The best choice for environmentally-conscious open water swimmers, surfers and paddle boarders
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(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 VerdictThe Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit is the perfect jack-of-all-trade suit, ideal for swimming, surfing, paddle-boarding or anything else you might want to use it for. And best of all, it’s a sustainably-made garment from a company with certified B Corp credentials. If you like spending time in open waters, in a professional capacity or otherwise, this suit is a must-buy.
T3 Verdict
The Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit is the perfect jack-of-all-trade suit, ideal for swimming, surfing, paddle-boarding or anything else you might want to use it for. And best of all, it’s a sustainably-made garment from a company with certified B Corp credentials. If you like spending time in open waters, in a professional capacity or otherwise, this suit is a must-buy.
‘Long’ sizes available
Double-needle blind stitch construction for a chafe-free swimming experience
Premium feel
Reasons to avoid-Holds on to water and is, therefore, slower to dry than synthetic fabrics-It takes a while for Yuled rubber to loosen
Holds on to water and is, therefore, slower to dry than synthetic fabrics
It takes a while for Yuled rubber to loosen
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
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Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review in a nutshell: made from natural materials and constructed to a very high standard, Finisterre’s first back zip suit is a pleasure to wear and is less taxing for the environment. A win for everyone.
British outdoor brand Finisterre has long been known as one of thebest wetsuitmanufacturers. However, up until recently, their wetsuits came with front zips only. In fact, the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit, the subject of this review, is the first wetsuit from the premium brand with a rear zip.
Made from the same natural Yulex rubber as all other wetsuits from Finisterre since 2021, the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit is an outstanding piece of garment with fine details, making it our top choice of wetsuits at the moment. Read my review below to find out why this is the ultimate wetsuit for most people, whether you’re into wild swimming, surfing, paddle-boarding or anything in between.
(First review June 2023)
Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review: price and availability
The Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit is Finisterre’s first back-zip wetsuit and is available to buy now directly fromFinisterre UK,Finisterre USandFinisterre AUfor a recommended retail price of £250/ $330/ AU$ 555. It’s only available in one colourway, Ink / Manuka. That said, Finisterre have a number of different wetsuit options, from the summeryNieuwland 2e Yulex Sleeveless Shorty Wetsuit(£115) to the cold-water specialistNieuwland 5s Yulex Hooded Wetsuit(£425).
Finisterre launches theirwetsuit rental programmein 2023, which incorporates the Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit. The rental price includes free delivery, full deep-clean, and a money-back guarantee for unworn wetsuits. If you fall in love with your rental, you even have the option to buy it at the end of your rental period.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review: specifications
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review: design and quality
Finisterre’s wetsuits are made from natural Yulex rubber, a more sustainable alternative to neoprene. The latter is a synthetic rubber compound often used in wetsuits and has its merits, but admittedly, it’s more taxing on the environment than Yulex.
Of course, the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit isn’t just a wetsuit cut out from a big slab of rubber. The main body is Yulex, while the inner is Yulex laminated with recycled polyester for added durability and structural integrity. The outer is – surprise! – Yulex laminated with recycled polyester but also recycled Spandex for extra stretchiness.
The wetsuit is 3mm thick with 2mm panels on the underarm and lower leg. It provides enough insulation from spring through autumn, especially in the UK, where water temperatures stay pretty consistent throughout the year. I would say you can use the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit all year-around in the UK.
The Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit has a “custom neck pattern” to reduce flushing (more on this below), flexible shoulders and upper body and tension wrist bands.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review: performance
If you’re a casual swimmer looking for a wetsuit to use a couple of times a year, Yulex might not be the ideal choice for you. Synthetic materials are not necessarily environmentally-friendly, but they can be modified to fit better instantly, unlike natural materials that inevitably are slower to adapt.
That said, I found the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit comfortable to wear once it was on. It’s stretchy in the right areas, and I found it exceptionally comfortable for swimming and being in the water generally. The “custom neck pattern” that’s said to reduce flushing does its job okay, although there was undoubtedly some flushing around the back of my neck.
The construction, including the stitching and glueing, was spot on. I felt no rubbing anywhere in the suit, and very little water ended up inside the wetsuit after our swimming session in the lake. The arms and legs fit just right and prevent water from entering the suit exceptionally well.
Once out of the water, taking off the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit is a breeze. Well, in wetsuit terms, anyway. Yulex seems to hold onto water pretty well and is a bit cumbersome to wring out the suit after use, which also makes the wetsuit heavier to carry.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review: verdict
No matter the niggles, I thoroughly enjoyed wearing and using the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit. It’s the perfect jack-of-all-trade suit, ideal for swimming, surfing, paddle-boarding or anything else you might want to use it for. And best of all, it’s a sustainably-made garment from a company with certified B Corp credentials.
Sure, it’s a bit of an investment, and unless you frequently visit water, it might be harder to justify the price, but I don’t think casual swimmers or occasional paddle boarders would seriously consider splashing out on the Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit. If you like spending time in open waters, in a professional capacity or otherwise, this suit is almost a must. Especially if you care about the environment.
Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review: also consider
O’Neill’s Hyperfreak is undoubtedly one of the most flexible and comfortable wetsuits on the market. It dries quicker than most rival wetties, including the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit, and is lighter than most. Read Rich’s fullO’Neill Hyperfreak review.
Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit: Price Comparison
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