Review: The Rip Curl H-Bomb

I remember surfing in the dead of winter 20 years ago, as my bros and I shivered in our neon-colored overlock-stitch fullsuits, dreaming about heated wetsuits. "J-j-just th-think," we'd stutter. "We'd never have to get out."

Fast-forward to 2008 and I'm staring at that dream turned reality -- a battery-powered 3/2 millimeter Rip Curl, designed to keep us warm and loose no matter how icy it gets. It had been hanging in my garage for the better part of two months, as 80-degree weather and above-average water temps in November made me think more about trunks and beach parties than icy dawn patrols and super-charged heating coils.

But after almost a month in tropical waters, a serious cold-snap at home and abysmal surf, I needed to find something to motivate me to paddle back out into our brown, polluted waters.

The H-Bomb did the trick.

The suit comes with its own vinyl cover – just like you’d get with a tuxedo – and a very techy battery kit and chargers, just like you’d get if you were…oh, I don’t know. Some kind of James Bond agent. The whole set-up looks pretty intimidating and complicated, which is why I also probably delayed trying it. But now it had been more than a week since I had surfed (which is weird for me). And since the forecast didn’t look like it was going to improve anytime soon, it was time to read the user’s manual and fire that baby up.

According to Rip Curl, the 2 lithium-ion, 7.4 volt batteries they supply are enough to keep me warm in practically any water temp for up to three hours. Even more reassuring is that these batteries don’t increase my chances of getting chomped. Apparently, it was tested by the Natal Sharks Board in South Africa and got the “thumbs up,” so it’s good to know my voltage doesn’t double as a dinner bell.

Although all the gear looks complicated, it really isn’t. Just pull the batteries out of your James Bond kit, plug ‘em into the two slots provided in your suit, and proceed with your normal wetsuit-pulling-on ritual. I timed it – each session in the H-Bomb takes about an extra two minutes in pre- and post- prep. Not too much to ask when hypothermia is in the balance.

Walking down the beach, you look pretty much like a normal guy in a fullsuit. The only difference is the two 4.2-oz batteries bulging out of your lower back on each side. You don’t really feel them – and definitely don’t feel them surfing. But I have to be honest here: walking down the beach with batteries strapped to your back and a button on your leg inevitably makes you feel like…a suicide bomber. If you see a bunch of jihadists running around in Rip Curls in the future, keep your distance.

But we all know that will never happen. The H-Bomb will be used for entirely for good things, like warming the cores of surfers worldwide. During my 45-minute session in dribbly, offshore mushburgers at Oceanside, I barely even felt the water. A month in the tropics usually makes that first surf back in California painful, but this time it was as easy as sliding into a pair of flannel pajamas. The button on your leg gives you three heating options: low, high or “boost.” For the really frigid stuff. But just to be a wimp, I kept it on “boost” the whole time. The carbon-fiber coils in my back roared to life, I stayed warm and loose (like I had a little campfire in my suit) and – even though the surf sucked – I kept telling myself “one more.”

Aside from keeping you warm, the H-Bomb just might serve as the key motivator to keep you in the water…forever. Just like we used to dream about when neon was cool.

For more on the Rip Curl wetsuit line, including the H-Bomb, visit www.RipCurl.com

Reader Comments 

Posted Wed Dec24, 2008, 4:57 PM — By 23 Chips

What good old Mr. Slater conveniently forgets to mention is the price tag. One of those suits will wipe out your board and travel budget for a few years. The Chips also seems to remember that Mr. Slater's brother works for Rip Curl. Is it a coincidence that there is not a word of criticism in the whole "review"? The Chips knows that the industry and media are bro brah central but this is pretty pathetic. There's not much more here than you could get from the Rip Curl website. Hopefully the ad revenue will sponsor a few more "field trips" to Cabo. 23 Chips

Posted Thu Dec25, 2008, 3:47 PM — By Pete Swedra

Ditto on the price. If the thing was reasonably priced, I'd be the first in line, even if there was a risk of electrocution. I live in San Francisco, and I've been dreaming of this suit probably longer than Evan. But I think the last time I checked they were like $1,100???? You could get a nice beater car for that much money. I'd pay a lot for a heated suit, maybe even double the normal price for a 4/3. But more than TRIPLE the price? Give me a break, man. Especially bad timing of the release with this economy.

Posted Sat Dec27, 2008, 8:49 AM — By SoCal?

Oceanside? Come on, give this thing a real test in cold water and wintertime conditions. East Coast nor'easter, snowstorm, 38 degree water, below freezing windchill.... lots of duck diving.

Posted Mon Dec29, 2008, 4:30 AM — By MS

If you need to turn it to "boost," the highest heat setting, at Oceanside this thing is a total a waste. Any decent 3/2 should be more than adequate for San Diego -- even if you just returned from the tropics. For the same money, you could buy two top-of-the-line fullsuits and still have some change left over for a shorty!

