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Japan's Top Selling Wetsuit Brand Comes To The US

Originally posted on SURFER | By Chris Dodds | Last updated Nov 8, 2024 1:40 AM ET

As a 35 year old surfer who doesn’t have children and has spent most of his surfing life in cold water–I’m no stranger to wearing rubber. From my early days as a loyalist to one of the main wetsuits brands, to my later years of experimenting with different brands and a mix of materials from Japanese rubber to Yulex, I've always been curious as to what different wetsuits have to offer.

There’s been an explosion of new niche brands over the past 10 years and, lucky for us, we now we have tons of options. I thought that I had a pretty good read of all the brands out there until earlier this year I saw Corey Colapinto rocking a brand I had never heard of called Craftsman. After a bit of digging I learned that Craftsman has been the top selling brand in Japan for the last few years and they’ve just become available in the US this year through an exclusive distribution deal with SurfBored US.

While his cousins Griffin and Crosby Colapinto have been turning heads on the tour with their explosive brand of performance surfing, Corey has been blowing up on social media with videos on his self-shaped "Kookapinto" boards that portray much more relatable waves, albeit, surfed with incredible grace and finesse. His surfing and shaping translated across the pond to Japan and he became Craftsman's first US team rider. Growing up in San Clemente, CA, Corey is no stranger to different suits--from summer days in long johns or wetsuit tops, to cold winter sessions where warmth is key to staying loose and surfing smooth.

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A post shared by Corey Colapinto (@kookapinto)

When you’re new to surfing in cold water, donning a wetsuit can seem like the bane of your existence. Paddling can feel awkward and strained and just peeling it off after your session can seem like a workout in itself, especially if it’s more than just a 3/2. If you’re used to it though, your wetty can feel like your second skin. Akin to magical armor that gives you a warm hug and enables you to surf for hours in water that is cool, cold, or even near freezing.

No matter the suit, it gets easier with time but there is a huge difference between materials and while personal preference plays a part, there is an objectivity to the actual feel of the rubber. Anyone that has sampled an array of styles will tell you that premium Japanese suits are far above the rest of the field–soft, smooth, silky even–the only downside is that they often come with a price tag in the $600-$700+ range.

The good news is that with Craftsman you can get into a premium Japanese 3mm full suit for $400. Sure, that ain’t cheap, but it is a few hundred dollars better than most Japanese suits and it comes in the same ballpark as a premium suit from brands like Billabong, Rip Curl, and O’Neill. The top suits from the big brands are usually around ~$500 and they’re great, but the materials are different. Again, a lot comes down to personal preference, for example, if you love Gabriel Medina then you’re likely going to be partial to whatever is the latest and greatest from Rip Curl.

If you’re into something that’s high-end-yet-low-key then Craftsman may be right up your alley. I recently connected with Corey and he said, “I just started wearing the 3mm again as the water’s been getting colder but I rocked it all last winter too. I’ve worn so many different suits over the years but what I love about this one is how it’s so highly flexible yet totally warm. It feels just as warm as, if not warmer than, any winter 4/3 I’ve ever worn but much more flex and comfort.”

Their full suit offers a U-zip opening that is unique to Japanese suits. Corey said, “This is my first suit that has had an opening like that and I’m a fan, it makes it super easy to get in and out.”

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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