O'Neill Reactor-2 3/2 Back Zip Entry-level 3/2 steamer — full deck view

Photo: O'Neill Reactor-2 3/2 listing

O'Neill
O'Neill · Entry-level 3/2 steamer

O'Neill Reactor-2 3/2 Back Zip Review

Average price≈ $150USD converted · 2 retailers, 2 currenciesSee sources

O'Neill's value 3/2 back zip steamer, listed at $159.95 USD and £109.95 in the UK. It is the cheapest full suit in the O'Neill line and the one most surf schools and first-time buyers end up in.

View on O'Neill
Quick specs
Thickness
3/2 mm
Entry
Back zip
Neoprene
UltraFlex Composite
Seams
Flatlock stitched, breathable
Chest and back
Wind-proof smoothskin panels
Collar
Adjustable single seal

O'Neill describes the Reactor-2 as engineered for performance in a value driven package. Everything about the spec sheet supports that read: flatlock seams, back zip entry, and UltraFlex Composite neoprene rather than the airprene-style panels used higher up the range.

The smoothskin chest and back panels are the feature that matters most here. They block wind chill when you are sitting out the back in a breeze, which is where cheap suits usually feel coldest.

Flatlock stitching is the trade-off. The seams are sewn through the neoprene, so they breathe and they leak. That puts the Reactor-2 in temperate and warm water rather than winter conditions, where a sealed and taped suit like the Epic or Psycho Tech belongs.

Pros & cons
  • Cheapest full steamer in the O'Neill range at $159.95 USD
  • Back zip is the easiest entry system to get in and out of alone
  • Krypto Knee Padz on a suit at this price point
  • Sized from XS to 4XL including short and tall fits
  • Flatlock seams let water through, so it is not a cold-water suit
  • Back zip flushes more than a chest zip in duck dives
  • UltraFlex Composite is less stretchy than O'Neill's Hyperfreak and Psycho neoprene
  • No published numeric review score on the sources we checked

How it surfs

No retailer or publication in our checks publishes a numeric score for the current Reactor-2 3/2, so the figure on this page is an estimate from published spec and price against the other O'Neill suits we cover.

The back zip is worth thinking about rather than dismissing. It is easier to get into on a cold morning, and the entry system is the single most common reason beginners give up on a suit. The cost is flush through the zip when you duck dive.

Step up to the Psycho One if you want a chest zip at 3/2, and to the Epic 4/3 if you need real winter warmth. Our wetsuit thickness guide covers where each band belongs, and the wetsuit size chart covers fit before you buy online.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

SizeVolumeRider weightBest for
XS to S3/2 mmLighter framesAll
M-S, M, M-T3/2 mmAverage, with short and tall fitsAll
L-S, L, L-T3/2 mmLarger framesAll
XL to 4XL3/2 mmLargest framesAll

How it compares

BoardBest atWave rangeAggregate score
O'Neill Epic 4/3Warmer sealed-seam step up4/3 mm8.7
O'Neill Psycho One 3/2Chest zip and stretchier neoprene3/2 mm9.0
O'Neill Hyperfreak 3/2Top-end 3/2 flexibility3/2 mm9.2

Verdict

The value end of the O'Neill line, and honest about it. No scored reviews are published, so 8.4 is an estimate from spec and price against the suits we track.

Estimated score: 8.4 / 10
Estimated from 2 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score
8.4/ 10
8.4
2 sources, none scored
SourceScoreSummary
O'Neill US — Reactor-2 3/2 Back Zip listingNo numeric score"O'Neill lists the Reactor-2 with UltraFlex Composite neoprene, flatlock stitched breathable seams, wind-proof smoothskin panels, an adjustable single seal collar, Krypto Knee Padz and a hidden key pocket."
O'Neill UK — Reactor-2 3/2 listingNo numeric score"The same suit is listed in the UK at £109.95 across sizes XS to 4XL, including short and tall fits."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price
≈ $150
USD converted · 2 retailers
RetailerPricevs. average
O'Neill UK£109.95-$10.36Visit
O'Neill US$159.95+$9.95Visit

Frequently asked questions

How much is the O'Neill Reactor-2 3/2?+

O'Neill lists it at $159.95 USD in the US and £109.95 in the UK.

How warm is a 3/2 Reactor-2?+

It is a temperate and warm water suit. The flatlock seams breathe and let water through, so it is not built for winter.

Is the back zip a problem?+

It flushes more than a chest zip when you duck dive, but it is the easiest entry system to use on your own.

What neoprene does it use?+

UltraFlex Composite, with wind-proof smoothskin panels on the chest and back.

What sizes are available?+

XS through 4XL, including short and tall fits in the middle sizes.

Does it have knee protection?+

Yes. O'Neill lists Krypto Knee Padz on this model.