Name: Active-Flex Wetsuit
Brand: ZONE3
SKU: WS25WACTF101/S
Price: 249.0 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (20 reviews)

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Active-Flex Wetsuit

WHO IT'S FOR

The Active-Flex is for swimmers who swim breaststroke, and for anyone who swims front crawl and also paddles, surfs and spends half their time getting in and out of the water. Most wetsuits are built for surface swimming and will not let the legs move laterally, which is why breaststroke feels wrong in them. This suit is built the other way round, and built to take a beating while it does it.

Breaststroke as your main stroke, or a regular part of your swimming
Wild and coastal swimming across the year, in and out over rock and shingle
SUP, surf, kayak and other board sports alongside swimming
Anyone who wants one suit for everything rather than one suit per sport

WHERE IT SITS IN THE RANGE

The Active-Flex is the most versatile suit in the range and the slowest through the water, which is the trade it makes. If open water racing and triathlon transitions are the goal, the Glide swaps the nylon front legs for neoprene and picks up pace, and the Agile above it moves to a full smoothskin build. For swimrun specifically, the Versa is the suit.

KEY BENEFITS

1. You work less for the same distance. 3mm neoprene through the chest, core and upper legs gives medium core buoyancy that lifts the hips, and low buoyancy through the legs keeps them submerged, so your body sits flat whichever stroke you are swimming.

2. You still move cleanly through the water. A Speedflo coating on the shoulder, upper arm and collar panels reduces drag across the panels that meet the most water.

3. Breaststroke works properly. A high-stretch nylon gusset lets the legs open sideways without resistance, which is the movement most wetsuits block.

4. The suit takes the abuse. Nylon front leg and back panels resist rock, gravel and board decks, reinforced knee panels handle kneeling and launching, and glued and blindstitch seams keep water out.

5. You stay warmer for longer. A 3mm Yulex natural rubber chest panel adds core warmth from a plant-based rubber, and the neckline sits higher than the rest of the range for cold air and cold water.

WHAT YOU'LL FEEL

Warm across the chest before you have even started moving, and covered higher at the neck than you are used to. Open your legs wide and nothing resists, which is the whole point of this suit. Your hips sit up and your legs stay down rather than floating behind you. Kneeling on a board or scrambling out over rock, you stop thinking about what the suit is touching. Pulling it on is easier than a full smoothskin suit, and it goes back on wet without a fight.

Close-up of a black sleeve of a wetsuit with 'Zone3' branding on an outdoor background

Zone3 wetsuit with branding and a hand touching the material

Black wetsuit with orange accents on a white background

EFFICIENCY

Flat body, warm core Body position costs you more than anything else in open water, whichever stroke you swim. Medium core buoyancy through the chest, core and upper legs lifts your hips into line, while low buoyancy through the legs keeps them submerged where breaststroke needs them. A Yulex chest panel holds warmth over the core, so cold does not shorten the swim. Tech behind it: medium core buoyancy, low leg buoyancy, 3mm Yulex natural rubber chest panel

SPEED

Cleaner where it counts This is the most hard-wearing suit in the range rather than the fastest, and the panels are chosen accordingly. A Speedflo coating runs across the shoulder, upper arm and collar, the areas that meet the most water, keeping drag down through the stroke. Nylon takes over lower down, where abrasion resistance matters more than pace. Tech behind it: Speedflo coating, partially smoothskin build

FLEXIBILITY

The stroke wetsuits forget Most wetsuits are built for surface swimming and do not allow the lateral leg movement breaststroke needs. A high-stretch nylon gusset lets the legs open sideways without resistance and adds no buoyancy, so they stay submerged in a natural swimming position. Through the shoulders and arms, 2mm high-stretch panels keep front crawl free as well. Tech behind it: high-stretch nylon gusset panel, 2mm and 3mm high-stretch blend

Key Features

BUOYANCY AND BODY POSITION

Medium core buoyancy: 3mm neoprene through the chest, core and upper legs lifts the hips for a flatter body position.
Low leg buoyancy: thinner neoprene through the lower legs keeps them submerged in a natural swimming position.

STROKE MECHANICS

High-stretch nylon gusset panel: allows the lateral leg movement breaststroke requires, with no added buoyancy.
2mm and 3mm high-stretch blend: 2mm through the arms, underarm panels, gusset and lower legs, 3mm through the chest, core and upper legs.

SPEED AND DRAG

Speedflo coating: on the shoulder, upper arm and collar panels, for a smoother and more durable surface.
Partially smoothskin build: lower drag than a fully lined suit, and easier to pull on than a full smoothskin suit.

