Rip Curl Flashbomb 3/2 Zip Free Review

9.0/ 10 Aggregate score

9.0

Average price$435Range $399.95–$470 across 2 retailersSee sources

Rip Curl's flagship 3/2 zip-free steamer — Flash Lining for near-instant dry, E5 flash-dry neoprene, and a zipless entry system for maximum flex and minimum flush. The reference performance temperate-water wetsuit.

View on South Coast

Quick specs

Type: Full wetsuit / Steamer (Zip Free)
Thickness: 3/2 mm
Entry: Zip Free (over-head, no back or chest zip)
Lining: Flash Lining (full-body, fast-dry)
Neoprene: E5 flash-dry
Seams: Glued Blindstitched + External Sealed

The Flashbomb is Rip Curl's flagship wetsuit line — priced at the top of the range and the reference for what a premium 3/2 can do. The 'Zip Free' variant removes both the chest and back zippers entirely, using a stretchy neck panel for over-head entry. Less flush, more flex.

The Flash Lining is the differentiator. It's a full-body plush lining that wicks water out of the neoprene, letting the suit dry in a fraction of the time of a conventional wetsuit. Two surfs a day, one Flashbomb — no cold-water shock on the second session.

Pros & cons

Dries in a fraction of the time of a conventional wetsuit (Flash Lining)
Zip-free entry eliminates the flush and stiffness of any zipper
Full-body Flash Lining is the warmest lining Rip Curl offers at this thickness
Reference performance wetsuit — used on tour by Rip Curl team riders

Zip-free entry is harder to get in and out of than chest or back zip
Premium price ($499+) — significantly more expensive than the Dawn Patrol
Not warm enough for water below ~15 °C — step up to Flashbomb Fusion 4/3

How it surfs

E5 is Rip Curl's fifth-generation flash-dry neoprene — stretchier than standard rubber, dries faster, and doesn't hold water in the fibres. The seams are Glued Blindstitched (GBS) with an external liquid sealing tape on the outside.

Rip Curl team riders (Mick Fanning, Tyler Wright, Owen Wright historically) have surfed the Flashbomb line on tour for years. The consensus among long-time buyers is that the Flash Lining is worth the price premium if you surf twice a day or in autumn/winter conditions where drying time matters.

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.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
MS (Medium Short)	3/2 mm	70–77 kg / 155–170 lbs	All
M	3/2 mm	72–80 kg / 158–177 lbs	All
MT (Medium Tall)	3/2 mm	74–82 kg / 163–181 lbs	All
LS (Large Short)	3/2 mm	80–88 kg / 176–194 lbs	All
L	3/2 mm	82–91 kg / 180–200 lbs	All
XL	3/2 mm	90–98 kg / 200–215 lbs	All

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
Rip Curl Flashbomb 3/2 Zip Free	Performance zip-free steamer	15–19 °C	9.5
Rip Curl E-Bomb 3/2 Zip Free	Ultralight performance steamer	15–19 °C	9.2
O'Neill Hyperfreak 3/2	All-round warm-water steamer	15–19 °C	9.4

Verdict

Verified retailer pages, a dedicated Boardshop video review, and GetFoamie's 9/10 written review are listed for the Flashbomb 3/2 Zip Free. The only numeric rating shown is the one visible in the verified source.

Aggregate score: 9.0 / 10

Aggregated from 4 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.

Aggregate score

9.0/ 10

9.0

4 sources

Source	Score	Summary
GetFoamie	9.0 9 / 10	"Published a 9/10 rating for the Rip Curl Flash Bomb 3/2 review."
Boardshop YouTube	No numeric score	"Published a dedicated Rip Curl Flashbomb wetsuit review video."
South Coast Surf Shops	No numeric score	"Live product page for the men's Rip Curl Flashbomb 3/2 Zip Free fullsuit."
Down The Line Surf	No numeric score	"Live retailer product page for the Rip Curl Flashbomb 3/2mm Zip Free wetsuit."

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

$435

$399.95–$470 · 2 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
South Coast Surf Shops	$399.95	-$35.05	Visit
Down The Line Surf	$470	+$35	Visit

Frequently asked questions

What water temperature is the Flashbomb 3/2 rated for?+

Roughly 15–19 °C (60–66 °F). For cooler water step up to the Flashbomb Fusion 4/3 or the Flashbomb Heatseeker 4/3 Hooded.

Is the Zip Free actually harder to get in and out of?+

Yes, noticeably. First-time buyers should try it in-store before committing. The trade-off is real: less flush and more flex once it's on.

Is the Flash Lining worth the price premium?+

If you surf twice a day or in autumn/winter, yes — the drying speed genuinely changes how comfortable a second session feels. If you only surf once a day in summer, the E-Bomb is a lighter and cheaper alternative.