TEST PILOT DEBRIEF: CYCLE 016: WOMEN'S LONG SLEEVE SURFSUIT
Since the inception of Florence, we've always been asked "Will Florence start making women's gear?" Although we always knew the answer was yes, we wanted to take our time to do it right–to create functional, long-lasting gear for active women in and around the water.
With the help of Lauryn, Mahina, and Alex Florence, we've spent the past year designing and testing our first official piece of women's gear: the Women's Long Sleeve Surfsuit. With our prototype passing the initial test, we set out to further refine, improve, and engineer the most functional surfsuit with the help of our first-ever Women's Test Pilots.
For Test Pilot Cycle [ 016 ], waterwomen from around the world have been surfing, paddling, foiling, sailing, diving, traveling, and swimming in the surfsuit, documenting their experiences, observations, and suggestions along the way. Just a week ago, the Florence team met up with our Hawaii-based test pilots for a surf day in Waikīkī, to connect, catch a few party waves, and share feedback about the suit in real time.
Below is the report. 🚩
Lauryn Florence – Sailor, Adventurer, Surfer / North Shore, Oahu
"I've been wearing the surfsuit for everything. Surfing, snorkeling, diving. Everything on the boat, in the water, out of the water. Sun protection is huge, I do not like being in the sun in the middle of the day. So it's perfect. I love that it's thicker on the bottom, kind of makes you feel like put together. And I feel like it's a good height for the neck too, for sun protection. And then the fact that it's long enough for my arms because sometimes that doesn't happen."
Mahina Florence – Waterwoman, Native Hawaiian, Surfer / North Shore, Oahu
"It's super easy to put on, it's that perfect in-between suit where it works for everything. My favorite part... I like the color. I like the neckline. I feel like a little bit of a higher neckline is good to protect the décolletage. My vision for Florence women's is the most epic women's collection you've ever seen!"
Andrea Hannemann – Health and Wellness, World Traveler / North Shore, Oahu
"My biggest takeaway so far is how well it fits. I've surfed in it once already and completely forgot I was wearing it, which is always a great sign. With other suits I've worn, I often notice issues like the fabric cutting into my armpits or riding up my legs, but I didn't experience either of those with this one. The fit felt really comfortable and secure without being restrictive, and I love the cut—it's super flattering. The only thing I'd personally tweak is making the legs about an inch longer because my butt kinda hangs out, but overall I'm really happy with it. I'm also excited to see how the zipper improves in the final version!"
Ally Schillinger – Ocean Lifeguard, World Champion Paddler / Honolulu, Oahu
"I like that it's one piece, so you only have to remember one thing to go surf or paddle. I like that nothing moves around when the waves are bigger. When you're duck diving, you're not losing your bikini bottoms. I pretty much leave it in my car so every time I go surf after work, I only have to remember one thing."
Meg Niblett – Sailor, Surfer, Diver / Dee Why, Australia
"As someone with a more athletic build and broader shoulders than most, finding a wetsuit that fits comfortably without restricting movement can be difficult. I was genuinely impressed with how well this suit fit. It didn’t dig into my underarms while paddling, diving, or moving around, which is something I’ve struggled with in other suits. After spending hours in the water, I would normally expect to end up with wetsuit rash under my arms from an imperfect fit. This time, I didn’t feel a thing. The suit genuinely felt like a second skin. Despite being relatively thin, it also kept me surprisingly warm both in and out of the water. I love the long-sleeve, short-leg cut. It provides coverage exactly where it’s needed without feeling restrictive. Personally, I wouldn’t want the shorts to be any shorter, I think the current length is both flattering and practical. The long sleeves also offer excellent sun protection, which makes a huge difference when you’re out on the water all day."
Maddie Anzivino – North Shore Lifeguard, Big Wave Surfer / North Shore, Oahu
"I absolutely love this suit! It's been perfect, especially for the cooler water California swims I have been doing. It's perfect for surfing, too as it covers up my shoulders from the sun and the material is very soft and nice. One thing about the suit that I find uncomfortable, that is sometimes found in workout shorts as well, is the middle seam that runs up the crotch. It's a bit uncomfortable and causes a rash if I wear it for too long. But other than that I love it!"
What R&D Is Taking Back
Cycle [ 016 ] gave our team consistent feedback that this suit is going to quickly become a waterwoman's favorite suit to grab on the go, because of its versatility. Across all Test Pilots, in conditions ranging from tropical surf sessions in Hawai'i to research dives in the Bahamas, to coastal paddles in California, the sentiment was the same: the surfsuit provides sun protection for active women in and on the water, while still being flattering on the body. Our Test Pilots' honest feedback has allowed us to make improvements to the fit of the suit, improve the security of the zipper, and ensure the surfsuit is ready for market.
To learn more about Cycle [ 016 ] and the development of the Women's Long Sleeve Surfsuit, check out our Test Pilot Check-In.
The Women's Long Sleeve Surfsuit is coming soon. Sign up to be notified when available.
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