COMFORT AND LINING

Laser-cut collar: sits flat against the neck without rubbing.
Higher neckline: extra coverage for cold water and cold air.
Nylon linings: comfort against the skin and easier entry.

CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS

Glued and blindstitch seams: waterproof seam construction throughout.
Nylon front leg and back panels: hard-wearing against rock, gravel and board decks.
Reinforced abrasion-resistant knee panels: built for kneeling, launching and board sports.
3mm Yulex natural rubber chest panel: plant-based natural rubber with up to 80% lower CO2 than neoprene.
Limestone-derived smoothskin neoprene: made from limestone and recycled tyres, saving around 200g of CO2 per suit.

Tech Specs

Buoyancy

Speed

Flexibility

Endurance

Warmth

Durability

FIT GUIDANCE

Getting the right fit

Snug everywhere, restrictive nowhere. You should feel the suit holding your body without pinching at the shoulders or compressing your chest to the point where breathing feels laboured. If you can't take a full breath on land, size up. If there's loose material across the shoulders or chest, size down. Air pockets at the lower back usually mean you need a longer suit, such as an MT (Medium Tall), not a smaller size.

If you're between sizes

Size down if you're racing — a tighter fit gives you more from the suit's buoyancy and reduces water flushing. Size up if you're prioritising comfort for longer open water swims or training sessions where you'll be in the suit for extended periods.

Putting it on

Take your time the first time. Undo the zip fully and fold the top half of the wetsuit down, zip on the back. Start at the ankles and slowly work the neoprene up your legs in sections —don't try to pull from the top. Smooth out any air pockets as you go, particularly around the lower legs and crotch, before pulling the suit up over your torso. Reaching your hands towards the sky and helps to slide the arm sleeves into place. Use the pads of your fingers throughout, never your fingernails. The Silk-X lining will make this easier than most suits, but neoprene always requires patience on the first few wears. It will get easier as the suit breaks in.

What a correct fit feels like

Wetsuit

Comparison Table

Active-Flex Wetsuit

$249.00

★★★★☆(20)

Find Out More

Ratings

Level

Buoyancy

Speed

Flexibility

Endurance

Warmth

Durability

Leisure

Key Features

Material

Neoprene

Coating

Waterproof Seams

Shoulder Panel

Speed Cuffs

Laser Cut Collar

B.R.E Chest Panel

Yamamoto Aerodome

Sensory Catch Panel

Biorubber

NBR Buoyancy

Lining

Additional Information

Smoothskin Neoprene & Nylon Lined Neoprene

3mm to 2mm

Speedflo

Overall rating: 4.857143 / 5 from 21 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["delivery","fit","flexibility","issues","wetsuit","swimming","suit","legs"].

Review highlights

Reviews

Great product although it is difficult to dry it

"It's really a great wetsuit. there is one thing which does not work well though, it is the drying process. For people you swim everyday, you need either a drying room or have two wet suits"

— Thierry L. (5/5)

First swimming wetsuit and I’m

"First swimming wetsuit and I’m very pleased with the Active-Flex. I used the website contact us option as I wasn’t sure what to buy. Adam gave me the reasons I should buy the Active -Flex mainly being new to the sport and a breatstroke swimmer. The fit is great and it’s really easy to put on. There is plenty of flexibility and as it gets colder I shall add a base layer. You also get a discount if you are a NOWCA member."

— Christian N. (5/5)

Fantastic wetsuit super comfortable

"Fantastic wetsuit, easy on and off, very comfortable and flexible particularly across shoulders as a breast stroke swimmer. Brilliant customer service when changing size and would definitely recommend"

— Suzanne A. (5/5)

Fit was great and just

"Fit was great and just what was advised by Adam in customer service"

— joanne r. (5/5)

Very happy with it

"Very happy with it"

— Denise H. (5/5)

Good quality. Good for breast

"Good quality. Good for breast swimming. i have used it by water temperatur 11 Grad. No problem for me. Thank you. Delivery by 3 days is good."

— Martin H. (5/5)

Cumple mis espectativas

"Cumple mis espectativas"

— PEDRO B. (4/5)

Fits really well and easy

"Fits really well and easy to get on and off."

— Helen G. (5/5)

First wetsuit

"This is the first wetsuit I have owned and it’s for river swimming, mainly breaststroke. I can’t believe how warm and comfy it was! The legs are so soft and easy to put on and get off. Nothing like the rigid neoprene I was expecting. Would thoroughly recommend as a first wetsuit."

— Lucy (5/5)