Are Throwaway / Cheap / Whatever Whatever Wetsuits Worth It?
Simply put: No. But when you invest in the best, the actual expense is significantly lower. In this respect, our 00 BY XIIIG suit will not only last longer than your phone but will also help keep you off of it. This equates to true financial (and time) efficiency.
Wetsuit Type |
Initial Cost |
Expected Lifespan |
Annual Cost to Surf |
|
Throwaway suits |
$300 |
2 Seasons |
$150 per year |
|
Premium quality |
$650 |
5 Seasons |
$130 per year |
Why Do Non 00 BY XIIIG Wetsuits Fail So Hard?
Ask anyone that knows their wetsuits -- or who works in the industry: Cheaper suits are designed for obsolescence. Being made to fail is the entire business model.
And let’s face it – you don’t want breakdowns happening at the wrong time: From seam-splitting and zipper malfunctions to knee-pad failures or an irritating loose thread. All of the above amounts to extra (unplanned) expenses, a sudden replacement purchase and likely an associated opportunity cost (missed trips, sessions or swells).
This is why CKTH offers an extended warranty coverage program – in addition to using the highest-grade materials on the market (e.g., Yamamoto rubber, pill-resistant hydrophobic nylons & longer-lasting construction methods). This translates to reduced maintenance and replacement risk, which has a tangible positive financial impact in terms of predicting your next wetsuit tune-up expense
How Much Longer Will an Expensive Wetsuit Last?
Premium suits can consistently deliver an extra 2–4 years of useful life compared to budget options. It also equates to less time spent shivering, griping or shopping (and more quality time in the water). In addition, a quality suit also accrues a special level of Wabi Sabi with each passing season. The aura is real.
Additionally, for 00 BY XIIIG customers, enjoying extra years of use or “intended wetsuit utility” essentially represents "free" years of product performance (Aka: once the cost of a cheaper alternative has surpassed the premium suit's initial cost).
In short, avoiding the need to purchase multiple replacement suits, means deferring future out-of-pocket expenses, slowing down environmental consumption – and preventing yet another sad used suit from hitting the landfill (or some awkward resale site)
Material Science: Why Yamamoto OG Optimum Technology is Best-in-Class
As is true for most product categories, excellence starts with the right materials and design. In this respect, click here to learn about the functional superiority of Yamamoto’s absolute best-of-the-best product range. Aka, what we call OG Optimum Technology.
Scientifically speaking if you put standard oil-derived neoprene underneath a microscope, its cellular structure will look totally randomized, similar to your kitchen sponge: Some cells are big, while others are small. Understandably, some cell wall thicknesses are thick while others are very thin. Over time, as a wetsuit is compressed and elongated over the course of its lifespan, that randomized oil-derived cell structure will break down – and cause your wetsuit to absorb water rather than shield you from it. Never forget, most oil-derived neoprene wetsuits are 65% water impermeable, at best.
Conversely, Yamamoto OG Optimum Technology is 99% water impermeable – because of its perfectly uniform cell structure. If you looked at our limestone-based rubber under a microscope it would resemble rows of tiny hexagons – all backing each other up. This consistent structure keeps you and your wetsuit warm, comfortable, flexible and durable.
In addition, OG Optimum
Beyond our use of the world's best rubber, every fullsuit from 00 BY XIIIG provides the following premium amenities, standard:
- The finest hydrophobic & pill-resistant nylon in the game
- YKK Aquaseal Zippers
- Proprietary offset flood-gate (preventing the user from feeling pulled forwards or backwards)
- Key pocket (zipping-downwards, on the right side, with a lanyard inside)
- Bar-tacking to ensure seam integrity
- Glued & Blind-stitch seams with SCS Taping
All of the above represents industry-leading know-how and execution. For you and yours to enjoy a wetsuit that accrues genuine Wabi Sabi.
Though CKTH, XIIIG and 00 BY XIIIG are new brands, they were founded by John V. Campbell, who has been a disrupter in the industry since 2005 when he launched his first wetsuit company. Always focused on superior design and materials, John worked closely with innovator and legendary Japanese industrialist, Keiichi Yamamoto and his son Tommy to further refine the company’s unique limestone-based rubber. Their work together helped re-position existing production in order to pioneer a new quality standard for the neoprene category. As one of the last Westerners to meet with Keiichi in 2009, and because of their close working relationship, John was later given an everlasting honor by the Yamamoto Family and served as one of three speakers at Keiichi's memorial service in downtown Osaka, Japan in 2017 (the then Japanese Prime Minister was also in attendance to pay his respects). In the two decades since their first meeting, John, Tommy and the Yamamoto Corporation have continued their collaboration giving CKTH, XIIIG and 00 BY XIIIG unparalleled access to ground breaking and functionally superior innovations in material technology.
Maximizing Wetsuit Performance
00 BY XIIIG Wetsuits provide superior fit and functionality, via better thermostatic regulation. More warmth, less weight and a greater range of movement means longer and more enjoyable sessions: all amplifying the utility of your original investment. This isn't just marketing; it's a legitimate performance advantage.
From a long-term value standpoint, 00 BY XIIIG customers aren’t simply purchasing advanced materials and the world’s finest wetsuits (they are). They also get CKTH’s commitment to world class customer experience & service that most other outfits respectfully cannot deliver on
00 BY XIIIG Wetsuits: Making You Better & Smarter (Wetsuit-Wise)
As we like to say - Functionally Superior means:
- Warmer [Aka 99% Water Impermeable]
- Lighter [Aka not absorbing water like a sponge]
- More Sustainable [Limestone-based]
- Longer-Lasting [Via a perfectly-uniform microcell structure]
In addition to world-class customer service, 00 BY XIIIG Wetsuits deliver on all of the above characteristics. Hence, investing in a premium wetsuit that lasts longer (aka 2–5 years more) is a bonafide financially astute decision. Big ups to financially savvy consumers worldwide
Invest in Quality, Not Mediocrity
The initial savings of a cheap wetsuit quickly evaporates under the weight of higher total cost, reliability risk and diminished performance. Stop paying cheaper retail prices every two seasons -- and start viewing premium suits like an asset that provides a higher lifetime value. Because THAT is the bottom line. Like ad meliora means onto better things
Shop 00 BY XIIIG Wetsuits: Built for Long-Term Value
PC: Tom Pearsall
