Written by Erica Nardone
PC: Erica Nardone
Orange.
Think vintage, 1970's orange—just a shade deeper than a tangerine. Can you picture it?
This was the color of my first wetsuit: an adult-sized hand-me-down shortie -- probably a Henderson, passed along from my mom. I remember it vividly because I happened to be wearing that orange suit the day my dad and I flipped our Hobie 18 in Irondequoit Bay on Lake Ontario … in mid May.
We weren’t supposed to capsize on that pre-season shakeout sail. But there we were —flying a hull, out on the trapeze, slicing through cool spring air, trying to shake off winter— when an early-season squall and a single gust got us.
I was seven or eight, maybe fifty-five pounds soaking wet (which I usually was). The water likely hovered around 48°F, and my dad seemed convinced that an adult shortie would magically function as a full wetsuit on me. Spoiler: it absolutely did not.
And honestly? This was just the beginning. I’ve spent most of my life wearing wetsuits that didn’t quite fit: too short, too wide, too tight. Always too something.
From that first orange shortie to the old-school beaver-tailed two-pieces — to the high-school upgrade that I bought-off one of my dad’s windsurfing buddies ... My wetsuit lineup is certainly a storied one.
PC: Erica Nardone
Henderson, Aleeda, O’Neill, Gull, Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Roxy, Body Glove, Xterra, Hyperflex, Volcom, Billabong, Need Essentials, Patagonia, Xcel…
If it exists, chances are that I’ve owned it, outgrown it, blown out the seams on it — or passed it down to one of my own kids.
I’ve never been brand loyal. I mostly shop by fit and price. And flexibility almost always wins over durability. Like many, I hunt deals like a sport—summer suits in winter, winter suits in summer, closeouts all year long. I go through “brand waves”: find one that works, surf it until the seams fail, and then I start all over.
The Winter Suit Dilemma
Here’s part of why I’m writing this: I have never found a women’s winter wetsuit that fits. Ever.
I’m 5'10", built like a swimmer, and apparently an anomaly in the wetsuit-sizing universe. Size charts just shrug at me. The one woman’s winter suit I tried? It had short arms and a 3mm hood. If you’ve ever duck-dived in 34°F water with exposed wrists and a 3 mil hood, I do not recommend it.
PC: Ralph Fatello
So I wear men’s winter wetsuits. They mostly work — once I fill the underarm void with a thin vest or neoprene top. Maybe it’s my build. Maybe it’s the industry. Maybe other women experience this too? If so, please tell me I’m not alone here.
Enter: Double Zero Wetsuits by XlllG (Aka "13G")
Now for the second reason I’m writing: I recently had the chance to test the Double Zero 00 by XlllG (5/4), and I shared the following feedback directly with the Founder/CEO.
PC: Erica Nardone
Let me be clear—I am not easily impressed by wetsuit companies. But the vision behind CKTH. The thoughtful attention to product development. The responsiveness to input and feedback. And the creativity behind the brand? It’s the real deal. So real that this serial wetsuit wanderer might—might—finally become a convert.
Here’s what I told them:
The Positives
-
Effortless entry
Getting into the suit was like sliding into warm butter—zero struggle -
Shoulders + paddle power = awesome
No restriction. Felt strong and smooth in the water -
Lower half = sealed tight
Absolutely no seepage; it felt practically waterproof -
Ankle and wrist seals delivered
My boots and gloves stayed nearly water-free -
Smart hood draw placement
Didn’t dangle, didn’t annoy me, easy to use -
Heavy-duty zipper
Solid, reliable, and didn’t give me a fight -
Easy exit
No post-session wrestling match required. -
Fast drying + rugged seams
Always a huge bonus in cold-water climates
Potential Opportunities
-
Men’s suit on a woman = expected quirks
I had extra space under the armpits, though I purposely tested without my usual vest to see how the suit performed on its own. Like most women in men’s suits, there was a little extra room in the groin—nothing unusual, just the standard “this wasn’t cut for me” fit -
Warmth comparison:
My buddy spent 2.5 hours in the wind in his Double Zero 00. Candidly, I can always use a little extra warmth, and this is the toastiest of any men’s winter suit I own. A woman in a men’s wetsuit? Not exactly built for me—but it does the trick -
The big one:
I am very ready for a women’s version. Word on the beach is that cold-water women’s suits are dropping this spring, and I cannot wait
Final Thoughts
I’ve worn dozens of wetsuits over decades and my basement graveyard of blown seams is proof of my constant search for “the one.” I’ve never been picky about brands—just fit, flexibility, and function.
But testing the Double Zero has me rethinking that lifelong neutrality.
If CKTH really launches a women’s cold-water suit built for tall, athletic surfers who don’t fit the standard sizing mold? You might be looking at the newest, most loyal member of Team Double Zero.
