Comfort in cold water

We’d like to Introduce you to the second version of our wetsuit range Orca Surf: TANGO. Our second version has undergone important improvements with respect to the first and it’s available in different thicknesses (3:2, 4:3 and 5:3). They also each come with an optional built-in hood. Now, we will bring our attention to the Tango 4:3.

 

The Tango 4:3 is a high performance wetsuit specially designed for surfing in cold water. Just like its predecessor, it’s made from 100% Yamamoto neoprene in Japan and offers a high degree of elasticity, lightness, low water absorption and an incredible level of thermal comfort compared to other wetsuits on the market. All this combines to create a product with unquestionable quality, boosting the wetsuit to a superior level in terms of thermal comfort and elasticity within its category of thickness: 4mm in the torso and legs; 3mm in the shoulders and arms.  

Our new range has a completely new design that offers you a high degree of comfort, regardless of the size you choose. In addition, the change in design has also led to the improvement of the suit’s closure in the upper torso, providing a high degree of resistance to water entry. It doesn’t stop here - on top of all this, Seal technology is also used, which incorporates Smoothskin in the inner part of the neck, sleeves and legs, perfectly sealing these areas and ensuring the suit retains body heat while preventing cold water from entering.

We all know that the reason we wear a wetsuit is to keep warm and continue practising our favourite sport. This is why, at Orca, we’ve continued to improve the thermal comfort of our suits; we’ve incorporated a thermal and quick drying inner fabric in the entire torso, in every nook and cranny, even where it joins the legs. Additionally, all the seams are sealed internally. All this has been achieved without limiting the surfer’s range of movement and while providing the highest degree of elasticity on the market, thanks to the suit’s construction with Yamamoto 40 in the sleeves and shoulders, combined with the most elastic fabric we could find.

So we’ve discussed comfort, thermal comfort and elasticity. However, at Orca, the durability of our “Made to last” suits is also important to us. The outer DuraSkin fabric, with its nylon composition, offers a high resistance to abrasion, while the Shield panels in the knees, reinforced and improved, combined with the taping in the most critical seam areas, such as the wrists and legs, increase the suit’s durability. The zip is a size 10 YKK, guaranteeing the suit is highly durable. On top of this, we have the ergonomic pull-string, which makes it easier for surfers to open and close the suit, even when their fingers are numb from the cold or if they’re wearing gloves, thanks to the “close end” closure system. This guarantees that the suit, besides being functional and comfortable, is also durable for intensive use in the sea.

Finally, we come to two of our most important points:

1. Our women’s suits have an exclusive design and an upper double opening closure system, which guarantee a high degree of comfort, thermal comfort, elasticity and durability. At Orca we trust in Vfit technology and we know that we need to include it in our suits.
2. There is also a version of the 4:3 suit that comes with a built-in hood: a 3mm thick hood with a neoprene covering and a quick drying, thermal inner fabric. It’s a hood that doesn’t restrict your movement.

 

We’re chatting to our product manager, Ander López, who is helping us to delve deeper into our innovations and improvements of the Tango 4:3.

 

What kind of surfer is this wetsuit designed for?

 

This wetsuit is designed for surfers who appreciate a good wetsuit but who don’t want to invest as much money as is required by other brands that use Yamamoto. This suit has the best value for money. 

 

Which features of the Tango 4:3 would you like to mention that make it ideal for surfers, in terms of performance and comfort?

 

The new design makes the suit very comfortable and it doesn’t restrict your range of movement while you surf. In addition, the change in design also positively affects the upper closure system and, combined with other technologies, provides that little bit extra in terms of thermal comfort, for example, Seal technology with Smoothskin on the inner part of the neck, sleeves and legs. The Thermal X FD quick drying inner fabric is also important. On top of all this, the suit is one of the most elastic on the market and maintains its durability.

 

What improvements could be made to the Tango 4:3?

 

The first version has nothing on the second. The only thing that is maintained in the second version is the high degree of elasticity.

 

Many people who have tried Orca’s wetsuits have mentioned that the use of neoprene on the inside and outside of the wrists presents a huge advancement in the suit’s seal and comfort. What can you tell us about this technology exclusive to Orca?

 

It’s a technology that we’ve developed at Orca in order to offer an even better seal. Everyone’s had water get into their sleeves at some point! As well as using Smoothskin or neoprene on both sides of the wetsuit, we’ve also taken into account the shape of the panels. This technology can be surprising at first, but once people started trying it out, we received some very positive feedback. 

 

Can you tell us anything else about the exclusive design for women?

 

At Orca we’ve always believed that, in order to offer a product that lives up to its promises, it’s necessary to create a different design for men and women. We’ve gone about it in this way for years with respect to our triathlon wetsuits and we’ve noticed from this experience that, apart from increasing comfort, a good fit is always important for hydrodynamics. When it comes to surfing, comfort and fit are also key. That’s why there are differences between men’s and women’s wetsuits, in terms of the panel design as well as the suit’s construction, such as the double opening closure system.

 

What did you primarily focus on when designing the second version of the Tango wetsuits?

 

We’ve got surfers on our team who not only test our first samples, but who also understand their design. On top of all this, at Orca we’re always surrounded by experts who help us go a step further to continue improving. When we designed these suits, we used feedback from the best surfers; people who have a wide range of surfing experience and tradition. Their feedback has been key in helping us to achieve this product, during both the planning of the product’s design and the testing of the final samples.

 

 

How does Orca contribute towards sustainability with products like the Tango 4:3?

 

First of all, I would like to mention that we are pioneers in our field when it comes to eliminating plastics from packaging. What we use is recyclable.

 

But really the proof of the pudding is in the wetsuits. Today, recyclable wetsuits don’t exist, regardless of how they’re made. At Orca, we work with different means to help contribute to sustainability in the best possible way. On the one hand, we use Yamamoto neoprene that comes from a natural source: limestone. On top of this, most of the energy used in the process comes from natural resources. They don’t need as many additives as natural rubber and Yamamoto neoprene is latex-free, meaning many skin allergies caused by latex are avoided.   

 

And on the other hand, we strive to create durable products, using our mantra “Made to Last” as a foundation. Given it’s impossible to recycle, the best alternative is getting the products to last.