ABYSSTAR GROUPER EVO OPEN CELL WETSUIT

ABYSSTAR GROUPER EVO OPEN CELL WETSUIT

COMFORT AND SOFTNESS WITH NO EQUALS

We can say a lot about freediving wetsuits, the several variables offered by the market but the essential features that everyone looks for and which are the basis of a good product are mainly just two: it must guarantee a good thermal protection and above all it must be 100% comfortable.

This is the case of the new open-cell GROUPER EVO wetsuit marketed by the Italian company Abysstar. This is an evolution of the product that was in their catalog of past seasons to which substantial changes have been made.

The wetsuit is available in two versions that identical except for the fact that one is nylon outside/open cell inside and the other is nylon outside/ nylon inside. However, while the first is only available in 5mm, the second is available in either 5mm or 3mm.

We have analyzed for you the 5mm nylon outside/open cell inside.

The Evo Grouper is made of JAKO microcellular neoprene (coming from SOUTH KOREA) which guarantees a low incidence of crushing due to water pressure and hence a longer product life.

The outer lining reflects the nuances of a mixed rock/seaweed bottom, which, with a prevalence of green and brown, is well suitable for fishing in the Mediterranean sea.

On both sides of the chest, on the lower portion of the jacket and legs, on the face contour, thighs and forearms, there are neoprene inserts with super elastic brown lining characterized by an unmatched softness that is already clearly perceptible to the touch and that make the wetsuit very comfortable to wear and well adhering to the body, facilitating the expansion of the chest during ventilation and minimizing the feeling of constriction in all parts of the body. The only exception is the neoprene portion in the pelvic / inner thigh area that is lined in nylon both inside and outside to ensure greater resistance.

Cuffs, ankles and face contours do not have the water-stop ribs we are used to but they end with a simple reinforcement seam.

The jacket closing system is a two plastic clips beaver's tail, maybe it was best to place a Velcro closure because it is more practical but that is a completely subjective choice.

Knees and elbows are equipped with rubber anti-abrasion protections, applied to the lining. The chest support is applied from the outside and is wide and well padded without stiffening the neoprene in the chest area and maintaining a good adhesion to the skin.

The fit is great and the wetsuit  does not leave any air pockets at any point wrapping the body as if it was an elastic clothing. As a reference, consider that the tester has worn a XL size and is 185cm high, weighs 85kg and is skinny (see size table).

Abysstar also manufactures a range of accessories with the same wetsuit camouflage, that are socks, gloves, vest and shorts. Even with regard to these accessories, attention to detail is high standard. Testers have particularly appreciated the socks. This is an accessory made of twin-lined neoprene with camouflage outer lining and sole with anti-abrasion surface. The peculiarity lies in the neck of the boot, which is instead made of neoprene lined internally and smooth externally to ensure a better sealing with the end of the trousers. Even the gloves (camouflage) are made of double-side lining neoprene, with the same anti-abrasion finish on the palms. Unlike socks, the gloves do not have the smooth neoprene end piece, but are entirely made of double-side lining neoprene and end with a naked cut, not finished with the usual reinforcement stitching.

At the conclusion of this review I find it important to emphasize again the softness and comfort that this neoprene gives to the grouper evo wetsuit.