THE SUIT
O’Neill have been one of the top wetsuit makers in the world for years. The O’Neill Psycho 1 FUZE 3/2mm Steamer is their middle of the road option, which balances warmth, flex and price in one suit. I looked at the sales page for the suit on both the O’Neill Australia and USA sites but they have Buckley’s information (aka fuck all) that gives a rundown of what you’re getting. They’re pretty core, so likely rely on salty shop staff educating customers. Thankfully, this review isn’t about O’Neill’s online marketing. Read on to get an insight into how the O’Neill Psycho 1 performs in the water.
TB3
O'Neill's exclusive, maximum stretch, hydrophobic neoprene with featherlight ENVY foam rubber core
F.U.Z.E Closure
Uses a free-floating zipper panel and anti-flush barrier with drain holes
Fluid Seam Weld
Sealed 8mm silicone-based urethane exterior with a triple GBS interior.
WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR
The O’Neill Psycho 1 is for those wanting a suit that works in the 15 – 19° C range. Think winter in WA, NSW (north of Sydney) and Queensland. If you’re in Vicco or Tas, you’ll be wanting to step up to a 4/3mm of this suit (or the warmest 3/2mms in other brands if you’re a hot bod). The best term I can use to describe this suit is all-rounder. It balances warmth and stretch rather than being the leader at either and sits somewhere between top price tags and bargain basement offers. The O’Neill Psycho 1 is a true fence-sitting seal.
THE IMPORTANT STUFF
FIT & COMFORT
The O’Neill Psycho 1 is a great fitting suit with plush-feel rubber and easy entry. Generally, this is one of the more comfortable suits out there that’s not in the full top range of pricing. Considering O’Neill have been in the wetsuit game for years, this is hardly surprising. If they didn’t have their patterns tweaked to a tee, there’d be something wrong in the lab. It’s a suit that you will pull on in the change room and go, yup, I’m a gymnast, this is a leotard, let’s go out and twist into some body-bending routines. 9 out of 10 here.
PERFORMANCE
Pretty good. This has enough flex to keep you paddling without feeling like you’re being held back like a leashed rooster in a cockfight, but not so much you’re all let’s throw down MMA style. Plenty of give in the right spots. I should note that this was one of the suits where I didn’t feel like the liquid taping was significantly holding back stretch. They seem to have their seam balance sorted. That’s good news for long-term durability without a major sacrifice in speed. A very respectable 8.5 out of 10 here.
WARMTH
Warm as Luke. Aka Lukewarm. Given that O’neill’s wetsuit tagline is ‘Warmest In The Water’ I would have expected a bit more here. I’ll cut them a little slack since this isn’t their top tier option, but even then it’s just okay. Not quite as warm as cheaper suits like the Vissla 7 Seas or Need Essentials Ultra Premium Steamer, but more toast than the full performance models like the Billabong Pro series. I’ll split the difference between the scores I gave those suits in their reviews and go a 7.5 out of 10.
VALUE
This is the area when I think O’Neill are really behind the 8-ball with the Psycho One. Five years ago, before direct to market brands started offering good suits at amazing prizes, this could have been great value. However, at $500 against the Vissla 7 Seas at $330, it just ain’t great bang for your buck. It is $50 cheaper than the Quiksilver Highline which I’d rate fairly similar in terms of overall warmth/performance, however, both suits sit in a really weird ‘okay suit, okay price’ spot. 7 out of 10 here.
VERDICT
The O’Neill Psycho One FUZE 3/2mm steamer is a solid jack-of-all-trades suit from a quality brand. It balances warmth, flex and price around the middle mark, making it a reasonable all-round option, especially if you’re a fan of the brand. However, for me, this sits in a weird spot in the market. The Billabong Pro Series is more flexible at a similar price. The Need Essentials Ultra Premium is warmer at a cheaper price. The Rip Curl Heatseeker beats it in all areas for $200 more, and the Vissla 7 Seas 3/2mm matches up to this suit in terms of warmth and performance, but nails it at $170 cheaper. One thing that remains untested in this comparison is durability. Given that O’Neill has a reputation for quality plus this suit has liquid tape seams, I wouldn’t be surprised if it lasts a season or two more than suits like the Vissla.
Overall, I’d simply say, yeah, it’s pretty good, but there is better out there and I’d be inclined to go full top end or look at greater value options.
Overall Rating
- Good balance of warmth & stretch
- Reputable brand
- Aesthetically a great looking suit
- Doesn't offer great bang for your buck
WHERE TO BUY
If you’ve got $500 Australian spare and we’ve convinced to get an O’Neill Psycho 1 Steamer, then hit the below links and spend up. Like we said, it’s a good all-rounder that can cover most of what you’ll need from a suit.
Buy an O’Neill Psycho 1 Steamer from :
⋅ O’Neill Australia
⋅ O’Neill USA
⋅ O’Neill Stockists
Alternatively, we’ve pulled together three Winter Wetsuit Buyers Guides if you’re still a little undecided on what to buy:
*Above $500
*$300-$500
*Below $300
Submit your review | |
I have had a psycho 1, 3/2 steamer for less than a year. I have worn it for no more then 4 months with summer in between and it is now on its third trip back to be repaired. First two times were for seam failure and now the stitching on the zip unravelling. I went to the shop to buy one of the best quality wetsuits I could so I wouldn’t have problems and have been incredibly disappointed. It is a comfortable wetsuit, but I am sick of taking it back and being without it when I want to go surfing.
LIPPED PODCAST
If you’re driving, or reading isn’t your thing, then hit the below episode of Lipped where we talk all things wetsuits 2019 with industry experts from Xcel, Rip Curl, O’Neill and Need Essentials. And you’ll also get treated to listening to Tim and Jim take an in-depth look at suits from Rip Curl, Billabong, Xcel, O’Neill, Quiksilver, Need Essentials, Vissla, Patagonia and Hurley.