Posted Mon Dec29, 2008, 12:23 PM — By Dustin From chekalooka

If anything this suit is the first of many more to come hopefully. It will be nice to see what the other companies will produce along the same lines. I grew up in NJ and now live in WA state. Both cold as shit in the winter but I couldn't ever see myself or my bru's spending over a grand for a suit, maybe 700 for the hooded 4/3 but for now my 6/5/4 is nice and toasty ;o)

Posted Wed Dec31, 2008, 12:13 AM — By j_satt

a heated suit for o-side?? couldn't mr. slater just do what he does at mav's when he gets cold and burn everybody??

Posted Wed Dec31, 2008, 8:38 PM — By Moondog

I you can't take the cold, get out of the water. Srsly, RC makes a pretty poor product. I doubt that that suit would hold up for more than one or two seasons worth of use.

Posted Sat Jan 3, 2009, 4:43 PM — By You Suck

This isn't an article that belongs in a magazine for sale - it is a commercial that I sould be paid to read!!! Evan Slater, you have failed as a journalist RESIGN NOW

Posted Sun Jan 4, 2009, 9:04 AM — By Dutchy

Just surfed with 6/5/4mm in water and air temp around freezing. I was warm and suit costed 350$. So I think there is no market for this H-bomb.

Posted Tue Jan 6, 2009, 11:54 PM — By www.ieatstuff.com

yeh. not much of a critical review that's for sure. and for that price i hope rip curl have improved their liquid taping. i can't get more than one season out of an f bomb without the tape cracking...

Posted Wed Jan 7, 2009, 3:11 PM — By JP

I agree with those who have panned this review. We are given one paragraph, at the very end of the piece, to describe the performance of the product and the rest of the article is just noise. Send me the suit. I surf in Canada's North Atlantic. I'll let you know if it holds up to water cold enough to freeze your mother's heart. I might even give you more than a paragraph to help you decide if the suit is worth passing on the Firewire you've had your eye on.

Posted Wed Jan 7, 2009, 5:29 PM — By gordon shields

moved from so cal to westport island, maine some years ago. my board is in the barn, ready to go. can somebody loan me one of those freaking f-bombs so i can see if i can get in and out of the water without becoming an $1100 eskimo pie?

Posted Thu Jan 8, 2009, 1:01 AM — By tony

Fuck you Evan, Go suck Rip curls' dick. Until you give an honest review and until the price drops my 5/4 xcel keeps me warm and flexible. Your a tools. PS say in socal

Posted Sat Jan10, 2009, 11:49 PM — By Asian Surfer in da' Ball Freezin' No. NJ & Long Island NY SURF

I'm currently using on a weekly basis in the snow or rain with 15-30mph winds and 46-49F water, a Rip Curl 6/5/4 E2 2007/2008 model hooded wetsuit w/ 7mm booties & gloves and it's just literally barely warm enough. I want to sell it and get the newer model that's supposed to be warmer. Anybody want to buy it in size small in new condition? Although I do have only 7% body fat. When the water temps get colder in about 3-5 weeks, I'll start to worry about my sperm getting too frozen. By the I, my local beach for 10 1/2 consecutive years was Salt Creek, Dana Point, SoCal. Bunch of whiney wimps back there on the west coast.

Posted Wed Jan14, 2009, 12:41 PM — By JP

46-49F and you're wearing a 6mil suit? And you have the nerve to call other people wimps? Those are summer temps, brah ... winter is 32-34F.

Posted Thu Feb12, 2009, 4:41 AM — By steve

JP you are retarded. 6 mil is completely appropriate for 46 degree water. winter is 32 degrees?? what the hell is summer? 36 degrees? nobody even knows who you are and you're still trying to boast your manliness by blogging??? god, you're a tool. BRAH. and evan slater, you should be ashamed of yourself (but of course i know your self-righteous pompous ass wouldn't have even thought twice about posting this "review.") I have heard NOTHING BUT COMPLAINTS from h-bomb owners who would have nothing to gain by bashing the suit. They are simply pissed off that they shelled out 1k for a suit that doesn't work more than a couple of sessions, the liquid seals rapidly deteriorate and Rip Curl won't do A THING about it. absolutely sickening, evan.

Posted Mon Apr13, 2009, 11:33 PM — By Craig Moore

Well we got one to test (4/3 hooded) in our cold assed water (1C/33F). We had it out about three times so far and although cozy it still needs to stand the test of time. Overall the jury is still out but warm is warm when you surf cold all the time. Have a look if you want to at http://surfdonkey.ca Thanks Craig

Add Comment

Name (Required):

Email (Required, will not be shown to public):

Comment (Required, max chars: 1024):

You have characters left.

Type the characters you see in this picture

 

		THE BEST WAVES! THE BEST SURFERS! THE BEST PHOTOS! AND NOW THE BEST DEAL: SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND GET 1 YEAR OF SURFING MAGAZINE FOR ONLY $12.00! Take advantage of this special offer-act now! GIVE A GIFT
				Email: First Name: Last Name: Address Line 1: Address Line 2: City: State: Zip: Select a payment option: Charge my credit card Bill me later Do you have a promotional coupon code? Enter Code: Please send me special offers and exclusive promotions from Surfing's premiere partners.