If you want one Rip Curl wetsuit to make cold water bearable, the Flashbomb is the model most surfers point to. The 4/3 chest zip is its mainstream winter suit. This review looks at what the Flash Lining does, how it feels in the water, and where the debate around its durability and its price comes from.
Where It Sits in Rip Curl's Range
Rip Curl's range runs from the budget Dawn Patrol and the mid-range Aggrolite up to two flagship lines. The E-Bomb is the stretch and flexibility suit. The Flashbomb is the warmth suit, with a heavier lining, a more insulated feel and a higher price than the Dawn Patrol and Aggrolite. Owners who have worn both usually describe the Flashbomb as slightly warmer, the E-Bomb as noticeably more flexible, and the real-world gap between them as smaller than the marketing suggests.
Rip Curl lists this suit as E5 neoprene in a 4/3 build with glued and blind stitched seams, for water from roughly 53 degrees Fahrenheit upward.
The Flash Lining
The Flash Lining is the headline. It is the fuzzy, brightly coloured interior that gives the suit its name, and Rip Curl pitches it as the fastest-drying lining in surfing. In practice it does feel dry to the touch faster than a standard jersey-lined suit, and it wicks water off your skin. If you surf twice a day through winter, that matters more than almost any other feature. Pulling on a cold, soggy suit in a car park is nobody's idea of fun.
The lining also adds to perceived warmth. A 4/3 Flashbomb feels like a bigger suit than its thickness suggests. Owners who have worn both say every time they pull on a cold, wet E-Bomb they wish they had a Flashbomb.
In the Water
Rip Curl's neoprene has moved a long way, and the Flashbomb benefits. The suit offers paddle freedom you would usually expect from a thinner 3/2. Around the shoulders it moves with you during pop-ups and long paddles, and the seams did not dig in. The chest zip is well engineered. It gives a good seal without the straitjacket feel of some front-zip suits, and the bib behind the neck stays put during duck dives, so you avoid the shock of cold water running down your spine.
In water in the mid 50s Fahrenheit the suit kept my core warm through a two-hour session. Wrist and ankle seals were tight enough to avoid ballooning on a wipeout, which is a common complaint with cheaper 4/3 suits. Owners report being comfortable down to about 52 degrees Fahrenheit, often with boots and gloves added.
The Durability and Value Debate
This is where opinions split, and both camps are loud.
Many surfers have had a Flashbomb last two to three winters before it becomes a summer suit. Others report a suit that was excellent for a couple of months and then began to leak, or a front panel that tore the first time they put it on. Rip Curl's lighter, stretchier foams give up some toughness for that feel, and the lining adds complexity. It makes sense that the suit is more delicate than a basic back zip model like the Dawn Patrol.
There is also the question of value. Some owners say the E-Bomb is almost as warm for less money, and that the Flashbomb mainly adds the lining and a bit of wind protection. Others say the Flashbomb is clearly warmer in cold wind. Both sides agree the difference in flexibility and warmth between the two is smaller than the hype. The zip-free versions of Rip Curl's suits have drawn complaints about shoulders wearing out, which is one reason many surfers stick with the chest zip.
Where It Falls Short
- The athletic cut can be tight for broader shoulders, and the chest zip takes technique.
- The stretchy foam and lining can show wear sooner than a basic suit under heavy use.
- It is a premium-priced suit when not discounted.
- It is less stretchy than the E-Bomb, according to owners who wore both.
Who Should Buy It
The Flashbomb 4/3 Chest Zip suits surfers who want maximum warmth and fast drying without moving to a 5/4. It works well for people who surf winter sessions back to back, who feel the cold, and who want a suit that dries between surfs. It is also a good fit for surfers who prefer a chest zip seal over a back zip.
Look elsewhere if you want the stretchiest possible suit for warm water, if you surf daily and need maximum toughness, or if you want to save money. The E-Bomb is cheaper and more flexible, and a Dawn Patrol or Aggrolite is tougher and cheaper.
Alternatives
The E-Bomb 4/3 is the closest rival and the one most owners compare it with. Boutique brands such as Feral and Matuse get strong praise from owners for durability and comfort, at a higher price. The Dawn Patrol 4/3 is the budget way into cold water from the same brand.
Verdict
The Flashbomb 4/3 Chest Zip is a warm, quick-drying and flexible winter suit. The Flash Lining earns its reputation, the chest zip seals well, and the suit moves better than its thickness suggests. It is not cheap and it is not bombproof, but for surfers who value warmth and fast drying, it is one of the best choices in Rip Curl's range.
Pro tip: If you surf every day, plan for a one-season or two-season life and use the warranty window. Rinse it, dry it in the shade and never leave it in the sun.
