, the ReWired adds more thermal insulation throughout the wetsuit.
This helps retain warmth in colder conditions without sacrificing too much freedom of movement.
Another important improvement is the seam construction.
The ReWired features Xtend Isolation taped seams throughout the suit.
This additional taping reinforces the seams, improves durability and helps reduce water penetration.
It's also designed to stretch comfortably with the neoprene as you move.
The ReWired features C-Skins' Iris inner closure system, working with the chest-entry design to help limit water entering the wetsuit.
You also get a Dark Matter Liquid Skin chest panel.
This is designed to reduce wind chill across the chest, provide additional durability and improve contact with your surfboard.
These features make the ReWired a particularly good choice for surfers who want a premium balance of flexibility and warmth.
The range includes summer and winter thicknesses, along with hooded versions for colder conditions.
If you're regularly surfing in cold water and want a wetsuit with substantial technical features, the ReWired is definitely worth considering.
C-Skins Wired – Maximum Cold-Water Performance
Finally, we have the C-Skins Wired.
This is one of the most technically advanced wetsuits in the NuWave collection, designed primarily for colder-water surfing.
In the range shown in this video, the Wired is a men's wetsuit available in thicker models, including 4mm and 5mm options.
It builds on many of the features found in the ReWired but adds further thermal insulation and seam protection.
One of the biggest upgrades is the inclusion of Halo RD8 thermal lining.
This is a thicker, high-pile lining designed to provide greater insulation.
The additional material helps trap warmth inside the wetsuit, making it particularly suitable for cold-water conditions.
The Wired also features advanced seam construction, including external liquid-seam reinforcement.
This helps strengthen the seams and reduce the possibility of water entering through them.
Combined with the premium rubber, internal lining and other technical features, the result is a high-specification winter wetsuit.
There are also additional details throughout the suit designed to improve comfort, durability and cold-water performance.
If you're surfing through the colder months and warmth is a major priority, the Wired is the model at the top of the C-Skins range worth considering.
Final Advice – Which C-Skins NuWave Wetsuit Should You Choose?
That's our overview of the C-Skins NuWave wetsuit range.
There are plenty of additional technical details within each model, but the main differences come down to seam construction, flexibility and thermal lining.
At the affordable end, the Element provides a straightforward summer wetsuit.
The Session Lite and Solace Lite introduce more flexible panel construction while remaining focused on warmer-water use.
The Legend and Surflite bring in sealed seams, making them suitable for a wider range of water temperatures.
Moving up to the Session and Solace, you get more advanced flexible materials, seam reinforcement and additional thermal lining.
The ReWired provides a further improvement in flexibility, insulation and technical features.
Finally, the Wired focuses on high-end cold-water performance, with extensive thermal lining and advanced seam construction.
One of the major developments across the NuWave collection is the use of natural rubber-based materials as alternatives to conventional neoprene.
The aim is to offer the performance customers expect from a good-quality wetsuit while reducing reliance on traditional materials.
Ultimately, there's something in the range for a wide variety of budgets and conditions.
Think about the time of year you'll be surfing, how much you feel the cold and how important flexibility is to you.
Hopefully, this guide has made the C-Skins NuWave range easier to understand and helped you narrow down the right wetsuit for your needs.
Further C-Skins Wetsuit Advice
Explore the wetsuits featured in this video and find the right model for your needs:
