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Billabong SG5: Solar Heated Wetsuit
The boys over at Billabong have created a new wetsuit technology that uses solar energy, yes solar energy, that uses the sun’s heat to warm the suit. It is said to be 30% warmer than any other suit, except of course the Rip Curl H-Bomb. The MeSurf team is the first I’ve seen to break the news of this wetsuit and they are said to be getting one soon for a full review, so stay tuned.
The r+d team at Billabong have come up with a great new way to keep you warm during the season that matters most as a surfer…winter. Having a suit that blocks the wind and holds out water is one thing, having a suit that will heat you up using the solar energy, that is another!
From what I can tell, the suit will be available in Australia in a couple months and be priced in the $500-$600 range. No word yet on if, or when, this suit will make it’s way to the US.
There’s just one problem. What happens when the sun isn’t shining?
Tags: Billabong
Posted by Cameron on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 in Surfing.
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January 13th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Just wonder if you need full sunlight for it to really work as we have so many overcast days when the swell is up.
Thanks for the article though,
Craig Moore
Spider Video
http://spidervideo.tv
http://surfdonkey.ca
January 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
This new wet suit is “Solar Heated” and not “Solar Powered”. There is a big difference. This suit has no solar panels but instead uses a solar mesh that absorb heat from the sun and uses that trapped heat to warm the suit.
Tank
January 14th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Tank – Thanks for the clarification. I guess that answers the question on if you need the sun or not for the suit to work.
January 15th, 2009 at 6:39 am
hmmm, very clever. I for one would love a wet suit such as this. I do a spot of surfing when time allows and this would be really cool
February 9th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Guys, your legs must be sore from all the pulling!!
Billabong are just using the same ‘mesh’ as you would find in ANY surfstore at this very moment on the planet.
The marketing guys have just got a payrise from you being suckered in!!!
July 24th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
shut up scott hampshire your a faggot, mabey if billabong designed some floaty’s then you wouldn’t be so negative.
asshole.
July 31st, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Billabong SG5 Review – Just bought a Billabong SG5, surfed twice so far in 16c (60f) water with some wind chill and with and without sunlight. I can tell you that when the sun is out, it is almost like you are cooking, the back panels are like you have your back to a heater, for the East Coast of Australia (well at least NSW) – its probably too warm I think.
Suit is incredibly flexible, light and easy to get on and off.
Complaints are that the inner lining – although very warm – is quite thin, and after one use only it is starting to “fur up” – I’m not sure the inner lining will last more than a couple of seasons.
The back panel that closes over the zipper is also very hard to pull of – after two sessions there were some very minor fraying that I am sure will develop on the tag you use to pull the flap off the velcro.
The flap you pull over your head also moved around a fair bit – didnt stay put – at one stage it rolled up and ended up around the base of my neck.
When the flap stayed in place it worked very well in keeping out water however.
Overall incredibly warm – the “solar panels”work – almost too well, it is light and flexible, but I dont like that the inner lining is already starting to fur up.
Cheers
Rob
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