Billabong Wetsuits S/S 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Wetsuits S/S 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Billabong
Interviewee: Katharina Kern (Wetsuit Product Manager) & Valentin Bourgeon (Brand Marketing Lead)

How was the 2024 market?
While we do see a very positive response around our shift to more natural rubber and its advancements in performance, wetsuits as a product category remains with its challenges, especially impacted by an unstable economic environment, as well as organizational changes and trade constraints.

How are stock levels compared to a year ago?
We are in a much better place, steadily chipping away at inventory levels and finding back to a balanced sell out, fuelled by both new styles and carry overs.

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?
As one of the first main core surf brands, we have embraced a committed switch over to natural rubber in FW24 and are confidently carrying this momentum with us into 2025. There is so much potential

Is SS26 a continuation of your current line (with some updates) or did you revamp your collections?
SS26 sees us focus on a strong perennial offer but we are looking at our key silos through a seasonal lens. One example is the AI Forever key brand moment for which we honor Andy’s legacy with a tribute on our Revolution silo. Overall, we are sticking to what’s been working for us and are preparing for a reset and new innovation launch in FW26.

Are pricepoints on the rise? If they are, how do you justify the raise to retailers?
Compared to FW25, price points of our key silos remain steady. All of our suits are always designed to solve a consumer problem with progression & sustainability top of mind. With that, we are mindful of where price points should sit and we never pass a surcharge on to retailers or customers.

Which neoprene options did you use for SS26?
Our guiding principle is ‘Make The Best Wetsuits, Be Good To The Ocean’. Progression is our obsession and we are constantly striving to make wetsuits that are less and less harmful to the environment and have a long standing roadmap that proves our efforts and scale in this undertaking. We introduced the first Yulex natural rubber wetsuit in 2020 and we have taken a big leap and switched 60% of our wetsuits range from neoprene to our own proprietary natural rubber in FW24. This does not change in SS26: our high and mid tier price points, steamers or spring styles alike, are made from our proprietary natural rubber formula.

What differentiates your steamer offer from the rest of the competition?
For one, our commitment towards a radicial shift of cleaner wetsuits (beyond what would today be industry standard e.g. water-based glue, solar powered factory, non-plastic packaging etc.): bringing natural rubber to our key silos and upgrading the use of recycled jerseys and liners throughout our line to now using upcycled textile waste. We thrive to create the best wetsuits in both an environmental and innovative sense. Graphene and Airlite4D continue to get us ahead when it comes to delivering incredible warmth and exception stretch in a wetsuit.

Which silhouettes are trending within the pure summer short-leg/arm models?
Our Revolution spring suit with short legs and long arms is probably the most comfortable wetsuit you’ll ever surf in. On the womens side, we’ve added a few new silhouettes to our Surf Capsule, most notably a back zip version of our every trending Salty Dayz Springsuit: the Spring Glider.

While the winter wetsuit offers black on black (non)colorways, did you add a bit of fun in the spring-summer ranges?
Check out our Oscillator and AI Forever tribute on the Men’s side and you shall ask no more 😊 Our SS26 Surf Capsule is stacked with fresh colours and prints and we also dipped Synergy in a new colour palette.

Do you offer repair and/or recycle programs?
Recycled program is part of full Boardriders group

Key Products:

FURNACE NATURAL MENS & WOMENS:
Keeps you warmer, faster, for longer. Conquer icy waters with the Furnace Natural and its Graphene-infused recycled lining that traps heat exceptionally well. 100% neoprene free, this natural rubber construction keep it lightweight and flexible, making movement easy even in rough conditions. With watertight seams and upcycled jersey for textile waste, this wetsuit sets a new standard for cold-water performance.

FURNACE NATURAL MENS & WOMENS

REVOLUTION NATURAL A.I. FOREVER:
More than 10 years after his tragic passing, Andy Irons’ approach to riding a wave is more relevant than ever. To celebrate this, Billabong created a 2026 AI Forever wetsuits collection, recognizing the most iconic prints he wore during this reign. The Revolution Natural long-sleeve full suit is crafted for warmth, without sacrificing mobility. With a neoprene-free design, this wetsuit uses an Airlite 4D stretch exterior with partially recycled fibers and a graphene-infused interior that heats up quickly and keeps you warmer longer. The chest zip entry and fully glued, blind-stitched seams maximize flexibility and reduce water intake.

REVOLUTION NATURAL A.I. FOREVER

WOMENS SPRING GLIDER BACK ZIP SPRINGSUIT:
A fresh, yet timeless, very cute and oh-so-practical addition to our Surf Capsule Natural line up: the Spring Glider silhouette. Made from natural rubber (meaning: 100% neoprene free!), this suit paddles like a dream. The trend back to back zip is doing us a favour here: super sleek front, easy entry and full confidence to focus on that committed drop on the next set wave. Also: you might be stoked to know that we didn’t just opt for recycled yarns in the jersey but actually did our part to upcycle post-consumer textiles.

WOMENS SPRING GLIDER BACK ZIP SPRINGSUIT