C-Skins Wetsuits S/S 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Wetsuits S/S 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: C-Skins
Interviewee: Jimmy Pinfield, Marketing Manager

How was the 2024 market?
The wider market remains relatively flat, but we’re starting to see some green shoots as we enter the SS26 high season. We’ve seen a strong response and growth in our NuWave natural rubber line. Dealers were keen to get behind more sustainable options and something fresh, especially with the market feeling stagnant post-Covid. The uptake and growth for C-Skins has been positive.

How are stock levels compared to a year ago?
As a company our own stock levels are back to normal. We feel by the end of this season, many of our customers would have got their wetsuit stock back to where they want it as well. While there’s still some clearance stock in the market, we have a sense that our B2B customers want to see new product offerings so they can excite the end consumer with new innovative and sustainable offerings.

The new rubber innovations display the picture of a segment full of vitality. Was the sell-in on the same page for Spring-Summer 2025?
Yes, our job is to bring energy to the industry, and dealers have responded well to the new ranges, especially those built around sustainability. That excitement has carried into sell-in.

Is SS26 a continuation of your current line (with some updates) or did you revamp your collections?
A bit of both. We’ve introduced some fresh silhouettes like the Session Lite and Solace Lite range and introduced tech updates in areas of the Legend and Surflite. Alongside our continued options the range feels both familiar and new.

Are pricepoints on the rise? If they are, how do you justify the raise to retailers?
There’s still upward pressure due to materials, natural rubber and recycled linings are more expensive than traditional options, but we’ve done our best to offset this with currency gains. The result is minimal impact to the dealer.

Which neoprene options did you use for SS26?
Every suit in our SS26 line is now built using natural rubber. There’s still a small amount of neoprene carryover, but that’s being phased out.

What differentiates your steamer offer from the rest of the competition?
We offer a full spectrum of steamers, from 2:2 summer suits up to 6:5 hooded winter options, and each one is available in natural rubber. It’s a top-to-bottom range with serious eco credentials combined with innovation.

Which silhouettes are trending within the pure summer short-leg/arm models?
In women’s, Solace Lite has been really strong, from long sleeve steamers and springs, to high-cut swimsuit styles. In men’s, short sleeve steamers and short-leg springs continue to do well across both Session and Session Lite.

While the winter wetsuit offer black on black (non)colorways, did you add a bit of fun in the spring-summer ranges?
Definitely. We’re a high-performance, quality-first company, but the summer range allows us to introduce a bit more personality, think sublimated tropical prints and brighter details, particularly in the thinner women’s suits.

Do you offer repair and/or recycle programs?
Yes, we work with one of the UK’s most highly regarded wetsuit repair services, and our European distributors have their own centres. We always encourage repair, resale, and hand-me-down use. Recycling’s still tricky at scale, but we’re keeping an eye on developments in that space.

Key Products:

ReWired 3/2:
C-Skins NuWave ReWired is constructed using insanely stretchy NuWave natural rubber combined with Halo X2 recycled linings. The compromise between performance and sustainability is no more. Featuring our exclusive Dark Matter chest panel, minimal seam design, Iris 3 inner closure and Enigma 3 chest entry with single cinch, the lightweight, quality construction and attention to detail make the ReWired a team inspired favourite.

NuWave ReWired Summer 26 Guide

Solace 4/3:
The NuWave Solace is designed to keep you warm and free while minimising environmental impact. Engineered from super stretchy natural rubber and featuring our dynamic multi-layered Halo X2 technology, this eco-friendly wetsuit strikes the ultimate balance between comfort, movement and sustainability. With natural rubber composition and recycled fabric linings, our NuWave wetsuits are made with the planet in mind.

NuWave Solace Summer 26 Guide

Session Lite Spring:
The all-new Session Lite series has a suit in the range for every activity. Utilising 100% super stretchy Recycled Xtend Natural Rubber, the Session Lite gives unbelievable freedom and unrestricted movement while minimising the impact on the planet. Dura Flex knee pads provide great abrasion resistance, the chest zip entry gives insane freedom and performance and a comfortable Glideskin collar provides the perfect seal. Available in 3/2 Steamer, 2/2 Shorty, 2/2 Spring (pictured) and 2/2 Short Arm Steamer.

NuWave Session Lite Summer 26 Guide