O'Neill Hyperfreak Wetsuit Review

Dominating the wetsuit market for the last few years, the Hyperfreak Chest Zip Wetsuit from O’Neill remains our best-selling and shop favorite suit if you’re looking for insane performance, flexibility, and comfort. With an option for just about anyone, we think this just might be the suit for you. Read on as we take an in-depth look and review the Hyperfreak Chest Zip Wetsuit.

"The HyperFreak is our best-selling wetsuit when writing this review, and we can’t recommend it enough. If you are looking for a solid wetsuit that is also the stretchiest thing since rubber bands, snag one of these wetsuits."

What does the “+” mean?

When designing the Hyperfreak, O’Neill skewed their cut to the thicker side. For example, the 5/4mm+ version, in reality, runs closer to a 5.5/4.5 than a 5/4mm suit.

O'Neill Hyperfreak

Neoprene and Liners

The key stand-out feature of the Hyperfreak is its TB3x Neoprene which can be found in the arms, shoulders, and upper chest/back of the wetsuit. TB3x has a fleece-like feel compared to other standard nylon-lined neoprene, and with that comes insane stretch. Hands down, this is the stretchiest neoprene on the market. Better flex equals easier paddling, equals less fatigue, and longer sessions.

The rest of the wetsuit consists of TB3 neoprene, which blew us all out of the water a few years ago. Still, today it remains a very stretchy and more durable option for parts of the suit that will experience more wear.

As for the internal liner, the Hyperfreak features the same TB3x material featured on the arms/shoulders, adding to the lightweight factor and comfort of this wetsuit. The liner isn’t too grippy, so the wetsuit slides on and off easily.

Seams and Stitching

The seam construction of the Hyperfreak is top quality, as we have come to expect from O’Neill products. Internally all seams are sealed with TB3x tape, which is extremely water-tight and stretchy. On the exterior, you’ll find a standard Glued and Blindstitched (GBS) seam that, in our experience, holds up well and does not restrict stretch.

Fit and Cut

The fit of the Hypefreak is very true to the O’Neill size chart, and I would say, if anything, you can size down a little bit as the wetsuit is so stretchy. We tend to think that O’Neill wetsuits run a little on the tall side. Overall, the Hyperfreak’s paneling lends itself to a great fit for most people, especially when considering the sizes it is available in. The stretch is also maximized as O’Neill has strategically placed seams and reduced the overall amount of panels on this wetsuit.

Whether we’re talking about the hooded version or the non-hooded, the entry system fits well to ensure a water-tight seal around the chest and neck. For those who opt for a hooded model, the hood is one of the most comfortable on the market and allows for mobility and less strain.

Lastly, the wrist and ankle cuffs are tapered well to keep a good seal without being too tight and reducing circulation.

Performance

When it comes to flexibility, you can’t say enough about the Hypefreak. Even in the 5/4+ model, it feels very mobile and lightweight. This is possible thanks to the choices made in designing this wetsuit with the TB3x, no external seam weld, no heaving internal liner, and no smooth skin. It’s as good as it gets in terms of flexibility.

The Hyperfreak does a great job in terms of warmth, though we wouldn’t call it the warmest wetsuit out there. The fact that all Hyperfreaks have the “+” means they are cut with an extra .5mm of thickness which helps with warmth. That said, this wetsuit is lacking smooth skin panels, and air neoprene that the Psycho Tech features, and for that reason, we wouldn’t rate it at the high end of warmth. Still plenty warm for most people in the northern hemisphere to get through winter with no problem.

Value and Durability

The bottom line here is, for the price, the stretch you are getting out of this wetsuit is unparalleled. When considering the durability of this wetsuit without considering the price, we’d like to point out that the TB3x isn’t the most durable neoprene, but if you take care, it shouldn’t be an issue as it is only in the arms and upper chest/back. There are also wetsuits out there that go a step further with seam construction and include a better external seam instead of the basic GBS seam featured in the Hyperfreak, so because of these factors, we wouldn’t rate this wetsuit as the most durable out there, but still well above average and great for the price.

Customer Feedback

"I am extremely happy with the Hyperfreak 4/3 suit - it's warm, flexible, and perfect for southern California winter riding. Keeps me warmer than my Psychotech 3/2!."

- SocalSurfer

"This suit is comfortable and warm. Can't believe it's a 4/3."

- DMills

"Amazingly flexible for a 4/3+ suit. I noticed the extra thickness right away but the flexibility of the suit more than made up for it."

- JBird

"I’ve owned, oh, 14 million wetsuits over the years…give or take a few…and this is HANDS DOWN the best one yet."

- Michelle

Staff Feedback

“The HyperFreak 5/4 is one of the most comfortable, warm, and flexible suits around and is loved by many. I would say about 80% of Cleanline employees have some sort of variation of this suit. TB3 is warm and can handle any cold water that the northwest throws at us. The neoprene is pumped with air allowing it to be stretchy, soft, and fluffy. This wetsuit is fully taped internally and is very durable along the seams. O'Neill makes the best performance-orientated suits, and there is a reason why they are frequently sold out.”

- Sammy at Cleanline Surf

“O'Neill has been making the Hyperfreak series for years and now we finally are able to enjoy this wetsuit in a 4/3 hooded version. This is the stretchiest hooded wetsuit on the market hands down, thanks to the TB3x Neoprene in the shoulders and arms. Internal tapping makes this suit simple yet durable and a great buy for anyone looking for a mid-range 4/3 hooded wetsuit, or just an insanely stretchy suit with a hood. I would recommend this wetsuit for water temps between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit depending on your air temp and personal preference.”

- Matt at Cleanline Surf

Final Thoughts

The HyperFreak is our best-selling wetsuit when writing this review, and we can’t recommend it enough. That said, if you need the warmest suit or if you need wind resistance, this wetsuit doesn’t have smooth skin, so might not be the best choice. If you really abuse your wetsuit or want a wetsuit that will last as long as possible, there are a fair amount of options out there that we would consider longer-lasting. If you are looking for a solid wetsuit that is also the stretchiest thing since rubber bands, snag one of these wetsuits.

The Psycho Tech is a great upgrade if you want MORE in a wetsuit, though you will sacrifice some stretch. Are you looking for a Hyperfreak with added warmth? Check out our review of the all-new Hyperfreak Fire.

If you have any other questions about the Hyperfreak or any other products, please get in touch with us at support@cleanlinesurf.com, call us toll-free at 1-888-546-6176, or leave a comment below.

Matt Matt is our eCommerce Manager here at Cleanline. He has extensive knowledge of wetsuits, surfboards, and other surf gear and rides the products he writes about. When he isn't blogging, he's answering your questions on the phone, packing up your brand-new suit, or out in the water testing new gear.